“Yes. The ship remains in port for about three hours,” Mr. Holton answered.
As the Empire approached the city, she backed her engines and moved slowly into port, where a small crowd of people were massed to give greeting.
Several other boats, large and small, were anchored at the busy docks, and the Empire steamed in between two freighters, one of which was being loaded with sugar.
“Sugar is one of the principal exports,” explained Professor Bigelow, as the exploration party prepared to leave the ship on a tour of the city.
As soon as they were in port, the gangplank was lowered. The adventurers made their way down, among a score of other passengers, many of whom were to leave the ship here.
Bob and Joe were at once impressed by the native residents, for there was a great variety of races. Spaniards were the most numerous, but there were also Negroes, mulattoes, French, Americans, and a small sprinkling of Indians.
“Quite a variety,” commented Joe. “Though it is possible to see this very thing in parts of New York.”
The explorers found that it would be comparatively easy to walk to various places of interest, and, after passing the former governor-general’s palace, they resolved to take in as much of the city as they could in two hours.
They found that the city was built on Morro Island, although the mainland could be easily reached by the numerous bridges. The streets were regularly laid out, and in the white quarters the residences were rather attractive.