St. Landry democrat., 1889-05-04

away and the sea was smooth as glass
| The fisherman stood at the wheel while
| his orders were implicitly obeyed. The
sails were clewed down and none, too soon
for a heavy squall soon struck the vessel
Reginald was ready, and sent the wheel tt
port just in time to catch it upon hel
stern, which drove the vessel forward q,
! a terrible speed through the sea, that was
running high and rough 's-~ -.
All but there were white faces in the
little cabin as the wind howled like the
furies but they could not see the calm
face at the wheel, or the nervous, timiG
girl that stood by his side through the long
dark night. She was like an ocean bird
fearless and bold.
Miss Penkeville, please go below, ! can
manage the ship. Your waterproof is wet
through. go to the cabin where it is warm
and dry" ~~-
He fairly howled this in her ear; by the
light of the pinnacle. he saw her shake hel
head with calm smile, as she pointed to
the sky. "
By morning the danger was passed, the
sun came up from the ocean bed, the sails
were trimmed and Reginald placed man
at the wheel, instructed him as to the
direction and turned into sleep, at three D.
m. he arose refreshed.
"Well, did you all say your prayers.
How about Miss dyearne, Mr.. Northover,
and the Count. Come, an honest confession
is good for the soul. could not blame
you much, for many better vessel went
down last ght.
"Mrs. Copildlke, you should be very
proud of the Idledrift, not timber was
Of oh ic OF reh ii, !
We are not very far from the island, for
we bowled along at fearful speed.
Land, no brought the entire party upon
deck, they had rounded the point of the
island, and stood in for the Port of Havana.
! Reginald took the wheel, as they en-
tered the channel. which stretches south
east and northwest. Ga the north side of
this entrance, which was, perhaps, two
cables wide and eight fathoms deep,
stands the Cabana Ridge, with its solid
Notifications and formidable batteries.
On the left was mass of rocks upon
which Moro Castle stands, like grim
sentinel to guard the city and bay to the
right of this, upon the same cliff, we see
the light house, with its revolving lamps
and the signal station. On the west side
of the harbor, where lies the city, Fort
Principe and the Castle of Atares flank
along the plain, almost hidden by a row
of palm trees. When they sailed through
the pass, Moro was on their left, and Fort
San Salvador de la Punta on their right.
They anchored in one of the finest harbors
in the world, while the city was spread
out before them in all Of it's picturesque
beauty.
e A vessel promptly hove alongside, and
again Reginald was Of valuable assistance,
for he spoke Spanish like a native, and
explained the necessity for an inspection
of the Idledrift. s.g-Awsxt .seE~=.-.w
The result was satisfactory with low
bows to the ladies and amazed stares at
Reginald and Miss Penkeville, they cast
off, and the guard boat was rowed away.
1t was almost dark, the deep boom of
the sunset gun from Moro reverberated far
and wide. The Idledrift lszily rode at
anchor, while the frowning rows of the
castle looked down upon them, and the
great light house flooded them with it's
intense light 80. az =. -
The next morning they rowed ashore to
seek accommodations at an American hotel,
which was outside the old Havana walls.
Reginald was nonp1ussed at the curious
looks and the Difference which was paid to
himself alone, not so much as glance
was vouchsafed to the other members of
the party.
After breakfast they strolled from the
hotel to the principal street, ''The Gale
de los Mercaderes," the lower stories of
whose substantial houses were filed with
from over the world, while
the upper stories were used for residences.
They were amused at the peculiar man.
ners and customs that were so different
from everything at home
In front of the dry goods establishments,
long lines of great two wheeled vehicles,
with very long shafts, called "volants.e
were drawn up in front, the clerks and
were as busy as bees, in and
out with their goods and wares, while the
ladies remained seated to do their shop
ping in the open air. The drivers of these
volantes are mounted sometimes the
teams are tandem with formidable spurs
buckled to the naked feet of each rider, /
they are very capable of churning one to
. frothy jelly.
They made their way to the massive
Cathedral that is said to contain the re-
mains of Columbus, and then perambu-
lated the Botanical Gardens, from here 4
hey visited the great prison that is large
enough to hold five Thousand. Then back
70 the hotel for dinner. They gave their
orders to Reginald, which he repeated to
The walters as they ate leisurely, the
fumes of tobacco smoke almost filled the
arge dining halls; ''Senors, Senoras,
Senorittas," enjoying the fragrant weed
Dark eyed beauties putting dainty cigar
f{.u Ill cxr oR
rom their delicate Iostrils.
During the af.erne on they sought the
piazza in front of the Captain Generals
mansion to listen to the famous band with
me hundred pieces. How the grand music
s gently breathed, as it issues forth in
me great. wave of harmony to carry one
WAY, to the. borders of smusic landss No
,rotfuding eye balls, and painfully dis.
ended cheeks, as the Fourth of July
music blowssthe American eagle to atoms,
md makes up in quantity what it lacks in
quality. The piazza was filed with both
i'd and young. The rebosas and glorious
yes, the bright, rich coloring the fans
hat are whole volume of Irritation, all
combined to make the picture one that |
would not soon be forgotten.
The next day they bid farewell to the !
ity with its narrow. streets and peculiar |
louses, which had q carriage house upon
ne corner. and the front door upon the /
ther; to the windows that almost looked |
nto each other, and while the argus. eyed /
uenos sdozed, the youthful faces were
'usy. with loves intrigues sss- 81.
They turned homewards, but adverse
vinds drove them long distance from
heir course. the weather was fair, not
loud to- darken the sky. Reginald was
landing at the wheel, his gaze was
ivited upon q small boat that was flying
signal Of distress
CHAPTER VI.