The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1916-02-17

steerage passengers were all on the same
plane. We were very hungry. Not observ-
ing any evidence of culinary preparations
the captain was appealed to, and in
formed US that the passengers would be
supplied with two sea biscuit and slice of
I ham on the payment of onc. dime. Those
conditions were not complying with the
terms of our contract and meeting of
the passengers was called and commit
tee appointed to interview the captain
; and request him to provide rations with
in one hour or otherwise further steps
would be taken. The request was backed
by three or four hundred men, and besides
large number of alligators in evidence in
the river. This was rather forcible argu-
ment and at the expiration of the time
allotted plenty of bareback and ham was
Forthcoming, in addition to coffee for all
who were fortunate enough to have cups,
and there was no charge. The recollec-
ton of that meal remains with me to
this day.
The banks of the river were lined with
thicket, interlaced with vines so thick
that the eye could not penetrate it. Par
rots and other birds of beautiful plum
age, and monkeys. were much in evidence
At dark the steamer was tied up to some
trees for the night. The sleeping ac-
commodations were very limited. The
few women passengers were given
small cabin quite filled with baggage, and
the men laid down on the upper deck,
dovetalled III rows, and passed very
comfortable night telling stories, singing
songs, and as the night wore on one could
hear music pitched in different keys and
occasionally a deep growl in very forcible
language concerning their condition.
There were no porters collecting our
footwear for the purpose of shining
them, nor were they in evidence to make
up our berths in the morning. At day
hight we were under way, arriving at
Costello Rapids about 8 a. m At that
point there was portagc, where we were
to change steamers for the remainder of
the river trip ard across the lake. We
found at this point small settlement of
natives; also on landing a sign, very ar
tlstically done in crayon, informing the
passengers that the Kennebec Hotel
would furnish meals at all hours. A
rush was made, and on entering we found
the hotel to consist of an opening or
room cut out of the dense thicket,
large campfire, with innumerable pots,
pans, etc., and two Kennebec Yankees
ready to dispense pork and beans, bread
baked in Dutch ovens and coffee for one
dollar per, with no limit as to quantity.
There were tin plates and cups, knives,
etc., and you must provide your own
table or do without. The meal was
worth the money, and the Kennebec
Hotel did rushing business. There
was no steamer from up the river
to meet US, and no information from
above as to when one would arrive, and
the prospects were not flattering as the
community could not provide for SO many
people. The passengers again took the
matter up and our former committee
took count of supplies on the two small
steamers and took possession of them.
The passengers were put on an allow
ance. The third day, at 2 p. M, the
steamer arrived, and we were once more
underway. This steamer was of much
with all the passengers on board quar-
tiers were very limited and there were no
accommodations for sleeping that night.
Once more we were anchored to trees and
again passed the night not very comfort
ably. The next morning we were UNDER
way and just as the sun was rising ar
rived at the lake. At this point was a
so-called fort. A circumstance took place
here that IS worth recalling to illustrate
what crazy lot of idiots a bunch of the
great American people can make of
themselves. The captain of the steamer
had informed the passengers on his trip
down that on his return he would be COM
PEELED to come on shore and exhibit his
manifest showing the number of passen-
gers, their destination, also any and all
freight, baggage, etc. The captain
claimed that the company was not COM
PEELED to do SO under the terms of the
concession made by Nicaraguan Govern
mant Also tho officers informed him
that if he did not comply with the order
they would compel him to do SO. The
captain then informed the passengers
that he would disobey the mandate if
they would back him in SO doing. Hats
went into the air with whoop; shot
guns and revolvers were produced, and