The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1933-11-09

OF the piers was a big ocean liner and
from the lower part freight was being
transferred to the dock, while on an
upper level passengers were going
across a gangplank from the ship to
the pier. All around the harbor were
bales of hay, washed there during the
storm. A ship loaded with hay for
the horses in the army was so bat
tered by the wind and rain that the
hay on the deck was washed away.
After going all around the harbor
we had the boatman take us to the OPP
posite side where we got off to see
the old fort called MORO Castle. We
walked up the roadway, through a
little arched doorway where we were
stopped by some soldiers, but they
were very courteous and were glad
to let us go in and look around
Inclining roadways and old stone
steps, we climbed until we were on
top of the high walls. The walls are
or more feet high and made of lime
stone. Nearby in the greenish-blue
water we saw a lot of sailing boats
skipping along in the wind, gliding
across the choppy waves. Often when
going home at night from work l see
the big sailing vessels sailing down
the harbor like big white ghosts, on
their way out to fish. They usually
bring back about ten tons of fish, all
of them alive. In a part of the ship
is what is called a we'll which is filled
with water, and into which water from
the ocean flows continuously.
After going around over all the
walls and looking at the old rusty
canons, some of which are four hun
dred years old, we went through some
of the big rooms on the inside. At
one place we saw smoke coming out
of high window and we went in to
see what was there. Over wood fire
on the stone floor was an iron CRATE
about ten feet square, raised about
foot above the floor. On the CRATE
were four large kettles in which the
soldiers food was cooking. There
were no other pots and pans, only a
few large bowls in which the raw
vegetables and meats were brought
in and the cooked food carried in to
the mess hall. In the mess hall was
a large sign in Spanish, saying that
a persons manners at the table show
what kind of training he received at
home.
We walked through the high walled
courtyards and down stone steps to
the bottom of the fort. At one place
there was a stone stairway leading
down to the sea. On each side of this
stairway in larger steps were big
stone jars, nearly as large as barrels,
which we suppose were once used for
storing water or food.
On the highest part of the fort in
one of the rooms was large tele-
scope that the keeper let us look thru
at the city. In the same room we
saw Spanish drinking jug hanging
in a window. The jug had a hole at
the top to fill it and on the opposite
side at the same level was a little
spout with hole about quarter of
an inch in diameter. To drink from
the jug, one tits it up about foot
from the mouth and catches the water
as it pours out. A fellow sure has
to drink fast to keep up with the
water.
Having seen the fort we decided to
walk up along the ocean. In going out
we went through a long passageway
lighted by the sun coming through
little slanted windows. At the end
of the passage was moat and an old
time drawbridge. We crossed over
and went for walk along the sea.
Along the edge of the ocean the
waves would come dashing against
the rough coral rock and would throw
up showers of white spray. On the
rocks were several large green crabs
crawling around. Back short dis
lance from the water l found some
pretty pieces of coral and two little
seashells which l am bringing home.
Near dinner time we went back to
the harbor, crossed it in a rowboat
and went home, little tired and very
hungry.
Hoping this finds all the home folks
well and happy. Yours sincerely,
Charles.
n