""""SE WAVES OF THE SEA B^:::::::: 



pillars of ever-moving liquid, joining sea and cloud. 

 The steamer passed through a small one and dissolved 

 it, a sudden torrent of rain representing the synthesis 

 of the watery column. 



Early next morning the engines ceased their throb- 

 binof and we swuno- round from our anchor in the liofht 

 emerald waters, five miles off shore at Progreso, Yuca- 

 tan. A trip ashore showed a most barren country, sand 

 and dusty mesquite with several scattered palms in the 

 far distance ; no birds, no insects, no flowers. Only 

 the sisal hemp exporter could be interested in the 

 scorching warehouses, and even he seems to yearn to 

 leave the country in company with his fibre. Cows 

 must be a long-felt want in Yucatan, judging from 

 the number which were sent ashore, each mutely pa- 

 tient bovine unresistingly allowing herself to be belted 

 in a canvas sling and hoisted up and outward to the 

 unsteady deck of a lighter. Last of all came several 

 netfuls of new-born calves, their legs dangling help- 

 lessly through the meshes, protesting with shrill, in- 

 fantile bleats at this enforced aerial journey. 



We heard fascinating tales of primeval forests far 

 in the interior, and ruins of cities built by a diminu- 

 tive race of savages, but our faces were turned toward 

 the setting sun and nothing tempted us aside. 



Much of interest was to be seen about the ship. The 

 floating garbage attracted thousands of lithe, silvery 

 Needle Fish, looking like tiny editions of Gar- 



«4 11 ^ 



