The Hope pioneer., 1893-08-04
SAVED BY AN APE.
The Adventure of an AM erican
Traveller on the Panama Canal

The Adventure Of an American
Traveller on the Panama Canal
Why stopped in Panama on my re-
turn from my trip to South America is
amystery. The quaint Spanish fashion
of the old city interested me, and l
found it difficult to tear myself away.
When was ready to leave my brief
sojourn 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 points
along the canal. You can make the
journey in couple of days and you
will not mind spending night in one
of De L.esseps' villages"
Now the canal was a pet hobby of
mine. l 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 I mounted q gen.
tie mustang, furnished by my host. and
set out for Aspinwall, the Atlantic
port, where 1 intended to take the
steamer AS I wished to reach the
camp of my friend Jackson by midday,
rode rapidly during the morning.
At one place the road ran along in
sight of the canal for half mile. Here
! saw a scene not to be watched any,
where on earth. Enormous machines
xvaro at 1vorlr axcovotipr +l,oncop1c of
tons of dirt, and countless wag ons We're
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 We're men from all the
countries of the world-Americans,
Africans, 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
animated scene. One of the contrac-
tors was about, and from him learned
that I would find jackson about five
miles further on.
"Are you armed?" asked the contrac-
tor.
told him had revolver.
"You will probably need it before
you reach Aspinwall," said he. You
are passing through thirty thousand of
the worst cutthroats that We're ever
collected together"
After hearing that I had great mind
to return to Panama, but the dread of
being laughed at made me decide to
push on. Assuming determined, busi-
lila 10D1y f0
tang and ambled through the motley
gang of laborcrs 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 I was safe. jackson was big
fellow, whose men were nearly all
Americans. He was delighted to see
me and gave me capital dinner. Dur
ing the two hours that I spent with
him filled him full of news, and he, on
the other hand, told me a lot of won
derful things about the canal. He
the enterprise would drag along for
years, but, as he was making
bushels of money, the delay played
into his hands. AS I 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 thousand
dollars, asking me to deposit it for him
in one of the banks at Aspinwall. sug-
gested that there was danger in carry
ing such a sum of money through the
country, but the stalwart fellow
laughed at my fears. He said that
would make the hacienda of Don Fran
cisco Mendez at nightfall, where 1
would be royalty entertained. by day
light he thought l could take care Of
myself.
While this was going on I saw two
brutal-looking Mexicans at snort dis
tance watching us intently and con-
ferring together in low tones.
81 don't like the looks of those ras-
calls" said.
Hello, there, Pedro! and you. Juan" !"
shouted Jackson. go to 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 me, and l started off in
very good spirits. My road took me
through scene Of bewildering beauty
The tropical foliage round me glittered
with all the hues of the rainbow. Un-
known.fowers of gorgeous magnifcence
and doverpowering fragrance frightened
the roadside.
Suddenly came upon 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 to a
sapling and undressed in a hurry, plac-
ing my revolver under my clothes on
the edge of the water. Then ] plunged
in and enjoyed a 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 chartered at me Indignantly and
shook their fists almost in my face. At
wave Of hand, however, they fed In
precipitate terror.
As soon as entered the lake the
monkeys took fresh courage. They
scrambled about In droves and abused
mo to thei hearts content. Among
them WAS one OF u species that hnd
not ssen before. lie was II ferocious.
looking monster, fully five feet high
and M muscular NJ bear, Before |
realized the situation this great long
legged fellow swooped down on my
clothss and started with them for the