Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-01-05
CHAPTER III.

Cultivation of the Padre Sebastian,
in quiet way, seemed an obvious pol
icy in tire light of our recent determi-
nation; but we found ii 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 | could give him under the cir
cumstances. | frankly detailed the
severing of my connection with Lam
tine & Co. and the overworked condi-
ton which had induced me to take
the voyage with my friend. These
facts he could easily verify. and for
various reasons. I 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 TO Manila on
the steamer. They were delightful
people, the Senorta 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 Gust Oms and the differences
betweeI our respective countries.
Ealstead 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-
! ond a marked courtesy to each other
"A prominent East Indian trait, by
tie 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 its 1000 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, COW
cred along their bases with luXuriant
tropical 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 ori-
entail semi which is sim
ply delightful. Even in the half dark
ness it seemed like n dream of en-
chantment as the steamer slipped
through the motionless water, soft
Iy purring black smoke from her fun
rel and kissing gently as the spray
Iippled alongside. It was so still that
echoes of voices floated from all parts
of the ship; liquid, blackguard 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
ventilators.
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 a rock
or run into another ship, he probably
would have pumped down on the graf
ings and pattered 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