The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1896-01-25
HAsg All THE PEARL OF THRPAQ1F4o.
The Fisrt OF q Series Letters by john r.
;Musick, Author OF" The Columbian
Historical Novels" "Brother
Against Brothery' etc.

copyright, 1896, by Funk & Wagnalls Co., N. T.
Everybody On board the Australia was
awake early, eager to catch the FIST
glimpse of land. Our voyage, tho a
short one, owing to unfavorabIe weather
seemed long. We were assured it was
the worst voyage the Australia had made
tor years.
It was the tramping Of sailors and the
creaking of rigging above that awakened
me, and, altho it was still dark. has
tened to the upper deck. The sea was
almost smooth, and a gentle. breeze
waited us toward land. Cropping my
way to the bench just forward Of the
main sky-light, I seated myself, and
looked about over the dark water. Early
as it was, I was not the first on deck.
The priest, Father Pamphile, on his way
to give his life to the lepers OF Molokai,
had preceded me, This venerable man
had spent nearly the entire voyage on
deck. The wind rarely blew too hard,
and the waves never rolled too high to1
him and some of his followers to be on
the upper deck.
Day .downed slowly, and the dark out.
lines of the silent priest became more
and more distinct. A murmur of voices
arose from the passengers below who
were tumbllng out of their berths, and
hurriedly dressing. had been sitting
watching Father Pamphile but short
time when two bells struck. Just then
Mr.. Waterbouse, who had all along been
authority on matters concerning the
islands, came up and said W. were ap.
preaching and would soon be in sight OF
Oahu. He said Molokai was off on our
larboard. During the night we had been
within three miles of it, but owing to
the darkness the captain had put about
ana stood out to sea, instead of going
in at once.
In a little while it was light enough
for us to see Molokai lying like cloud
mist on our left. It was difficult at first
to distinguish between the dimly out
lined mountain range and the clouds.
In few moments Oahu could be seen
ahead of US. First we discerned the long
needle-like point of land called Kualoa
Point, and the Mukapu Point, between
which and Koko Head lies a valley in
which is the Waimanola Plantation. An
approaching steamer is first seen from
this plantation, and it's arrival telephoned
to Honolulu.
So we glided on over the summer sea,
hundred pairs of anxious eyes drinking
in the beautiful scene. Some one softly
hummed:
"Iand ahead, its fruits are waving,
Der the bills of fadeless green. :"
The outlines of high mountain peaks
and low lying beach against which the
restless surf eternally dashes, at first
seemed dream, but soon q dawnine
reality. Nearer and nearer We glided
The high rocky promontory, cloud-capt
and sky, piercing, became boldly out.
lined. A pale blue mist lay on the hills
and IN the valley, giving to them soft
ness which no painters skill can even
approximate. As We draw nearer, those
hills changed from blue mist to red, and
then along their sides appeared del.
icate green which deepened in it's hue
until. by the aid of our glasses, We could
see that they were clothed with verdnre
to their very SUBMITS.
When We came nearer still, We could
see the green fields of sugar plantation
i'll the valley. This valley from our dis
lance did not seem over hundred square
rods in area, tho it really covers several
thousand acres. Like specks of snow the
houses could be seen Nesting in orange
groves or among waving palms and
other trees of the tropics, the tall cocoa.
nuts fairly towering into the sky.
A school of dolphins soon attracted
our attention. They were shooting all
about the ship, and could be seen skim,
ming through the clear water, occasion.
ally leapiug entirely out of it, and then
plunging head first back again. A cloud
of small flying fish next appeared trying
to escape from the vessel, or perhaps
from the sharks, which abound in these
waters.
Rabbit Island next came into view
near the shore looking from the shir
like a long barren rock. This island
is historically interesting as being the
place where the arms were landed
in January, 1896, when the rebels
attempted to overthrow the young
republic. Koko Head, an extinct
volcano, was passed and, beyond, Dai
mond Head lay in plain view. We were
told that when we had passed that w
would be able to see the Bay of Homo
lulu.
Diamond Head is also an extinct vol
cano. It has crater or hollow basin
and projects out to sea in way thai
nakpa r. a va11ohlo mint m forf;f,,