The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-04-29

gathered on the main deck and passed an
hour or two in singing. There was nothing
very artistic about it, but to lis 1t seemed
as good as though we heard 1t from
trained choir, and put us very forcibly in
mind of home and the loved ones. ! re-
NAMED on deck until late hour, passing
part of my time in the pilot house and
wondering how it was that by the aid of
the compass alone the pilot could bring us
safe to port looked up to the sky and
could plainly see the bright evening star,
and as l watched the pilot who never
spoke, thought how appropriate for the
time was that grand old hymn, "Star of
peace to wanderers dreary." The sea,
when turned ind Twas as quiet as lake,
and | almost NJ Willlngly left the deck.
At three this afternoon the Thermometer,
which have hung on the outside of my
state-room, was rs above and at p. IN.
70o.
SUNDAY 6.-lat. 24.43, Lon. "a IA. Dis
lance run 236 miles. Thermometer at Z a.
m. II above, of g p. m. 12 above. The
fore part of the day was passed in the usual
manner loungiug, reading, smoking and
some singing. At three o'clock land was
sighted on the starboard side, and almost
in the twinkling of an eye nearly every
person was on the lookout, and soon we
were in close proximity to it. 1t proved to
be Waiting Island one of the Bahamas,
the one originally discovered by Columbus,
and the peak on which fire was burning
by which he discovered that he was near
land was pointed out to u.s. BY the aid of
glass was enabled to see few houses.
The captain tells me that it is inhabited
mostly by wreckers, and that the COVER
nor Git is English territory resides in New
Nassau. For about an hour we steamed
10 easy sight Of it but it was soon lost to
view. Soon after sail was espied and
again expectation was aroused. 1t was a
big apparently bound east and was several
miles distant, yet it helped to relieve the
monotony and tediousness of the day.
| The captain tells me that about daylight
to morrow we shall be in sight of Castle
Island aud wishing to get n glimpse of it,
| leave orders to be called at five o'clock
and ''turn in"
WEDNESDAY, Lat. 2l11, Lon. "a. 10,
distance ran 211 miles. Thermometer at 7
a. IN. IS above. AT FIVE the porter raped
Mt my door and singing out "Castle
Island | was soon on deck and eager to
get glimpse of the light, which was on
our starboard and quite plainly seen. The
morning was quite warm and only few pas
sengers were stirring, yet felt well repaid
| for rising so early. In about half an hour
land was discovered and soon the uneven
| surface Of Adkins island was seen. This is
quite large island, but contains only II
few inhabitants. The coast is quite un-
even and rocky and as considerable shoal
water abounds in its region vessels run
with only moderate rate of speed.
Twenty-Five miles south of it is Castle
Island, owned by England on which is a
fine light house about seventy-fve feet
high, built of brick and painted red and
white alternately. The only inhabi-
tants of the island are the light house
keeper, his seven daughters and
two or three assistants. Their living they
get principally by fishing, and what pro-
visions they get from the passing vessels.
When opposite the lighthouse our boat
was stopped and a small boat from the
Island approached. Capt. Rathburn gave
them some potatoes, fresh beef, ice, cab
bages, etc, and in return they gave him a
box of shells and coral, which he will dis
tribute among the passengers. While we
were waiting took good view of the
island, through glass, and it seemed to
me that it was among the pleasantest
hal ~,
green the houses, only four were built on
elevated points, and really wished for an
opportunity to go ashore for little while,
although no money could tempt me to live
there. After leaving, sail was soon
made out and we were all busy looking al
schooner, which, under full sail, at good
speed, was bound north. In the afternoon
another sail was discovered far off, and for
at least two hours every one was trying
their best to make out if it was a
sailing vessel or the steamer Acapulco
bound to New York from Aspinwall and
by which we hope to send letters home. 1t
proves not to be the Acapulco but full
rugged bark bound north and apparently
loaded with cotton bales of which are seen
on her deck by the aid of glass. About
four o'clock land was again seen and the
captain tells us that we are in sight of
Cuba. The coast is known as Point Maysi
and as we approach nearer and see the
beauty of the landscape we feel that the
name "Queen of the Antilles" is rightfully
given; no pen can give au appropriate des-
cription of the grandeur and loneliness of
the scene spread out before us, and we
spend our time looking at it until darkness
hides it from our view, and yet long after
the light from the lighthouse on the point
! g.. ,;,,l,r 10, 10. 4:
lance like some bright star, suspicious OF
good cheer. The night is quite warm and
not until after twelve o'clock did | retire
and then not to sleep, being kept awake by
party of (un)musical warblers, who just
in front of my state-room made night
hideous, until neighbor in little speech
''more forcible than elegant requested
them to retire. They appreciated the ora.
tRn and quit.
2THURsDAY, S.-Lat. 1875, lon. 7532
DISTANCE ran, 238 miles. Thermometer al
Ia. m. 771 and 6 p. m. 74o. The
weather is getting to be quite warm, and
to-day donned my summer clothes. We
are now in the Caribbean sea and find il
much rougher than we lrave been having
for the past few days. We passed the
Acapulco about one o'clock this morning
and as she did not stop, our letters were
not forwarded, much to the disappointment,
of all the passengers. AT daylight we are
directly in front of Navassa island, the
only island in these waters owned by
Americans 1t is the most picturesque OF
any we have seen, even exceeding Cuba
1t is about two miles long and mile in
breadth. AS we were within about half q
mile of ii had fine opportunity of look
ing at it. 1t appears to be about 200 fee,
high, the sides being quite steep, the whole
verging into perpendicular cliffs about &c
feet high. There are some fifty inhabi
tants, who are employed by Baltimore
firm that own the island, and are engaged
in exporting guano, which is said, in some
places, to be over twelve feet deep. A
vessel was anchored at the landing and we
saw several persons walking around Soon
after noon little bird flew on to the boat
and was so tired that it was easily caught
1t was beautiful little fellow, about the