Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/167

Rh to an end," remarked the missionary to Larry, one hot, starlit evening, as the two lounged along the starboard rail, wondering when the coast of Formosa would be sighted. "The distance from South Point on Formosa to Hong Kong is not much over four hundred miles."

"This is the island from which the famous Formosa teas come, I suppose?" said Larry.

"Yes, the island is famous for its teas, and tea-growing is its main industry, although, I believe, rice is also raised to some extent."

"Striker was telling me that the Philippines are directly south of us," went on the boy. "He has visited Luzon, which he says is the largest of the group.!"

"Yes, Luzon is the largest island, and upon that is situated Manila, the principal city. There are a great number of islands, some navigators placing the figure at thirteen hundred, but many of these are mere bits of coral formation and uninhabited. The islands of any consequence, and which are peopled, number in the neighborhood of four hundred."

"Four hundred! Well, that is enough, I'm sure."

The missionary smiled. "Yes, that is enough, yet you must remember that the Philippines are only