cured physicians, trained nurses, and the best possible care for the
lepers, and they could at least die in comfort if they could not live.
Then Father Damien himself was stricken and died. By this time, however,
the government took the matter in hand. A fine hospital was built and a
laboratory for the study of the disease was established. Those who are
able to work can partly support themselves, and they are far better off
when busy than when idle.

In 1848 the "Great Division" took place; that is, the lands for the
king, for the public domain, and for the people were set aside, so that
the people who so desired could own their farms and dwellings. At that
time the islands were important only as a calling place for whaling
vessels. At the present time Dame Nature is made to yield annually not
far from one hundred million dollars' worth of products--sugar, rice,
coffee, fruit, and cattle. A few years hence, tobacco, rubber, cotton,
and honey will be added to the list of exported products.

Americans own the sugar plantations, which are mainly on the lava fields
of Hawaii, Oahu, and Maui Islands. The Chinese and Japanese cultivate
the rice along the coast lowlands of Oahu and Kauai. Sheep and cattle
are grown on Lanai and Niihau.

Uncle Sam has brought some very valuable additions to his public domain,
but no investment has paid better than Hawaii, the Paradise of the
Pacific.

CHAPTER XXX

GUAM

While cruising in the Pacific Ocean Magellan discovered a chain of
islands about fifteen hundred miles east of the Philippine group. While
he lay at anchor, predatory natives stole some of his belongings;
thereupon Magellan gave them a bad name, and to this day the islands
bear the name Ladrones, or "thieves" islands.

Guam, the largest island in the group, became more or less important
just after the Spanish-American War, inasmuch as it was required as one
of our chain of naval and coaling stations that pretty nearly encircles
the earth. As islands go, Guam is of fair size, about thirty miles long
and from three to ten miles in width. It is mountainous and the surface
is jungle-covered except where the natives have made trails and
clearings. Fringing coral reefs, broken here and there, encircle the
island. One of these breaks is opposite a bight in the coast, San Luis
d'Apra, or Apra, as it is now called; and the bay and channel together
form a harbor so well guarded that no transport laden with hostile
troops