Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1862-02-05

bays beyond. South Carolina. With its
snake flag flying, is recognized beress
iInstan:ly we are besieged by fleets of
boats, some k,den with oranges and ba-
napas, and others coming for passengers
and their luggage; all with awnings,
spread over their storms, rowed by
swarthy negroes. Among these boats
comes one, from tho stern of which floats
the red and yellow flag with the crown
in its field, and under whose awning re-
clincs man in full suit of white linen,
with straw hat and red cockade, and a
cigar. This is the health officer. Until
he is satisfied, no one eal eomeFon board
or leave the vessel. Cap. B. sa-
lutes, steps down the ladder to the boat,
hands his papers, reports all well, and we
are pronounced safe. Then comes an
other boat of similar Style, another man
reclining under The awning with cigar,
who comes OH board, is closeted with the
purser, compares the passenger list with
the passports, and we are declared fully
passed, and general leave is given to
land with our baggage at the custom
house wharf. Such confusion was never
heard in any other country. They think
we cannot understand them, and much
of the Conversations carried on by ges-
lures and signs. How thin these boat
men look. You cannot get it out of
your mind that they must all have had
the yellow fever last summer, and are
not vet fully recovered. Not only their
faces, but their bands and arms and legs
arc thin, and their low-quartered slip
pers only half cover their feet.
Very soon I SEQ 10 one Of these boats
face that l know. He is waving his
handkerchief. / am not mistaken; it is
my. a husband. l cannot remember
whether he took my right, hand or left,
but l came down those stairs holding on
strong arm, and was helped into the
boat. o how useless these thick shawls
are! l pile them, on my trunks, and We
start, baggage ard all, for tho custom
house. Here is busy scene Of trunks,
carpet bags, and bundles, and up and
down the pier marches sergeant, or
sub-lieutenant, with a preposterous strut.
Our passports are kept, and we re-
ceive n license to remain and travel in
the island, good for three months only,
for which large fee is paid. -
In a short time my baggage is given
to the express agent, and | am in ago
lanta, managed by a negro postllion,
and am driving through the marrow
streets of this surprising city. The
streets are so narrow, and the houses
built so close upon them, that they seem
to be rather spaces between the walls Of
houses than highways. 1t seems impos-
siblo for two vehicles to pass abreast, yet
they do. In some places awnings are
stretched over the entire street from
house to house, and we are riding under
long tent. What strange vehicles
these volantas are. A pair of very long,
Timber shafts, at one end of which is a
pair of huge wheels, and at the other
end horse with his tail braided, brought
forward, and tied to the saddle; an open
chaise body resting on the shafts, about
one third Of the way from the axle to
the horse, and on the horse is negro
in large postillion boots, long spurs, and
a bright jacket. 1t is an easy vehicle to
ride in, but it must be sore burden to
the beast. Here and there we pass a
private volanta. distinguished by rich
silver mountings and postillion in livery.
Some have two horses, and with the
silver and the livery and the long dang
ling traces and a look Of superfuity
have rather an air of high life. In the
most of them gentleman is reclining
cigar in mouth, while in others is great
puff of blne Or pink muslin or gay
silk extending iover the sides to the
shafts, and The head is decorated with
flowers, no bonnets being worn by Gu
baneens. s9 h4n aH s3sy a.
There are no women walking in the
streets except negresses. Every third
man, perhaps more, and not few wo-
men, are smoking cigars or cigarritos
Here are things moving along, looking
like cocks of new mown grass under
way. But presently you sec the head q
horse or mule peering out from under
the mass, and tail is visible at the 9th
err end, and feet are picking their way
over the stones. These are the carriers
of green fodder, the fresh cut stalks and
blades of corn. They tell me that they
supply all the horses and mules in the
city with their daily feed, as no hay is
used. There are also mules, asses, and
horses, with bananas plantains, oranges
and other fruits, in pannicrs reaching al.
most to the ground. Hers is the Plaza
de Arme.- with its garden of rich, fra
grant flowers in full bloom, in front o
the Governors Palace. AT the corner i:
the chapel erected over the sport where
under the auspices of Columbus, mas:
was first celebrated on this island.
We are driven by gloomy convent
and imagine can see the nuns peering
out through the loop holes, innumerable
shops, drinking PAGES, billiard rooms, and
the thick, dead walls Of houses, will
large windows, crates, ike dungeons
and carriage CRATES, showing glimses of in
terror court yards, sometimes with trce
and flowers. But horses and carriages
and gentlemen and ladies, and slaves, al
seem to use the same entrance. TIL,
windows como to the ground, and being