The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-04-14
SAVED BY AN APE.
A yankees Remarkable Adventure
Ia Central America

found ii difficult To tenr myself away.
When was ready 70 leave my brief so
iourn In tho country had inspired me
with So much confidence that engcrly
embraced the suggestion Of my land
lord To cross the isthmus on horseback
.'Taisc Il leisurcly.r he said; follow
the old road. It touches various points
along the canal. You can make the
tourney in a couple Of days and you will
not mind spending night In ono Of
DcI.csscrs' villages"
Now the canal was pet hobby Of
mine. was anxious to see how it was
progressing. besides. had q friend
who was one Of the contractors, and ]
wanted 10 pay him a visit.
Tho next morning ] mounted gentle
mustang, furnished BIZ 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, lrode rapid
" during tho morning
At one place the road EaA along in
slrht 81 the canal for half mile. Here
saw a scene not To be matched any
where On Garth. Enormous machines
were ii work cxcavating thousands or
tons 81 dirt and countless wagons werc
employed removing the loose earth
Myrfnsls ~ worlsncn swarmed every
whore. jabhcring 70 each other 10 all
tho tongues Of tho known world.
Among them were men from all tho
countries ~ the wasld- Americans, At
ricans. Cinnamon, Wtsst Indians and
Malays. The fierce looks east upon mo
by these fellows alarmed me; but
pretended 10 BIC calm spectator II the
animated seems. One Of the contract
ors was about. and from him learned
that would find jackson about five
miles further on.
"Arc you arrncd2" asked the con-
tractor
told him thnt Ind d revolver.
..You will probably need II before
you reach Aspinwall. : said he rYou
arc passing through thirty thousand Of
the worst cntethroats that were ever
collected together"
After hearing TINT had a grent mind
to return 10 Panama, but the dread of
being laughed AZ made me decide to
push on Assuming determined, BUSH
nessIike look, ! put spurs 70 my mus
tang and amblcd through the motley
gang Of laborcrs until had tho salts
faction IL leaving them behind me.
Fortunately encountered no obstacle,
and Jaeixson,s campwas made just in
time for dinner.
Here was safe. Jackson was a big
fellow, whose men were nearly all
Americans. lie was delighted 70 see
me and gave me capital dinner
During tho two hours that spent with
him filled him full Of newsstand he, on
the other hand, told me q lot Of wonder
full things about the canal He made
no secret Of his conviction that the en-
terprisc would drag along for years,
but, as he was making bushelsof money,
the delay played into his hands. As
declined to stay all night with him,
jackson gave me some directions about
my route, and al my departure conflded
TO me package containing ten thou
aand dollars, asking me to deposit Il for
him III one Of the banks at Aspinwall.
/ suggested that there was danger In
carrying such sum Of money through
the country, but the stalwart fellow
laughed at my fears. He said TINT
would make the hacienda of Don Fran
cisco Mcndez 1T nightfall, where
would be royalty entertained. by day
light he thought ! could take care Of
myself.
While this was going on | saw two
brutal looking Mexicans al short dis
tance watching us intentiy and confer
ring together IN low tones.
II don't like the looks Of those ras-
Gals, / said,
Hello, there Pedro, and you, Juan, !"
shouted Jackson Get to work, you
lazy beggarsl"
Tho Mcxicans Frowled, and snllenly
retired
They are.two Of the worst men in
cnInp, said jackson, but they are not
likely to bother YOU
had my doubts; but the prospect Of
stayias all night with Mcndcz some
what fcassaFed me, and started of in
very Focd spirits. Ny road took me
through d scene Of bcwildering beauty.
The tropical foliage round me glittered
wita all tile hues Of the rainbow Un-
known flowers Of gorgeous magniii-
ecnee ard averpowering fragrance
frightened thc roadside
Suddenly came upon pond Of clear
water In an open space. Hot, dusty
ard travclzworn, could not resist the
temptation. Without counting the CON
sequences fastened the mustang to a
saplinE and undrcssed in hurry, plac-
Ing my revolver under my clothes on
the edge OF the water Then plunged
IN and enjoyed refreshing swim
Che thing annoyed me. All along
tic 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
shock their fists almost in my face. At
a wave Of my hand, however. they fed
IN prccipitate terror,
As soon as entereA the lake the
monkeys TOOK fresh courage. They
scrambled about III droves and abused
Ean to their hearts content Among
them was one;of Ia species that had
not seen before He was q ferocious
looking monster, fully ave feet high
and as muscular as q bear Before ]
realized the situation this great long
legged fellow swpoped down on my
clothes, and started with them for the
woods For 4 moment was absolute
~ paralyzed-- N was 40 Joke to ride TO
Aspinwall IN q decent riR, bat i had no
fancy for the role ~ Lady Godiva
There was M time to lose The
monkey had left my revolver, and al