The Republican journal., 1897-12-23

OSlCG.
the storm was over, and we sailed up the
harbol of Key West, watching from the
deck this tropical city of the south Tall
palm trees ornament the city, and with
banana and other tropical trees throw
grateful shade over the sandy streets.
The wharf, as we approached, was crowd
ed with indolent Cubans ana shiftless
louting negroes awaiting the ship.
At the deck we were met with the
ominous words, 'sYellow Fever" together
with an injunction forbdding any passen-
ger to step ashore un&er penalty of TWEEN
ty days quarantine in Galveston.
The United States gun boat Helena lay
near coaling, atfording an object of inter
est At the water edge OF the town, is
the Old United States fort OF brick ma
sonry presenting a formidable appear
ance but in reality a helpless, useless
mass, SO great has been the evolution in
forts and guns, and so completely does
brick masonry belong to the Notifications
Of the past.
About the wharf crowded scores of
pickaninnies, in coarse bathing suits,
eagerly clamorng for nickels to DE thrown
into the water that they might dive and
recover them and the nickel thus change
ownership A half dozen would be lined
up on the wharf and nickel thrown in
twenty feet of water. In an instant the
water would be simultaneously struck by
the diving bodies, disappearing from sight
presently to reappear looking like grin
ming allgators, and invariably one of the
human alligators had secured the nickel,
which he Immediately deposited in his
enormous mouth and then raised his
voice and joined in the general clamor
''Say, mister throw another nickel.''
Out again on our voyage, Dry Tortogas
is sighted and passed and then once more
land fades from sight and the ship west
ward breasts the waves of the gulf
The first evening out from Key West,
sailor lucky omen came to us. A beau
tiful dove alighted on the ship and re-
NAMED for the night, flying about the
deck. The captain called the passengers
to see the omen 50 suspicious with sail
ors. The dove had bright green wings
and was of rare beauty and species.
Our voyage was not to terminate with
out affording the experience of a gale. 1t
was encountered on the gulf. For one
night and the following day the storm
ragged. The waves rolled in majestic
might, and the ship rocked and pitched
in helpless misery. Sleep for the night
was impossible, while the matters of the
day were attended with little interest.
Racks were placed on the tables to hold
the dishes in place for the few who grac-
ed the meals with their presence. The
majority of the passengers sought the Sc
clusion of their rooms to hide the annoy
lug distress of seasickness. Toward night
the storm abated, and the next morning
saw our ship sailing within the jetties of
Galveston harbor.
We anchored at quarantine and awaited
'ho Piooohoe VI lne 4uaEaHilne surgeon
By our side We're three ships flying yellow
flags, announcing their detention in dread
ed quarantine. We rejoiced that we were
free from the contamination of any infect
ed port.
The doctor was soon aboard, and after
, a careful examination gave us clean bill
of health and permission to proceed to
dock.
The crew is weighing the anchor; the
passengers crowd about the rail waiting
impatien tly for the opportunity to again
walk on land. 1t is the morning of Sept.
18th, and after a period prolonged by
st rms two days beyond the usual length
our voyage is nearly over.
The harbor pilot directs the ship and
slowly is passed the projected modern
fort, and then ship after ship loading cot
ton The passengers throng about, and,
grouped in small circles, discuss the
voyage and say the words of separation.
How fraught with interest our trip has
been What interesting scenes of old ocean
have come to our eyes! How kind and
courteous the ship officers have been in
answering innumerable questions! How
faithfully and bravely they have labored
to secure the comfort and safety of all the
passengers.
But our ship is at the wharf. About the
landing are waiting crowds, the negro of
Dixie's land numerous among his white
neighbors, impresses his presence on the
picture presented to the eye. The bridge
is down and we pass to shore, waving a
good-by to officers and crew, and to our
good stanch carrier of the deep, our ship
Lampasas.