CHAPTER XII.

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.