The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-01-15
AUTHOR OF ''THE COLUMBIAN HISTORICAL
NOVELS, "BRoTHER AGAINST BROTHER"
ETo., KTo.
Copyright, 1895, by FUNK WAoNALLs COMPANY
New York;
Scenes on Entering Honolulu
The City Itself.

Everybody on board the Australia was
| awake early, eager to catch the first
glimpse of land. Our voyage, tho a
short one, owing to unfavorable weather
seemed long. We were assured it was
the worst voyage the Australia had made
for years.
1t was the tramping of sailors and the
creaking of rigging above that awakened
me, and, altho 1t 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, / seated myself, and
looked about over the dark water. Early
as II was, / was not the first on deck.
The priest, Father Pamphie, 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 for
him and some of bis followers 10 be on
the upper deck.
Day dawned 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
wtre tumbling out OF their berths, and
hurriedly dressing. l had been sitting
watching Father Pamphile but short
time when two bells struck. Just then
Mr.. Warehouse, who had all along been
authority on matters concerning the
islands, came up and said VIC were ap-
preaching and would soon be In sight OF
Oahu. He said Molokai was off on our
larboard. During the night we bad been
within three miles of 1t, but owing to
the darkness the captain had put about
and stood out to sea, instead of going
in at once.
In a little while 1t was light enough
for us to see Molokai lying like cloud
mist on our left. 1t was difficult at first
to distinguish between the dimly out
lined mountain range and the clouds.
|
ahead of ne. First we discerned the long
needle like point of land called Kuaos
Point, aud then Mukapu Point, between
which and Koko Head lies valley in
which is the Wamanola Plantation. An
approaching steamer is first seen from
this plantation, and its 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
LAND ahead, its fruits are waving,
Der the hills of fadeess green"
The outlines of high mountain peaks
and low lying beach against which the
restless eurf tternaly dashes, at first
seemed dream, but soon a dawning
reality. Nearer aud 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
- -.--i--as.a - L---- -------, ti----
hills changed from blue mists TO red and
then along their sides appeared del
icate green which deepened In Its hue,
until, by the aid of our glasses, we could
see that they were clothed with verdure
to their very SUBMITS.
When we came nearer still, we could
see the green fields of sugar plantation
in the valley. This valley from our dis
tance did not seem over hundred square
rods in area, tho 1t 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.
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 leaping entirely out OF il, 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 ship
like a long barren rock. This island
is historically interesting as being the
place where the arms were landed
in January, 1895, when the rebels
attempted TO overthrow the young
republic. Koko Head, an extinct
volcano, was passed, and, beyond, Da
mond Head lay in plain view. We were
told that when we had passed that we
would be able TO see tho Bay OF Honolulu
Diamond Head Is also an extinct vol
cano. 1t has q crater or hollow basin,
and projects out to sea In a way that
makes IL valuable point to fortify.
Properly entrenched, Diamond Head
would be impregnable. This mountain
also has historic interest. In January,
| 1895, the rebels, having been driven from
the valley below, took a position in this
stronghold, which they held until forced
out by the soldiers Of the republic. From
there they fled TO the mountains.
At last our vessel glided around Dia-
mond Head, and the Pearl of the Pacific
OF the Hawaiian Islands. What Havana
is 10 the West Indies, and New York is to
the United States, Honolulu is to the
little republic of the Pacific. At last this
city OF which | had read so much but
bad never seen save in my dreams, lay
before me. Smuggling at the foot OF
wondrously picturesque hills, which rise
abruptly into continuous range OF dark
blue background, Tapped by the waves of
a perpetual summer sea, the city, as seen
from outside the reef, is very beautiful
10 its setting. Diamond Head or Leahi
seems like some mighty sphinx, or lion
couchant, guarding in grim silence the
approach to an earthly paradise. The
balmy air, the dark outlying hills, the
abundant vegetation, the emerald green
at the harbor bar, the softness and depth
of the blue skies, and the gorgeous sun
shine bathing all the landscape, greeted
us with a tropical welcome. Palms
waved before us, and the air was fragrant
with magnolia and stephanotis.
The long, low shore, extending from
Diamond Head to the city, lay on our
right. Tall cocoanuts and waving palms,
date trees and banana plantations,
with the far receding hills of fadeless
green, formed an enchanting scene. The
pilot boat, mere speck at first, was
coming toward US, aud growing larger
each moment. In addition to the pilot,
It brought DIR. Wood, of the Board Of
Health. Since the cholera 10 September