Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-12-09
LIFE ~ TIE AzoREs
Farms OF st. MichaeIs IsIand-Carryinr
on Islandars-l he TsisLa


on Islanders-Ihe Risks
st. Michaels is so densely Formulated
that the government has been compelled
to limit the amount of property obtain
able by one person. This in a measure
equalizes and controls the financial in
terests of the islanders. Viewed from
me quarterback the farms all appear of
the same sire, as marked off by the well
trimmed hedge rows or lines of tropical
plants that serve 90 define the limits
The care bestowed upon these farms-if
really they can be called farms-is equal
to that usually given 20 bed of plants
OF one of rare flowers. A ride In the
country affords one most pleasant sur
prlses, for never have seen such beauti-
full gardens as those surrounding the diff
ferent private residences. The islanders
are very hospitable to strangers and es-
pecially to Americans.
The country is SO limited that none but
the wealthy can afford to purchase, and
as a result many a young man burns with
the desire to leave it and seek his fortune
in America. But every one who leaves
the island is required to have passport
This passport states that the individual is
no longer subject to military duty. is free
OF debt and of crime. To both men and
women these passports are furnished. but
the fee charged is SO high that the purse
OF the peasants will not enable them to
buy, or if they do buy they usually step
aboard the American bound packet in a
penniless condition. Boys commence as
soon as they are able to work to save
money-not as American lads do. for
Fourth of July firecrackers, but to pay
the price exacted by the government
the price demanded for their rights, their
privileges, for their freedom, the right to
go forth q free man This is Europe.
ms Is tyranny, but tyranny is repre-
sented by only one small mouth of the
monster, whose arms and creepers have
go long held down in ignorance, in perjury
and Ill want the masses of the continent.
To evade if possible the passport laws
many attempt to board the packets by
stealth. 1t is a most hazardous under
taking. and to be caught in the act en-
tails no end of future surveillance if not
Imprisonment, Nevertheless. many do
succeed in thus getting off, and some of
the incidents connected with the carrying
off of islanders are full of adventure and
excitement.
The method usually resorted to by the
captains of the packet ships which touch
in here every month or so is to make
some secret arrangement with one or
more persons acting for the rest. The
captains must needs be wary and cautious.
/ Should they be caught by Portuguese
man of war or gunboat their vessels will
be contiscated. and they themselves liable
/ to fine or imprisonment or both 1t is
arranged that the people be at a certain
! isolated spot on the beach at an agreed
/ upoa hour. Accordingly the captain of
the packet vessel ''clears" from port with
only those passengers who are provided
with passports. A government officer
accompanies the vessel until the latter is
well clear of the land, and then leaves
/ her to pursue her course. She continues
( to stand out to sea, until. night coming
on, the captain heads the vessel in for
shore toward the agreed upon locality,
/ lowers a boat with good, strong crew,
well armed, and again stands out to sea.
The boat pulls cautiously in under the
! gloom of the shore, and ere long is hauled
up in the dark shade of huge overhang-
ing rocks. The boats crew stand by
their oars while the one in charge scruti-
nizes carefully all about him, then lands,
and stealthily approaches the agreed upon
spot.
Here in cave, or among the recesses
of large towering cliffs with the sea
roaring about them as it breaks against
the rocks, are huddled together a score
of men and women, parents and chill
dren, mothers with babes in their arms,
and girls whose pretty faces are trickling
with tears from the excitement, the fear,
the something they know not what. The
sailors presence is soon made known
not a moment is to be lost Quickly and
carefully the women are first put in, and
with them their little bundles, As many
of the men are got in as will not endan-
ger the safety of the boat, The eager
ness of the latter can hardly be re-
strained, for it may ne that a father or
mother must remain, as it is rare that a
boat will risk second return. Allowing
the boat an hour or two in which to
make the shore the captain again stands
in " But he does not dare take toe
many risks, and if the boat is not clear
of the shadow of the land he does moi
hesitate to leave it and pull away. Many
Portuguese reach the states by this
means, and one line plying between the
United States and the western islands
carries off great numbers at each trip.
1t is quite a remunerative business-car-
rying of rock fish, lislanders), as the
| sea cantains STYLE it.