376 IN AFRICA 



the steamers for the States were booked full for 

 several voyages ahead and tourists were rushing 

 around in despair. The Asia had been booked up to 

 the limit for weeks and it seemed as if we might 

 have to wait a long time before getting berths on 

 any ship. But some one unexpectedly had to give 

 up a state-room and we were fortunate in getting it. 



I had a great desire to see Manila again. It had 

 been ten years since I left there in the "days of the 

 empire" and everything in me quivered with long- 

 ing to revisit the place where I spent my golden 

 period of adventure. We booked on the old Yuen 

 Sang, a friend of former days, and the skipper, 

 Captain Percy Rolf e, handsome, cultured, and cap- 

 able, was still in command. He loves the China 

 Sea and has steadfastly refused to be lured away 

 by offers of greater ships and more important com- 

 mands. When we engaged our passage the agent 

 warned us that the vessel was carrying a cargo of 

 naphtha and kerosene and that we might not wish 

 to risk it ; but we went. A Jap and a Chinaman were 

 the only two other passengers, and they were in- 

 visible during the sixty hours to cross. 



We steamed out of Hongkong in a chilling wind 

 and at once plunged into a fog, but the next morn- 

 ing we ran into smooth seas and warm weather. A 

 full moon hung over the empty waste of waters and 

 the nights were gorgeous. 



As we neared the coast of Luzon I became much 

 excited, for in my memory were those vivid, ex- 

 pectant days of old when our little American fleet 



