A Sailor-Boy's Log-Book from Portsmouth to the Peiho by Walter White

Cape Frio -- Arrive at Rio de Janeiro -- Magnificent Harbour -- An Hour on Shore -- Crucifix-bearers -- Wooden Collars -- The Captain's good Advice -- Christmas Day -- Plum-duff -- Close-reefed Topsails -- A Sight of Tristan de Acunha -- The Gun-boats cast off -- Algoa Bay -- Foul Weather -- Money landed in Surf-boats -- Port Elizabeth at a Distance -- Discontent -- Natal -- A Snuffler -- Simon's Bay, Cape of Good Hope -- Romantic Scene -- Bullock-wagons -- A brooming Party -- Savage Landscape -- A good Word for Government -- Sailors' Orchards -- A fresh Departure -- Four Gun-boats -- A Truant -- Strait of Sunda -- Boatswain Birds -- Anjeer -- Java -- Sumatra -- Singapore -- Something to laugh at -- Waterspout -- Arrival at Hong-Kong -- The Letter-bag -- News from Home.

On the 3rd of December we were close to Rio, so we painted the _Highflyer's_ outside, and touched her up here and there, in order to present a neat appearance in harbour. While we were painting and cleaning it had fallen calm, and we lay rolling about within sight of Cape Frio and the distant mountains till the evening of the 6th, when a light wind springing up carried us into the harbour. As we arrived and anchored after dark I could not judge of the place, except where the rows of lights reminded me of streets; and I turned in anxious to turn out, and get a sight of much-talked-of Rio de Janeiro. My feelings, after a long passage across the Atlantic, with rough duties, were very joyous, and the scene inspired me with pleasurable emotions.