The Republican journal., 1892-02-18

9t.rIEAST KNOWN OF SOUTH AMERICAN
RErtBLICs.
I,pecial correspondence of the Journal.
NnNqEvIDEo, URUGUAY. After our
O.,nifold and varied experience in South
.mcriean ports, we tlattered ourselves
hat nothing more remained to be learned
y the line of disagreeable methods of
+,sn>it from ships to shore. Those south
trn rorts where vessels come up to civ
HEED pier and discharge their passengers
,I 4 gang plank are rare as angel S Wis
T. As a rule, anchor is cast three or
asr miles from land, the ladder ike stairs
e. ct down outside from the upper deck,
sra Shore-going people descend to row
loats that come dancing over the pillows
hat purpose. Even that experience
/ id enough in the usual rough seas, for
np mast spring off the stairs at the pre-
s., instant when the tiny boat issossed
on the crest of wave: and having
sssfully performed that feat. be row
rough the surf, often wetted to the
1r occasionally swamped, to be fish
al again d "demd damp, moist, UNI
4-ut body.
lucatan we were carried to land on
lacks OF men: at Guatemala on mules;
.oSta Rica in wagons: at M0llendo
Cd IN a barrel: and hundred times on
al coasts where the pillows are too
>tcruus for other means. we have been
sled up and swung out by cranes, like
r. seated on a platform, or in a rough
or tub. spun round and round in
tir as the clumsy apparatus slowly
,atolned its work, and finally dumped
p duh thud, upon some waiting scow
ltl OF tender.
ut we looked for no such trouble at
the rich and splendid capital
prosperous Uruguay which has so Of
-.u been described as the finest city in
! th America. Judge then of the utter
uoralization of unprepared feminine
r1es when we found here the very worst
t- l"d of landing we had yet encounter
compared to which the man back
u>it of Campeche and the barrel of
ltndo are blessings. Everybody made
unusually careful toilet on the morn
hat we We're due in Montevideo, eX-
7ing to skip, dry shod, over a gang
.nk into the city. and emerged, smiling
M his state room, in answer to the
H.ome summon-"All ashore" But to
astonishment there was neither dock
per in sight, the succeed palaces of
rapital cleaned in the distance. and
the stair-like ladder remained IN
/ 4un. dashed up under the life boats
AT did it mean?
Are You ready, LADIES'" said the ever
liant captain and thereupon we were
i lted to the end of the ship that looms
L Aghest above the water, whether it
fore OF aft am not sailor enough
eli you. Away down below a scream
tossing, rocking little tug advanced
receded the plaything of the bill
Il and straight down the steamer side
l-led ladder Of tarred ropes. made
/ Ill the top but swinging loose and end
oh at nowhere far above the watel-
Il WI which We had often watched the
lors ascending and descending. like
atures of Jacob angels and marvel
! AZ their temerity. For moment no.
Iv perceived the connection between
Il .teamer, the ladder and the tug-and
i oil It dawned upon us like a blow ON the
eo~ We We're actually expected to
/ aabel over the deck railing. climb hand
piel hand down those swaying ropes to
stopping place, and cling there
Vc the bring deep till that bobbing tug
beI near enough-then drop, and
Il : to Providence. Though it seemed
Il 10 walk pirates plank could not be
Ele narrowing, there was no help for
nothing to be done but mount the
I rail and get outside on those horri-
I ropes, with as little display of hosiery
II ucumstances will permit in breezy
H. at sea, say vain world, adieu,' shut
q III eyes, and cling for dear life while
Il ship lurches up and down as usual
4 somebody shouts DROP Then you
+ 70, expecting to fall into fathoms of
EFNef, or into the interior OF shark as
nah was gobbled-and presently find
L uSelf an undignified heap on the slip
~ deck of the little tug. Then gather
Il Your mangled remains and hasten to
he your bushes (and probably your
hS, If not more strong minded than the
eiage woman,) in the tiny box of cab
striving to repair damages and regain
4 lerhing like composure while your
I aadcs in distress are undergoing the
n M ordeal
4 # course aged people, children and in
IDS cannot be trusted to make this AL
E7t descent for themselves. and all such
Nengers are Just picked up and drop
II overheard. into somebody's arms
4 stretched below. To be sure, There s
E'aY slip wixt the cup and lip" and
"metimes happens-when a miscalcu-
I 'li is made, or the tug hobs away too
E"-that an unfortunate voyager gets a
L KING; but there are always plenty of
Il orS at hand to fish him out. and we