Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1874-08-07


had Scarcely MS many variations rs the mu-
sic; so II must be confessed that there was
something Of n sameness Us the hours pass
ed. Each dance commenced by some Ral-
liant sallying forth, and with short steps,
many and wonderful bendings of the head
and body, slowly turning in front Of some
sehorila whom he wished for his partner.
II he found favor in her sight sho would
como forth In much the same manner, hut
with far more coquetry and each would cir
clio around the other, gradually approaching
until the man would seize the large ban
danna which she held in her hand, and
then the two would indulge In wild break
down together. All this while those not
engaged In dancing were patting time with
hands and chanting a rude song. As the
evening wore on the effects Of the numer-
Gus libations Of anisado showed itself. A
dozen couples would be on the floor dancing
II n time, and the rickety old house shook
all over us the "fun grew fast and furious"
About midnight we retired, not having dared
to dance, lest our No. IA brognns should
have crushed tho foot of some bare footed
maiden. Tho fandango lasted I'LL the sun
rose, and then ceased only because the mu-
sicianS were exhausted.
So far our party had met with no acct
dent, and 1t was with light hearts that all
looked forward to our starting on our re-
turn. The morning OF the 81 Of April dawn
cd in the most lovely manner, and all hands
bestirred themselves at an early hour with
nra ufott for
cook was preparing breakfast two of the
blue jackets strolled of for swim. Scarce
ly ten minutes had elapsed ere one of them
came running back, crying that Brooks had
been seized by an alligator. We all rushed
to the river bank. but we were TOO late; no
sign or vestige of the unfortunate man could
be dis cOYered. The natives, though excel
lent swimmers, refused to go into tho water,
fearing n similar fate. We tried dragging
with such means rs wo had ut our COM
mnDd, but without success. We erected n
largo wooden cross opposite the spot where
he was lost, and inscribed his name with
copper tacks, rs no paint was procurable.
and with heavy hearts started on our home
ward way. Brooks had been the life and
soul of the party, and many night around
the camp fire had he spoken of his speedy
return to his mother and sisters. 1t was our
sad duty TO return to them his keepsakes
and letters and TO be the first to break tho
sad news 10 them.
A few words rs TO the length, cost, and
probabilities of Darion Canal may prove
of interest. The expedition of 1871 found n
line thirty miles in length, with u tunnel of
five miles through tho mountainous section.
This line was to pass through the valley Of
the Nnpipi, and connect with the Atrato
about one hundred and twenty miles from
IFS mouth. The Atrato is navigable
for ships of the largest burden Mt all
seasons OF the year, and has at the mouth of
the Napipi width of over three thousand
feot. Favorable rs this line was. from in
formation received from the tho natives,
Commander Selfridge was led TO believe.
and rs 1t has turned out, with reason. that
still shorter line existed TO the southwark,
and it was for the purpose OF examining this
second line that the third expedition was or
gnnized aud dispatched. The route at pres
ent proposed has n total length of twenty
eight miles, from the navigablo waters of
the AtrAtO TO the Pacific coast Mt Chiri-Chiri.
Twenty-Five miles of the twenty eight lie
through the gradually descending valley Of
the Napipi, ard offer fewer difficulties Of
construction than the Suez. The remaining
six miles, Of which three are tunnel. present
the only engineering difficulties TO be en-
counterot. That these difficulties can be
overcome no one presumes to doubt. The
cost of this portion will of course be great
but with liberal estimates the cost of the en-
tire limo Is not placed above seventy million
dollars. When one recalls that the Suez Gu
nal cost over one hundred million dollars.
and that dredging machines must be contin-
ualy at work TO keep 1t free. the amount for
tho Daricn canal loses its immensely. That
the traffic through the canal would be enor-
nous, that the trade Of Peru and Chilli,
which is now almost monopolizcd by En-
gland, would come to the United States, and
that fresh impetus would be given to
American commerce, by the construction of
of n canal through the Isthmus, cannot be
denied. Peru, alive to its own interests, has
already sent corps Of engineers to examine
the Nnpipi route. and recent dispatches
from Lima announce that if such canal
can be constructed for seventy millions Peru
will undertake tho task alone. 1t would be
needless for mo to say Of how much impor-
lance it is for the United States to hold the
canal herself A commission which COM
moncss in Washington next September will
decide OH its merits. and at present We can
only await its decision.