A Trip to the Tropics.





PART ONE--A MIDSUMMER TRIP TO THE TROPICS.




I.



... A long, narrow, graceful steel steamer, with two masts and an
orange-yellow chimney,--taking on cargo at Pier 49 East River.
Through her yawning hatchways a mountainous piling up of barrels
is visible below;--there is much rumbling and rattling of steam-
winches, creaking of derrick-booms, groaning of pulleys as the
freight is being lowered in. A breezeless July morning, and a
dead heat,--87° already.

The saloon-deck gives one suggestion of past and of coming
voyages. Under the white awnings long lounge-chairs sprawl here
and there,--each with an occupant, smoking in silence, or dozing
with head drooping to one side. A young man, awaking as I pass
to my cabin, turns upon me a pair of peculiarly luminous black