Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-08-10
SAVED BY AN APE.
The Adventure of an American
Traveller on the Panama Canal


turn from my trip TO South America is
u mystery. The quaint Spanish fashion
of the old city interested me. and l
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 10 cross the isthmus on horseback.
Take II lcisurcly," he said; follow
the old road. IL touches various points
along the canal. You can make the
journey in u couple of days and you
will not mind spending n night in one
OF De Lesseps' villages"
Now the canal was n pet hobby of
mine. was anxious TO see how II was
progressing Besides, | had q friend
who was one of the contractors, and
wanted to pay him visit.
The next morning mounted n gem
tie mustang, furnished by 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,
l rode rapidly during the morning.
At one place the road ran along In
| Oh Iut Chuhl lOI nun u
| saw scene not 10 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-Amcricans
Africans, Cinnamon, West Indians and
Malays. The fierce looks cast upon
me by these fellows alarmed me; but
pretended TO be a calm spectator Of the
animated scene. One OF the contrac-
tors was about, and from him learned
that / would find jackson about five
miles further on.
Are You armed2" asked the contrac-
tor.
told him had a revolver
"You will probably need II 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 a great mind
TO return to Panama, but the dread OF
being laughed at made me decide TO
push on. Assuming a determined, bust
ness-lilic 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.
| Fortunately | encountered no obstacle,
and Jackson's camp was made just in
time for dinner
Here | was safe. Jackson was big
fellow. whose men were nearly all
Americans. lie was delighted To see
me and gave me capital dinner Dur
ing the two hours that | spent with
him filed 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 ] declined TO
stay all night with him, Jackson
gave me some directions about my
route, and at my departure coniided to
me package containing ten thousand
dollars, asking me TO deposit it for him
in one Of the banks at Aspinwall. / sug-
gested that there was danger in carry
ing 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
| - NJ "A gbp,.t die
lance watching us intently and con-
ferring together in low tones.
81 don't like the looks Of those ras-
GALS" 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 moi
likely to bother you"
had my doubts; but the prospect OF
staying all night with Mendcz some
what treasured me, and started Off In
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 magnificencC
and overpowering fragrance frightened
the roadside.
Suddenly came upon pond of clear
water in an open space. Hot, dusty
and travel-worn, could not resist tn,
temptation. Without counting the con
sequences, fastened the mustang to {
sapling and undressed in n hurry, plac
ing my revolver under my clothes on
the edge of the water. Then plunged
in and enjoyed rcfreshingswim.
One thing annoyed me. All along
the way ! met with monkeys every
where. They were of all sizes, and tn,
interest they took in my movements
amused me not n little. Sometimes
they chartered at me Indignantly ant
shook their fists almost in my face Al
a wave of hand, however, they fed II
precipitate terror
As soon as ! entered the lake thu
monkeys took fresh courage. They
scrambled about in drovcs and abused
me to tn cir hearts content Among
them was one of species that | haC
not seen before. lie 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 IN!
, clothes and started with them for tn,
woods For moment | was absolute
.. ly paralyzed II was no joke 70 ride u
Aspinwall in decent rig, but had NJ
fancy for the role Of Lady Godiva.
| Thpra was no time 10 lose. Nh