The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-08-01
SAVED By AN APE.
The Adventure Of an American
Traveller on the Panama Canal

\
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 leisureiy," 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 Lesseps' villages"
Now the canal was pet hobby OF
mine. / was anxious to see how it was
progressing. Besides, l had friend
who was one of the contractors. and
wanted to pay him visit.
The next morning I mounted a gen.
tie mustang, furnished by my host, and
set out for Aspinwall, the Atlantic
port, where l intended to take the
steamer. As I wished TO reach the
camp of my friend Jackson by midday.
1 rode rapidly during the morning.
at one place the road ran along in
sight of the canal for half mile Here
saw scene not to be watched any
| where on earth. Enormous machines
were at work excavating thousands of
tons of dirt, and countless wag ons were
employed removing the loose earth.
Myriads of workmen swarmed every
where, iabbering to each other in ali
| the tongues of the known world.
| Among them were 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 l
| pretended to be calm spectator OF the
| animated scene. One of the contrac-
tors was about, and from him learned
| that l would find Jackson about five
| miles further on.
''Are you armed?" asked the contrac-
tor.
l 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 were ever
collected together"
After hearing that had great mind
to return to Panama, but the dread of
being laughed at made me decide to
push on. Assuming a determined, busi-
ness-like 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.
Forum ately l encountered no obstacle,
and Jackson's camp was made just in
time for dinner.
Here | was safe. Jackson was big
foIl 81 oil
Americans. He was delighted to see
me and gave ne capital dinner. Dur
ing the two hours that | spent with
him filled him fiN of news, and he. on
the other hand, told me a lot of won
derful things about the canal He
made no secret of his conviction that
the enterprise would drag along for
years, but, as he was making
bushels of money, the delay played
into his hands As l 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 Aspirwan. sug-
gested that there was danger in carry
ing such sum of money through the
country, Sup the stalwart fellow
laughed at my fears. He said that | |
would make the hacienda of Don Fran
ciaco Mendez at nightfall, where I
would be royalty entertained. BY day
light he thought / could take care of /
myself.
While this was going on saw two
trutal-loolSing Mexicans at short dis 4
tance watching us intently and con- |
ferring together in low tones.
Il don't like the looks of those ras-
Gals" I said.
Hello, there, Pedro, and you, juan"
shouted Jackson. go to work. you
lazy beggars'
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 ] started off in
very good spirits. Ny road took NE
through scene of bewildering beauty.
The tropical foliage round me glittered
with all the hues of the rainbow. Tn
known'fowers of gorgeous maGnifcence
and overpowering fra GRANGE frightened
the roadside.
Suddenly came upon pond of clear
water in an open space. Hot, dusty
and travel-worn. / could not resist the
Without counting the con-
sequences, I 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
he way | met with monkeys every
where They were Of all sizes, and the
interest they took in my movements
amused me not little. Sometimes
hey chartered at me Indignantly and
shook their fists almost in my face A:
/ wave of hand. however, they fed III
,recipitate terror.
As soon as ! entered the lake the
took fresh courage. They
scrambled about In droves and abused
ne 20 their hearts content Among d,
hem was one of species that ] had /
lot seen before. lie was ferocious- !
ooking monster, fully Eve feet high
md as muscular as bear Before / .
ealized the situation this great long ,
egged fellow swooped down on my
lothes ard started with them for the :
voods For a moment | was absolute 7
= paralyzed- II was 10 joke 20 ride To s
in decent rig. but had 10 a
ancy for the role Of Lady Godiva-
There vas no time 20 lose The o
monkey had lef. my r@va' rer and as 4