The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-12
NEW YORK. HERALD TUESDAY L. ls74-TRIPLE SHEET

SHEET.
the line which, by the way, as YET remains virgin
forest. BY way OF experiment stoppage was
made on the way aud. two OF the canoes hauling
along side the bank. the three persons named,
armed with macnetes and accompanied by q
native, proceeded to clear pathway. Alter cut
ting brskly for half hour we arrived at an ele-
walton which Captain Huer pronounced to be 175
Ieet In height, according to his barometer 1t was
near being his last scientific declaration, however,
Tor your correspondent In cutting down sapling
forgot for the moment that the Captain was close
at hand, SO that when the sapling Tell the huge
knife following its course nearly divided him In
two This, believe was the only elevation found
or sought after, the fact being that il would re-
cure thorough and complete survey on land to
determine the nature OF the country. Com
mander Selfridge claims TO have made
only reconnaissance from the river
but believes no OBSTACLES present themselves
on the imaginary line An actual survey would OF
course settle the question. But am DEPRESSING
When we arrived at the hut, some what the worse
for wear, the lights shone brightly and the cheer
ing aroma from the invigoratlng coffee can lent
charm to the place, which, however, was soon to
be dispelled. We had our quinine and rum to be-
gin wlth-a mixture well calculated TO wrestle
with the most determined fever and then we had
our supper, the natives meanwhile, cooking on
their own account in another part OF the estab-
lishment, which, like all other huts, was open on
all sides and contained one ROOM Swarms OF mos
qutoes swarmed In upon US, red-headed ants in
vestigated us, but the GROWING feature OF torture
was the hornets nest at the very door OF the
house. 1t banied the engineer skill OF the company
and struck terror all round. Groan followed
groan, and as last resort all hands crawled under
their mosquito bars to seek rep0se Scores or all
sorts OF things paraded outside the netting seek
ing in vain for admittance aud, after ALL there was
some prospect OF immunity from danger, when the
startling cry,
"CULEBRA' ''cuLRBRAr'
sent thrill through every heart. Sure enough
there It was cotled gracefully in the raiters gilt
tering IN the light-a snake. Verilya raid by the
Apaches could not have made greater sensa-
ton; not that there was any extraordinary alarm
Manifested, but the house was supported on poles.
We all slept on the ground, and the most callous
must admit that these fascinating reptiles are by
no means agreeable bedfellOws. But the alarm
had been sounded, and all were eager for the Fray
Armed with revolvers, though In anything but
warlike costume at the moment, o skrmishtDg
party was thrown out in the middle Of the noor
Bang bang bang and slowly the object
OF attack begins to unfold ITSELF Doubtless
the snake has been phased by bullet, but 1t
takes the shock very coolly, and now, stretched
at full length, lines seven leet OF the roof Bang
bang bang bang!-not the slightest motion Is per.
ceptible, though, strange enough the starlight
be seen through the rafters. But why prolong
this scene OF agony well-drected shot by
Major Mcfarland doubled up the reptile, which
swings down from the roof at full length; the at
lacking party retreated, advanced again ana fred.
The snake falls to the ground in heap, yet burn
ing with indignation raises himself denantly with
pointed fangs, dro0ps and dies. Captain Huer
chopped him In two, but the tail still showing signs
OF life wide berth was given TO the remains.
Napipi Commander Sefridge took soundlnqs,
showing depth ct this point OF from six to eight
fathoms Of water. And now the examination OF
the proposed canal route Is commenced We shall
shortly ascend the NapipL along the lett bank OF
which the line Is supposed to run. 1t will doubt
less be hard work padding against the current,
but the "neet'' is under way for home. and "where
there's Will there's way"
The Rainy Season i'm Earnest--Raid ON
. LOne IMdian-A FREQ and Easy Sleep.
ing Booth-Ascent OF tho Doguado-The
Troubles OF Los Hormano
1 CAMP No. Z, DoGUADo RIVER, April 1e, 1874.
| Nothing short OF the most vigorous exertion on
the part OF Commander Selfridge- whose vim and
executive powers are well worthy or example,
nothing. indeed, but determined viii and thor
ough knowledge Of the wnims and caprices OF the
natives, could have succeeded In accomplishing the
journey in such space Of time. We are now with
in three hours march OF the ship, and will proba-
bly, be on board by ten O'CLOCK The ascent OF the
Napipt was exceedingly monotonous and unevent.
iul. Compelled to push against rapid current,
progress was slow. At nightfall Camp No. was
erected on the lett bank Of te river under the su-
pervison OF Lieutenant Sullivan, an old campaigner
in Darlen, whose amiability and earnest endeavors
TO contribute to the comfort OF the party ashore
and anOat, will be remembered as promi-
nent feature OF the expedition Inever remember
to have seen wilder or more picturesque scene
than that presented at this lonely retreat in the
virgin forest. Around the blazing fire OF logs
sat the group of Indians at their evening meal, the
members OF the party having long since retired to
| their hammocks. The surrounding gloom was
almost painful, and this situation was by no means
enhanced by a sudden rustling through the dense
underground close at hand. The discordant scream
| ing OF the macaws, moreover, did not tend to
brighten matters, so that, under all the circum-
stances, camping out in Darien has its disadvan-
tages. To state that we fell prey to the hordes
OF singing ants would but feeby convey an idea OF
| the situation. Before morning the rain came down
as II the clouds had conspired to drown u.s. The
| water came through the tent In stream, and,
reused thus rudely from their gentle slumbers the
seepers realized the fact that they were wal
| lowing in half foot Of rain. But there was no
help for 1t, and, with commendable resignation,
| daylight was awaited. 1t was inferred from
the statements of the Indian guide that
the journey to the head waters OF the river
over the trail would not occupy more than i've
hours. But, instead OF this, the tran led over the
mounts known as Los Hermanas, one of which
measures o46 feet above the level OF the sea- This
was the most trying feat since the start, and
tested the endurance Of every member OF the
party to the very utmost The ascent OF Mount