Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-03-17

hotel. and seated in a volante we cut away to
the caves OF Bailamar. The volante Is
curious two-wheeled vehicle, somewhat like a
doctors ehaise, with very long shafts and a
horse at the end. As far from the vehicle as
possible, on the left sde is another horse
hitched to the carriage by long traces and
upon this horse is seated the driver. Over the
rocks we dash, bouncing, dancing along as
bay or Matanzas tanning the heated brow.
Arriving at the caves we ring large bell with
great yehemence, and out comes the proprie-
tor. The history Of the caves is as follows:
one day, while negro was picking the earth
with a pickaxe, getting out rock, the pick
slpped from his hand, and away it went out
OF sight into the bowels of the earth Upon
investigation the caves were discovered. hey
are one and one-half mile in length and FIVE
hundred feet deep. They are like most caves
roofed with stalagmites, which hang pendant,
like so many crystals glitteriug in the light
with beautiful effect, and rejecting like
From the caves we drove to the valley
or the Yumer, beautiful valley. circu-
lar IN shape, surrounded by hills and
dotted over with tropical vegetation The
Church of San Monsurat is situated on the
crest OF the mountain range. and was built in
1873 by an old Cataliue family in imitation Of
Cataline church in Spain
The chief point of interest in this church is
the background of the altar. 1t is composed
entirely of cork, and resembles the rocky side
OF a mountain. Among the rocks are little
WOODEN castles, and IN the centre niche or
ecess in which is seated the virgin OF Men
surat, the patron saint, holding child on her
lap, and the child, in turn, holding a globe
The design is very striking and decidedly
unique. Leaving this charming spot with re
gret we dash down into the city, creating
among the Inhabitants considerable interest
We summon up our entire stock of Span
1sh and let it fly at the heads of
these unoffending people, bringing forth a
laugh, and an Americana from the crowd.
They evidently thought from the number that
we had brought the whole family with us.
The Exposition at Matanzas has proved
failure, and we gave it the go bye.
Back TO Havana we go in the heat and dust,
and the next day we all go shopping, and find
to our dismay that all purchases except cigars
had better be made before leaving home.
That afternoon at dusk, we steamed out Of
the harbor and had fine view OF Havana bay.
by gas-hght, which was a sight well worth the
trouble.
Thursday, the 23d, we anchor of Progreso,
the port of Merida, in Yucatan.
Progreso is a town of only ten years stand
ing and contains nothing Of interest to the
traveller except the type of native Mexican and
Indians The Indian is, think. rather above
the Indian of the United States in intelligence
They are short Of stature. broad faces and
broad shoulders, and withall bright coun-
tenance. We find the men carrying about rain
water in large demiiohns. The demijohn is
carried on the back and held in position by a
string passed around the forehead. This water
is sold for one shilling demijohn. The Indian
with their wares scattered around them, they
consist of oranges. sapodillas. tamarinds
greens and herbs. They quietly await your
coming and do not solicit trade.
Almost the only product Of this port is sisal
grass, of which large quantity is exported
for ropes and hammocks. We find among the
cargo unloaded at this place pig iron. picked
oysters, gas pipe. boards shoveIs, trucks, corn,
liquors, and, in fact, a general assorted cargo.
Nearly everything used here comes from the
United States. at this place we anchor four
miles from town on soundings, and everything
is lightered ashore in crafts that look, as they
swoop down @pon u.s. like pirates of the first
water. They are very peaceable, however, and
are hardworking set of men.
Campeche was reached, and we lay off on
SOundings nine miles from the shore, unload
ing the cargo destined for this port, the same
as at Progreso The coast at this point affords
quite contrast 30 the coast of Yucatan, the
coast of Yucauan being quite fiat and the coast
along the State of Campeche being'mountainous
or rather billy. Here we get some mahogany.
The long line of hills purple in color with
the bright green water skirting their base
shading into dark green, almost blue, look like
enchantment. Campeche, walled city. nes-
ties among these hills like some picture of fairy
land.
Friday, the 25th, we call at Frontera and
unload as usual into lighter, and too far from
shore to see anything OF particular interest
Tomorrow morning the mountain of OriZaba
will be seen, and we will make our entree into
Vera Cruz, which will make the subject of my
next letter. Truly yours. GEO. H. STONE.