The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1882-05-20

" agitated waves, darted over the surface with
exceeding swiftness for moment or two, then
suddenly sank out Of sight Anything more
delicately lovely and odd than these tiny crea,
lures, whose wonderful fin wings enable them
to make their home in sea or air at pleasure,
would be very difficult to find outside Of fairy
realm.
During the day we had caught one or two
glimpses OF the white outlines of distant sails,
but the veil OF twilight as it fell with SOL
cmn and majestic hush over sky and sea
brought with 1t a vessel bearing directly down
upon us. In the half light which heralds the
approach OF night with all It's sails fully
spread to the breeze floating across our path
with silent but royal grace, it was certainly
the finished and master creation of some
thought of the beautiful inspired by God HIM
self. Suddenly it veered away from us, and
the first officer, making trumpet of his hand
hoarsely inquired its name and destination
Alas, for the ideal. The stranger bore the
very commonplace name of Mary Ann.
That night the stars looked down with the
pure and changeless light of centuries on the
sea, and the sea returned their glances with
the serene majesty which is only born OF eter-
nal youth and marvellous power, and the dark
ness linked both in weird grandeur. Neither
stars nor waves however, absorbed all our
attention that evening, for officer j. was Civ.
ing US very vivid and glowing description
OF Havana, the unique city whose strange GUS
toms carry Its visitor back through the dusty
halls OF bygone centuries to the palmy days
Of Spanish glory. He painted with enthusi
asm its dark.eyed Beauties and Its police
guards, who not only cheerily answered your
questions in regard to certain streets, but also
added the capsheaf OF pollteness by leaving
their posts to accompany you to your destins
ton. A gay, bewilder,ngly novel, and always
fascinating city was Havana as officer J. had
seen IT,
Our dreams we're broken somewhere in the
wee small hours by an odd sensation that we
were no longer lulled to rest by the BOOKINGS
Of the pillows, and lifting our heads to ascer-
tain whether 1t was really true, we saw nu'
merous lights flashing up from the surface of
the water, heard voices giving directions and
commands, and sleepily realized that our ship
had turned its PROV from the Gnlf OF Mexico
into the mouth of the Mississippi.
In the morning, while completing very
leisurely toilet, some happy accident directed
our eyes to the window to see Fort Philip
rising like fair vision before us. Anything
more lovely never delighted the eye of tour
list. The sOftest velvet green grass covered
every inch of its walls, and even the massive
guns in their peaceful silence were so softened
by natures setting that they ceased to be
grim. We had read on the printed page that
forts stern and terrible history. We tried to
make it true that twenty years before it had
been bathed in the lurid light of battle, had
seen the great river lit up with the frey glare
eff burning fire RATS, had heard the continuous
scream Of shells over It's devoted head, had
sent Its iron messengers of death to bar the
passage of the United States war fleet toward
the doomed city Of New Orleans, only to find
that the work was vain, had been silenced, and
after being cut off from communication with
supporting forces found that the only terms
left were unconditional surrender. So COM
pletely had the eflacing finger of time and ma
ture swept even the traces of that terrific con.
flict away, that we could scarcely believe 1t had
ever existed.
Seven miles farther brought US to spacious
and commanding building on the opposite
side of the river. The United States flag float
ed above its tower, and Its doors were always
open to those who needed its kindly care.
With the usual perversity of ungrateful hui
mainly these tender and often absolutely
necessary services are accepted invariably with
reluctance and often illconcealed aversion,
for they bear the odlous name of Quarantine.
The Hutchinson respectfully slackened her
pace, and the little boat with the doctor in the
center and experts at the oars, while the stars
and stripes and the dismal yellow flag floated
over the party, came toward US. With the
very commendable motive of giving the doc
tor every possible facility for the accomplish
ment of his important task, nearly every pas
senger had put on his or her brightest smile
and secured prominent seat on deck. The
physician passed into the pursers office, held
a brief but solemn conference with the officers
and to our joy found no reasons tor OBTAINING
any OF our number. This done he disappear
ed escorted to the last by his honorary retinue
consisting OF captain, purser and clerk
When we say that dinner was worthy of the
reputation of the Hutchinson we have fully
described Its royal qualities. Our ship, like
its genial commander, was eminently social,
and to these qualities we owe our knowledge
of the curious fact that a table.cloth can be
used as signal of greeting. When the long
torn OF the City of Mendon bound for Next.
co, passed US on her rapid way the tluttering