The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-17

Inc Tribune city STAFF, is with the
First regiment of New York volun-
teers, at Honolulu. In letter to the
Binghamton Herald he thus describes
part Of the voyage and the arrival of
the soldiers at the capital of the Ha-
walian Islands:
1t was exactly 4.30 o'clock Thurs
day afternoon, the 10Th of August,
that the half hour whistle aboard the
Alliance shrilly and peremptorily told
everyone but soldiers to get Off AS
the crowd of visitors who had gone
aboard to give the New Yorkers a
last farewell began to move toward
the gang plank, a few more boxes of
provisions were lifted from the pier
and lowered into the hold and the sail
ors hurried about seeing to the few
preliminaries to casting loose the moor
ings.
Just thirty minutes later the haw-
sers were thrown aboard and the AL
lance swung away from San Fran
cisco out into the bay. There were
waving hands and kerchiefs. hats and
canes as the boat, gaining headway,
got well out into the harbor.
CROWDS ON THE DOCK.
On the dock was a crowd Of people
all of whom seemed personally inter-
ested in the soldiers. The Red Cross
society, which, in the West has done
wonders for the soldiers, was repre-
sented by about a score of women,
who. during the long wait on the pier
prior to embarkation. dealt out hot
coffee and toothsome lunches. These
the boys devoured hungrily for they
had had nothing since their early
breakfast.
The San Francisco bay Is surround
ed by picturesque mountains. These
are void of shrubbery or trees and at
places are very abrupt. AS we
steamed out toward the Golden Gate
many of the soldiers looked, not with
out interest. at these great sentinels
OF the harbor.
NOW we are passing Albatross Is
land, whose grim buildings hold in
absolute security military prisoners of
Uncle Sam. Deserters, fraudulent en-
listers, insubordination and the likes
OF that are what cause their confine-
ment.
or the port bow appears the Pre-
Sldlo Military reservation where but
ten hours before we pulled stakes and
folded tents with glad hearts. We
rejoice That we have escaped unscath-
ed the dust and fog which daily con-
spired against us. Even now as we
cast our eyes over the brown hard
pan where our tents stood, a cloud Of
dust is swirling over the few remain
ing tents Of the First regiment. What
Is that" It's a swell from the ocean
and as we look about we are in the
Gate. Fort Winfield Scott looms up on
the port side. a stolid sentinel of the
bay and the city behind. over the
starboard is seen the light house of
the Farallones islands. Already it's
light betokens the parting day.
LAND SIGHTED.
Saturday, August 27, at $50 o'clock,
in the morning, everybody is astir,
Land off the port bow" is the cry
that sends every sailor aboard leap
ing out of his bunk in double time.
Upon the hurricane deck an old salt
Is pointing his finger and all look that
way. Il can see it," ar III" private
yells. Others follow his example.
Some can't see it. They are pardoned
because the streak on the horizon is
SO faint as to leave man in excusable
doubt as to whether or not he is see
ing it. Some one brings up a pair of
field glasses and a peep through these
dispels all doubt All eyes eagerly
watch what appears to be wall Of
gray mist. Every minute it grows
palmer and larger. The breakfast cry
an hour or so later is unheeded.
Now the outlines are clear and dis
the fantastic handiwork of extinct
volcanoes. make the view awe-inspir-
ing. Bright fieecy clouds, sailing in
the blue vault above, tear themselves
or the topmost pirnacles and domes of
one of the ridges. AS If weeping tears
of anguish they turn to dull leaden
color. open their reservoirs and the de-
scending rain envelopes the brown
lava slopes with mist.
The Alliance steams in. Rounding
a cliff there appears a cliff. 1t iuts
out into the channel and a glass on
its highest peak reveals the American
flag. Corporal Frank Seymour of II,
who, while on a man-o-wars man, was
at Honolulu, Immediately pronounces
it to be diamond Head. Back of it he
says is Honolulu and it's harbor.
ARRIVAL AT HONOLULU.
off port side a steamer comes into
view. The first boat we have seen since
leaving the Golden Gate. It's too far
to tell what it is. Dead ahead, full
rigged sailing ship shuts the horizon
Smaller craft appear here and there
Natives in their curious canoes dart
about fearless of the choppy sea. We
pass buoys, shoot past stretches OF
green water that tell of bars and
shoals. An Hawaiian official in white
trousers and coat, rowed by two sturdy
Kanakas. mounts a ladder on the port
side. Presently we are fastened to a
wharf.
It's Honolulu! Naked native chill.
dren are swarming in the water about
the boat. They dive with marvellous
skill after money the officials toss into