The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1891-04-19


York there is a long, narrow island on
the northern coast Of South America.
On the beach at one side, which is dotted
hero and there by the remains of huge
consh shells, the waters Of the Caribbean
sea lap softly; while far away on its gen
tly heaving surface you may be able to
see one Of the long, narrow dugouts
which the poems of Indian blood now
chop out Of great trunks of trees even as
did their ancestors the fierce Cards we
knew ID Robinson Crusoe SO many years
ago centuries back. These boats are
usually from fifteen to twenty feet in
length, of an average width Of seventeen
to twenty -four inches, rather thick in
the wood, with round bottoms, and of
such fine lines That two or three men
with the curious heart shaped blades to
their paddles can drive them through
the water at great speed.
There is story connected with one of
these canoes. It is one Of those stories of
romance which may be dug up by any
one who viii pour over the relaciones OF
records kept by the priests who lived
when the yellow banner of Spain hoated
in proud supremacy over the greater
part Of South and Central America;
when the Inquisition was in the zenith
Of its power; when the buccaneers made
Port Royal, in Jamaica, their headquar
tiers; when the island OF. Santa Catalina
was the rendezvous Of the worst pirates
the world ever saw, and when the In
dian slaves died by thousands building
these wonderful walls of Carthagena,
which are today a marvel among mill
tary engineers. For in February, 1909,
El Condo Don Alphonso Raphael Juan
Medina, cousin Of the great duke Of
Medina 7Sidonia, was made president and
captain general of New Spain and came
to live IN Carthagenia, there to rule
pretty much as those who had gone be-
fore and those who came after governed
the colony.
There were blowing Of trumpets and
firing Of greet guns when the new cap
tain general came down the companion
ladder from the deck of the enormous
gallecn, Santa Maria de La Conception,
and tooI his place in the barge waiting
for hi1n, followed by his son, Don Fran
cesco. With him were the members Of
his suits, his secretary, Don Christoval
Herrera; his TREASURER, Don Carlos Santa
Maria, and his chaplain, Frey Raphael
Quevedo. The galleon had entered the
bay Of Carthagena through the Boca
Chica Qittle mouth), and sailing past the
forts of Saint Paul and Saint Theresa
worked her way slowlyup the nine miles
until she anchored just below the long.
frowning rows Of embrasures which
marked the Pastelillo, the water bait
terry. Lying near her were three long,
black, snaly looking galleys, their high
poop decks and single masts forming
strong part Of the picture. On the main
shore, about two miles away, La Popa,
the only high land near, lay with its pre-
cipitous side to the south, crowned with
the white walls of the monastery. Be-
fore them was the city, glisteniDg in the
sunlight.
The barge moved away from the gall
leon and the brilliant party on board
laughed and chatted while the boat
swain, walking up and down the gang
way between the chained slaves who
tugged at the oars, fourished his heavy
whip of manatee hide. There was no
need to strike; the excitement OF the ar
rival had communicated itself even to
the poor wretches who were rowing, and
as they rose and fell back to the seats in
the stroke they gazea at the gentlemen
under the awning with all their eyes.
The captain general himself was small