The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1896-04-23
GARDEN ISLHND OF HHWAII
Kauai is Visited and Mule Load
ing Witnessed.

Copyright, 1896, by Funk & Wagnalls Com
pany, New York;
The Island of Kauai is sometimes
called the Garden Island of the group.
1t is one vast flower garden between
ninety and one hundred miles in cir
conference. Vegetables, however, are
not grown very successfully there.
The island is said, by geologists, to be
the Oldest of the group. One thing is
certain, Kauai has better roads than
any of the other islands, and after
wandering through the stoney, path
less forests of Hawaii, one finds the
roads of Kauai delightful garden
paths.
On January 6, 1896, the little steamer
Mikahola lay at her dock in Honolulu
Harbor. At p. m. 1 alighted from
the carriage, walked up the gangway,
and took my position on the captains
bridge to watch the process of loading
mules.
This is an interesting sight. The
vessel has derrick rugged on the
deck, and broad belt is passed under
the mule to which hook is attached
above his back. AS the engine starts,
the mule is lifted from his feet and
landed on deck, much to his disgust.
One of the most amusing incidents I
have ever witnessed was getting a
vicious mule on board this vessel.
This mule was brimful of his Sat-
anic majesty, and flashed more brim-
stone from his eyes than the great vol
cano is doing to-day. His heels we're
light and played with the rapidity of
tightening about among the natives,
and when they began to put the belt
under his body, he smiled in his sar-
donic way, and seemed to be saying:
"Just watch me buck when they tigh-
ten that cinchW He seemed to labor
under the delusion that saddle was
being placed on him. At last the belt
was fixed, the hook inserted in the
ring, and the mate blew his whistle to
start the engine.
"Puff, puff rattle, rattle" the belt
began to tighten and the mule thought
it was time to "buck." He elevated
his back until it grew round, and all
four of his feet left the ground at the
same moment. Now came the sur
prise. He expected to land flat footed
in such a way as to completely paralyze
everything, but the cinch frightened
and his muleship hung high in the
air, until such look of disgust and
amazement came over his countenance
as would make a fortune for farce
comedian. His gyrations, kicks, and
struggles in mid-air soon ceased, and
he was gently lowered to the deck
He seemed to "have it in for" the
mate, for every time that parsonage
came in sight the mules heels flew out
like springs toward him.
Before we reached Diamond Heao
the supper gong sounded, and the
passengers hurried down to finish the
meal before we entered the chan lei
as the chances were we could not en-
Joy it an hour later. The channels
between the islands are never smooth
and seemed to be more dreaded by
the inhabitants of the islands than ;
voyage to Japan or San Francisco
The vessels which ply between thu
islands are small, the sea "choppy.
and if one can make the tour of tn
} islands in them without getting sea
sick, he is proof against that malady
I had made seven ocean voyages with
out feeling any of the disagreeabl'
effects of seasickness, and had begun
to boast myself born sailor, but, alas
the channel between Kauai and Oahl
took the couceit out of me.
At three o'clock in the morning tn
steward raped on the door of m.
stateroom and said we were entering
the port of Nawiliwili. I had not tn
slightest idea where was to land, bu
somehow instinctively felt that thi
must be my destination. I awok
sleepy and cross, dressed hurridly
seized my travelling bag and artist
portfolio, and left the stateroom jus
, as the anchor was dropped.
f Three ladies, myself, seven japanese
+ and fourteen Cinnamon were the pas
L.