The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-09-20
SAVED BY AN APE.
Al Yankees Remarkable Adventure
In Central America.


turn from my trip TO South America is
q mystery. The quaint Spanish fash
ion Of the old city interested me, and
found ii difficult to tear myself away.
When wns ready TO leave my brief So
jonrn in the country had inspired me
with so much confidence that eagerly
embraced the suggestion Of my land
lord 70 cross the isthmus on horse back.
"Take 1t leisurclysr 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
DeLcsseps' villages"
Now the canal was q pet hobby OF
mine. was anxious 70 see how il was
progressing. Besides, ! Rid 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 Aspinwall, the Atlantic port,
where intended to take the steamer.
As wished to reach the camp Of my
friend jackson by midday, rode rapid
~ during the morning.
Al one place the road ran along in
sight OF the can al for half mile. Here
saw scene not to be matched any
where on earth. Enormous machines
4 were at work cxcavating thousands Of
tons 81 dirt, and countless wagons were
employed removing the loose earth.
Myriads of workIhcn swarmcd every
where. jabbcring to each other In all
the tongues Of the known world.
Among them were men from all the
countries Of the Americans, At
ricans, Cinnamon, West Indians and
Malays The fierce looks cast upon me
. by these fellows alarmed me; but !
pretended to be calm spectator Of the
animated scene. One Of the contract
ors was about, and from him | learned
that | would find jackson about ave
miles further on.
"Arc you arincd?" asked the con-
tractor
! told him that had revolver.
'You will probably need it before
you reach Aspinwnll, !" said he You
arc passing through thirty thousand Of
the worst cut-throats that were ever
collected together"
After hearing that had great mind
to return,to Panama, but the dread Of
being laughed at made me decide %
push on. Assuming determined, bust
nesslike look. put spurs 70 my mus.
tang and amblcd through the motley
gang Of lnborers until had the salts
faction Of leaving them behind me.
Fortunately encountered no obstacle,
and Jacxson'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 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 Mt my departure eonfided
to mo package containing ten thou
sand dollars. askingme to deposit 1t for
him in one Of the banks ut Aspinwall.
/ suggested that there was danger in
carrying 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 Mendcz at nightfall, where ]
would be royalty entertained. BY day
light he thought could take care OF
myself
~. f5
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.
Il don't like the looks OF those ras-
Gals, said,
A.'IIello, therel Pedro, and you, Juan, =
shouted jackson. Get 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 moi
likely TO bother YOU
had my doubts; but the prospect Of
II staying all night with Mendez some
what reassured me, and started off ii
very good spirits. My road took me-
through scene Of bewildering beauty
The tropical foliage round me glitterec
with all the hues Of the rainbow I'm
known flowers Of gorgeous magnifi
cence and overpowering fragrance
frightened the roadside.
Suddenly came upon pond Of cleal
water in an open space. Hot, dusty
und travel-worn, could not resist tn,
temptation. Without counting the con
sequences fastened the mustang to
sapling and undressed in a hurry, plac
ing my revolver under my clothes OF
the edge Of the water. Then plunge
nland enjoyed refreshing swim
Ono thing annoyed me. All along
the way / met with monkeys every
where. They were Of all sizes, and tn,
interest they took in my movement
amused me not little. Sometimes
they chartered at me indignantly an,
shook their fists almost in my face. A
q wave 81 my hand, however, they he'
In precipitate terror.
A. soon as ] entered the lake Thu
monkeys took fresh courage The,
scrambled about in droves and abuse,
me to their hearts content. Among
them was one Of species that ha,
not seen before. He was a ferociou
looking monster. fully FIVE feet higI
realized the situation this great long
legged fellow swooped down on m
clothes and started with them for til
woods. For a moment was absolute
IL paralyzed It was no joke to ride I