The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-08-23
SAVED BY AN APE.
A Ynnxoo'a Remarkable Adventure
In Central America.

why tNopptu IN t7onNna on my re-
turn from my trip 10 South America is
a mystery. The quaint spanish fash
Ion Of the old city Interested me. and I
found II difficult 10 tear myself away.
When was ready 10 leave my brief So
| journ In the country had inspired me
with so much confidence that eagerly
embraced the suggestion 81 my land
lord 10 cross the isthmus on horseback
Take Il lcisureiy,. he said, follow
the old rona fttouchca various points
along tho canal. You can make tho
Journey IN d couple 81 days and You VIII
not mind spending n night Ia one 81
DcIcsscps villages
Now the canal was pet hohhy 81
mine. was anxious 10 SEQ how II was
progressing. Besides. ! had a 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 AspinySMA, the Atlantic port
whore intended to take the steamer.
As IL wished 10 reach the camp 81 my
friend jackson by midday, lrojc rapid.
" during the morning
At ono place the road ran along in
sight 81 the canal FOR half milo. Hero
] snw a scene not 70 be matched any
whcrc on earth. Enormous machines
were ut work cScavating thousands 81
tons of dirt, and countless wagons were
employed removing the loose earth
MyTinds Of worlSmen swarmcd every
whore. jabbcring ta each other in all
the tongues Of the known world.
Among them were men from all the
countries 81 the world Americans. Az
ricans, Chinamen, West Indians and
Malays Tho fierce looks cast upon me
by these fellows alarmed me; but
pretended TO be calm spectator Of the
animated scene. One 81 the contract.
ors was about, and from him | learned
that would find jackson about Ave
miles further on.
"Arc you armcd2" aslscd the con.
tractor
told him that bad revolver
lyon viii probably need II before
you reach Aspinwall said lie You
are passing through thirty thousand Of
the worst cut-thronts that were ever
collected together. "
After hearing that / Ind great mind
TO return TO Panama, but the dread Of
being laughed NJ made ME decide to
push on Assuming d determined, bnsi-
nesslilse look. put spurs TO my mus
tang and anblcd through the motley
gang Of laborers until had the aatis-
faction Of leaving them behind me.
Fortunately encountered no obstacle,
and Jackson's camp was made just in
tiIne f0f dinnssr
Here | WINS snfe. jackson was u big
fellow. whose men were nearly all
Americans. He was delighted 70 sec
me and gave me . capital dinner.
During the two hours that spent with
him filled him f,ll Of news and he, on
the other hand. told me o lot u wonder
full things about tho canal He made
no secret 81 his conviction that the en-
terprise would drag along for years.
but, sls he was making bushcisof money,
the delay played into his hands ~ 1
declined 10 stay NIL night with him..
jackson gave me some directions about
my route. and ut my departure contided
10 me d package containing ten thou
sand dollars. aslxingme 10 deposit Il for
him in ono Of the banks m Aspinwal.
suggested that there was danger in
carrying such u sum ~ money through
the country. but the st,llwart fellow
! laughed ut my fears. He hnid that !
would make the hacienda ~ Don From
cisco Mendcz at nightfall, whore |
would be royalty entertained. By day
light he thought could take care OF
myself
| While this was going on | saw two
brutal looking Mexieans at short dis
lance watching us intently and confcy
ring together in low tones
Il don't like the looks Of those ras-
Gals, said
Hello, thcrcl Pedro, and you, juan,
shouted Jackson. Get to work, you
lazy bcggarsl'
Tho Mexicans growicd. and sullcnly
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 Mcndez some
what treasured me, and ! started off In
very good spirits. My road took mo
through q scene Of bewildcring beauty.
/
with all the hncs Of the rainbow. Un-
known flowers Of gorgeous magnifi-
cence and ovcrpowering fragrance
frightened tho roadside.
1 SuddenlyI came upon d pond Of clear
water III an open space. Hot, dusty
and travcl-worn. could not resist the
| temptation Without counting the con-
sequences fastened the mustang TO q
sap!ing and undressed in a hurry, plac-
| ing my revolver under my clothes on
the edge Of the water. Then plunged
in and enjoyed refreshing swim.
Ono thing annoyed me. All along
the way met with monkeys every
where. They were Of MI sizes, and the
interest they took In my movements
amused me not q little. Sometimes
they chartered at me Indignantly and
shook their fists almost in my face. At
d wave Of my hand, however, they fled
In precipitate terror.
/ As soon as entered the lake the
monkeys took fresh courage. They
scrambled about in droves and abused
me to their hearts content Among
| them was one of q species that had
not seen before. He was ferocious
looking monster, fully five feet high
and as muscular rs bear. Before
\ realized the situation this great long
4 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 to
i Aspinwall In decent rig, but had no
/ NJ ncv Nfor the role Of Indy Godiva.