Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1896-01-15
Copyright. 1895, by Funk & Wagnalls Com
pany, New York.

the worst voyage the Australia had mad,
for years,
II was the trampling of sailors and the
oreaking of rigging above that awakened
me. and, altho ii 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 skylight, | seated myself, and
looked about over the dark water. Early
as 1t was, was not the first on deok,
Ihe priest, Father hamphlle, 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
the upper deck,
Day dawned slowly, and the dark out
lines OF the silent priest became more
and more distinct. \ murmur of voices
arose from the passengers below who
were tumbling out of their berths and
hurriedly dressing. | had been sitting
watching Father Pamphilc but short
time when two bells struck. Just then
Mr.. Waterhouse, who had all along been
authority on matters concerning tha
Islands, came up and said we were ap-
preaching and would soon be In sight of
Oahu, He said Molokai was off on our
larboard During the night we had been
within three miles of it, but owing te
the darkness the captain had put about
and stood out to sea, instead of going in
at once,
In n little while it 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,
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
approaching steamer is first seen from
this plantation,and its arrival telephoned
to Honolulp:
"l4and ahead, It's fruits are waving,
Ger the hills of fadeess green. E. :"
The outlines of high mountain peaks
and low lying beach against which the
restless surfs eternally dashes. at 6rst
seemed dream, hut soon dawning
reality. Nearer and nearer we glided.
The high rocky promontory, cloud capt
and SKY piercing, became boldly out
lined, \ pale blue emist lay on the hills
and in the valley, giving to them soft
ness which no painters skill can even
approximate. As we drew nearer, those
hills changed from blue mist TO red, and
then along their sides appeared deli
cate 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 it 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 fdolphins soon attracted our
attention. They were shooting all about
the ship, and could be seen skimming
through the clear water, occasionally
leaping entirely out of it, and then plung-
ing head first back again. 4 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, 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 vol
canO. 1t has crater or hollow basin
and projects out to sea in way that
makes it valuable point to fortify.
Properly entrenched, Diamond Head
would be impregnable. This mountain
also has historic interest In January,
1898, the rebels, having been driven from
the valley below, took 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
burst on our rview-Honolulu the capitol
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 of the Pacific At last this
city of which had read so much but
had never seen save in my dreams, Law
| before me. Smuggling at the foot Of
wondcrously picturesque hills,which rise
abruptly into continuous range of dark
blue background, Tapped by the waves of
perpetual summer sea, the city, as seen
! from outside the reef, is very beautiful
in 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
halmy air, the dark outlining 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.