The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-12-13
CHAPTER III,

CHAPTER III,
Cultivation of the Padre Sebastian, !
in quiet way, seemed an obvious pol
icy in the light of our recent determi-
nation; but we found it necessary to
be constantly on our guard against
his subtle questioning. He seemed I'M
warrantably curious to ascertain my
business on the steamer, and, think
ing the bare truth might be the safest
thing 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
rich old wine merchant and his
daughter, from Seville, who we're
making tour of the Spanish colonies
and intended returning to Manila on
the steamer. They were delightful
people, the Senorita Gracia especially,
and, mustering,my very best Spanish,
] began to cultivate their acquaint-
ance. She was a beautiful girl. and she
piled me with all sorts of questions
concerning my countrywomen, our
American customs, and the differences
between our respective countries.
Halstead seemed quite taken with her,
and, as captain of the steamer, his at
tentions were highly appreciated. The
only other woman, aside from the
stewardess, was going to Pouynipete
with her husband; but, being of Phil
| ippine birth, she was scarcely in the
same caste with the Palacios. So, be-
Nond 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, excusing ourselves upon the plea
of being responsible for the naviga-
ton, Halstead and I climbed to our
quarters on the hurricane deck. We
were then passing Banton island, in
the open strait, and could dimly make
out it's 1900 feet of rock in the star
| light. The whole voyage from Manila
bay to the San Bernardino passage is
one grand panorama of precipitous
volcano peaks and rocky islands, GOV.
cred along their bases with luSurian1
tropical foliage, which takes on ar
indescribably rich coloring in the sun.
light and fills the air with fragrant
odors that lull the senses into an orr
entail semi-consciousnes which is sim
ply delightful. Even in the half dark
ness it seemed like dream of en-
; chantment as the steamer Slipped
through the motionless water, soft
~ purring black smoke from her fun
rel and kissing gently as the spra,
1ippled alongside. 1t was so still tina
echoes of voices tioated from all part
! of the ship; liquid, blackguard patoi
from the crew, lounging about tn
foc's'le head; limpid Andalusial
laughter, with now and then snatch
of song in clear girlish voice, from
: somewhere down on the main deck
) muffled echoes from the stoke-hol,
ventilators.
We had made ourselves comfortabl
2 at the starboard end of the bridge, an
5 Diaz, the mate, was lounging over tn
$ rail to port, humming love ditty t
5 himself. Had we grounded on roc
l or run into another ship, he probabl
: would have pumped down on the graz
a ings and battered out prayers to tn
e saints; but outside of emergencies b
], seemed to be pretty fair officer.
a Dick not only had good taste in til
t way of cigars, but he knew just where