The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-20

land on the coast line, grated TO his venerable
parent by the government, many years ago. 70
commend ali who visit this quiet place to Mr.. g.,
who has vast fund Of information about the soun-
try He told us Of the existence Of coal mine in
the vicinity, which promised great things
prettier place than the lagoon, surrounded by
it, high mountains, prominent amongst which Is
Cbiriqui volcano about 1900 feet high, it is impos-
sible TO imagine The climate Is stated to be admirable,
though warm, Of course, and by no means unhealthy
Several ways are open for successful enterprise to
those possessed Of the necessary capital and courage
70 overcome the difficulties occasioned by want Of
labor, severely felt all over the isthmus
We stayed ten days at Boca del Toro. Our object
was now TO reach San Juan, one hundred and twenty
miles distant. We had sent our canoe back again,
and after good deal Of trouble succeeded in finding
another, though still smaller the captain Of which,
us two as passengers for $26 piece, an offer gladly
accepted seeing that as had been asked 500 for
the trip. Our new conveyance sailed like the wnd bat
during the seven days and nights Of our passage,
six Of which were in the boat, not one Of us had
idea of the trp-how shark swallowed the paddle
our captain was steering with-hOw another followed
the shadow Of our sail on the water for more than
h0ur-how two enormous breakers nearly swallowed
rs up-how our black captain from Belize) tried to
inspire us with confidence by telling as Of all sorts of
marvellous stories Of his prowess- his having been
upset at sea, in canoe, when only himself and his
baby were in it-how he held the baby in one arm,
nothing had happened.
shall only tell you that, though accustomed to
dangers and hardships We got nervous and frghten-
ed. Tigers and snakes prevented any comfort on
water. Any one wishing little excitement, and
anxious to spend little money and see the beauties
OF the tropics Chat we read ab0ut) can do 80 by
following 6urfo0tsteps; but unless he Is strong man.
let him beware Of the consequences.
Our course lay close in shore, upon which we con.
stantly landed-an almost unbroken line OF cocoa
nut trees lined the beach-a beautiful volcano (the
name forget) was burning and visible during the
nights.and the scenery was very pretty: On the
fourth day We put into place called Salt Creek.
We were now in Costa R,ca, though from our recep.
ton We thought we had landed in Austrian town;
and Immediately upon our arrival message was
sent that the cODmandante wished for our presence.
Then came an Alcalde, speaking Spanish aud ask
ing our names-tnen another Alcalde, speaking Eng
lgh, for the same purpose.
All this seemed strange but upon enquiry we found
that Costa RIGA had just issued an order that
this should be done, and that parties should
this part of the world. 1t was purely ridiculous,
and We told the c0mmandantso de perfectly agreed
with us. The commandant is young and Vel educa
ted German living with young French lady, his wife
and her mother, in an old wooden house. upon miser
able pittance OF seventy i've dollars per month The
house, surrounded with swamp, was swarming with
bats, while tigers and snakes were numerous thatthe
commandant assured me he was afraid to move out
the propriety Of secluding himself in 30 unhealthy
and dangerous places he replied that he was living in
hopes OF making his fortune ere long. road is to
be cut from Carthage, in the interior to Salt Creek
when all the coffee will pass that way, instead Of
round the Horn, as formerly
The road, as proposed, will doubtless be executed
in two or three years time as yet only track hal
been made. 1t was originally German scheme
headed by Baron Bulow but as soon as papers car
be made it Is to be transferred to an American
pany, who will put is through.
Salt Greek is mere village, peopled with the
creoles, speaking English, whose business is fishing
for turtle and trading in sarfaparilla.
We had still about seventy-fve miles to go, and
this was fortunately accomplished without any Incl
dent worth recording. We arrived at San Juan
exactly one month after leaving Navy Bay, having
made about three hundred miles in that time glad
enough to exchange our little cookie shell for the
comfort on board the Northern Light The very
same night we started for New York.