The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1871-11-30
4 NIGHT At JAVA.

Twenty or thirty tawny figures, lying ON
benches and on the floor, met our sight as
we entered the great half circular hall. /
nearly fell over one Of them. As the can
dlc-light revealed his massive features
saw q sleeping Cahban in the strangely
savage ebony face.
We had come by boat, on the canal
rowcd by three sturdy negroes, who be-
guilcI the time by singing snatches of
plaintiyc melodies. 1t was glorious
evening, and the moon revealed a constant
succession of tropical wonders in the way
of vegetation, showing intense Photographic
bits of scenery, limned in black outlines
but filled in with silvery shapes and the
gleam of wonderful flowers and fruits;
creatures with wings Of gold emitting radi-
ancc like flame; little circlets of velvety
sward; and ever and anon the twinkling
lights Of miniature villages nesting at the
foot of towering palm-trees.
The black backs of our rowers bent
painfully to the oars by the time We reach
ed the old Java Plantation, anciently Gov
ernment House. We had exhausted our
catalogue of adjectivcs at the sight of leaves
that, singly, might shelter the roof of an
ordinary house; at the fragrance of flow
ers that almost smothered us with sweet
ness. Now the moon revealed to us the
ruined lodge gates, overgrown with wild
cacti, and the wide, rough road of powdered
shells, all too long unused to roller or
weeder. \ tall spear of flaming scarlet
shot from two yellowish- green leaves on
either side, whose perfume made me faint.
| forget what they call the flower, but it
always grows in the vicinity of graves, and
its ghastly reputation caused our entrance
to Java Plantation to seem singularly IN
pleasant.
Weeds, weeds, everywhere: disorder and
confusion at every step.
We were party of four-Dr. Parmalee
and his wife, Cousin Dyas and myself
Just like Shultas = muttered the doc
tor, a little angrily; always bchindhand.
lie must have received my message"
And being familiar with the premises, he
climbed up to n shuttcrless window and
opened the door on the inside, which was
simply fastened with hook and staple.
"llo. look alive here, fellows cried
the doctor, as we stood in this strange ves-
tibule of an ancient palace, flooded ly the
wonderful moonlight; and then he kicked
the nearest negro, only elicitins a grunt,
however, when suddenly door to the right
opened, and there stood a gaunt, spectral
figure, a cloak thrown carelessly over his
shoulders, in one hand holding candle,
with the other keeping his neither gar
ments in place.
By the Lord Harry if it isn't Parma
lee :. cried thin, rasping voice. "Just a
minute, doctor; I'll have these rascals UP
got new force on hand. Pray excuse me,
ladies' and all the time he WAS going
backward out of our sight.
He soon reappeared. The cloak grace
fully enwrarped his figure, and hung in
folds TO his sippered feet.
"Welcome, DR.. parmalee welcome,
ladies to Java.-Jip, stir yourself.' and
of rolled sturdy African from the bench
to the floor with jerk of the masters
/ hand.
! Jp opened his eyes, rubbed his ear, and
slowly uncoiling, rose.
:" lou see, doctor, l sent you a note; it.
! miscarried, Of course, The Governor j.