The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1910-08-27

BY Eleanor Rivenburqh.

over the stern of a modern ocean liner,
the uninviting bleak and barren out
lines of Diamond Head and BARRIERS
Point, receding into an uncertain pur-
pie haze, one stretches out comfort
ably in a deck chair of narrow but
lengthy proportions, and naively en-
deavors to mentally picture those mys-
tic islands of fable which lie in the
far distance ahead in mid-Pacific,
whose traditions, vogues, and customs
have assumed marvellously alluring,
if not altogether truthful, proportions
in magazines and tales of fiction,
thereby awakening a keener interest
in, and desire to see and know for
oneself these romantic spots and geo.
graphical wonders.
The trip in itself is, as a rule, I'M
eventful, and only for the sentimental
list possesses magic charm. The pas
sengers are all more or less on the
qui vive for a glimpse of the tradi-
tional sea serpent, or other nautical
monster of any species, which should
be entirely possible in these regions,
but save for a passing white sail of
bark recently put out from Newcastle,
Of the spout of an occasional whale,
or the silver flashing of a few schools
of flying fish, of which there is
plenty in the warmer currents of the
south, the placidity of the voyage is
undisturbed.
There are few features though, as
your good ship draws further, and
ever further southwards, which never
fail to arouse the apathy of even the
most passive of the travellers.
speak of the advent of dawn and the
approach of nightfall which perhaps
are the most impressive.
Dawn comes, in the heart of the tro-
pics, in spontaneous, passionate in
rush of golden glory, and the dim
opalescent vapors of blush pink and
turquoise blue of a premature day, lin
ger but short while, ere the intense
sun finds itself well on it's way across
the hemisphere.
The sunsets are magnificent! A
swollen orb sinks rapidly in volcanic
splendor into the very heart of the sea
sending shafts of crimson, purple, jade
and violet across the heavens which
resemble a painters palette whereon
your artist has tested every pastelle
shade before selecting the one he most
desires.
And this gorgeous varicolored piano.
rama fingers above your comparative
ly diminutive black steamer on an ex-
panse of blue ocean till darkness has
tily obliterates every trace of color,
and sprinkles the celestial skies with
millions upon millions of scientillating
golden stars with the -four bright
points forming the Southern Cross dis
rectly above you.
You are now at the equator, and one
day the chief officer with mischie
vous glance at the more sophisticated
of the passengers, graciously invites
an unsuspecting elderly matron to the
bridge where, as a novice she VOWS the
cline" is plainly visible.
She sees it, of course, through the
willy chiefs marine glasses, across the
lenses of which, with deliberate care,
a very fine thread has been drawn, and
consequently you are all entertained
at dinner that evening by the discov-
cry it has been the good lady's dis
tinction to enjoy.
About three o'clock the following
morning you are unaccountably awak-
en- by an uncanny stiffness which can
only be attributed to the cessation of
the rhythmic throbs from the engine
room, so hurriedly dressing, for your
stateroom has become very close, you
issue through the dimly lighted pas
sage, and feel your way cautiously up
the grooved rubber stairs of the COM
panion way.
You reach the rail at length, but
after looking about the deserted deck,
during which time your eyes have be-
COule dlluueu W inc udlhhSo9s yOu
realize you must be on the wrong side
of the boat, and with the impetus of
keen expectancy urging you on, you
hasten round the deck house to the
opposite rail of the steamer.
Here you find one or two ladies of
your acquaintance one of whom is
soantily alfred with her long hair hang
ing down her back in thick braid and
who. yawning prodigiously as she gath
ers her dressing gown more closely
about her, welcomes you in the midst
OF the early rlsers.
A few feet beyond these, stand
couple OF gentlemen, one of whom,
Lord somebody or other who has ms
pired more OF awe and respect than
any other two personages put together
during the VOYAGE. nuttors by YOU hi