Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-07-01
A WINTER TRIP
TO THE TROPICS.
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lIlA - several ear-pierclng SkTiekS o
w the whistle. scunying OF decl
hands 10 cast off the lines, the passen
gers on the upper deck waving theil
adieus. the vessel swings from her docl
into the stream and the steamship Watson
commanded by the genial Captain Long
is of for the Tropics.
The waving Of handkerchieis continue.
sill the sharp turn OF the river intervenes
between friends a6oat and ashore. No
fearful eyes at this parting, but all brigh
with pIeasurable anticipations OF the en-
iOyments 70 come. The trip down the
bay 10 too well known to need special
comment. the passengers being partially
engaged in arranging their necessities
tor the long voy age.
The first general muster OF passenger.
In the dining-Toom, with one table pre-
sided over by the affable Captain, and
the other bv bluff, sociable old sea dog
the first officer, and q menu that would
not discredit any good hotel. joyous con
versation soon brings the passengers into
that state of happy congenialily so con.
ducive to the pleasure Of these trips.
After enjoying refreshing nights rest,
and before they are out OF their state.
rooms the following morning, the passen-
gers are reminded by a gentle pitching
or rolling motion OF the vessel that they
are out OF the bay. and that the sea
voyage has commenced in earnest.
A substantial breakfast, with an abund-
ance Of grape fruit and oranges being
enjoyed, the passengers adjourn TO the
upper deck, most OF them TO enjoy their
first experience at sea. As the voyage
continues, the swell and motion increases,
and some of the passengers appear az
though they are trying hard to keep a
secret, and judging by an occasional
agonized look, something hard to keep
"down." The excellent menu is not 50
appetizlng at this time. Vacancies begin
to appear at the tables. Occasionally
one of the passengers, with q logged de-
termination not to miss q meal, suddenly
remembers In the midst Of one that they
have important business on deck, and
as quickly retire with unsteady gait.
AZ . rule. they forget to Tsturn to
finish the meal. About this time most Of
the passengers take to their staterooms,
or stay on deck snugly laid away on
steamer chairs under the careful atten-
ton OF the steward and stewardess. This
state Of affairs Is not for long, aud as the
voyage progresses they again take their
places al the dining tables with bright
ened eyes and keen appetites. much the
better tor their little experience BY this
time they are well on their journey,
possibly of the Bahamas, enjoying the
balmy breezes and and with all winter
clothing discarded, the soothing air Of
the Tropics stealing over the senses, and
feeling that "dull care" is indeed left
behind.
We are now somewhat entertained by
the Flying Fish darling hither and thither
over the surface Of the water, also the
masses Of sea weed similar to that which
so troubled the sailors Of Columbus. On
The evening Of the fourth day out we
near the FIRST considerable land since
leaving home. Cuba on the right and
Hayti on the left. It Is sunset, and such
a sunset, It's marvellous conf0rmalions,
iinls and beauties II would be impossible
to describe. Il overwhelmed one with
wonder and admiration. and called to
mind the beautiful lines of Thos. Moore:
when day with farewell beam delays
Among the opening clouds ofeven
And we can almost think we gaze
Through golden vistas into Heaven,
Those hues that make the suns decline
30 soft, 30 radiant, Lord, are Thine.
The glorious sight soon disappears,
twilight being of short duration in the
Tropics. the Increasing darkness dullipg
the tints till they fade entirely away. and
then the clear tropical night, with its
brightest Of moons and It's myriads Of
stars, is as glorious In Its way as tropi-
cal sunset. As this is Sabbath night,
ones miLd cannot help but revere Him,
'who doesh all things we'll"
"when night. with wings OF starry gloom.
Ger shadows all the earth and skies
Like some dark bsaute0ue bird, whose plane
ls sparkling With unnumbered eyes
30 grand, 90 Countless Lord, are Thine"
THOMAS MooKn.
The passengers, after this their last
and most pleasant evening spent together
on the outward "Trip, retire to their state.
rooms to dream Of the enjoyments yet 70
be uniolded. for at early dawn they expect
TO sight the blue.sopped mountains Of
Jamaica. BY daybreak the following
morning most Of the passengers were on
deck-Jamaica In full yiew with featheEy
clouds lowering below the mountain tops.
In consequence Of this cloudiness the
sunrise was not especially charming. As
we approached nearer we could dissin-
guish the beautiful little harbor Of Port
Anlonia, with lis adornments Of Tropical
foliage fringing the waters edge. Near
ing the dock We could discern q small
crowd Of nadves-some there from Curl
osity and others with the expectation Of
earning a little BY assisting with the
baggage Of the incoming tourists.
On reaching the dock and passing the
coI1red Custom House officer, We are
driven to the Filch6eId Hotel. So much
has been written Of this hotel that viii
merely endorse al that has been said OF
iss good management. Alter q short
rest most of the tourists begin 70 plan
and engage In the many delig ghtful inland
excursions by carriage. bicycle or horse
back. The town OF Port Antonia has many
novel features. The principal street i long
and narrow and has no sideR alks. This