The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-12
Ed Howe Passes Through the
Turbulent Mediterranean.
Passengers Thrown Off the Ship
at Ja63a.
on THE NARROW GAUGE
2ailroad Of the Primitive Kind
to Jeruselam.
Finds a Modern Hotel in the
Holy City.
Sunday February 4


Sunday. February 4
We left Cairo at IL O'Clock this morn
ing, for Palestine, g9irg by rail to Port
Said, where we were to embark at 5
p. M In the eel Kahira," French
boat, for Jana. Mr. ard Mrs. /. A.
Bigger Of Hutchinson. Kansas. a &C
companied us. and the four of US had
a compartment to ourselves in the lux
urious train. Loyal as am to Amer
lean railroads. must confess that the
railway track between Cairo and Port
Said would be hard to beat anywhere.)
Mr.. ana Mrs. Bigger made the trip
through Palestine two years ago, and
have half q notion that they conclud-
ed to make the trip again because they
were lonesome, and wanted Kansas
company They are both very agree
able. and Mr.. Bigger has the rare facul-
ty Of remembering what he reads: the
little I know, am compelled to learn
all over every year, He knows more
about Egypt and Palestine than any
other private citizen I ever knew: there
may be school teachers and prea chers
who can beat him, but doubt It.
We arrived at Port said at 4 o'clock
and at once went aboard the "El Ka-
hira,' which reminds me a. little Of the
Team the condensed milk packet be-
tween Hong Kong and Manila. After
the usual excitement, we got away at
$3.50 p M; by 6 O'Clock. we were out
side the bar, and I had my first taste
OF the Mediterranean
It seems to be my fate this trip to sit
at the CAPTAINS table; I was placed on
the immediate right Of the captain of
the I'll Kahira," who cannot speak a
word az English. At dinner, the spin
VINO accompanies me was compelled
70 leave the table and said: will you
Aa-Fa IT,
barrasse5, and said, brokeTi1y: Il speak
no English"
The boat seemed determined to turn
over, but I managed to remain on deck
until bedtime, although Mrs. Bigger
ana my daughter gave up and went
below. Am I becoming accustomed to
the roll and pitch Of the ocean, now
that am almost 1t the end of my
journey? Am ] getting pair of sea
legs now that I no longer have use for
them2 Mr.. Bigger said to me at Port
Said. You are learning to handle the
beagars pretty we'll" Possibly am
but It comes too late: I am ruined
knowledge comes to me after all my
money is gone.
After going to Bed. I couldn't help
Laughing quietly over an incident that
happened today. I am certain that Mr..
Bigger la very modest gentleman,
but there never was man who knew a
thing who didn't like to tell it to Deo-
pie who didn't know ft. While we were
riding through the Nile valley today.
1fr Bigger said to his wife. in his
stately. dignified way;
Emma. this is a great day with
these people, and IN that little ceme-
terry, there are lot of MOhammedans
honoring their dead"
Mrs. Bigger looked fir the direction
indicated. and replied:
why. dear, that Is a flock OF sheep"
They had quite a controversy, and
finally they left IL to me. but I refused
to give an opinion: do not know
much, but I know enough to Nsep out
Of a family quarrel Trey had several
Tits about Il later, and I think MI
BigEeTs indignation Is Increasing
Monday. February 3.
At o'clock this morning, the stew
ard raped at my door, and said I'VE
are approaching Jafa. sir" I hurried
into my clothing, and went on deck.
The sun was Just beginning to brighten
the Holy Land for my first view OF It,
and looked at it with curiosity. If not
with awe. (By the way, when it is
O'Clock Monday morning here, It Is II
O'Clock Sunday night in Atchison.)
Jana was "a noted town during the
Crusades; the Crusaders always took it
drst. as q base Of supplies. It has no
harbar, and passengers are compelled
to disembark in the surf. The weather
has been bad, and for several days
past. landing at Jaffa has been fnpos-
stble- This happens quite frequently,
and ia such an event, passengers are
compelled to go on. and try it again
at another time. Our ship threw out
its anchor with a great splash a mile
from shore, and three other steamships
and a yacht we're at anchor near us
After a light breakfast. we collected
our baggage. and went on deck to wait
for the little boats from shore. They
soon began to arrive and they appear
ed and disappeared on the waves in a
manner that made us nervous. The
big ship was also rocking badly but
some OF the men from the little boats
were soon on board the ship. throwing
caught by their companions; they
seemed to think the day q very favor
able one. although 1t looked oninous
to us We sent our trunks to AIexar
dria. from Cairo and have only three
pieces OF hand luggage with US Ia the
Holy Land The baggage loaded. the
boatmen began throwing the passen-
gers overheard. Tt really amounted to
almost that. The passengers Went
down the stairway on the ships side.
and when the waves threw the little
boat in a favorable position. the pas
sengsrs were showed of by men behind
them, and caught by the men in the
little boats. All the times tn e men kent
up g. great yelling When my turn
came, 7 went down the stairway and
STOOD on the landing at the bottom
When the little boat came up with the
waves, I vvas literally showed off the
landing, and caught by the men below
Then I was gteadied- and placed in