Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-03-24

end was a crag, probably 100 feet
above the surface of the lake. To
the west it sloped gradually down,
and at low tide there was a sand
bar 1t was on the inner edge of
this bar that Hestor had sighted the
crocodile. Tall, slender cocoa palms,
with their crowns of graceful leaves,
nodded III 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-
tooned the sides of the cliffs, as if
struggling to join the masses of
flowers which overhung the rocks
above.
But the water had treasures not
less beautiful. At depth of so or
80 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 ou1
rival the imagination of the arts /
and blunt the pen of the writer.
at looks like a big aquarium, don't
it," said l.. Sylvester Vincent, as he
gazed into the water. ''Look at the
fish under those rocks! I'll bet
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!
1T looks as if it had been built for
them. The rocks are covered with
moss, and there is tunnel just
like / 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. / wonder if they're good
to eat?"
The reflections of Mr.. Vincent were
cut short. BY good seamanship Capt.
Waters brought the yacht alongside
jutting rock, which nature must
have designed as a pier. Four sail
ors sprang ashore. and in few min
utes the lines were taut: the stumps
of two trees acted as posts. Tenders
were lowered to keep the sides of
hn SSCh, ,.1-S Ct
the rock, and it was possible to step
from the gangway directly to the
natural stone pier.
"Welcome to 'Hestoriao" ex-
claimed Hestor as he leaped ashore.
"Come on, gentlemen, and explore
the mysteries of the tropics. want
to show you something that will sur
prise you"
Back of the pier there arose 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 a grove
of cocoa palms, in the center Of
which stood large bungalow. Tt
was an artistic blending of Moorish
and Indian architecture. This build
ing was an ell-shaped structure, the
corner of which was two stories in
height and rounded in a curve, form
ing at the front half circle. From
this as a base, there were two long
wings one story in height, with slop-
ing roofs. supported at the front by
pillars, within which were deep We
randas. These verandas were each
about 60 feet long and opened into
the central part of the structure,
which on its interior, as well as in
its second story, was a perfect cir
Gle.
Sidney Hammond looked at Hestor
in amazement.
when did you build this?" he de-
manded.
"Never mind when I built it, re-
sponded Hestor, with good-natured
laugh. IT'S built all right, as you
can see. AS matter of fact, old
man." he said, addressing Sidney and
looking carefully around as If in
search of something, this is the first
time | ever saw it myself. / had it
built for my tropical residence.
What do you think of it. Mr.. Rock
we'll? You are a Judge of villas. Is
there anything in New York that can
touch it for the natural beauty of it's
surroundings"
ut is very beautiful, but there
are others | would rather look on
just now" said Mr.. Rockwell.
"Wcll, we will give it Il housewarm-
ing" said Ilcstor; calmly ignoring
the, melancholy note in Mr.. Rock
wells answer Lets see. The KEYS
were to be left in box under the
second tree to the left of the big
rock. Get us something we can dig
With" he said addressing one of the
crew, who returned in minute
with shovel from the furnace room
of the shark" He dug at the base
of the tree and soon struck a wooden