The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-12-02
Frank MOntanari Has Thrilling
Adventures Among Savages
in Spanish Honduras.
is PURSUED BY
SEA MONSTERS
Only Most Careful Precautions
Keep Party From Being
Killed by Savages.

desert island, pursued by sea mon
Sters, surrounded by Savages, be-
reft of everything but American
grit and an American flag, Frank
MOntanari, son of Mr.. and Mrs
A. Montanari, 1912 East Cervantes
street, heard of the signing of the
arn.istiee in Nicaragua, where he
and party of twenty-one, wreck
ed off the coast of Spanish Hon
duras, on November 1st, found pas
sage on a fruit steamer for the
United States.
Mr.. Montanari left Pensacola on Sep
tember fith, as Chief Engineer Of the
Motor Ship Remittant, under contract
to the government, carrying a cargo OF
coke and iron, expecting to return with
salt peter, from Chile.
1.-THE first trouble was experienced
off Cape Catachee." said Mr.. Montan-
had to put into ProgresSo for repairs
again, and seven days out from Pro-
gresso we struck reeI about seventy
miles off Spanish Honduras. We struck
at 2 80 A. NJ, and at eight o'clock we
mainland. we landed on a small island
about six o'clock in the evening, all
the way having been pursued by seven
or eight great man eating sharks, who
followed Us up the beach, until they
were hadsy stranded. themselves.
lone OF the first things confronting
us, on our reaching dry land were
great land lizards. Guiana, five and six
feet in length, which we found after
ward infested the country. They are
fearful looking creatures greenish and
blackish in color with serrated backs"
I'VE found later that there were sa-
wages on the island. At first they ran
from us, but later two young indians
came to our camp and invited us to go
with them to their wigwams and spend
the night. They seemed very friendly.
but on our arrival after having offered
us stewed snake meat and baked mon
key. plantains and cassavas, one OF the
young bucks began to beat the tom
tom, and in short time the Indians
who had offered us their hospitality
We're joined by about dozen others.
with guns and machettes.
Their actions aroused my suspicious
and 1 suggested to the Captain that
the men of the party take turns watch
ing. as Sne OF the first questions asked
us by the visitors had been as to the
of our firearms. This we did
Later the American consul told us that
there is little doubt but we would
have all been killed in our sleep had
it not been for this precaution.
1.-THE next morning we walked fif-
teen miles to Cape Racia-all but the
Captains wife, for whom the Captain
bought horse. l gave my watch in
exchange for one, too, but the poor
Did lean-shanks was teo feeble to carry
ne. and had to foot it, in spite Of the
'act that while / was UP in a coconut
rec one of the Indians had stolen my
shoes.
I'VE walked from village to village |
Until we reached the English consul at
3lueflelds.
''In one village we received special |
marks of kindness from Mr.. E. Blakes- |
ay of the United Fruit Company and |
in attache of the English government |
We left Blueflelds on fruit vessel. the |
,ama, November 10Th, arriving in New |
orleans Monday. November 25th, where /
spent several days before coming on |
o Pensacola"