The Forrest City times., 1893-08-11
SAVED BY AN APE.

The Adventure of an American
 Traveller on the Panama Canal.
 Why stopped in Panama on my re- turn from my trip to South America is 8 mystery. The quaint Spanish fashion of the old city interested me, and l found it difficult to tear myself away. When I 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 leisurely," he said; follow the old road. It 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 a pet hobby of mine. l was anxious to see how it was progressing. Besides, l had a friend who was one of the contractors, and wanted to pay him visit.
 The next morning l mounted gen. tie mustang, furnished by my host and set out for Aspinwall, the Atlantic port, where I intended to take the steamer As I wished to reach the camp of my friend Jackson by midday, I rode rapidly during the morning.
 At one place the road ran along in sight of the canal for half mile. Here I 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, jabbering to each other in all the tongues of the known world. Among them were men from all the countries of the world-Americans, Africans. Chinamen, West Indians and Malays. The fierce looks cast upon me by these fellows alarmed me; but pretendcd to be a calm spectator of the animated scene. One of the contrac- tors was about, and from him l learned that I would find Jackson about five miles further on.
 Are you armed?" asked the contrac- tor.
 l
 You will probably need it before you reach Asp;nwall," said he. You are passing through thirty thousand of the worst cutthroats that were ever collected together" After hearing that had a great mind to return to Panama, but the dread of being laughed at made me decide to push on. Assuming a determined, busi- ness-lke look, l put spurs to my mus tang and ambled through the motley gang of laborers until I had the satis- faction of leaving them behind me. Fortunately I encountered no obstacle, and Jackson's camp was made just In time for dinner.
 Here 1 was safe. Jackson was big fellow, whose men were nearly all Americans. He was delighted to see me and gave me capital dinner Dur ing the two hours that l spent with him filled him full of news, and he, on the other hand, told me 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 I declined to stay all night with him, Jackson paye 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 lin one of the banks at Aspinwan. l sug- gested that there was danger in carry ing such a sum of money through the country, but the stalwart fellow laughed at my fears. He said that l would make the hacienda of Don Fran cisco Mendez at nightfall, where l would be royalty entertained. By day light he thought l could take care of myself.
 While this was going on l saw two brutal-looking Mexicans at short dis tance watching us intently and con- ferring together in low tones.
 II don't like the looks of those ras- calls" I said