In Search of an Unknown Race — page 104: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

94 VAN. not differing particu.arly as to types from those one might meet in some old Spanish city. The dress and language were different from those met with by the traveler in foreign countries. Yet the former seemed peculiarly adapted to the tropical but not overpowering heat, while in the latter Van’s ear detected very many Spanish sounding words, which he easily interpreted, having taken up Spanish in his schoolship studies. The people as a whole showed a marked resemblance in many respects of form and feature to the highest type of the French or Spanish creole, as met at the present day in parts of Louisiana. If Van had cherished any vague expectations that the appearance of the travelers might create anything like a sensation, he was doomed to disappointment. Curious glances were of course cast in their direction, as, guided by Martin, the trio slowly made their way toward the great central square of the city. Tom’s black face and huge form seemed to attract the prin- cipal share of notice. But, as Van soon discovered, the people of Itambez seem almost entirely devoid of curiosity or inquisitiveness. From time to time Martin exchanged quiet greetings with one and another, yet as far as any show of effu- siveness was concerned, he might have been absent from Itambez for a day instead of years. The dress of all classes, so far as Van could see, was a sort of semi-European garb, only differing in quality. Shirts and trousers, with a sort of tunic or blouse of white or cream colored linen, or a thin perfectly water- comicbooks¢o