The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1919-09-04


the capital OF Colombia. T. one
OF the most interesting the
traveller can find. says the London
Times. The time OF the voyage varies
from nine 20 fourteen days. according
10 whether II Is made In the wet or
dry season
During the trip one ascends from
sea level 20 1900 feet above Il: there
are three separate train. and two
steamer Journeys: the scenery varies
from sweltering forest 20 wide. airy
pastures. wheatfields and ragged blue
mountain peaks: the dwellings Of the
people change from insouciant. palm
matched huts o. the imposing Spanish
style stone mansions OF the ancient
city Of Bogota.
Puerto Colombia. with the turquoise
Caribbean washing Its feet. l. a port
by courtesy. Steamers call there for
the convenience OF Barranquilla. Wide
spread. sunny. fower-bedecked Bar
ranquilla sits upon the bank OF the
Magialena. and continually and pas
sionately discusses the question OF wa
ter transport. for 10 can have no direct
access 20 the sea until the Magdalena
bar Is conquered
From Barranquilla one takes a river
steamer 10 La Dorado. On the fat
bottomed river boat. drawing only a
foot or two OF water. travellers must
provide themselves with bedding; the
steamship company lends a canvas cot.
S,f nothing else. and the Barranquilla
hotels specialize In providing the Wis
itor for Bogota with the Outfit-a pill
low Of tree-cotton. a couple OF tiny
sheets, n mosquito netting bar"
couple OF little towels. No other bed
ding Is needed. for the heat Is sliding
but the judicious also take table deli
cacies and everything needed In the
way OF beverages. with the exception
OF coffee, OF which there IS a constant
and most excellent flow.
Soon the forest closes down % the
edge OF the water. as unconquered, as
dominant. as In Quesada's day. 400
years ago. Quesadn took two years 10
ascend the river 10 Bogota. the sur
vivors Of his party arriving ragged and
starving; the marvel Is that a single
one OF those Adventures reached the
plains.
Scene % Great Beauty.
The Jade OF banana leaves. whipped
into rags by the wind. the glaucOus
green OF lilies. the emerald OF the
palms. the jasper OF the great forest
giants. Il only broken here and there
by n trail OF Towering vine or the rare
sight OF a high-perched mauve or gold
orchid; where open spaces occur there
~. ,xw-s~r.r,gfror huahng onuaraI with
flowers. and one sees a host OF butter
flies and birds. but usually there Is
nothing but the river and the green
wall Of forest. When rain falls I'm n
straight sheet even the forest Is blOtted
out and the aIligators and turtles OF
the margins are invisible until the sun
reappears.
when n stop f. made for wood or 20
deliver merchandise 20 some little trad
Ing point the outlet for some rich
region producing sugar. hides. coffee or
tobacco. all the village comes 10 the
little wharf. guns are fired and the
church bell Is rung IN the steamers
honor; there are a number Of such
places below Puerto Berrio. Puerto
Berrio Is important as the starting
I'lul loT 1AANA
worth some trouble TO reach and pos
sessing a perpetual June climate.
wealth OF fruit and flowers. a fertile
soil and mountains sown with precious
minerals.
At La Dorado. where the blue noun
talns have suddenly come nearer and
) turn green and purple. there Is little
but n row OF modest cottages. and the
railway sheds: but here is the train
for Beltran. the line leaving the river.
and traversing n wonderful country Of
bright green pastures with sturdy
herds grazing. fine lusty trees and hills
that rise grotesquely. topped with fan
tnstic rocks like battlemented castles
Of the middle ages. All this region Is
famous for Its tobacco. and has ex-
ported II TO Europe for over a hundred
years. The train stops at Honda. where
one looks far down at the rapids; the
town Is bright and pretty. the center
of a gold mining industry. and here. |
BY the way. one buys four cigars OF
excellent tobacco for the equivalent OF |
2hd