St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-24

pirates ABOUT TO raVage the deep. In the DOW
OF each canoe stood youth holding aloft a
palm branch; the palm branch is a natural born
beacon; it blazes wonderfully when lighted and
trails banner of red flame yard long, as the
torch bearer holds it high over his head; there
we had living statue of Liberty, in its broadcast
sense, enlightening the Lagooni The glow
from those fiaring palm-fronds made plainly
visible every object beneath the sea.
Now, more than ever, it seemed as if we were
drifting through space; the waters beneath us
were like amber-tinted air, within it sailed
marvellous fish of every conceivable form and
hue, and those dainty and fairy like creatures,
bewildered by the torch light swan very near
us in blind curiosity. They were too delicate,
too brilliantly beautiful to harm; we were in
search of nobler prey. 1t was not only the
feathery filmed small fry that decorated the
Lagoon; thousand exquisite sea gardens bios
somed in splendcr beneath the tranquil waves;
and these were coral bowers that caught the
light and flashed it back from their gilded
antlers, and then white stretches of sea-sand
that shone as if paved with gold.
There was silence everywhere; only the low
music of the reef and the occasional splash OF
a fish that had freed itself from the spear and
dropped back into his native element.
Suddenly q shrek arose! Our feet was
stretched up and down the shore like chain
of fire; at one end of it there CONSERVATION;
the torches were being plunged into the sea
and the rowers were padding swiftly forward
down the coast.
All followed and when within hailing dis
lance word was passed from mouth to mouth,
but under the breath -" the sacred fish had
been seen heading for the distant Point of
Palms!"
Now, it is well known that when this myster-
ious fish makes-its Experimentation he does
at very uncertain Notwithstanding is about
to take place; it may be the death of chief, or
birth; great misfortune or great joy. 1t
is an omen that thrills the stoutest heart, and
no wonder we were all dismayed.
Itmust be confessed that we were barbarians;
we had refused to be civilized and our village
was looked upon in the South Sea as given over
to all manner of iniquities. In fact we were as
good as we could be, in our way; we merely
chose to stay SO, rather than change our spots
and SO our camp was considered the abonina-
ton of desolation.
So it happened that our first fear was that
the Sacred Fish had come to warn us; but he
was heading for the Point of Palms and we fol-
reach climax shortly. We reached it'll
Having rounded the Point of Palms we
paused a moment; faint music was waited
over the sea to us, chants and joyous refrains
and the unaccustomed accompaniment of
drums and instruments. What could it mean,
this rejoicing at midnight and in the depths of
the forest? Hither the Sacred Fish had piloted
US; we drew our canoes ashore, where the
music seemed nearest, and with utmost eau
ton began penetrating the dark alleys of the
wood. The music grew louder and louder; ar
rows of light glistened among the branches
overhead and shortly, through an opening we
caught sight of a rustic chapel thronged
with worshippers; there was a blaze Of light
within; upon the high altar, surrounded by
acoly in picturesque raiment and with clouds
Of incense lowering over him, the priest was
celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
We all drew nearer and were warmly well
coined by the throngs who could not gain ad-
mission to the chapel, but this mattered not,
for the building was little more than roof with
hardly side wall to shelter those beneath it.
Presently the music ceased; the priest turned
toward US and began fervent appeal to one
and all. 1t was the hour Of rejoicing he said,
when the morning stars sang together, and the
Christ-child was born in glory, though Graded
in manager. The Christ-child! we had not
thought Of this; most of us knew nothing Of it;
to US, all days and all seasons were alike-even
their names and their significance were forgot
ton or unheeded by us.
Again the music poured forth and awoke
glorious echoes in the solemn wood and some.
how're found ourselves uniting in the chorus,
the glad tidings Of great JOY. The day that
followed was feast such as we had never yet
partaken of. Did we return to Barbarian,
thiAk youa
! CHARLES WARREN SToDDARp.