The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1903-03-07

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splendid foliage of the tropics. Ma
ture, in some fantastic mood, had
created this spot, and then as if APP
ralled at her work, had wreathed it
with flowers, and chastcned it's out
lines with the harmony of fern, vine
and palm. The marrow inlet leading
to the ocean was guarded by two
great rocks, which seemed to over
hang and threaten the intrepid sailor
who dared explore and ravish the
beauties which nestled within. These
rocks were fully 400 feet in height,
and unlike those surrounding the
dure. Through the portal thus
formed, the ocean with it's deep and
glorious blue. showed in contrast to
the dark background of these crags.
The surge of the sea came yelling
through this gate, but soon lost its
power, and on the further shores of
the lake it's ripplcs came as but
the tlutter of the deep breathing Of
the sea.
The shores were lined with boul-
ders which had tumbled down from
crag and peak. At intervals there
were grassy stretches of meadow.
deep enough to form Il foreground
to the darker beauties of cliff or IA
vine. Here and there Il brook trckled
from the heights, or found its tor-
tuous way through unknown dels.
And everywhere IL lavish profusion
of flowers. The base of one cliff
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flower, the name of which was I'M
known to any of the party. TO add
to this riot of color there were
Eocks of parrots of many and bril-
liant hues, while of hummng and
mocking birds there seemed to be
millions. Overhead an eagle circled
on heavy pinions, and the waters of
the lake were dotted with focks of
water fowl.
About Il thousand feet from the
southern shore of this sheet of wa
ter-which llcstor had named Nor
tons Bay"-was a small island. 1t
was a gem of an island. Basaltic
rocks reached up from the liquid
depths of the bay, and its northern
end was a crag. probably 100 feet
above the surface of the lake. To
the west it slopcd gradually down,
and at low tide there was sand
bar. 1t was on the inner edge of
this bar that IIestor had sighted the
crocodile. Tall, slender cocoa palms,
with their crowns of graceful leaves,
nodded in the morning breeze. Cau-
cho, camphor and dragon trees added
their beauty to this tropical bou-
quet. The base of the rocks was hid
den in giant pond lilies, ivy and
other climbing plants. which fes-
TONED the sides of the cliffs, as if
struggling to join the masses of
flowers which ovcrhung the rocks
above.
But the water had treasures not
less beautiful. At depth of so or
60 feet the bottom of the lake was
clearly visible. Looking over the
sides of the yacht. the voyagers
who were now approaching the
shore, saw swarms of fish whose
sides reflected the colors of the rain
bow.
Color is born in the tropics. 1t
dies at the poles. In the chill of the
axial antipodes, black and white
alone survive. In the warmth of the
tropics all objects, animate and in
animate, vie with each other to OUT
rival the Imagination of the artist
and blunt the pen of the writer.
"It looks like big aquarium, don't
it," said L. Sylvester Vincent, as he
gazed into the water. "Look at the
those are angel fish, saw some just
like them at the aquarium down at
the Battery in New York. Say, but
there are some beauties down there!
It looks as if it had been built for
them. The rocks are covered with
moss, and there is tunnel just
like L saw in the aquarium. thought
at the time that the fish in New
York had a pretty soft snap, but
these fellows here have them beat
in walk. I wonder if they're good
to eat?"
The reflections of Mr. Vincent were
cut short. BY good seamanship Capt.
Waters brought the yacht alongside
a jutting rock, which nature must
have designed as a pier. Four sail
ors sprang ashore, and in n few min
utes the lines were taut; the stumps
of two trees acted as posts. Tenders
were lowered to keep the sides of
the "Sharll" from rubbing against
the rock, and it was possible to step
from the gangway directly to the
natural stone pier.
"Wclcome to Hestoria! eN-
claimed Hestor as he leaped ashore.
"Come on. gentlemen, and explore
the mysteries of the tropics. I want
to show you something that will sur
prise YOU"
Back of the pier there arose a rock
which cut off the inland view. Hes
tor rounded this rock, stood in the
open space, and waited for the others
to join him. Mr.. Pence was the last
to quit the yacht and showed an in
clination to remain on board. He left
only when he found himself desert
ed.
"What do you think of that?'
Hestor pointed towards Il grove
of cocoa palms. in the center of
which stood large bungalow. 1t