Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-11-02
nlistcllancuus.
Written for the Garette.
WAY-SIDE PENCILLINGS.
PAYTA. PERU, s. A.
by LUIS.
tcoNTINUED.)

Presumipg on our acquaintance, kind read
er, am about to introduce to you "bum-
boat" that sine qua nou of a sailors hope, in
a corporal point of view. Picture to your
self a huge log of cork wood, followed out
rudely into shape bearing very remote
similarity to canoe at the head sits an un-
couth, copper-colored, generally MANNED, spe-
cimen of mankind, or oftener, woman-kind,
whom physiegnomist would scarcely hesi-
tate moment in pronouncing, one of the
gems ''mono," or ape; in the centre is a ba-
zaar of sundries, land entre-nous, the san
does dry a little here in which fruit, hats,
cheese, monkeys, parroquets, handkerchiefs,
eggs and little imps of darkness, are the most
prominent. Further aft, generally recline
younger spriggs of the family, whose tongues
appear to have deep rooted antipathy to
anything allied to quiet or repose perfect
flood of mingled recommendations of their
several articles Of vendure, oaths, blessings,
or terms of endearment, when some more lib
eral tar pays them their prices without bag
Cling, is poured forth then comes an assert
ment of ''fsh, flesh and fowl" fom at least
in odor This, gentle reader, is the synop-
sis Of bum-boat, but many of the fruits and
vegetables are kept in secret parts of the
boat, being made, by many ingenious meth
DDS, vehicles for the conveyance of ardent
spirits. For instance, the cocoa-nut is IA
vorite one; the milk is poured out thro'
perforated eye of the nut, and brandy or
whiskey substituted the cocoa-nut thus pre-
pared, is dignifed by the title of the 'smon-
key" though by what process of logic the
likeness is demonstrated, must leave to the
readers fertile Imagination. Many poor
midshipman detailed on boat duty, under
which circumstances he is responsible for the
sobriety, ect.. of the crew, has been severely
reprimanded, where his hopeful charges, af-
ter partaking of the mill las he thought of
cocoa-nut or two, have been brought on
board hors dc combat from s'sucking the
monkey" as the phrase runs.
| On our fourth visit TO Payta, took fire.
qnent strolls though the place, sometimes ex-
tending my rambles along the beautiful san
dy beach to gather some of "Ocean's discard
ed treasures" or mentally philosophers on the
sights Paytien cemetery presented. 1t is
nearly filed, and in some places the remains
of those who were buried last, are visible
for the ''city of the dead'' is on the beach,
and when the Pacific forgets herself, as du-
ring a storm, and becomes terrific to the
landsmen, she respects not the Pateon, but
expends her fury upon the beach, sweeping
wave after wave over each silent grave
Often, when weary of the monotony of life on
board, would take my lengthy promenades
through Payta, ever on the qui vive for nov
city. In one of these strolls became ac-
quainted with an Irish physician, Newell, by
name, and as true-hcarted, fun-loving and
hospitable son Of the screen Isle of the
Ocean" as i ever have met. He had accu-
nlulated princely fortune during the first
outbreak of the California fever, in the mines,
and returning to Payta, commenced the prac-
tice of medicine. His residence was pail
ace internally, though the exterior is not pre-
possessing. Entering his professional sane
tum one evening, l found him surveying
something with every mark of satisfaction
drawing nearer, 1 found it to be the preserv-
ed body Of q child of his, but six hours old,