St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-01-17
HAWAII, THE PEARL OF THE
PACIFIC"
The First ofa Series of Letters by John
X. Musfck.


X. MuSick.
| Copyright 1896, by FUNK & WAGNALL'
COMPANY, New York;
Everybody on board the Australia
was awake early, eager to catch the
first glimpse OF land. Our voyage
though short one, owing to untav'
orable weather seemed long. We
were assured it was the worst voy
age 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 upper
deck. The sea was almost smooth,
and a gentle breeze waited us toward
land. Cropping my way to the bench
lust forward of the main sky-light,
seated myself, and looked about over
the dark water. Early as it 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.
Day dawned slowly, and the dark
outlines of the silent priest became
more and more distinct. A murmur
of voices arose from the passengers
below who were tumbling out OF
their berths, and hurriedly dressing,
| had been sitting watching Father
Pamphile but a short time when two
bells struck.
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 a 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, be-
tween which and Koko Head lies a
valley in which is the Waimanola
Plantation. Anapproaching 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 fadeless green. :"
The outlines of high mountain
peaks and low lying beach against
which the restless surf eternally
dashes, at first seemed a dream, but
soon a dawning 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, giving to them a softness
which no painters skill can even ap-
proximate. As we drew nearer,
those hills changed from blue mist to
red, and then along their sides ap-
peared delicate green which deep.
ened 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 a sugar
plantation in the valley. This valley
from our distance did not seem over
a hundred square rods in area, though
it really covers several thousand
acres. Like specks of snow the
houses could be seen nesting in or
ange groves or among waving palms
and other trees of the tropics, the tall
cocoanuts fairly towering into the
sky.
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 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,
Diamond Head lay in plain view.
We were told that when we had
passed that we would be able to see
the Bay of Honolulu.
Diamond Head is also an extinct
volcano. 1t has crater or hollow
basin, and projects out to sea in a
way that makes it valuable point
to fortify. Properly entrenched
Diamond Head would be impregna.
Bile. This mountain also has historic
interest. In January, 1895, the
rebels, having been driven from the
valley below, took position in this
stronghold, which they held unit
forced out by the soldiers of the re.
public From there they fled to the
mountains.
At last our vessel glided arounc
Diamond Head, and the Pearl of the
Pacific burst on our view Honolulu
the capital of the Hawaiian Islands
What Havana is to the West Indies
and New York is to the United States
Honolulu is to the little republic o
the Pacific. Atlast this city of which
| had read so much but had never
seen save in my dreams, lay before
me. Smuggling at the foot of won
drously picturesque hills, which rist
abruptly into continuous range o
dark blue background, Tapped by tn,
waves OF perpetual summer sea, tn,