The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-10

and graceful cocoa, while in the back ground
fourishes the natives staff OF li.e,o the
luscious plantain, along with bananas, casa
da and yams, besides the magnificent groves
Of orange aud lemon, enlivening and height
ening the scenery with their large white ald
fragrant blossoms, that hang interpreted
with the rich golden fruit, 10 every state Of
transition, from the forming bud TO ripe d.
cay. Nor Ia the animal kind0m unrepresest-
cd. the mischlevous monkeys swing then.
selves in all apparent comfort and repose
whilst they chatter the gossip Of the morning
TO the parrot, macaw, and Others OF the
feathcred tribe, while the air is redoIent tn
links Of sweetness from the musical Threats
Of thousand sylvan choristers. The
monkeys for their cunning however are worthy
OF more than o passing notice. There have ban
immense numbers OF them shot, and killed
for their skin, which are exported to France,
and which also in due time return to Amai
ca, to grace the fairy.lke fingers Of or
beaux and bellies, figuring as "Jorwin's best
kid" Thus they have been made sadly q.
miliar with the crack Of firearms, and no "
the explosion Of gun ia a signal for silence
even in their noisiest conviyiality, and not
unregarded by the lOudest and most inces.
SAINT demagogue In all monkoydom. Pre-
sent gun at one and be will skulk away
behind screen, and If none 10 convenient,
will hide his face in his hands, and thus re.
ceive the fatal bullet. We never could shoot
one under such circumstances, it approx.
mated too closely to murder for our con
science TO justify its preparation In cold
blood. The river abounds in alligators,
quanas, and other amphiheous and aqueous
animals peculiar to the waters Of tropical 70
gions. There lies fine specimen Of the croco
die species, basking inlthe genial rays OF the
sun. and breakiasting from the millions OF
insects that hover around his open mouth,
which ever and anon be shuts, as 1t becomes
filled with the flies and gnats. lie is so
quiet that we cannot forego the pleasure OF
disturbing him, though by ii we should in
flict breach upon all established etiquette
40 sezn9a riho that is at hand, We bring
the sight, to bear upon bis unsecmly head,
draw the trigger and the huge reptile is no
more--in sight having slipped into the
water. Our ears are salated with merry
outlaw, and we are advised for the sake Of
economy to essay the shooting Of alligators
no more, or at least not until we could plant
their eyes.
II now being the hour of noon. we began
to look around to note preparations neces-
sary TO that old and very popular institu-
ton, dinner, and seeing none, became in
quisitive on tho subject, when---horriblc TO
relate we were informed that the boat
furnished no provisions, but that we could
buy plenty at Castillo, where we would
possibly arrive the next evening. It was
certainly very comfortable reflection, that
for the next thirty hours we would have
nothing to chew but the cud OF sweet and
bitter fancy" which 10 all human probabili.
ty would have been our hungry lot, had
not the iorethought OF u friend provided
q few boxes Of sArdnss, with few loaves
OF bread, TO protect himself, as he
said, against the starving Inequalities of
this route. We ate the loavos and fishes"
with heartfelt gratitude, and would have
given on the spot, to our worthy provider,
full certificate rscommendatory Of his
great abilities ~ u c0mmssaria. At night
we were informed that coffee would bs
served to all who wished il at ten cents
cup, without sugar and milk. aud with the
addition Of these two uxuries, fifteen cents.
We took = cup ut The latter tariff, iondly
anticipating thereby, to augment our
strength, and to be more fully enabled to
withstand the attacks of the myriad Of mos.
quitos, which We could very distinctly hear
beating to quarters. Alas for us We soon
discovered that the best laid schemes OF
men ara often frustrated by u Providence,
for reasons secret and inscrutable. We
felt the Christening rod, and-cursed the
cook, his coffee, we mean--weak, nasty
stuff Worse than even boarding house
coffee, which has been compared to decoc-
ton from the following recipe -" Take
four grains Of well-toasted berries, throw
them into stream. hasten below, dip up
and serve" Napoleon, il Is said, was une-
quail to his task at Ieipsic because OF a sur
charged stomach. and so lost victory TO
his combined enemes--but In our case the
rule reversed its workings, and were van
pushed because OF al empty Que. Despair
ing Of making good our defence against the
mosquito phalanx, which now began Wig
orous assault upon us. We FASTENED to take
refuge beneath the friendly folds OF bar
where soon obliyiOus to terrestrial troubles
aud anpoyances, We roaUe,i the ely sian fields
Of dreamand, under the patronage aud gut
dance OF god Morpheus.
"a the evening Of the 2ls,. We reached
Castillo. The town is composed oi three
hotels, aud a.dozcn or too OF bamboo houses.
We FASTENED IL the United States lIotel,'
and found substantial meal. TO which We
hope We did ample justice. This place de-
rlves lis whole importance from beiog the
first place alter leaving Greytowu. that the
traveller can procure a meal. aud a. this is
portage around the rapids that ob,truc, nav
igstIon OF the river, 1t gives several hours OF
rest to the passengers, while they transport
tho freight irum the boat below TO the one
above the rapids Taking advantage o,
this, We walked gu; into the town" u SCI
the sights. Here Is also the oG,post Of Gen.
Walker for Southern Nicaragua. That
long and Shaking frame buildiuy rssept.