The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-10-11

ABUSING tnem Tor 1auItS which are almost
altogether of California making. But
there is something worse than mere lack
of generosity in the spectacle of Califor-
nia-think of it, Californaa- holding ND
its hands in virtuous depreciation of opium
smoking and the Importation of Chinese
women into the Chinese quarter
Next to the Chinese l found the sea
lions the most interesting feature of San
Francisco. To reach them, however Off
you do not wish to indulge the aboriginal
hackman with long drive and an oppor-
tunity for extortion), you have to undergo
long drive in series of omnibuses and
cars, but the journey through the sand
waste outskirts of the city is thoroughly
instructive, for the intervals of desert re-
mind you of the original condition of the
country on which most of San Francisco
has been built, while the intervals of
charming villa residences in bases of gar
den show what capital can do even with
only sea-sand to work upon. 1t reminds
one of the wonderful creations of New
Brighton. After while solid sand-dunes
supervene, beautiful however in places
with masses of yellow lupins or purple
rocket, and fine yellow Powered thistles,
and then the broad sea comes into sight:
so to the Cliff House. quantity pleasant
resort which | cannot exactly match from
among my previous experiences.
just below the House, one of the most
popular resorts of San Francisco, the
Seal Rocks" stand up out of the water,
and it is certainly one of the most interest
ing glimpses of wild life that the whole
world affords to see the herds of ''sea-
lions" clambering and sprawling about
the towers of refuge. For government
has forbidden their being killed, so the
huge creatures drag about their bulky,
slug shaped bodies in confident security
1t would not be very difficult, | shoLld
think, for an amateur to make a sea-lion.
There is very little shape about them. But
nevertheless it is such treat as few can
have enjoyed twice in their lives to see
these mighty ones of the deep-and some
of them, especially Ben Butler and, Ulysses
Grant are mosters indeetl-basking on the
sunny rocks and pondero lsly sporting in
the water.
And looking out to sea I saw a spar
up out of the water. Tt was the
poor Escambia that had sunk there the dav
before, and there, on the beach. to
the left of the Cliff House.
was the spot where the three
of the crew managed to make |
good their hold in spite of the pitiless surf |
md to Chamber up out of each of the |
waves. And all through the night, with |
he lights of the Cliff House burning so |
hear them, the men lay there exhausted |
With their struggle. 1t was a strange |
wreck altogether. When she left port |
very one who saw her cfreening over |
aid: ''She mast go down." every one who |
passed her said, "She mast 90 down." the
blot left her saving: ''She mussigo down."
he crew came round the captain saying:
She mast go down. But the skipper
eld on his way awhile, and at last he, too,
urned to his mate. She must go down"
e said. Then he tried to head her to port
gain, but wave caught her broadside as
he was clumsily answering the helm, and
Fhile the coastguard, who had been
catching her through his glass, turned for
moment to telephone to the city that
She must go down." she did, and when he
ut up the glasses to his eyes again there
'as no Escambia in sight at ALL
And the sight of that lonely spar. sig
alling so pathetically in the desolate waste
waves, the spot of the ships disaster,
rought back to my mind a Sunday in |
entnor, where the people of the town,
'oking out across to sea, stood to watch !
he beautiful Eurydice in her full pomp of {
lnvas go by. A bright sun glorifed her,
nd her crew met for divine service, were |
turning thanks TIC Heaven for the pros
erous voyage they had made. And sud s
enly over Dunnose there rushed up dark
ank of clouds. A squat, driving a TEN s
est of snow before it. struck the speeding !
essel, and in the fierce whirl of the snow
lift the folk on shore lost sight of the [
urydice for some minutes. But as swiftly t
it had come the squall had passed The
IN shone brightly again, but on a troubled t
a. And where was the gallant ship | Il
bound, and all her gallant com
my? She had gone down, all sails set, | ;
hands aboard. And the boats dashed
1t from the shore to the rescue But, 1
as sonly two survivors out of the $50 souls | o
at swarmed the bark ever set foot on v
ore again. And the news flashed over
lgland that the Eurydice was '1ost."
N days and weeks afterwards there stood
out of the water, half way between
anklin and I.uccombe Chine, one lonely O
ar like a gravestone, and those who rowed a
er the wreck could see. down below 81
EN-, under the clear green waves the a
INNER of the white sails of the sunken @,
lr-boat. She was lying on her side the 81
re and mlzzen topgallantmasts gone, her 81
gallant sails hanging, but with her main IN
LIST in itssplace and all the other sails set | W
e squat had struck her full and she Vi
led over at once, the sea rising at one III
sh above the waists of the crew and her "
rds lying on the water Then, Fighting | n,
an instant, she made an effort to re I'd
yer herself. But the weight of water f.
1t had already poured in between decks te
I'VE her under. The sea then leaned | ca