The Mena star., 1899-04-06
[coSrIsurp rrox LAST wnnk.l


 which come between periods of ex- cessive mental or physical effort, espe- cially upon the eve of some decisive attempt that is likely to be a severe tax upon the energies. It was some thing of this feeling which gave aa3i- tional relish to the tobacco as we sat there in the starlight, thinking, plan ming, speculating- Diaz understood but little English, and, with the full length of the bridge between us, there was scarcely possibility of his com pretending what we said; so now and then we ventured a remark which showed the drift of our thoughts. At first the possibilities and obstacles of the undertaking filled our minds; but after awhile the narcotic influence of the tobacco and our silent gliding along through the tropic night set us 10 building. I've been often told by men who are now beyond the possi- bilify Of want of the relief and over~ confidence which come with the first small successes in fortune lbuilding. They are rays of light which brighten the years of weary effort and discour- Agement; and the eternal, irrepressi- ble hope that they bring with them often stimulates a belief in continued enccess which leads to many a bad cropper in the struggles yetitD come; get what would humanity ever accom- plish without those same rays sof hope and sunshine?
 Halstcad7s tastes, like those sof most an~ fa a~en n places on shore, racing studs, and good company, though all within sight and sound of the ocean. Mine, on the con- trary, like most men who sail the sea for its wityhing pleasure and know nothing of tops1 reefng or foc'sle heilishness, were centered upon thou ~and-ton steam yachts, alternations between delightful cruises and months in a perfectly equipped town house.
 He would mutter, between the puffs cf smoke. ''Gad, old chap, fellow could have one of the finest places In Surrey and keep house parties going all the year round on the income of a miilioni- To which I would grunt an nppreciative assent, followed by, And think of the clipper yacht, triple-ex- pansion and celluloid bottom, that a man could keep in commission; yes. and the town house, too. I could build one in the middle of Mayfair, with elec- tric lights, modern plumbing, marble baths, and plenty of ground around it, for hundred and fifty thousand" By which you will see that the captain and were counting our chickens not only before they were matched, but even while the eggsiay at the bottom of the western Pacific. This realization came 10 LIS after awhile with crushing force, along toward midnight, when the air had become pretty damp and we had smoked too mnny cigars. l could feel my heart sink down, down, like lump of lead. But, before turning in, I thought: ~We1l, the voyage will make a new man of me, anyhow, and the ex- citement of the attempt will be some thing worth remembering, whether we succeed or moi, t,"-in which my friend quite agreed with me.
 Shortly after four o'clock I heard him tumble out of his bunk, and, be ing too restless te sleep, l soon fof- lowed. It was moi yet daylight, bua the gray shadows in the east were tinged with a rosy reflection against which were outlined the bold promon- tories of Point Bugui the northwestern ly limit of Masbate isiand and Point Sur. on Burias. the passage between be- ing about eight miles in width. As we gradually altered our course around Point Sur. heading northeast toward Port Sorsogon, on Lnzon, in order to clear San Miguel islef at the northerly end of Ticao. great flames of red shot up across the eastern horizon. The grayness overhead lifted, like fog bank. There was a fresh and exhilarat ing dampness in the air. Then, as the top rim of the sun appeared. broad gleam spread across the heavens. tingeing every line of the steamers rigging and the sides of her funnel deep crimson Down on the main deck. the barefooted second mate, Mo- reno. was directing stream from the slcse over everything in sight, while his men of the starboard watch xcrubbed and holystoned the planking.
 Although there is plenty of water ali through the San Bernardino pas sage. it has been but imperfectly sur seyed and is thick with submerged rocks, navigation among which is rem dered still more dangerous by rapid current setting in from the Pacific; and A feverish desire to be at work