The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-01-16
Hawaii, the Pearl of the
Pacific.
SCENES ON ENTERING HONOLULU
THE CITY ITSELF.
The First of Series of Letters by
John K. Musick-Author of 1.-The
Columbian Historical Novels"
''Brother Against Brother, etc., etc.

brother Against Brother, ETC., etc.
lCOpyright. 1896, by Funk and Wagnalls
Company, New York;
Everybody on board the Australia VISA
awake early, eager to catch the first
glimpse of land. Our voyage, though
short one, owing to unfavorable
weather seemed long. We were as
sured 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, although it was
still dark, | fastened to the udner
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 skylight, ]
seated myself, and looked about over
the dark water. Early as it was, l 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 for him and some of his followers
to be on deck.
Day dawned slowly, and the dark
outlines of the silent priest became
more and more distinct. A murmur
of voices arose from the passengers be-
low who were 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.. Waterhouse, who had
all along been authority on matters
concerning the islands, came up and
said we were approaching and would
soon be in sight of Oahu. He said
Molokai was off on our larboard. Dur
ing the night we had been within
three miles OF it, but owing to the
darkness the captain had put about
and stood out to sea, instead of going
in at once.
In little while it was light enough
for US to see Molokai lying like a
cloud mist on our left. 1t was diff
cult at first to distinguish between the
dimly outlined 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 then
Mukapu Point, between which and
Koko Head lies valley in which is
the Waimanola Plantation. An ap-
preaching steamer is first seen from
this plantation, and its arrival tele-
phoned 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,
Ger the hills of fadeleSs green
The outlines of high mountain peaks
and low lying beach against which
the restless surf etarnally dashes, at
first seemed dream, but soon dawn
ing reality. Nearer and nearer we
glided. The high rocky promontory,
cloud-capt and sky piercing, became
boldly outlined. A pale blue mist
lay on the hills and in the valley; Civ
ing to them softness which no pain
ter's skill can even approximate. As
we drew nearer, those hills changed
from blue mist to red; and then along
their sides appeared delicate 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 greenfelds of sugar plan
tations in the valley. This valley from
our distance did not seem hundred
square rods in area, though it really
covers several thousand acres. Like
specks of snow the houses could be
seen nesting in orange groves OF
among waving palms and other trees
of the tropics, the tall cocoanuts fairly
towering into the sky.
A school of dolphins soon attracted
our attention. They were shooting al
about the ship, and could be seen skim
ming through the clear water, occa
sionally leaping entirely out of it, and
then plunging head first back again
A cloud of small flying fish next ap.
peared trying to escape from the YES
sci, or perhaps from the sharks, which
abound in these waters.
Rabbit Island next came into view
near the shore, looking from the ship
like long barren rock. This island
is historically interesting as being the