Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Journal of Edward Ward 1850-51

Monday, November 18th

Monday, November 18th

Calm and cold. By our observations we are passed Desolation Island in Latitude 47.18, Longitude 72.43 E. 150 miles run. Ten days will bring us probably abreast of Australia and into warmer weather. A curious accident occurred to me this afternoon. One does not imagine themselves liable on board ship to be tossed by a cow, but nevertheless such was the nature of my accident. I had gone into the cow's house and remained coaxing and petting her on the most affectionate terms—she licking me and pretending to be the best friend possible. But when I climbed upon the partition to get in front of her, while kneeling thereupon with my rear exposed to her face, she, as if sensible of the extreme indignity, ripped up my right leg with everything upon it, including the skin, for about a foot in length. I came down in rags and extreme terror for I thought that my thigh must have been cruelly laid open. But when I got down to my cabin, behold it was only a scratch, and a torn trouser and shirt was the only injury done. Great laughing at me for the accident by the cuddy folk to whom even this absurd accident is a godsend.