Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-15

hedge. in full view of the Pacific ocean, on A
high bluff in the flower garden of Capt. Hoof-
nGgle, superintendent Of the German planta-
ton. The photographer got several excellent
down We all returned to Apia From
this date on the time seemed to pass
more rapidly than before, for from
one source and another began to arrive rumors
that the chartered steamer coming to our re-
lief had been secured by Lieut.. Wilson and
would soon be along, and of course even an
untraced rumor of that kind put no little life
and hope into the hearts Of the waiting sur
vivors, but it was not until the 2Sth of April,
on the arrival of the colonial steamer Lubbock,
that any certainty was felt that our rescue was
near at hand.
RELIEF AT LAST.
On that day, however, q letter was received
from Auckland to the effect that by the last day
OF the month We might expect the arrival of the
steamer Rockton OF the Union Company's line,
she having been secured and was to have sailed
the day succeeding the departure Of the Lubbock
So here was nearly the end Of our weary exile,
and on oil sides the eagerness Of preparation
gave strong evidence of the desire for relief
The next day, April 20, the Rockton arrived and
came to anchor in the little har Dor of Apia at
80 p. m. and was at once the center Of all
eyes and hopes
Official word was sent to all officers that the
steamer would sail during the forenoon Of
Nav L.
LAY oltcI tOuOTTOW seemed so Close at
hand that after such period Of waiting and
watching, IL seemed almost too good to be true
and have no doubt that many man rubbed
his eyes a second time to make sure that he
saw Alright. But there she was and scarcely
was the anchor down than she became the CEN
ter toward which all boats and canoes con-
verged as though endowed with q special mag
netism. All during the day of the 3Oth and far
into the night boat load after boat load of per-
sonai effects, curios, stores, provisions and
frnn fha l.
taken off TO the Rockton, until it seemed that
there might be no room left for those whose
good fortune it was to sail for San Francisco on
the morrow.
For in view Of the continued unsettled state
OF affairs In the group and the necessity for
some authoritative head OF the situation Ad-
mlral Kimberly decided to remain until such
time as he felt that his absence would not lead
to lawiessness. As a further assurance of
peace and safety to the American interests the
efhcient marine guard of the flagship under
command Of Capt Huntington, and
few sailors were directed to bear
the admiral company. his personal staff
being OF course included in those who
ment until man-of-war should reach Apia
IRON the coast. Leave taking occupied pretty
nearly all OF the scant hours remaining of Sa-
moan exile and as the sun went down on the
30th OF April we all realized that the last act in
the drama OF the wreck was about to be played.
READY FOR THE START.
But few of the officers slept on the Kock.on
that night but bright and early on the morning
of May Apia was astir and by clock every
thing was ready for start and the bay was
covered with the native canoes, whose owners
came alongside in full force to say kalofa to the
Amelikas At 1880 am. the anchor was
weighed, and as the ship slowly moved toward
the open sea the band Of the Trenton PLAYED
everything known, while the ''squilageeh band
of the English man-of-war Rapid played 'Auld
Lang Syne," 1.-The Girl Left Behind Me- and
various other airs appropriate to the occasion,
cheers and the crowds Of natives on the beach
and afloat waved lava-lavas and shouted until
they must have been hoarse.
Notwithstanding the excitement Of the day,
the ships company speedily settled down to the
ordinary routine, and the long voyage to San
Francisco began with smiling skies, smooth sea
and pleasant anticipations In spite of the
natural pleasure at the ending of the long and
wearsome imprisonment of forty-four DAYS
succeeding the wreck, q certain feeling of sad
ness pervaded US all think, for nearly every
one left behind some friend whose ''kalofa"
would never again sound in our cars, and the
drearinsss Of the life in Apin had been greatly
relieved by the constant and daily kindness and
hospitality bestowed by the noble ssvages fast
disappearing below the horizon.
The date OF our departure was Wednesday,
May i. lnasmuch, however, rs that was by
Australian time, the next day was also Wednes-
Oaf, MAY i, WHICH Drought uD once more into
touch with our part of the world. The voyage
was totally unsventful, the part OF the ocean
over which the course lay being unfrequented
by either sailing craft or steamers and great
part OF the way seemed Q vsritable ocean
desert, devoid Of fish or birds.
OVER THE EQUATOR.
The average speed was about nine knots IN
hour, and about midnight of May the ship
| crossed the equator and we imagined the
gentle breeze felt cooler. During tho evening
| of May the North star became visible for the
| first time above the horizon.
The few sick with which we sailed from AHA
began to improve at once, and with the excep-
| ton Of two or three very sick men the crews Of
| the two ships were kept In fair health. As the
| month slowly wore away it became evident
that about the 10th would see tho ship in San
| Francisco.
continuance Of fine weather, with gentle
head wind, enabled the kockton to do her best,
and on the morning OF May 20, in q thick, drip
ping fog, the vessel was steamed through the
Golden Gate, and al the sun dissipated the mist
the smoke and chimneys Of San Francisco came
| into view, with Alcatraz Island and the brown
hills Of Saucilito on the other hand.
Without any considerable delay the Rockton
was headed for Mare Island, where our coming
was anticipated by every man, woman and
] child N The navy yard. Cheers and tsass