Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-12-29
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GCoryr CHI. 1897. BY J B. Lpp mott Col
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 Ii 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 Lac
tine e Co. and the overworked condi-
fion which had induced me 10 take
the voyage with my friend These
facts lac could easily verify. and, for
various reasons. preferred not to
be caught lying.
Among the other passengers were
q rich old wine merchant and his
daughter. from Seville. who were
making a tour OF the Spanish colonies
and intended returning 10 Manila on
the steamer. They were delightful
people, the Senorita Gracia especially
and, mustering'my very best Spanish
] began 10 cultivate their acquaint-
piled me with all sorts Of questions
concerning my countrywomen. our
American customs, and the differences
between orr respective countries.
Halstead seemed quite taken with her,
and, is captain of the steamer. his IT.
fentions 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-
Vond a 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, eXcusiug 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 Bauton island. in
the open strait, aud could dimiy make
out its 1000 feet of rock in the star
light. The whole voyage from Manila
bay TO the San Bernardino passage is
volcano peaks and rocky islands. COW
cred along their bases with luxuriant
Hropicai foliage, which takes on an
indescribably rich coloring in the sun
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 it seemed like a 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 spray
1ippled alongside 1t was so still that
echoes of voices foated from all parts
Of the ship; liquid. bIackguard patois
from the crew. loungiug about the
foc's'le head; limpid Andausian
laughter, with now and then a snatch
of song in a clear girliSh voice. from
some where down on the main deck:
muffied echoes from the stoke-hold
ventilators.
We had made ourselves comfortable
at the starboard end Of the bridge. and
Diaz. he mate. was louuging over the
rail to port cumming a love ditty to
himself Had We grounded on a rock
or run into another ship, he probably
would have pumped down on he 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 whereto