Jack is fascinated with the swells, the dark gray waters heaving continuously, relieved only by the spumes of foam along the crests, and little flying fish glimmering silver, skipping in the troughs. He wonders why they do that. There can't be any insects down there for them, and by coming out of the water, aren't they more exposed to the gulls?
Three or four times there is a lot of excitement, when someone spots a small whale or dolphin, breathing water into the air, like little geysers. But they're so far away no one can tell just what they are. Wouldn't it be great if they saw a sea monster of some sort? Not too big.
Thinking back over all the stories he has read about sailors and pirates, and fishermen who love the sea, Jack cannot imagine what the attraction could be. Miles and miles of nothing but water. At best it's uneventful, and at worst, - a taste of which was provided by one very windy day, when everything not attached got thrown about wildly - it's uncomfortable, even hazardous. Altogether Jack cannot fathom man's fascination with the sea. He has enjoyed many books of naval adventures, so much romantic history about military fleets and fiction about pirates, but now… It makes good reading, but someone else can do the doing.
Land Ho!
Some of the people on deck have spotted a dark line on the horizon. It's Canada! Isn't it? What a thrill. Let's get over there! What's taking so long! Let's go!
When at last they cozy up to the steep hills covered tightly with conifer trees, rising almost straight out of the water near Halifax, an almost uncanny calm surrounds the ship. The water surface is like glass, a motionless mirror all around. It's difficult to accept that just a few miles away there must be the usual swells and heaves and waves.
At Halifax the immigrants board a train. Jack is glad to find Dora is going the same way as far as Winnipeg. They can visit and tease each other for a few more days.
The train ride is monotonous for the children, but they find an outlet in cards, in reading, and their favorite game, batting balloons around, volleyball style. Luckily the other passengers are usually quite tolerant; they even join in once in a while. Funny to see a businessman in a suit swatting a balloon about!
At each stop Mom and Dad take turns scouting for good buys in deli items and basic groceries. Their tickets allow for no berths or meals, so they make do mostly with sandwiches.
Jack wonders about this. He hasn't noticed any significant shortage of money before now, other than penny pinching, the Dutch national pastime. He watches for an opportunity to talk to Mom alone. "Mom, how come we're living on sandwiches?"
"We don't have the money for anything else, Vick."
