The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1904-12-29

coast from the Carolinas to Maine,
causing tragedies and destruction along
its path. And SO with the other gales
which followed at intervals: we were
either just ready to 60 out or had safely
arrived in some port when the storms
passed by; while all the trips were made
over placid seas and under sunny skies.
This might well be called good luck, for
certainly human management had no
part in it. But whatever the guiding
hand it should be appreciated. l tell
the story only to show that the sea may
not be an unceasing chapter of storm,
nor the calling continuous battle for
life, as some landspeople seem to think.
And yet one should not depend too
much upon no change from good usage,
nor think too lightly or defiantly upon
the possibilities of the future.
Believing that there might be some
thing uncomfortable yet left in reserve
for us, we were glad to be off on trip
around Cuba-that familiar land which
l have so long known, and seen under
three flags-and the world has no fairer
cline than that to be found along the
hills and valleys of the south coast of
Cuba in winter time. Soon after the
middle of November we cleared from
Philadelphia for Trinidad and Cienfue-
COS with SIX manifests, two bills of
health and pair Of crew lists, all ex-
pensively certified by a dapper Cuban
Consul with raven locks and military
air. Oh, the miles of red tape that l
have helped to unwind! and the de-
mands for it grow greater, both at
home and abroad. We sailed from the
Delaware at an unpromising time-just
when a north wind had failed. After
some hours of calm light wind came
from the south, soon checking to the
west, and we slanted away across the
Gulf Stream, into an atmosphere where
the winds were soft and mild. Thanks
giving day came and that was about the
only day ON the passage which in itself
offered almost nothing to be thankful
|for-rain-squalls from the south with
intermittent streaAs of calm-hence but
little possible Roadway
There is on board an unusual amount
of maritime talent: five navigators and
ex-masters, three holding masters GER
tiicates-even the galley and engine
hojnr nroci6n1 INV nay,ira
tors. This may seem almost burden
some for one modest vessel, but might
prove convenience in case of any fatal
epidemic; and is quite in contrast, of
possibilities, to an experience that l
once had when the only (known navi-
gator on board was laid by with Cha
gres fever, in time of rough and squally
weather, when the vessel was hedged
about with shoals and currents in the
western Caribbean. But fortunately
in that case there was one other who
had freely practiced work, under cover,
from attitudes taken by another eye.
In that time of crying need the weaker
hand came bravely to the rescue as
both nurse and guide; working diff
ficult and uncommon problems, when
meridian observation failed, and by her
work alone laid courses that led us
through dangerous paths in safety.
Oh, those long, cruel s!-when
fever and delirium were intensified by
anxiety-they can never be forgotten.
But let us attend to the present time
and press on towards Cuba. The wealth
er held fair but the winds were barely
of medium kindness. If King Edward
but knew our needs he would build a
lighthouse on North Caicos. The most
common route of sailing craft, from
our ports bound by the east end of
Cuba, is via Caicos Passage. There
are no lights, but so many dangerous
reefs and breakers that the way is safe
only by daylight; and ones good luck
never brings him near there save in the
hours of darkness. So this time nearly
whole windy night was lost in wait
ing for the safety of day. Beyond that
pass the weather became more and
more refined, and on the first day of
winter months, with the blue Haytien
mountains in the distance upon the one
hand and those of Cuba upon the other,
all conditions were indeed as rare as
day in June. There were deep blue,
level waters held back by these noun
tains grand, over which the gentle trade
winds passed so soft and warm, and all
things now so quiet and peaceful,
where once our fierce, floating hounds
of war chased to their death the fleeing
fawns of Spain. These are indeed his
toric waters!-the place where the pow
er of our nation was taught to the wide
world, and where deeds were quickly
done that freed FESTIVE people and
changed the political divisions on maps
of the western shores.
The windward part of the south coast
of Cuba (the Santiago section) lies near
ly straight for more than two hundred
miles,-from Cape Maysi to Cape Cruz.
The shores are clear and steep, backed
INV hoi of