ON BOARD THE "KAISAR-I-HIND."
STEAMER "KAISAR-I-HIND," OFF SUMATRA,
Dec. 13, 1889.
After mailing letters on the 10th instant at Singapore we went on board
the steamer at 4 P.M., and started again on our voyage. We were then
only forty-five miles from the equator, and though the thermometer
recorded only eighty degrees, it seemed much as if it were over a
hundred. However, as soon as the steamer got under way it was quite
comfortable. After a day and two nights we arrived at Penang, and at 9
A.M. went ashore, and all took carriages for a drive through one of the
prettiest and hottest towns in the world. We were driven along wide,
beautifully paved, clean streets for three miles to a water-fall and a
botanical garden, and it was a drive well worth having. On both sides of
the road were plantations of cocoa-nut trees, bearing ripe fruit, and
once I saw a large nut fall to the ground with a dull thud.
Our tough little horse, driven by a black man from India, trotted along
very fast. The road was lined with many strange trees laden with fruit,
and the fields near by were covered with brilliant flowers.
We got out of the carriage at the botanical garden and walked about for
a short time, but were glad to get in again, as the sun was intensely
hot. Returning we traversed the same beautiful road, viewing the
cocoa-nut trees, the mango, and many strange and beautiful fruits and
flowers.
Workmen were engaged getting out stone and paving the roads, their black
backs shining in the hot sun. Here we saw travelling on the road many
gayly dressed Indian women, with bright silver ornaments on their arms
and in their noses. We drove around the soldiers' barracks and hospitals
and through the handsome streets of the town, and at ten o'clock took a
boat to the steamer, much pleased by our little trip ashore, which gave
us a change before starting on the voyage for Colombo. We steamed away
once more, and soon after lunch, while I was reading in my state-room,
I heard a commotion on deck, and, running up, reached there just as the
captain did. "Man overboard!" was the cry, and the sailors were crawling
into a boat like cats. The second officer was already there, and in two
minutes the boat was lowered into the water, and was off. I looked over
the side of the vessel and saw that a patent buoy and a life-preserver
had been thrown over. With a glass I could see the black fellow swimming
for the buoy, which he soon reached, and shortly afterwards the boat
picked him up and returned with him to the ship in just eighteen minutes
from the time she left. Wonderful discipline was displayed, not a loud
word being spoken. After the boat was hauled up the captain touched a
bell, and away we went again.
The patent buoy before mentioned had attached to it a tin box,
containing some sandwiches and a small flask of whiskey, which the
rescued sailor had confiscated before the arrival of the boat.
At four o'clock one morning a boy called me to get up and see the famous
Southern Cross. I at once joined the company, and looked upon four
stars, which formed an immense and perfect cross, very beautiful to
behold. It was a splendid night, the bright moon shining on the water,
and countless stars above, many of which are never seen except in this
latitude.