The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-07-27
.-l.-, - 800 =
SAVED BY AN APE.
A Yankee's Remarkable Adventure
in Central America.

Why stopped in Panama ON my ~
turn from my trip to South America Is
o mystery. The quaint Spanish fash
hon of the old city interested me, and
found it difficult to tear myself away.
When was ready to leave my brief so
journ in the country had inspired mo
with SO much confidence that ent,erly
embraced the suggestion of my land
lord to cross the isthmus on horse buck
Take it leisurely," he said; ''follow
the old road. 1t touches various points
along the canal, You can make the
journey in u couple of days and you Will
not mind spending q night in ono of
DcLesseps' villages"
Now the canal WINS pet hobby Of
mine. l was anxious to see how it wns
progressing. Besides. had friend
who was one of the contractors, and
wanted to pay him visit.
The next morning mounted gentle
mustang, furnished by my host, and set
out for Aspinwall, the Atlantic port,
where 1 intended to take the steamer.
As 1 wished to reach the camp of my
friend Jackson by midday, rode rapid
ly during the morning.
At one place the rond ran aloug In
sight of the can al for half mile Here
/ saw scene not to be matched any
where ON earth Enormous machines
were at work cxcavating thousands of
tons of dirt and countless wagons were
employed removing the loose carthL
Myriads of workmen swarmed every
where, labbering to each other in all
the tongues of the known world
Among them were men from all the
countries of the world-Americans, At
ricans Cinnamon, West Indians and
Malays- Tho fierce looks cast upon me
by these fellows alarmed me; but l
pretended TO he u calm spectator of the
animated scene One of the contract
ors was about, and from him learned
that would find jackson about FIVE
miles further ON.
Are you armedP" asked the con-
tractor.
I told him that bad q revolver.
You will probably need it befuae
you reech Aspiuwull." said he s'You
are passing through thirty thousand of
the worst cut-throats that were ever
collected together
After hearing that I had u great mind
to return to Panama but the dread OF
being laughed at made me decide to
push on Assuming q determined. bust
nesSlike look, put spurs to my mus
tang and amhHd through the motley
gang of laborcrs until had the salts
faction of leaving them behind me
Fortunately l encountered no obstacle,
and Jackson's camp was made just in
time for dinner
Here 1 w-ns safe jackson was q 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 filled 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
to me package containing ten thou
sand dollars, asking me to deposit it for
MIN in one Of the banks at Aspinwall.
1 suggested that there was danger in
carrying such sum of money through
laughed at my fears. He said that I,
would make the hacienda of Don Fran.
cisco Mendez at nightfall, where
would be royalty entertained. BY day
light he thought could take cure of
myself.
While this was going on l saw two
brutal looking Mexicans at short DIS
lance 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 to work, you
lazy beSgars'
The Mexicans Erowled, and sullenly
retired.
"Thcy 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 Mcndez some
what treasured me, and l started off in
very good spirits My road took me
through scene OF bcwildering beauty.
The tropical foliage round me glittcred
with AL the hues of the rainbow. I'm
known flowers of gorgeous magniti-
ccnce and overpowcring fragrance
frightened the roadside.
Suddenly came upon Il pond of clear
water in an open space. Hot, dusty
and truvcl-worn. l could not resist the
temptation Without counting the con-
sequences I fastened the mustang to u
sapling and undicsscd in hurry, plac-
ing my revolver under my clothes on
the edge of the water. Then plunged
in and enjoyed n refreshing swim.
One thing annoyed me. All along