Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1898-08-26

am glad that we were not compelled
to stay there more than six hours in q
day. A great many Of men slept on
deck. was surprised they allowed as
that privilege as we were in the way of
the sailors as they went about their
work. We lived on deck greater part
of the journey, consequently all are
feeling quite well after few days rest
in the harbor. We had fine weather
and smooth sea, and nothing of i'm
portance happened on the voyage, just
the same thing day after day, the great
heaving sea all around us as far as the
eye could reach. It looked very much
like my preconceived idea Of an ocean,
except the water has deeper blue.
The boys were all tickled to see land
again, staid up nearly all night to be the
first to sight it. A good many of the citi-
zens came down to the dock as we sailed
in, headed by the State Band, which
by the way, is Queen Lil's old band, a
very fine one indeed. They threw all
kinds of fruit aboard, some that we new
er saw or heard Of before. tell you it
tasted good, after living on fat pork and
beans so long, which is rather greasy
food for such climate, it seems to me.
Twas surprised at the bright, intelli-
gent appearance of the natives, or Ha-
waiian people. They are dark-skinned,
somewhat similar to the Sioux Indians,
but their features are similar to the
white man. Most of them are we'll edu-
Gated and talk the English language.
They constitute about one-third the pop
ulation of Honolulu. They are bright
people, employed in different occupa-
tions of the Island. would like to
write more concerning them, but find
my time limited.
In the afternoon the whole regiment
was marched of the boat to exercise the
cramped limbs of the men. We went
to the State House Park, stacked arms
and were dismissed until p. M, to go
where we pleased.
Tho Park is grand and contains Queen
Lil's palace, now used as State House.
The city is just beautiful, and I will not
undertake to describe it. The yards or
lawns are shaded by the cocoanut palm,
banyan and other tropical trees and
plants that do not know the names Of.
Our trees of South Dakota would look
rather tame beside them. The climate
is regular paradise to live in, as it is
equable and moist, insuring luxuriant
vegetation.
We found that Honolulu contained
about 10000 inhabitants, of nearly all
nationalities.
The following day, or yesterday, we
were banqeuted by the citizens of Homo
lulu, in the Park. 1t was equal to the
banquet given by the Red Cross Society
in Frisco, and very much appreciated
by MS boys President Dole and family
and the State Band were there. I was
sorry that Queen Lii was not present,
as would liked to have seen her. I
learned that she came in on the Gaelic
from the United States last night. After
the banquet we were again turned loose
until p. m. and several other boys
went down to the sea and had surf
bath, which is grand sport.
The natives are regular ducks in the
water. and are strong swimmers and
boatmen. I never saw their equal in
any place.
Well, must close this letter or I
shall not get in the mail. We have just
received orders to sail from Honolulu at
5 q. m. tomorrow, which cuts our stay
here shorter than we expected. | have
so much to write about, I can hardly
find stopping place. I will write you
again when we get to Manila. I dread
the trip as it will be harder and longer
than from Frisco to Honolulu. Write
soon. From your friend and fellow
teacher,
E. B. GRINNELL.