Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1897-01-01
the next to go through the same ordeal.


The bay crossed, which judging from
our voyage, would say has been unjust
ly libled or it was exceptionally calm
when we crossed, there is general
resurrection and the gloomy aspect
wears off. One by one they gradually
steal to the deck; even the most timer
Gus can be seen hasking in the warm
southern sun. At noon, the fifth day
from England. we are making land.
Through the lifting mist the outlines
of the russet cliffs and hills which
adorn the Canary islands can easily be
traced. Soon we are anchored off the
coast of the grand Canary. Las Palmas.
The capitol, shroudedin pure whiteness,
stands before us. This is one of the
very valuable Spanish possessions and
since the enormous influx to South
Africa came into prominence as coal
ing station. 1t is also becoming popu-
lar as resort. Almost as soon as the
anchor is lowered scores of little specks
are seen dotting the cerulean surface of
the water. One could almost imagine
they had emerged from the fathomless
depths of the swarthy harbor. Nearer
ond nearer they come, now up and then
down as they gracefully ride the
billows. They are row boats manned
by sturdy Spaniards. Upon their ar
rival our decks are swarmed with VEN
do1s, some selling fruit, others tobacco,
canaries. parrots, etc. AS it takes
six hours to coal and transportation is
cheap u mean in getting to shore; it is
also very cheap in getting back, pro.
viding you are u good swimmer) and
to satisfy our curiosity we decide to
take it in. Owing to the on-comple-
tion of the magnificent pier the pro-
gressive inhabitants of Los Palmas are
equipping their harbor with, we we're
obliged to charter row boats. A ram
shackle stairway is lowered, which 1
believe they call a gangway, and then
the fun commences. There is q gener,
al scramble to get in the first boat
many fearing they'll get left. but be-
fore the boat is reached are wishing
themselves once more on deck in dry
flannel pants. "Gangway, please are
the commanding words of, our 200
pound heroine, who is admired more
for her genial temperament than her
good looks. as she elbows her way thro'
the crowd followed by a half dozen
more of her 'brave" sex. The gang.
way reached they timidly hug the rail,
half inclined to go, and half inclined to
stay. An half hour of "Oh my, the
horrid water" and "those dirty boats"
and courage comes. The heavy weight
is seen descending. Thanks to her,
we shall soon be off now. She reaches
the bottom step and is showing the
others how to board boat gracefully,
when here comes huge billow;someone
shouts jump; she does but not into
the boat. "Never again will 1 risk
my life to please Others" she mutters
half chokingly as they tenderly drag
her frail (?), drenched form into the
boat. 1t is needless to say the ladies
stay on deck. After this we get off
and once ashore we are glad we came.
Everything strikes you as extremely
foreign and oriental, and a little stacy,
q sort of operatic accessories. The
only thing that strikes you as English
is the familiar words of ".ra ra ra boom
de ay" which the little yellow faced
urchin shrieks at the top of his voice
as he runs after the dropping coins of
the philanthropist. Now and then
you fit by the dignified contour of a
handsome senorieta, bearing large
water jar upon her head. The popular
type of house seems to be wooden or
brick frame work, specifically encased
in plaster, all having the eastern flat
roof. How different to the modern
architecture of the English residents
house, with it's sublime gardens, where
the palm trees, for which this place is
named, the banana bushes with their
heavy green foliage, and the prickley
pear are seen peeping over vine
trellised wall. We visited the principal
places of interest among which are the
cathedral, museum and the library with
its valuable old manuscripts. Then
the fruit market where we partook of
the luscious fruits of Spanish winter.
Everything seemed to fascinate US
even the delicious 1OO-year old MADEIRA
wine. From Las Palmas it is u nice
drive to the large extinct crater of Ell
Caldesa and the peculiar mountain
cave village of Atalaya where it is esti-
mated that 1000 people dwell in holes
or houses scooped out of the hillside.
Feeling aesthetically satisfied with the
grand impressions we had feasted upon
we wended our way back to the land
ing. Since we had gone the row boat
managers had formed u trust and
doubled the price on us. We paid the
price demanded.
4 Altar touchino Ias Palmas WA nnshad