Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-01-20

wonder the scene was indelibly i'm.
pressed on my memory? Turning
/ sharply, the boat made for the very
narrow passage through The reef-and
missed it, Finally, when found, we
pa sed through it, stern first then
squared away and settled down for the
loES, hard pull to the steamer. Bear in
mind. we were now outside the reef
and had to contend with the long.
heavy swell always present, caused by
the constant trade winds. But those
80 powerful men, stimulated by the
vigorous encouragement of the head
man on the stern, sent the boat along
at very fast clip. They sang all the
time. varying the stroke as the mus:c
changed. The whole performsace
showed wonderful training. As you
would say in baseball language, they
displayed great team work" AS we
approached the steamer under a great
burst of speed, an extra blast from the
conchshell extraordinary encourage
ment from the man steering and an
extra effort at singing, we attracted
great attention from those on deck,
and caused a small boat with passeng-
ers from shore to hastily cast off their
lines and get out of the way When
they found out who Ii was arriving In
such style, we had the laugh on them.
After visiting a few minutes, while
each smoked a cigarett, the oarsmen
began their homeward trip. taking
with them our united, hearty. good
wishes.
Lava Flow Seen From Sea.
The steamer took a course along the
coast that caused us to pass close to
the place where the red-hot lava was
being discharged into the sea. A pho,
tographer from town and myself were
invited up on the bridge from which
We had a splendid view and also the
use of the captains glasses. This
night the principal discharge was at
one point, while only a small quantity
was flowing at two or three other
places. 1t was sight TO see a volume
nearly as large as the Kickapoo river,
of red hot, molten lava being dis
charged from height of so feet or
more directly into the sea. When the
great rollers would break against the
mass there often ensued explosions
which hurled red-hot PARTICLES in every
direction. 1t is unnecessary to say I
slept sound the remainder of the
night; after all the experiences of thaG
long day, nor did l wake up till the
anchor ratified down in the harbor.
Family Life.
Soon after returning to Api9 made
the acquaintance of family Of native
Samoans in such way as 10 enable
me to see a good deal of the zeal life
and habits of this interesting peo-
pie. 1t consisted of an old man and
Wife, their son and wife with baby
and three-year-old boy and three
grown up daughters. AT first | vent
there only in the evening, but later
right after lunch, when tbore was a
bowl of kava made and drank, after
which all laid down on mats for
the start the old man took fancy TO
me, for what reason | know not, un.
less it was my close observance of
such Of their customs as had come 10
my knowledge. For instance, In
drinking kava, when your name is
called, clapping the hands together
once; then when the bowl Is handed
you, splitting a few drops on the mat,
which signifies you desire a blessing
to the house, then after draining Il at
/ one draught, save a swallow, throw
ing the dregs outside as token that
1t may return to them In multiplied
quantities at some future time: and
/ finally, returning the bowl across the
mat with a spinning motion. Again,
/ took particular pains to show them
wasn't there to bother the girls, as
so many white men do. but to learn
/ their customs and mode of life. The
result was saw them as they are In
their everyday life, without that re
serve they usually have when n white
man is pre- 7ent, found IL true ''the
life of a Samoan has wonderful
charm for the traveller from foreign
lands. and is fun of interest and fas
cination to those who are able 20 give
| themselves up to its strange ath ac
tion and live for while the life Of the
Samoan. Here Is the secret Of per
feet peace. Here life is but one long
sweet dream the day is sws get
and restful, yet full Of delightful
strangeness" During the middle of the
days the sun was hot, but the morn
ings and evenings were simply de-
licious. About ten minutes walk back
from the hotel is a delightful bathing
place on a mountain stream. all fixed
up with dressing rooms. spring board
/ landings. etc. with fixed hours for
men. also women Every morning by
sunrise found cCH 5dny of us there
/ enjoying a swim in the cool fresh,
clear water. while cup Of tea and a
biscuit awaited us on our return 10
| the hotel
Native Dance.
One beautiful nlght--too nice to
stay inside--about the tpll of the moon
and when Il was nearly directly over
our heads, | took long walk along
main street, lined with buildings on
one side and the other but a few fee:
from the beach, as far as Mulinuu -
the native town--where a siya-siya
or native dance. was in progress. II is
3 - at.sFt t.s