The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-08-25
SAVED BY AN APE.
A Yankoo's Remarkable Adventure
in Central America

turn from my trip TO South America is
. mystery. The quaint Spanish fash
Ion OF the old city Interested me. and
found It difficult 10 tear myself away.
When ] was ready 70 leave my brief So
journ in the country had inspired me
with SO much confidence that eagerly
embraced the suggestion Of my land
lord 70 cross the isthmns on horse back
Take It leisurcly.n he said. follow
the old road II touches various points
along the canal. Yon can make the
Journey IN couple OF days and you will
not mind spending night IN one Of
DcLesseFs villages.
Now the canal was a pet hobby of
mine | was anxious 20 see how 1t 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 Aspinwnll, the Atlantic port.
where intended 70 take the steamer.
As wished to reach the camp Of my
friend jackson by midday, rode rapid
" during the morning.
At one place the road ran along In
sight Of the can al for half mile. Here
saw a scene not 10 bcfmatched any
where on Garth Enormous machines
were at work cxcasating thousands Of
tons of dirt, and countless wagons were
employed removing the loose earth.
Myrinds Of workmcn swurmcd every
where. jabbering to each other in all
the tongues Of the known world.
Among them were men from all tho
countries Of the world Americans, A..
ricans, Cinnamon, West Indians and
Malays. The fierce locks cast upon mo
by these fellows alarmed mes but l
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.
Are you armed?" asked the con-
tractor.
told him that | had revolver.
"You win probably need it before
You reach Aspinwall. said he You
are 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 to
push on. Assuming q determined, busi-
nesslikc look, | put spurs TO my mus
tang and nmblcd through the motley
gang of laborcrs until | had the satis-
faction of leaving them behind me.
Fortunately i encountered no obstacle,
aud Jaclxson's camp was made just In
time for dinner
Here | was safe. Jackson was d big
fellow, whose men were nearly all
Americans. He was delighted to see
me and gave inc capital dinner.
During the two hours that spent with
him / filed him full Of news and he, on
the other hand, told me lot OF wonder
full things about the canal. lie made
l.no secret of his conviction that the en-
tcrprise 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 at my departure coniidcd
| to mo package containing ten thou
sand dollars, asking me to deposit II for
him in 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 that !
would make the hacienda of Don Fran
cisco Mendez at 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 at a short dls-
lance watching MS intently and confer
ring together in low tones
/ II don't like the looks OF those ras-
calls" said.
Hello, thercl Pedro, and you, Juan, >
shouted jackson. Get to work, you
lazy beggarsl"
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
/ hud my doubts; but the prospect Of
staying all night with Mendez some
| what treasured me, and started off In
very good spirits. Ny road took me
through scene Of bcwildering beauty.
The tropical foliage round me glittered
| with oil the hues Of the rainbow I'm.
known flowers Of gorgeous magnih'
cencc and overpowering fragrance
frightened the roadside.
Suddenly came upon a pond Of cleai
water In an open space. Hot, dusty
and trayel-worn, could not resist the
temptation. Without counting the con
i sequences fastened the mustang 70
sapiinR and undressed in hurry, plac
/ ing nv revolver under my clothes OF
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 all sizes, and the
interest they took in my movements
amused me not little. Sometimes
they chartered at me indignantly ant
shook their fists almost in my face. a,
I wave of my hand, however, they nee
In precipitate terror.
"A soon as / entered the lake thu
monkeys took fresh courage They
scrambled about In droves and abuset
mo 10 their hearts content Among
| them was one Of species that hat
not seen before He was ferocioui
looking monster, fully five feet higi
and as muscular as a bear. Before
realized the situation this great long
legged fellow swoQped down on my
clothes, and started with them for tn
woods. For moment | was absolute
4 ly paralyzed- It was no joke TO ride Y
Il Aspinwall In a decent rig. but had NJ