- Author:
- Knox, Thomas Wallace
- Publication Info:
-
New York:
Harper and Brothers,
1882,
pg 41
Text on page 41
HOTELS IN MANILLA.
41
ting poles" formerly in use on some of the streams of America. A broad plank was attached to each side of the barge just above the water-line, and on this plank two men walked as they pushed against the tirmly fixed poles. The barge was a clumsy affair, with a roof of pandanus leaves, woven together and arranged in sections, so that it could be lifted off to receive cargo. There was a broad rudder at the stern of the barge, and the steersman stood under the mat roof, so that he was quite sheltered from the rays of the tropical sun.
There were many native craft in the river, and a few vessels of foreign rig; but all the latter were of small tonnage, and evidently employed in coast service among the islands. The boat with the three travellers pushed on to the custom-house, where the baggage was inspected, and, on being found to contain nothing liable to duty, was allowed to pass. Then the strangers were at liberty to seek a hotel, and they lost no time in doing so.
There are not many visitors in Manilla, and consequently the hotel accommodations are limited ; there are only two establishments worthy the name, and even these are far from equal to the pretentious hostelries of
BAKGB AND HOUSE ON THE l'ASIG.
Madrid and Seville. Frank remarked that they would be quite content as long as they had a roof to shelter them, and enough to eat ; Fred pointed to a large hole above his bed where several tiles had been re-
