The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-27

same Color. Inc sduVAo much PiolcI III
to beef. Its color is of the brightest or
ange, green, and blue.
.Januarv 24.-'Land !land!" is shouted
from the masthead, and all hands rush to
the side indicated, anxiously scanning the
horizon. At first nothing but faint blue
clouds are perceptible, which shortly as
sumo the appearance of mountains whose
delicate outlines are scarcely perceptible,
yet their approximation affords us an indie
scribable sense OF security, after having
been tossed about for fourteen days on
boisterous sea. This land proved to be
Antigua, one of the most easterly of the
West India Islands Now another Island
rises into view, called Montserrat.
Antigua is an island of considerable size
and Importance belonging to the British
Government. Its capital is st. John, stu
ate on the northeast coast, on a good har-
Dor, and is of considerable commercial i'm
portance.
Montserrat is smaller and on q near ap
proach presents high and rocky appear
ance. The principal productions of this
Island are rum, cotton and sugar. There is
no harbor and a miserable rOadstead, the
vessels loading and discharging by means
of lighters called Moses, and manned by
natives, who usually swim with them to and
from the shore Being unable to make the
passage between these two islands by day
light, we again put to sea to await the NOR
row.
January 25. - Sunday - nautically
termed duff or pudding day. Here l
may mention that every day in the week
has certain staple dishes peculiar to its
own. Thus
Smsday-Pudding, beef, and molasses.
Monday-Beef and bread.
Iuesday-Bean soup and pork.
Wednesday-Rice and beef
Thursday-Pudding, molasses and beef.
Friday-Bean soup and pork.
SaturdGy-COdfsh.
Yet each day we were furnished chick
ems and ducks, supplied with alarming
precision. Still none of us died with
hunger. The captain has altered his mind
and proposes to make the passage be-
tween the Islands of Guadalupe and Mar
Unique. The former, which we are now
fast approaching, belongs to the French
Government. Bassaterre is the principal
town and is situated on the west side near
the west end. The smoke from volcanic
mountain called La SOuffrierre or Sulphur
Hill is plainly seen. This mountain is
$500 feet above the level of the sea and
emits sparks which at night are visible for
leagues. About midway on this island is
a ledge of rocks called Petite Terre, stu
ated in lat. 100 TO- 90" north and lon.
Go O5' west. On this ledge is situated a
lighthouse, 108 feet high, containing
lenticular light of the the third order,
which can be seen for distance OF five
leagues. 1t was first lighted July 10th,
1910. Between the Islands of Montserrat
and GuadalOupe are a number of white
rocks presenting the appearance of an
immense glacier. These are called Saints
Islands from being first discovered on ALL
Saints Day.
To the northeast of Antigua is the Island
of Desrade-being the first island on
which Columbus landed OH his second
vOyage-and gave it that name, which
signifies desirable
january Give are now opposite
Martinique, an island of considerable size
and Importance, belonging to the French
Government. 1t presents an extremely
ragged and mountainous appearance, some
of whose peaks rise to an immense height.
1t prides itself of having once been the
residence of the Empress Josephine prior
to her marriage with Bonaparte.
Fort Royal, a city OF 1900 Inhabitants,
is the capital and residence of the Cover
nor General. 1t is beautifully situated ON
the bay of Cul du Sac, on land formed
from deposits of the River Fort Royal and
Fort Bourbon. Two military posts are
situated on each side OF the city on PENN
sulas commanding the harbor There are
great facilities here afforded for the retit-
ting of shipping which is carried on quite
extensively. We made the passage into
the Caribbean sea- between the island of
Martinique and st. Lucien. The breeze
was light, the air balmy, the moon she'd
ding its silvery light over the waters, the
fires of the peasants on the sides of the
mountain rendered the scene truly en-
chanting. BY observations we will see
the Island of Orchilla tomorrow, which is
within ninety miles of Laguyra. The
deck of our bark presents rather singu-
lar appearance by moonlight. The pas
sengers are out airing" some pacing the
deck, some sitting down, others standing,
others lying down, while all are either
singing, humming or whistling. Suddenly
our cabin boy, who has more the appear
ance of Barnum's "What is it - than any
thing human, raises his uncombed head
above the stairway singing out the single
word "Tea " and again disappears. This
beverage is slipped either in the cabin or
on deck according to the inclinations of
the passengers.
January 2S.--Wind blowing fresh and
favorable, promising a speedy termination
to our journey. "a whale, whale, =" is
sung out, and sure enough within a short
distance lay the leviathan of the deep with
his apparently black back entirely out of
the water basking in the sun, perfectly
secure and conscious of his strength. On
making his acquaintance we hoped he
would "spout," but he seemed to have
no regard whatever for our wishes. Capt
Wilson informs me they are very fire.
quently seen in this latitude.
January 29.-The coast of Venezuela
is at last in sight. Its boldness and the
peculiarly rugged appearance OF the
mountains, which raise their prond
| yoo1>c h;,l :-%o a. n