The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-05-15
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To begin with the early morning, we
we're offered tho accustomed tea aud
coffee, under the name fof oa," chota
azeri'-i1ye,, small breakfast Next
we noticed that our iunoheon WIS ti1ttis.
formed into "tiflin, and tint rs we sat
in the cabin silent Hindullads sq,iatted
on the floor, pulling ,ankahs to keep us
cool, and at the same time blowing
away all our papers, tillo some kind
sailor friends supplied MS with leaden
weights Evidently we were on the
highway to some strangely new state
Of existence The ships company, too,
seemed to comprise samples OF all the
Oriental races, Chinese quartermasters,
Malays, Lascars, splendid Nubian
stokers, British officers. There were
Hindus, Mohammedans Confucians,
Buddhists, and Christians. The Cap
tain's servant, who waited upon us, was
a Kitmutgar of the true stamp tur-
baned white robed, barefooted-a
Mohammedan of course, else how could
he supply us with genuine roast beef?
The fruits, too, at dessert We're new
punches of plantains, like creamy con-
fectionery; guavas like indifferent
pears, but hateful to smell: pummeloes
like huge oranges with pink flesh, and
scarlet pomegranates, duly prepared
with wine and sprinkled with spices
The very rocks were altogether strange
to us, Wonderful volcanic masses, like
great heaps of tinder and Stag round
some antediluvian smelling furnace,
masses of red and green and black lava
cutting sharp against pale yellow earth,
make these freaks of nature as strange
in color rs in form. One group bears
the name of the Twelve Apostles. Then
comes Babe Mandeb 1.-The Gate of
Death--of Hell--or of Terrs, as l heard
it variously rendered 1t was sugges-
tive of all these as we first beheld it,
standing out in purple relief against the
ground of fiery sunrise, while clouds
and sea were alike sombre and solemn.
1t received its very suggestive name
from the Arabs of old on account of the
dangers of its navigation. So numerous
were the shipwrecks between these cruel
gates that when any man started on this
voyage he was held to have indeed
entered the jaws of death, and his
family walled and put on mourning for
him as though he were already dead.
just opposite this headland lies the
small island of Perrin, commanding the
entrance to the straits. On it stands
lighthouse and small fort, both Of
very recent date The story told con-
cerning the annexatio.. of this island is
curious. From the beginning of time
nobody had coveted SO arid rock, till
one day it occurred to France that it
might prove q useful position. Z So in
january, 1857, the French brig of war
Nisus, 1S guns, was dispatched to take
possession, and very naturally she
halted at Alden, where her officers were
invited to mess in the course of which,
wine being in and wit ont, so far as to
loosen tongues, they diynlged their
| mission. No comment was made,
but Brigadier Coghlan, (afterward Sir
William Coghlan,) the commandant,
| silently wrote few words on slip of
paper, which was at once dispatched to
Lieut.. Templer comanding the Indian
navy schooner Mahi, five guns. Not a
moment was lost and the Mahi immedi-
ately sped on her way to Perrin, and
there hoisted the British flag Ito the nc
small amazement and disgust of the
loquacious ENJOYS on their arrival
thither the following day. '' ''H|'o'