When we had passed this scene of watery commotion and got out into the deeper water, the sea smoothed down a great deal; but sea-sickness began to claim its victims, at first a few, then more and more, till the greater part were quite badly affected.

I had a touch of it myself, but managed to keep my feet by bracing out pretty wide, and hugging everything I could get hold of that seemed to offer a steady support, and I did not lie down until after I had thrown my breakfast overboard.
By the time dark came nearly every one was on his back, mostly on deck, and no one asleep.

All were retching and moaning bitterly.

Some who had a few hours before cursed California now cursed the sea, and declared that if they could induce the Captain to turn about and put them back on shore again, they would rather creep on their hands and knees clear back to old Missouri over rocks and sand, than to ride any further on such a miserable old boat as this one was.
Next morning the decks looked pretty filthy, and about all the food the passengers had eaten was now spread about the decks in a half digested condition.

Most of the passengers were very sick.