The Republican journal., 1908-05-21

quota of happiness. For three long
days the public were entertained with
historical attractions which though
similar in outline were all different in
detail. but all tinged with the halo of
romance peculiar to the old town. The
expense of the entire program is borne
by the people of st. Augustine. Visi-
tors are only required to admire and
enjoy this hospitality. Any description
that could do justice to this magnificent
carnival would require better pen
than mine, and volume in quantity
would leave much unsaid, so it is a
mere outline shall dare attempt.
The sun never rose on more beauti-
full day than April LIST. Long before 10
o'clock the hour for the arrival of
Ponce de Leon, the crowd had grown to
enormous proportions; verardas, win
dows and house-tops presented one liv-
ing mass of humanity; but by roping off
an enclosure the efficient police manag-
ed to maintain good order, and nothing
occurred to mar the program so ably
mapped out When the picturesque
old Caravel rounded the dock and glided
smoothly to her moorings, her sails all
spread, her bow and stern towering
high in the air, the costumes of the
Spanish mobiles, the shining helmets
and polished brass shields reflected the
rays of the sun with dazzling briliancy,
and brought out in strong contrast the
white SUPPLIES and sombre- hued robes
of the priests. 1t was a realistic pic
ture indeed Cheer upon cheer rose on
the morning air as the booming OF can
non announced the arrival. Ponce de
Leon, who was impersonated by Mr.
A. NJ. Taylor, stepped on shore, attend
ed by two little pages holding the train
of his magnificent robe, and passed I'M
der beautiful arch; following, in &C
cordance with their rank, came the
others, all gorgeously attired. The
priests stepped to the front and raising
the huge silver cross they bore, every
voyager bent his knee in reverence;
then, at a sign from the priests, a hush
fell on that tremendous crowd, and for
few moments the party knelt in
prayer. While this ceremony was tax
ing place the awe-Stricken Indians
skulked out from their hiding places
and gazed with wonder at their strange
visitors; then, with yells and war-cries
that would put to shame a modern
Comanche Indian, they rushed hither
and thther pell-mell through the crowd.
Finally Cancellation was effected, the
pipe of peace smoked and the toma-
hawk buried, for the time at least
Then the party mounted the horses
which, decked out with gorgeous trap
pings were waiting for them, and form
ed one of the most imposing pageantS
imaginable The mounted police and
marshals of the day, followed by Ponce
de Leon and staff, Spanish cavalry, in
fantry, priests attended by acoytes
bearing the symbols which were used
in the ceremonies. Mounted Indians
and foot Indians, trailing along in single
i file in true Indian style. Interspersed
were several regimental bands playing
martial airs.
After passing through the principal
streets they took up their line of march
to the old fort, where in the quadrangle,
in the presence of over four thousand
people, the priests of St. Augustine
parishes performed the impressive cere-
mony of blessing the Land That
concluded, the formation was disband-
ed. and an address of welcome by the
mayor of the city and an historical adj
dress by Gov. Broward of Florida, with
music from the regimental bands, ended
the mornings official program"
| Up to this point history had been
correctly followed, but for spectacular
effect the band of mounted Indians had
been introduced, and they were a most
attractive feature. Their effective
costumes could hardly divest the be-
holder of the idea that the ''noble red
not actually appeared on the scene in
all his war paint and feathers, and their
practiced horsemanship, riding without
saddle or bride, managing their high
spirited horses with single rope, and
brandishing their spears in Indian style
was delight to all observers. The
horses ridden in the parades were
worthy of special mention; they were
all spirited animals and had been
groomed until they shone like satin,
and as the beautiful creatures pranced,
arched their necks and tossed their
names, they seemed to understand the
important part they were playing.
After the mornings program was
carried out people could seek such en-
tertainment as best suited their tastes.
Field sports, base ball, motor boat rae
ing and riding, while balls and concerts
were in full swing for those who prefer
red indoor entertainment.
The evenings were charming; rarely,
if ever, do we have one evening in mid