New-York tribune., 1870-04-19
THE DARIEN EXPEDITION.

RESULTS THUS FAR-THE LIFE OF AN EXPLORER
-INCIDENIS OF TRAyEL-ANIMATED ma
TURE.
[FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
AGLAsEREQUA RIVER, March 22-It is exactly
month this day since the survey began, and have
surveyed and mapped four different lines the total
distance travelled being about S5 miles. But two things
certainly nown namely, that the base Of the noun
tains is at least 40 feet above level and that survey
ing parties pretty TO strike the ship Saturday
nights because grub is generally little extra on board
ship Sundays. The main question food the second
outfit On the first expedition l carried in all about
IS to co pOunds-tOo much anywhere but when the
road is the bed of stream often waist deep paved with
loose cobbe stones, it is enough ahOrse OnshOre
the roots and stuups make atgung than the river
Boots, at first in great demand; but they fill with
water over the tops you have to cut holes to let it ont
and then they fill with sand. Very shoes and leg
gngs are preferred hut wading works mischief with lea
ther flVe days Is as long as pair OF shoes Will mold
We relieved of carrying ourf God by therein
forcement we have received from Carhagena of lOhte
donkeys This il their first day OF trial their load Is
$50 pounds III bags and boxes They stumble and quVer
at every STEP and il is a wonder that they get all
such road; but this is nothing to what the country
way is up infinite number OF waterfalls flowing
through deep perpendicular gorges Of Semte-yey good
for geological section, but not enjoyable to pro-
crossing on all fonrs IL will he rough the donkeys,
and much more so on us II they give out and We have
again 10 carry grub ourselves
Our chief uneasiness now is whether after being
and peTsration we sGil ind any water on the noun
tain tops We cut $500 b 1900 feet per day passa-
bic ground, but here think it unspeakable; yet We
are going tO the Clinemagua all the same. The sun
never reaches us in the wosds and getting quite
beaChed, though is yet on the sick list and am
begnning TO have considerable hopes OF the climate
sun the fatigue begins to tell, and you don't hear shoe
Gy " in the woods often.
Wesee very few birds, very little ru and that strict
orders forbid being touched the Indians making great
stand for their bananas There plenty of small trout
i'll the streams, some monkeys swinging by their tails
from the distant trees and plenty of creeping crawling
and singing things beside coral snakes, which the
Indians say "HtchO mGi0;" and they fond
of creeping into camp Of nights. We start in line at
a. and return 1T to wash ourselves and our clothes,
and get on anything dry are happy enough 10 have
then feed while the food lasts lOw and then there is
none) then smoke and when the rain doesn't put the
fire out dry clothes; then fix up bunks, and at
o'clock turn in We then scratch. and kick and cuff
until, after saying prayers at least four times in
desperation, at length fall asleep generally to wake
up when the musket0es and cIeepers have conquered
sleep and rise 20 off and dOZe in the smoke Of the fires
till morning. OF the value Of the explorations, aud
ultimate success of the Canal, have no doubt.