FAR AND NEAR 



semi-tropic islands, the Bahamas, — San Salvador 

 there dimly seen on our right, and, later. Crooked 

 Island in fuller view upon our left. Soon the moun- 

 tains of Cuba were dim shadows there to the west 

 of us, and on the morning of the fifth day, the Blue 

 Mountains of Jamaica were dimly seen on the 

 southern horizon. A few hours later they stood up 

 Hke larger Catskills, presenting, in their higher 

 peaks, much the same outlines. 



The harbor of Port Antonio, which we entered in 

 mid-afternoon, is Uke a pocket in a woman's dress; 

 you would never suspect its presence. Tucked away 

 in one of the folds of the mountainous coast, it 

 makes no sign till the bow of the ship begins to poke 

 its way in. Small and cozy and picturesque, as I 

 looked down at the water against the steamer's 

 side, it seemed as blue and opaque as blue paint. 

 The dense, stiff, shining foliage of the vegetation 

 upon the slopes about us and the rows of cocoanut 

 palms upon the beach were novel sights to northern 

 eyes. 



How absurd seemed the woolen blankets and over- 

 coats we were obliged to carry to our lodging-house. 

 We spent but one night in Port Antonio, in a clean 

 lodging-house kept by a Canadian family lately 

 from New Brunswick. I shall not soon forget a slen- 

 der, solemn-faced little girl of five or six years, who 

 followed me about, eying me very seriously and in- 

 tently, till she finally said : " I know you are Santa 



