The Irish standard., 1898-11-26
CHAPTER III.

Cultivation of the Padre Sebastian,
in a quiet way,scemed an obvious pol
icy in the light of our recent determt-
nation; but we found it necessary to
be constantly on our guard against
his subtle questioning He seemed un-
warrantably curious to ascertain my
business on the steamer, and, think
ing the bare truth might be the safest
thing l could give him under the cir
cumstances, frankly detailed the
severing of my connection with Lam
tine & Co. and the overworked condi-
tion which had induced me to take
the voyage with my friend. These
facts he could easily verify. and, for
various reasons, preferred not to
be caught lying.
Among the other passengers were
n rich old wine merchant and his
daughter, from Seville, who were
making tour of the Spanish colonies
and intended returning to Manila OH
the steamer. They were delightful
people, the Senorita Gracia especially,
and, mastering my very best Spanish,
] began to cultivate their acquaint-
ance. She was beautiful girl, and she
piled me with all sorts of questions
concerning my countrywomen, our
American customs, and the differences
between our respective countries.
Halstcad seemed quite taken with her,
and, as captain of the steamer. his at
tentions were highly appreciated. The
only other woman, aside from the
stewardcss. was going to Pouynipcte
with her husband; but, being Of Phil
ippine birth. she was scarcely IN the
same caste with the Palacios. So, be-
Eond q marked courtesy to each other
"A prominent East Indian trait, by
the way-the two girls had little to
say. =
We sat over our dinner for quite
awhile, discussing various subjects;
then, cXcusing ourselves upon the plea
Of being responsible for the naviga-
ton, Halstead and climbed to our
quarters on the hurricane deck. We
were then passing Banton island, in
the open strait, and could dinly make
out its 1000 feet of rock in the star
light. The whole voyage from Manila
Jay W lNC OdN puSodkC Is
one grand panorama of precipitous
volcano peaks and rocky islands, COW
cred along their bases with luxnriant
tropica: foliage. which takes on an
indescribably rich coloring in the sum
light and fills the air with fragrant
odors that lull the senses into an orr
entail semi-consciousness which is Sim
ply delightful. Even in the half dark
ness 1t seemed like dream of en-
chantment as the steamer slipped
through the motionless water. soft
~ purring black smoke from her fun
Tel and kissing gently as the spray
1ippled alongside. Il was so still that
echoes Of voices floated from all parts
of the ship; liquid, BLACKBOARD patois
from. the crew, lounging about the
foc's'le head; limpid Andalusian
laughter, with now and then a snatch
of song in a clear girlish voice, from
somewhere down on the main deck;
,muffled echoes from the stoke-hold
vcntilators.
We had made ourselves comfortable
at the starboard end of the bridge. and
Diaz, the mate. was lounging over the
rail to port, humming love ditty to
himself. Had we grounded on rock
or run into another ship. he probably
would have pumped down on the graf
;ngs and battered out prayers to the
saints; but outside of emergencies he
seemed to be pretty fair officer.
Dick not only had good taste in the
way of cigars. but he knew just where to