The herald., 1893-07-30

culierly liable to earthquakes. the town
having been destroyed several times by
them.
The vegetation about Cumana is un-
usually luxuriant. Vast forests COM
posed of silkwood, bananas, bread-fruit,
and countlesss varieties of palms. sur
round the town. Each tree was draped
and festooned with gigantic lianas,
whose slender stems hundreds OF feet in
length, looked like huge snakes as they
encircied some lofty giant OF the forest.
Numberlesss monkeys made their
homes among the tangled tree tops, and
focks OF gorgeous parrots, parroquets,
and crested macaws, were to be seen in
the summit of the lofty palms quarrel
ing over their supper of fruit. From
the ground sounded the gentle coo OF the
ringed turtle dove, and many varieties
of brilliantly colored birds and butter
flies enlivened the sombre shades of the
forest.
1t was my delight to take long and
solitary rambles through these virgin
woods, examining each strange flower
or fruit with ever-increaging interest
and delight. On one OF these expedi-
tons had an adventure which, If ae-
counts are to be believed, came very
neat terminating my enjoyment of the
tropics. had accepted an invitation to
dine with a party of Spanish gentle
men on board ship that was lying in
the hafbor, and as the morning was un-
usually pleasant, and it still lacked over
an hour to the time of my engagement
I concluded to pay visit to an old
ruined adobe that stood short distance
from Cumans, go I started out on one
Of the many paths that thread the for
est in all directions. had gone quite
distance when my attention WAS attract
ed by dark leaved tree that was liter
ally bending under the weight of the
most beautiful yellow apples. These
upon closer inspection proved to be de-
lightfully fragrant, 80 1 Immediately
pursued my usual custom of sampling
any strange fruit. Instantly following
this imprudent act, felt severe burn
ing sensation in my throat any mouth.
They felt as if on fire. The limpid waters
OF email brook that flowed near by
afording me no relief. hastened back
to my companions. l found them just
commencing their dinner, having con-
cluded that something had kept me
from my appointment, I hastily ac-
quainted them with my condition, and
it seemed to have most startling effect.
Turning to me with astonishment and
alarm in their faces they each exclaimed
"Caramba!' and informed me that l
had partaken of the poisonous manza-
nilla, and my only hope for life was to
Immediately drink large quantity Of
sea water; but, not liking the beverage,
took only small draft. This treat
ment did not relieve my fearful pain,
which continued all evening. Next
morning, however, all unpleasant
symptoms had disappeared, leaving me
none the worse for my adventure.
afterwards heard many stories re-
lated illustrating the poisonous quality
Of this most innocent looking fruit, 1t
was even stated that mules merely
whipped with the twiss Of the manzan-
lila, soon after died, and that many ami
mails and birds, and even men, found
death in its enticing and grateful shade.
A short :time after this experience
was kindly offered q passage home by
one OF my friends, the captain of largo
vessel then preparing to sail. thank.
fully accepted HE generous offer and
after bidding farewell to the many
pleasant acquaintances had made dur
ing my stay at Cumans, went aboard.
Our vessel weighed anchor just as the
evening breeze ruffled the quiet waters
of the bay, then hosting sail we turned
her PROV towards the boundless ocean
Our homeward voyage was unmarked
by any incident. Steady breezes swiftly
carried us towards our destination, and
after short and pleasant trip we
sighted Sandy Hook, passed into the
crowded harbor and were at home once
more.
What a transition from sunny skies
and verdant forests to land where ice
and snow still held sway, and where the
once smiling fields were covered
with a coat Of feecy snow. Still it
was home, that sacred place dear to
every heart. And ut was with pleasure
that 1 once more found myself in my ma
tive land, determined, however, that
when winter again bound the land in its
icy letters, would be under the cloud
less sky OF the tropics, in the land Of
everlasting summer.
WILLIAM E. LITTLE.