Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-26
4 TRIP ID THE TROPICS Our Correspondents Put Ashore
 at Midnight. ON BEAUTIFUL JAMAICA A Visit to Kingston and Ride Across the ISland-The Destructive Little Mon
 goose Described.
N BEAUTIFUL JAMAICA

Port Maria, Jamaica, Nov. 3, 1S95.- Especial rrespondence)-Here I am on the most beautiful of the West Indian islands. It we'll deserves the name of Queen of the Antilles, not only on ac- count of the grandeur of it's scenery, but also on account of the fertility of its soil and it's equable and delightful cli- mate. Columbus was fully justified in carrying home such glowing accounts of the wonderful country which he had dis covered. He did not exaggerate at all except as to its mineral resources.
 Columbus discovered Jamaica on his second voyage on May 8, 14S4, landing at this port which he named after one of his boats, the Santa Maria. He named the island St. Iago, but the Indian name Jamaica, meaning Isle of Springs, is still retained. Its present name is quite ap- propriate, for the island is watered by. 15O rivers and creeks. which makes its soil the most fertile of the West Indian islands. These streams for the most part are not navigable; in times of flood they become devastating torrents. The natives resisted Columbus on his first visit, but afterwards became friendly. The natives were peaceable people, but they have long since been exterminated. The treatment of these Indians by the Spaniards, who remained in possession of the island until 1855, was such as to make an honest mans blood boil with indignation.
 On his fourth voyage, in 15O4, Colum- bus boats became unseaworthy While here and finally went to pieces. He was compelled to remain on the island Tor year and was only rescued by sending some of his men, in a canoe, across the open sea to Cuba, where they eventually succeeded in getting a ship to go to his rescue. Washington Irving, in his Life of Columbus,' describes the fearful hardships that the great discoverer had to endure on this voyage. However, will change the subject and leave Colum- bus to settle his own troubles. In the meantime will tell you how discovered Jamaica.
 Early Wednesday morning, October 30, as I came on deck, the mountains or Ja- maica arose from the sea to greet me- They were a long distance off, and at first looked like @ bank of blue clouds above the horizon. As we drew nearer towards evening was filled with admira- tion of the lofty peaks. the majesty or US forests and the fertility of it's valleys. Our course lay along the southside of the island, and at times we were close Tn shore. which gave me a beautiful view of the immense banana plantations ana sugar cane fields. About midnight the schooner was gliding along with a lana breeze and a smooth sea several Hilies east of Port Morant.
 If was a beautiful night; just such a night as to induce fellow to uo Soine- thing rash. I fell into the trap ana dlo it. I got the captain to lay the schooner to about half mile from shore, lower the life yawl and row me and my bicycle ashore. was fully aware of the danger I was running by landing on forelSn Soli in the dead of night without permit or passport. T bade the captain rareWeii, a nd Dromised to meet him here, provided I will never IOTR6I that night as long as l live, pelng all alone in a strange land and not knowing which way to go. l craWieo up uHoei IiiS dark side of a beautiful palm, oetefiniiieu ! to wait until daylight. was airalu ol being bitten by some venomous reptlie, or else being captured by some midnight marauders and held for ransom. For the first time since leaving Birmingham l wished had never left home. thought of poor old Robinson Crusoe: or now ne had been alone for years, and then got ashamed of myself for being afra1o 10 wait a few hours until daylight. put wasn't Robinson Crusoe scared Wneh ne found foot prints on the sand oio Illtn- a,l- age to drop asleep, and when aWohe the sun was well up. - s T
 did not have far to walk before struck the road leading to Port Morant and Kingston. By that time was so hungry that was willing to go to Jali for a crust of bread, so l mounted my wheel and started for Port Morant, a small town. which was only nine miles au,av Arriving there I sought out res- taurant and refreshed the inner man. Fortunately no embassassing questions were asked me, and up to this writing I am safe I rested awhile and then started for Kingston, which l reached Tn time for dinner ..
 The road leading to Kingston. like all Jamaica roads, is kept in beautiful con dition, being well graded and smooth. It led along the coast near the water S edge and was lined on either side with every variety of tropical growth. Occa- sionally I crossed some of the small streams or rivers which water this par adise I passed great many people on the road, most of whom were negro women and children bearing the usual head burden. The females seem to out number the men. or else are more given to gadding about. Another curious fea- ture of the road is the immense number of little jackasses that one sees. They are not much larger than @ calf, and can't carry as heavy a load as a negro can. They trot along the road without a bridle on, while small negro youths trot by their side urging them on and guiding them with switches. To start one of these animals off you must say whoa. but to stop him it is necessary to make a kind of missing sound.
 After reaching Kingston took a good rest and then started out to see the sights of the city. It is a remarkable but quaint old place. It has the appearance of hav- ing seen better days. Its streets are narrow and ill-paved, and it's buildings are in various stages of dinginess. di- liquidation and disrepair. Many of the houses are unoccupied and, therefore, are not taxed, for the law is that no tenant no taxes Hence the origin of the saying that "an empty house is better than bad tenant" The taxable rate Is regulated by the rental value of the property. the water rates being governed by the same rule. The water supply is abundant Th< city is lighted by gas. Yhe population is about 10000, mostly negroes.
 In 1882 destructive confiagratior swept over a wide extent of the business part of the city, and a hurricane soon fol lowed and added to the desolation of the scene. The burnt district has never beer cleared away or rebuilt.
 The street swarm with black soldiers Their barracks are spacious buildings. sit uated on the hills just outside of the city A handsome monument to Admiral Rod ney. who achieved victory over thu