The Van Buren press., 1860-12-14


the distance between Aspinwall and Pana- /
ma. Its temporary termination was on the i
right bank of the Chagres river, in a miser-
able hamlet inhabited by negroes and Indi- |
ans, where the travellers took passage in |
boats. propelled by black and yellow half
naked boatmen, in order to reach Cruces,
another wrctchel hamlet. situated some
eight miles above the point of embarkation.
whence the remainder of tho Isthmus was
effected on mules.
Here the first misfortunss in the journey
of our heroine began. Fortunately be-
nevolent American gentleman. moved with
pity by her aud her brothers forlorn situa
ton, procured them seats in a boat. But
their embarkation was made during heavy
rain, which continual for several hours
and. as there was no awning or Sthsrpro-
lection from the weather. Saviiia and her
brother were completely drenched. In mis-
erable plight, chilled to their very hearts.
they arrived after ter weary hours. at Cruces
Hire the brother exhibited unequivocal
symptoms of wha. is called thc Panama
fever. The horrid state of the hoveis AT
Cruces forbade all idea of halting there. il
such desperate contingen,y could be pos
sibly avoided. He was still able to bestride
q mule; and he aud Savi.la. each mounted
on sorry beast. set out on their melan-
choly ride of twenty-four miles over the
worst road that disigures the face Of the
earth.
In Panama. the sick traveller, especially
if poor, receives but little attention !; and,
if rich. he receives just as much as he is
able and willing to pay for, at a high price
In hnI I.nr
learn of the worlds callousnnss. BY dint
of prayers and tears-aided most potently
by heavy sum Of money in advance
she succeeded in securing for her sick broth
er and herself two small rooms communi-
eating with each other, by which arrange
ment she was enabled to constitute herself
his sole and exclusive nurse. A physician
to whom she was recommended by the
landlord, examined the patient, prescribed
some medicine, and relieved her worst fears
by assuring her that he was in no imminent
danger. and that by careful nursing and
strict adherence to his prescriptions he
would soon recover The physician, al
though his bills were exorbitant, and his
conscience outrivalled caoutchoc in its elias
ITCHY, was not exactly false prophet. 70,
in three weeks the invalid was able to leave
his room. and make short promenades on
that part of the city wall which ovsrhangs
the sea. the air from the ocean acting like
debilitated system.
In this favorable state Of affairs, Savills
determined to embark on the first vessc
| bound for San Francisco; and as her finan
-, he'd ~~P1ri~aosd u oonsii,lo dim iau.ieu
| a hnro h I,t1.
more easily induced, through her inexperi
ence, to listen to the false representation
of those heartless knaves, who, in Panama
earn their living by entrapping unwar,
travellers on board of unworthy ships. ant
entrust herself and her brother on board O
Dutch brig. noted for nothing excep
slow sailing. filthy cabin, berths aliv,
with vermin. mean and unwholesomc pro
visions and brutal captain.
After beating to the northeast for near
ly a month. and when off Cape San Lucas
the southernmost extremity OF lower Cali
fornia, the toiliny brig met wind dead il
its teeth. as sailors say. and was obliged t,
shape her course for the Sandwich Islands
The northwest wind to which the Graz,
vessel was now exposed, brought in IT.
train all the elements of sea sickness, an,
poor Sayilla. who had hitherto borne III
bravely against her afflictions. was impIis
oncd in her wretchel state room. He
brother. bcreft OF her accustomed tenderness
suddenly relspsed and when Savilla, afte
some ten days confinement to her cabin ha.
strength sufficient to visit his berth, sh
was horriicl to find him in the agouies o
death.
| 1t is useless to dwell on the wretched
ness that followed. Ny story must hurr,
to conclusion, for it has already transcen
dcd the limits assigned it when commenc
ed it. The brother of Savilla died. an,
his body was thro VA into tn, sea,
! Without cofia, shroud. or passing bell p
and Savilla. WON by grief. sickness an
famine to the semblancs OF a corpse, at las
after three months of indescribablc misery
landed at Honolulu. on ths Island of Ha
waii. the chief OF the Sandwich Island,
lying more than fifteen hundred miles west
wari OF San Francisco. Here by the ,are>
piece OF good fortune, she had the happi
ness to meet an old acquaintance of hs
family. merchant who had long been Sc,
!, tied on the island, and who, at once, pro
vided for her health and comfort In
month. thanks to judicious medical treat
mcnt, good nursing and the salubrity OF tn
climate. and the untiring kindness of hs
friend who procured for her the best femal
attendance, and the choicest and mo.
wholesome delicacies. she had recovered ht
full health, and with the return of health
, came the restless impulse to prosecute hs
pilgrimage. Her friend, happy husban
and father, and surhamed by . charmin
family, employed all his eloquence. IA
+ threw out the most fattering induccmen,
r in the hope Of changing her resolve; br
in vain. In vsin his excellent wife an
amiable daughters-not to mention hand
some grown up son--besieged her wit
their entreaties to relinquish what the
were pleased to call romantic and ch
r merical adventure, and become one of the
| own happy circle. All in vain. Thoug
deeply grateful, there was silent but q
/. irresistible power, operating in the deptl
of her heart which commanded her onwart
r She loved her new found friends with q
, the intensity of her nature. and shs coul
not help acknowledging to herself no
t very happily her life world pass. surround
( ed BY their protecting love: but there WI
still another being to whom her heart owe
|, all its unwavering allegiance, and viii
: not struggling to reach aud bless that beini
) she felt as though she were trcacherous /