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along and revise it if I can scrape up enough ambition after a few days at sea.  

The afternoon was spent in the "backyard", visiting with Dick Kroner, Gargantua's keeper, who gave us a demonstration of how to handle a stubborn gorilla.  If Gargantua won't go into the shifting box at feeding time, Dick borrows a large indigo snake from the lady snake-charmer, and the minute the gorilla sees the snake, he makes a wild dash for the partitioned-off portion of his cage, leaving the main part free so that the attendant can get in and do any necessary cleaning.

Dinner at Luchow's was quite a banquet.  The Knights and Steels joined us, Mort and DeBarry, Gene Fenn, and Roy.  Bill and I were both too tired to eat, and about nine o'clock we started down to the pier, stopping on the way to buy some can openers some beer, and a bottle of buttermilk (the last for me).

The ship was crowded with those who had come down to see their friends off.  Not until our own friends had left, and we were standing at the rail waving to them, did we see the Shippens, or Dr. Gray.  To our great surprise we found that Dr. Swingle was also aboard, and Sasha Siemel, the tiger man.  Never have we sailed with so many friends on the passenger list.

Exactly at midnight we started sliding slowly down the North River, and a few moments later the famous skyline of lower Manhattan, brilliant with lights even at that time of night, was left behind.  Frances stood at the rail and wept, overcome with emotion.  But we all went to bed without the formality of a wave at the Statue of Liberty.

April 8th.  At Sea.

We awoke to find wind and rain sweeping the deck, and the sea running high.  Immediately after breakfast Bill and I fought our way out to the spot between decks where most of our animals are stored, and under uncomfortable conditions, staggering as the deck heaved, managed to feed and water the bewildered little Zoo.

April 9 - 11  At Sea

Things settle down, of course.  We make many friends among the passengers, among them Sasha's companion, Miss Bray of Philadelphia, who is going to shoot jaguars with bow and arrow; Mr and Mrs. Burns and Mr. Brooks, all of Hawaii; Mr. Edwards Mrs. Massie and her daughter, all of Barbados.

Food is good, service excellent, the ship comfortable, and the days breezy but gradually getting warmer.  One night there is a floor show, another night a movie or a bingo game.  Stars get brighter, and the Southern Cross begins to lift above the late horizon.

Bill Shippen has taken over my job of assistant animal keeper, and he and my Bill work for an hour or so every morning