Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-08-31
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\ EFoRE leaving San Jose. July

EFORE leaving San Jose, July
u 9Th, / called on Minister Merry,
- both for the purpose Of bid
ding him goodbye and to OBJ
tain letter OF Introduction
for Brother Fairbanks, who
II was to take steamer for the
- Magdalena river the following
Monday. The boys with the packs were
awaiting me at the postoiiice, where a
large crowd OF people had gathered
drawn there by curiosity. Many ex-
pressed doubts that we could reach
Panama, as the roads or trails were
known 10 be so bad, and when we
started off on the hard pavement OF the
street, did not wonder at their doubts
for our mules were so tender-footed af-
ter their rest In soft pasture that
they would hardly go. We had not
gone mile before we decided they
must be shod, and finding good pas
ture near the little village OF Desan-
parados we went into camp. On the
following Monday at 8 o'clock a. m. all
were ready again for the journey. The
first few miles were up n gentle slope
10 the foot OF the mountains bounding
the San Jose valley on the southeast.
We climbed these mountains and foi
the rest Of Monday and all Of Tues
day, travelled In them. Here We
witnessed some Of the most beautiful
Of natures scenes. The mountains
themselves were beautiful. but at this
time OF the year, especially In the af-
ternoons, there is added the ever
changing beauty Of the shifting clouds.
AT one moment the whole is shut In by
q deep fog then the wind shifts and
parts OF the fog drift away In clouds
while other parts cling TO the wood as
friends cling together when the mo-
ment for parting has come.
Usually the mountains are covered
with a thick forest, but In places the
industry of man has cleared this ana
corn patches. banana plantations, pas
lures for cattle, and cane fields are
seen. The soil Is rich everywhere No
need OF plows; no need of cultivation.
Once the seed Ia In the ground the plant
grows.
PARTY DIVIDED BY ILLNESS.
On the evening OF the second day we
reached San Marcos, the frontier town,
the town bordering the forest through
which II Will take us twelve days ~
pass. And here befell another OF those
accidents that are likely to befall any
party, however well arranged, or
however strong the men that compose
II. One Of eur men, on the night
OF Monday, while we were
camped at nj Los Fralles, took
sick He had eaten something
the night before that upset his stom-
ach, and In the night he took TO vomit-
Ing. During the day OF Tuesday he
continued III, though was able TO travel
We laid over at San Marcos Wednesday
and Thursday. and while he had recov-
cred, yet he had lost so much strength
and the attack had left him so weak
that II was thought best not TO take
him over this, the hardest and most
trying OF all the country we viii have
TO pass Neither could consent 20
leave him alone although Dr. Inocente
Moreifa, graduate Of one OF the medl-
cal colleges In the United Suites, aud
the jefe politico OF the district and his
family, very intelligent and educated
people, all assured us that our comrade
could be left with them, and would re-
ceive all the care and attention pos
sible. Others of the leading citizens al
so offered their services, and gave their
assurances. The jefe had a room fixed
up In his house, and his daughters. two
bright young ladies' Of is and 20 years,
modestly assured me that they would
give him the same attention we
would II he We're our own brother"
Still thought II best to leave the two,
! realized that the dangers ofrhe 18th
mus trip would increase by the reduc-
ton OF the number making It. We would
have staid at San Marcos week or
more to give time for proper recovery,
but every day brought nearer the sea-
son OF the year when travel is almost