The New York herald., 1871-03-01

few nights since q huge alligator was discovered,
enticed, no DOUBT by the grunting OF several young
Tat pigs, upon which he thought to make charming
meal, but the monster was suddenly checked by but
ting his unsnapey head against a bullet He has
not since been heard OF. Close TO the sandy island
is thicky.wooded piece Of ground upon which
there have been built backsmiths and carpenters
and as an evidence OF their activity have, under the
feet in length at the easssfn terqi2atl6 ~ tne bsY
At the end or the wharf four feet OF water
sufficient Tor the steam launch TO land The weather
has been very favorable for the commencement OF
operations. The thermometer averages about eighty
seven degrees and there have up TO the been
harbOr is well protected has plenty OF water and is
large enough for any naval fleet to enter.
THE ROUTE COMMENCED.
Preliminary arrangements having been satlsfac-
torily completed the first exploring party consist
ing OF Mr.. A. R. Couden, Master; Mr.. J. Barnes,
Chief Civil Engineer; Mr.. A. u. Beach, Assista Mt
Civil Engineer: SIX sailors and two machetta men,
who had been taken from Carthagena as guides,
put forth from the ship. they lett the Guard
on the last morning OF the old year TO
make reconnaissance, In two launches by
the Cano Cognita one Of the mouths Of the Atrato.
The Cano Cognita is narrow passage into the main
river about enc mile from the Barbacoas. The lat
ter Is IN some parts nearly eight hundred feet wide
either bank is very heavily inundated and thickly
wooded, and for miles no foothold could be OBJ
to four knots an hour. 1t was gratifying however,
TO find that the river was remarkably clear OF
snags" or obstacles Of floating timber, and the ex-
plorers pulled cheerily along. On the second day
out the party the Coca Grande and the Trena
two of the tributaries Of the Atrato, after
to surpass the brightest anticipations OF
those who had never before beheld it.
but finding no landing place, owing to the marsny
nature OF the banks the oars were once more vigO-
rousy Piled and at ten O'Clock the party cast anchor
and, wearled with fatigue, were soon wrapped III
slumber, the rubber blankets doing good service, as
the dew was very heavy. Scarcely an hour mad
passed, however, when determined assault was
swARMs OF FERoCIoUs MOSQUITOES,
which, gratlned at'sucn G lucky wndlall OF human
orchestra Of Unsuitable vampires. In vain did the
explorers slap their faces in vain did they nuddle
mosquitoes won the fight, and finding that it was
useless to continue the combat the party started OF
passing inc Uraba on The 'nS way. yn'ife On s e
following morning at daylight the explorers halted,
and s peGs Of dy made fire
monkeys, which sat composedly on the trees, was
first heard They did not seem at all surprised, but
IN order to make q descent upon the crumbs. The
natural history Of the place was varied by the ap-
crawled about in the most selfsatsfed style imagin-
able. Shots were occasionally fired at Them aud
saey only SUNK or at their ease though
the earnest solicitation Of guide one OF the
monkeys was shot for him TO cook. Sucn
at the sudden and unexpected demise of their com.
panion would put multitude OF demons TO flight
The departed monkey was examined, but the gGide
pronounced him 100 old for digestive pnrnoses and
he was accordingly cast into tile river. With re.
newed vigOr the gallant oarsnian ..et fallr again
and away went the sCows III good style. The river
Leon was passed IN the forenoon, and at about two
O'Clock the Iumeranuo was also LETT behind. Both
those rivers empty into the Atrat0. At seven O'Clock
in the evening the explorers again halted and after
hasty meal the scows started o-all attempts OF the
party TO sleep being out of the queston-and con-
tinued up the river all night The activity
energy ana perseverance OF the courageous little
party cannot be too highly commended, for not
witlstandihg the almost nsurmountable difficulties
which far marked their career, the best OF splrits
were maintained. The launch arrived at the mouth
the desirable point TO be reached and SO on enter.
ing the oarsnen partly relaxed their efforts the
better TO reconnoltre the surroundings. Al the
entrance the river Is about l25 eet wide and from
twenty TO thirty leet deep having banks similar to
those OF the Atrato, marshy and thicky tmbered
There was not much variety IN the surrounding
scenery; but tar away on either side Eigantc trees
the remotest trace of civilization was anywnere 10
be seen. Nh. Couden and party pulled up the river
a little way, aud arrived at a place called Iona de
Cacarlca. which Is about two miles ana half from
the entrance OF the river. This was in reality the
first spot OF good solid ground the party had stood
upon since they quilted the Guard Ii was about
sixty ieet hign and two hundred feet long at the
there, occupied by INDIA rubber hunlers who were
nowse unciv TO the explorers. The next morning
q steam launch with Commander Sefridge and a
number OF men, having scow IN tow, appeared In
sight near Iona de Cacarica, and alter mutual
greeting, the course OF proceeding was arranged
II appeared that, OWING To The large quantity OF
rank grass growing In the river, the steam launch
that Commander Seirdoe and MI, yopeen aud .