The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-08-16

l have frequently related to friends the
adventure which | am about to describe,
but of which l have not before written an
account for publication. | am now in-
duced to do so by the assurance that it
may prove interesting to the naturalist, as
well as 10 the general reader.
1t occurred many years ago, on the
Isthmus, during journey which l made
from Cruces to Panama in company with
Mr.. -, member Of banking firm Of
the latter city. Mounted on mules, we
started from Cruces, on the old Bucca-
neers road connecting the two sides of the
Isthmus at the points above named. My
travelling companion was well acquainted
with the country through which we were
to pass, and consequently, all to him was
matter-offact and commonplace exper-
fence. Simply enjoining me, therefore, to
keep close to him, and not to wander from
the road, as il was dangerous, he took the
Lead In plunging into the wilderness.
After convesing for some time upon
the strange history Of the road over which
we were travelling, for it was constructed
several hundred years ago, by the bucca-
neers, who for long time constituted the
most formidable maritime power Of the
New World, the conversation Jagged, and
finally ceased, as is apt to be the case with
travelling companions who have talked
themselves out. But was beginning to
be absorbed by the contemplation of the
new flora and fauna which was spreading
out before me. The lover of nature only
acquainted with the forests of the temper
ute regions, can form no adequate concep-
sion Of the grandeur and luxuriance Of
those Of the tropics, nor Of the number and
variety of their deniEens. | was especial
ly interested In the latter Strange and
varied forms of animal life were contin-
ually presenting themselves to my eye, or
indicating their existence to my ear, be-
meath, around and above me. Monkeys Of
all sorts and sizes grimaced at me from
the trees, or dcafeaed me with their angry
EXPLANATIONS, as If protesting against hui
man intrusion into solitudes which they
claimed as their own through unknown
ages Birds Of strange and graceful forms
and of bright and varied plumage; birds
which are not described or pictured ON the
pages of Audubon or Wilson, glanced
meteor-like from tree TO tree, or foated in
dreamy splendor through the upper air.
Occasionally the minstrelsy Of these bright
warblers, and the many voices Of animated
nature Immediately around me, were mo.
mentarily hushed by deep sound which
proceeded from distant part Of the forest,
and announced that the jaguar, or so-called
American tiger, had seized its prey, and
that death-struggle was now in progress
Amid this scene Of superintendent life and
Joy it should have needed but this appall.
ing sound to enforce the injunctions Of
my travelling companion to keep close to
him, and not to wander from the road
But seeing and hearing all these wonders
for the first time, how was | to think Of
anything else but the enjoyment, the rap.
ture, which the contemplation afforded
/ was, however, about to receive an ad
monition to the same effect from another
source, more likely to be needed.
About midway between Cruces and Pan
anna, my attention was attracted by spring
which dubbed in n wild mountainous gorge
Tothis fountain numerous paths conducted
undoubtedly beaten by the footsteps of the
myriads Of creatures which people the sur
rounding wilds. A watering place in the
wilderness. A watering place not at al
resembling those Of man, but which yisi
tors approached with cautious hesitatins
steps and prying gaze, and often in mum
beB Of their own kind sufficient for mutu
al defense. A watering place ambushet
in every jungle beneath and every leaf,
covert overhead by enemies to animal life
A watering place where music and merry
making arc unknown, but where insteat
Al H-e - a n a