The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-11-01
TOWNSEND
LOCATED
Wide Range of His
Divisional
Duty.
HAS AT LEAST
500 ISLANDS
w. II. Hits Good Berth-Account
of the Trip of the
Teachers.
Especial correspondence

TDITOR ADVERTISER: 1t is now
seven weeks since we Joined the
A~ memorable expedition on board
the Thomas and we are just now
finding time to get our bearings. The
first two weeks were taken up largely in
wondering. OF course we did our share
of wondering what we We're going into.
Then we wondered why others of the
expedition ever joined it. What did the
bright young girl fresh from college
and delighting in dress and in society
expect to find in the Philippines? What
hope had the widow, with children to
support, for a suitable home in the dis
tant isles? And so we went on wonder
ing. Some young men, and women too.
said they were seeking new expert
ences," and they were open for con-
gratulations, almost from the first, on
the rapidity with which they attained
their ends. Others laid plans to exploit
the country, and tried to organize a
land company on board the Thomas"
Happily this scheme was laughed out of
existence the same day it was launched.
So the days went on during the voy
age. Many interests and many pleas
ures were mingled with few real hard
ships. The kind words said by the 'Ad-
vertiser'' for the present writer served
to give him standing with the teach
ers such that he was called upon TO
address those interested to hear him.
and he accepted the invitation, thinking
a dozen or two would turn out. But it
No 6aDIr n h n 81
was large enough to hold those who
were anxious for light on their new un-
dertakings and who hoped to catch
some gieam from Hawaii. Another ad-
dress a few days later was met in
similarly ffattering way. Mr.. Hits was
similarly honored a few days later, and
others from time to time addressed in
terested audiences on educational
topics.
On crossing 'the line old Neptune
came aboard and, despite the fact that
each OF us had already given him
day out of our lives on this occasion,
demanded tribute and pronounced
penalties which were summarily infiict-
ed. all in good old nautical style
The Thomas" passed far to the
northward of Guam, but eager eyes
peering through the darkness caught
faint outline of one of the Ladrones, the
only land sighted between Hawaii and
the Philippines. Two days later a stiff
gale, a dashing sea and a fluctuating
barometer told US of the proximity of
typhoon, and we prepared for strug-
gle: but our preparations were in vain,
for the storm center was far north of
us. Yet winds, and clouds, and rain
continued till land was again in sight.
AS the clouds cleared away, toward the
middle OF the day, showing the island of
Samar. all were delighted with its in
expressible beauty. Almost at the same
time we gazed upon the green shores
and slop,s and peaks of beautiful south
ern LuIon, where every prospect
pleases, and only man is Vile AS we
looked in rapt admiration, little did we
think that one Of our party, Mr.. W.
II. Hits, of Honolulu, would be called
upon to preside over the educational in
terests of this land of beauty. Yet this
is what Fate had in store.
Two days later we entered Manila
Bay. sailed past the historic scene OF
the battle at Cavite. and anchored off
the city of Manila. The typhoon flags
were still flying, and the southwest
monsoon had stirred up such sea that
we had little communication with the
shore that day. launch. however,
came alongside and three men came
aboard. One of these, a pale, haggard.
tall young man, with drawn face and
trembling hand greeted US. 1t was Cen
eral Superintendent Fred ". Atkinson,
the athletic young man who passed
through Honolulu a year ago. I was
shocked and almost regretted having
dared climate which could work such
havoc with such a physique. The next
day I learned that he had been suf-
fering with sea-sickness, and the laugh
was on me, for 1 had unconsciously
shown my anxiety about his health.
After the laugh was over, however. the
fact remained that he had lost sixty
pounds in weight in a little more than
one year.
On the Hamakua coast in rough
weather there are worse landings than