Chapter 3 25 November 1854

Chapter 3 25 November 1854

Dear Diary, We have set sail for San Francisco! Everything was so busy yesterday.Our belongings were sent to the Sea Charger in the morning.We said our last good-byes to friends.When we came aboard the ship in the afternoon,Papa was relieved to find all our things sitting in the middle of our stateroom.

"Such a large and lovely room!" Mama said happily,looking around at the big square room with its warm wooden walls.

"Look!" I cried. "The little windows are round!"

"They are not called windows," announced Ernesto. "They are called portholes."

"Ernesto," Papa said in surprise, "how did you know that?"

"I have been reading about ships," said Ernesto with a grin.I was pleased to see that he was following my plan.But I could tell that he was still tense.He kept glancing nervously out at the water.

Soon after, we joined the crowds on deck and watched the crew load a cargo of coffee.Many crates were placed on a giant net, which was closed up and swung onto the back of the ship.("The back of the ship is the stern," Ernesto told us.)

Then we walked toward the front of the ship.("The front is the bow," Ernesto informed us again.)Papa pointed out a tall, dignified man who was standing at the bow.His name is Captain Asa Hutchinson, and he is in command of our ship.He will conduct our journey around South America to California.

"What do you think, Ernesto?" Papa asked."He looks like he knows what he's doing, doesn't he?"

My brother nodded slowly, with satisfaction."Yes, Papi," he said. He actually looked convinced!

26 November 1854

Dear Diary, I persuaded Ernesto to explore the deck with me, though the way the ship rocks makes him uneasy.A friendly crewman named Big Thomas showed us how to steer the ship. Ernesto was interested!

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