The Negro world., 1892-07-23
SAVED BY AN APE.
a Yankees Remarkable Adventure
in Central America.


Ion of the old city interested me, and /
found it difficult 20 tear myself away.
When ] was ready to leave my brief So
journ in the country had inspired me
with so much confidence that eagerly
embraced the suggestion of my land
lord to cross the isthmus on horseback.
Take it leisurely," he said; follow
the old road. 1t touches various poines
along the canal. You can make the
journey in a couple of days and you will
not mind spending a night in one of
DeLesseps' villages"
Now the canal was a pet hobby of
mine. was anxious TO see how it was
progressing Besides, l had a friend
who was one of the contractors, and l
wanted to pay him visit.
The next morning mounted a gentle
mustang, furnished by my host, and set
out for Aspinwall. the Atlantic port,
where intended to take the steamer.
As / wished to reach the camp of my
friend jackson by midday, rode rapid
ly during the morning.
At one place the road ran along in
sight of the canal for half a mile. Here
saw a scene not to be matched any
where on earth. Enormous machines
were at work excavating thousands of
tons of dirt, and countless wagons were
employed removing the loose earth.
Myriads of workmen swarmed every
where, jabbering to each other in all
the tongues of the known world.
Among them were men from all the
countries of the world-Americans,A At
ricans, Cinnamon, West Indians and
Malays. The fierce looks cast upon me
by these fellows alarmed me; but /
pretended to be a calm spectator of the
ors was about, and from him | learned
that / would find jackson about five
miles further on.
''Are you armed?" asked the con-
tractor.
told him that had a revolver.
''You will probably need it before
you reach Aspinwall." said he "You
are passing through thirty thousand of
the worst cut-throats that were ever
collected together"
Afterhearing that had a great mind
TO return to Panama, but the dread of
being laughed at made me decide to
push on. Assuming a determined, busi-
nesslike look. put spurs TO my mus
tang and ambled through the motley
gang of laborers until had the salts
faction of leaving them behind me.
Fortunately encountered no obstacle,
and Jackson's camp was made just in
time for dinner.
Here was safe. jackson was big
fellow, whose men were nearly all
Americans. He was delighted to see
me and gave me a capital dinner.
During the two hours that spent with
him filed him full of news and he, on
the other hand. told me lot Of wonder
full things about the canal He made
no secret of his conviction that the en-
terprise would drag along for years,
but, as he was making bushels Of money,
the delay played into his hands. AS /
declined to stay all night with him,
jackson gave me some directions about
my route. and at my departure confided
10 me a package containing ten thou
sand dollars. asking me to deposit it for
MIN in one Of the banks at AspinwalL
j suggested that there was danger in
carrying such sum of money through
the country, but the stalwart fellow
laughed at my fears He said that l
would make the hacienda of Don Fran
cisco Mendez a. nightfall, where !
would be royalty entertained. by day
light he thought could take care of
myself
While this was going on | saw two
brutal looking Mexicans at short DIS
tance watching us intently and confer
ring together in low tones
II don't like the looks of those ras-
calls" said.
Hello, there. Pedro, and you, Juan, "
shouted jackson. Get 70 work, you
lazy beggars."
The Mexicans growled, and sullenly
retired.
They are two of the worst men in
camp" said jackson, but they are not
likely TO bother you"
/ had my doubts; but the prospect of
staying all night with Mendez some
what reassured ms, and / started of in
very good spirits. My road took me
through a scene of bewildering beauty.
The tropical foliage round me glittered
with ali the hues of the rainbow. I'm
known flowers of gorgeous magnif-
eenee and overpowering fragrance
Frightened the roadside.
Suddenly came upon a pond of clear
water in an open space. Hot, dusty
and travel-worn. could not resist the
temptation Without counting the con-
sequences fastened the mustang 70
sapling and undressed in . hurry, plae-
ing my revolver under my clothes on
the edge of the water Then plunged
in and enjoyed refreshing swim.
One thing annoyed me. All along
the way ! met with monkeys every
where. They were Of all sizes, and the
interest they took in my movements
amused me not = little. Sometimes
they chattered at me Indignantly and
shook their fists almost in my face. At
a wave Of my hand, however, they ned |
In preeipitate terror.
As soon as I entered the lake the /
monkeys took fresh courage. They |
scrambled about In droves and abused /
me % their hearts content Among 1
them was one of q species that had /
not seen before. He was ferociouS /
looking monster. fully five feet high 1
and as muscular as q bear. Before I /
realized the situation this great long
legged fellow swooped down on my
clothes, and started with them for the
woods. For = moment ] was absolute
" paralyzed II was no joke TO ride 20
a y =. 4 4