The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-12-13

ours. the s'Magallanes,r came into the bay
and anchored. 1t was comparatively qulet
then. but within an hour it blew great
guns We We're on lee shore with both
anchors down and practically safe, but
| about o'clock in the evening the "Cazi-
DOR broke from Der mornings, narrowly
escaped fouling the "Magallanes," and
drifted toward us. There was much
shouting and excitement among the va
rious crews. but no damage was done,
though next morning the relative posi-
tons of the four vessels was considerably
changed.
Taking the "Pcpita" in tow again. we
left the Cockpit about a. M, and in Il
driving rain, which kept the tarpaulins
close-haued to the deck, with heavy
sea running, steamed down the coast TO
PalanOg, which was reached about noon.
There were eight vessels in the harbOr
as we entered. two of them steamers. The
scenery, including the town, wooded hills.
cocoa groves, mangeeS and other tropical
vegetation. form an interesting picture.
The weather was fitful; the rain ceased
and the sun came out shortly after we en-
tered: but sudden shower came up as
the Captain of the port was being rowed
by Il single oarsman from shore that
made his kahlG suit when he reached our
deck look as if it were glued to him.
| was informed that Masbate is in n
some eight natives were killed by our
troops in an engagement. and month
previously nearly double that number; but
in each case the ladrone had been report
ed and located by the Presidentes and
citizens of the bariOs in which the en-
counters occurred.
\ SHOWER OF LoCUsTs.
A curious phenomenon followed the rain,
III, III ,1t- If
seemed at first like n driving storm of
brown flakes of giant size, yet there was at
the time little or no wind. 1t proved to be
shower of locusts, of which we saw
many more later on. They were as nu-
merous as the flakes in an ordinary snow
storm, and followed SO closely that it
really seemed for n moment as if the drops
had been changed into these winged crea-
lures.
We left Palnpog about p. m. A link
in the cable broke as the anchor was be-
ing raised, and the ''ancOra" went perma-
nently TO the bottom of the bay. The sea
was very heavy, especially after passing
Punta Caduruan, the most southern point
of the island, and entering the Masbate
Sea. The waves encountered were merely
the afterwash of the storm, but the way
they rocked the ship sidewise, endwise
and otherwise showed they had fiendish
disregard for human dignity and diges-
ton. Supper was taken III lufcheS ana
boOrsh grabs at the food. Old "sea
dogs" ceased to guy the other passengers,
and TO relate their former experiences on
the deep. Matters were little better the
next morning, when we found ourselves
between Panay and NegrOs. Though the
sea was not so rough, a misty, driving
rain was raging, which detracted much
from the really fine scenery the Panay
coast unually affords. However when we
reached the islands known as 1.-THE Seven
Sins" where a light is located, the water
in the channel was quite smooth, and
when we arrived at Iloilo, about 3 p. m,
the rain had entirely ceased and the sun
was shining brightly.
A large three-master and five steamers
were in the channel, including the u. s.
Bennington and Helena, both of which
sent their boats around to inquire for
mail. The Helena steamed away north
ward at night. Iloilo presents n very
pretty appearance from the channel, es-
pecially to one after a stormy passage.
The tide being out, we could not enter
the river. and so remained on board all
night.
We were visited by the Health Officer
and Captain of the Port, and the next
day, by the aid of a native pilot, a boats
crew, working bow and stern lines when
necessary in the stream, and gangs work
ing similar lines on shore with windlasses,
we managed to reach the dock about noon
without getting aground but six times.
HYLAND G. KIRK.