The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-09-06
SAVED BY AN APE.
A Ynnkoo's Remarkable Adventure
In Central America.

turn from my trip to South America Is
. mystery. Tho quaint Spanish FASH
ion Of the old city interested me, and !
found II difficult to tear myself away.
When ! was ready 10 leave my brief So
journ In tho country had Inspired me
with SO much confidence that eagerly
embraced the suggestion Of my land
lord to cross the isthmus on horseback.
Take Il leisurcly.r he said, follow
tho old road II touches various points
along the canal. You can make the
4 journey Ia \ couple Of days and you will
| not mind spending night In ono Of
i DcLcsseps' villages 3
Now the canal WINS pet hobby Of
minc. | was anxious 10 SIC how II was
| progressing. Besides. hid d friend
who WAS one Of the contractors. and
wanted to pay him a visit.
The next morning mounted gentle
mustang, furnished by my host, and set
out for AspInwall, tho Atlantic port
whore intended to take the steamer
As | wished TO reach the camp % my
friend Jackson by, midday, rode rapid
| " during tho morning.
Al ono place the road ran along Ia
sight ~ tho canai for half mile. Here
! saw scene not 10 be matched any
where on earth. Enormous machines
were at work exeayating thousands Of
tons OF dirt, and countless wagons were
employed removing tho loose earth.
Myrinds 81 worlsmcn swnrmcd every
whore, jabbering TO each other In nil
tho tongues Of tho known world.
Among them were men from all tho
rieans, Chinamen, West Indians aud
Malnys The fierce looks cast upon me
by these fellows alarmed me, but
pretended 10 be calm spectator Of tho
animated eccnc. One Ok the contract
ors was about, and from him learned
that i would find Jackson about five
miles further on.
Are you armed2'' nslscd the con-
tractor
told him Tint had revolver
"You win probably need il before
you reach Aspinwall. said he sYou
nrc passing through thirty thousand Of
the worst cut-throats that were ever
collected together.
After hearing thnt had great mind
to return to Panama, but the dread II
being laughed at made me decide to
push on Assuming determined. busi-
nesslike look, put spurs TO my mus
tang and nmbled through the motley
gang Of laborcrs until / had the satis-
faction Of leaving them behind me.
Fortunately encountered no obstacle,
and Jacikson's camp was made just In
time for dinner.
Here was safe jackson was u big \
follow, whose men were nearly all
Americans. He was delighted 10 see
mo and gave me capital dinner
During the two hours TINT spent with
him filled him full OF news and he, on
the other hand. told me a lot Of wonder
full things about the cannl He made
no secret Of his conviction that tile cn-
tcrprisc 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 confided
to me package containing ten thou
sand dollars. asking me TO deposit 1t for
him Ia one Of the banks at Aspinwali.
/ suggested that there was danger in |
carrying such sum Of money through |
the country, but the stalwart fellow |
laughed at my fears. lie 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
While this was going on / saw two |
brutal looking Mexicans ut a short dis
tance watchingsus intently and confer
ring together in low tones.
II don't like the looks Of those ras-
Gals, /" ! said
Hello, therei Pedro, and yop. juan"
shouted jackson. '.Get to work, you |
lazy beggarsls
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.
Ind my doubts; but the prospect Of
staying all night with Mendez some
very good spirits. My road took me
through scene Of bewildering beauty.
The tropical foliage round me glittered
with all the hues Of the rainbow. I'M
known flowers Of gorgeous magnif-
cence and overpowcring fragrance
frightened the roadside.
Suddenly came upon pond Of clear
water In an open space. Hot, dusty
and travel-worn, could not resist the I
temptation. Without counting the con-
sequences fastened the mustang TO
sap!ing and undressed in hurry, plac-
ing my revolver under my clothes on
the edge Of the water. Then plunged
in and lenjoyed refreshing swim.
Ono thing annoyed me. ALI 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 and
ahook their fists almost In my face. At
q wave Of my hand, however, they fled
In precipitate terror.
As soon as I entered the lake the
monkeys took fresh courage. They
scrambled about in droves and abused
me to their hearts content. Among
them was one Of species that, had
not seen before. He was a ferocious
looking monster, fully five feet high
and as muscular as bear. Before !
realized the situation this great long
legged fellow swooped down on my
clothes. and started with them for the
woods, For moment was absolute
u paralyzed It was no joke to ride to
Aspinwal in decent rig, but had no
-. i. ASoT 1swres