The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-11-20

natives We saw were cannfbais SO teN
years Since. Time and space will no
admit OF further notice OF the Sandwich
or Hawaiian Islands in this letter.
About 4 p. m., after coaling the shiI
and taking on board fresh provisions
melons and tropical fruits, we backeC
out and turned our heads for the Samol
or Navigator's Island, $500 miles dis
tant. The steamer has contract to ex
change mails at Tutuila, one OF thi
group of islands. The contract requires
her to lay of for stated length OF tim'
and the mail is sent out 10 her in I
small vessel. We had no incident o
note worthy OF record during the weel
it required to make the passage iron
Honolulu to Tutuila. Our passenger
who were all exceptionally agreeable
were now well acquainted and spent tht
time in reading, music and games sucE
as are usual on long sea voyage.
THE ISLAND OF TuTuiLA.
Sunday morning, one week from the
time we left Honolulu, We sighted the
cliffs of the Island of Tutuila, covered
with cocoanut and palm trees. As we
neared the Island We saw the sails oi
the mail vessels and large number oi
small. boats filed with natives coming
out to sell their fruits and trinkets to our
passengers. AS they neared the ship
they looked as il dressed in light red or
mahogany clothing, but to our surprise
it was nothing but their skin. They
were in state OF nature" with no COW
ering except n light "breech cloth"-
men, women and girls alike, with few ex.
ceptions. They held up their trinkets,
such as beads, shells, fans, carved wooden
cases, battle axes, cocoanuts, &C., DC.
AS soon as the ship came to anchor they
were by her side, and threw up ropes,
which were made fast to the railing.
They then came up the side like squir-
rels and in few moments were mixed
up with the passengers, gesticulating
and offering their trinkets. They knew
the value OF United States silver and
English coins, but would not receive
our nickel. 1t was strange sight TO
see this uncivilized race in their nude
state, 30 intent on displaying and dis
posing OF their "wares." These are un.
doubtedly the most athletic aud we'll
formed race OF people in the world,
considering their manner OF life. They
live entirely on fruit and fish and are al
most amphibious. They are ut hume IN
the water and seem no more afraid OF
the sharks than the sharks are of them.
They are said to be good-natured peO-
pie, and have religion OF their own and
rules among the tribes which are rigidly
enforced, 1t was amusing to see ele-
gantly dressed ladies, English and
American, young and old, iDtently en-
gagged in driving bargain with these
nude people for their trinkets, without
the slightest exclamation OF surprise at
their appearance, when If even one of
them bad nude an appearance in
drawing.room in any OF our towns or
cities, they would have screamed them
selves into hysterical ct and called the
police.
The Germans have taken possession
Of these islands recently and carried
one of the chiefs to Germany. 1t is said
they are greatly dissatisfied with their
new government and there is report
here to-day that they are at war among
themselves. When the ship was ready
to move some went down their ropes to
their boats and others, after putting
their money in their mouths and the
ship was well under way, leaped from
the deck into the sea aud struck out for
their boats full mile distant. This
was the last we saw Of the Samoans.
Our next point Of destination was Auc6
land, New Zealand, where we arrived
safely on Saturday about noon. The
city presents @ beautiful appearance US
YOU approach from the sea, and has
many attractions. We spent some
hours in visiting the museum, library
and other places of interest. We drove
out into the country to see some OF the
large forests. we saw many OF the
Maoris, OF whom we will write more
fully at another time.
NEW ZEALAND
seems to- be delightful country and
has bright future, although at present
she is suffering from great depressions,
from the fact that she used her credit
with the mother country too freely in
working extensive improvements. She
has great resources, however, and will
pull through. Her business with Eng
land in the meat line is immense. A
few days before our arrival she shipped
by one steamer in q refrigerator sixteen
thousand dressed sheep. Her cattle are
numerous and she has about half as
many sheep as the United States, be-
sides she is very rich in minerals and
lumber. Wehave never seen fatter beef
and mutton than was exposed IN the
Auckland market. Our short stay in
New Zealand was very much enjoyed.
We met some friends who insisted on
our remaining a fortnight and cruising
over in q steamer that plies between
Auckland and Sydney, but our time was
too limited, as We were due here
August |.
At midnight all were on board and the
ship headed for Sydney, twelve hundred
and eighty miles distant. The next day
we were in sight OF the rock.bound
coast till evening, when we passed two
towering islands called the 1.-TWO Kings" !"
This coast IS regarded as among the most
dangerous in the world for sailing YES
sells, as the rocks are perpendicular and
hundreds of feet high for many miles
along the coast. 1t is mid-winter here,
and we were caught in fearful blow,
which lasted until We were in sight Of
Sydney Heads--in fact, our captain said
| it was the most fearful storm he or the
ship had ever encountered in this lati-
tude. He had to ''lay to" in the sea for
some hours, and then run many miles
out OF our course to keep the vessel with
the wind. The waves rushed over the
ship, and those OF us who oesapted
rooms on the upper deck had to go be-
low and remain in the saloon twenty.
four hours. A sailor was lashed to the
bridge and the captain remained in the
pilot house thirty-six hours.
On Wednesday about twelve, noon,
land was sighted, and little before four
we were entering in smooth water one Of
the largest aud most beautiful harbors in
the world. 1t is beyond my powers OF
description to picture the magnificent
sight that met our view on entering