Year: 1863

until you are inside the harbor before
going ashore. We were easily draw
ing into port the sun was shining gai-
ly and only here and there a cloud
floating across the heavens and every
thing looked prosperous, when sud
denly current Of wind peculiar to
those latitudes swept over us, and the
waves were dashing madly about u.s.


For few moments the storm was ter
rife, and before we were clear of its
influence, the Pine could no longer be
seen. The Captain swore, the sailors
invoked cruises, and the passengers
submitted to disappointment as if suf-
fering had made them strong. Grad


ually we again approached the harbor,
flying signal for pilot. Before we
had approached any dangerous posi-
ton, and while we were unaware of
his presence, we were hailed by ma
tive laying alongside in cockle-shell
boat that set us all wondering at the
superhuman daring Of man who ven
tured his precious life to its uncertain
strength. But as he came on board,
and we got fairer view of his features
and dress, we ceased to wonder at his
reeklessness. Our only wonder was that
he did not at once drown himself or
retire into the depths of the swamps,
and secure ON Alligator sufficiently
starved to cat him. lie was less black
than charcoal, and not so whito as
oho1le, h;s La;, .a~-. ..st - -t-~:eL+
as pike-stalf, nor SO kinkey as "an
American Citizon Of African descent" )"
but was of that frowsey brush-heapy
appearance that particularly distin'
guishes a cross between an African
and a Mosquito Indian. His dress
was not cut i'll the most approved fash
ion, and yet was not altogether void
Of interest. His coat had once been
n blue broad-cloth of the swallow-tail
stripe, but had now been shorne of
one tail and both sleeves, and was or
namented with sundry patchesof many
colored cloths until the back present
ed q very Misrepresentation of chess
board. His pantaloons consisted o.
waist bands and fringe of rags about
a foot long suspended therefrom.-
Boots and hat he had none. lie came
over the side of our brigantine and
marched upon the quarter deck with
the assurance Of monkey, and the
dignity Of an Alderman. His !Soye-
reign contempt for clothing was made
manifest by the careless disposal of his
coat as soon rs once on deck. IIo very
deliberately hung up that garment on
the deck behind the water-butt as if
desirous of concealing the fact that he
was possessed of that unimportant
pieco of apparel. lie was possessed
of voice like the unearthly screech-
ing of an ungreased wagon wheel and
never failed To use it without stint in
giving orders as if tho dignity of his
position was held alone by the power
of his lungs But ill-favored as he
seemed, he certainly put us safely
inside the boroppositea collectionof
adobe huts, which has been christened
San Juan Del Sud. The sight of the
city and its inhabitants did not at all
add to our desire to go ashore, but
the Captain was inexorable and de-
manded to be rid of his passengers at
once. On tho following day he put
in cargo of lumber and the Aida of
Portland Me-, Capt. VIM. Failcs sailed
out Of the river, and out of sight and
almost out of our remembrance for
ever. ......


Stroatching along low, sandy bar
thrown up by tho action of the serf,
lies the City, composed, of one rudcly
built American house and about twen-
ty native huts constructed of cane
breaks and mud. Scattered through
tho town was the inevitable Yankee
always first in every enterprise seeking
after "flthy lucre." which he wascon-
tent to gain either by selling whiskey
or provisions, but never by work.
The natives nearly or quite naked,
wcro exact counterparts of our Pilot,
his superiority alone consisting in the
exuberancc of his wardrobe. BY far
the most usual costume being that
livery well suited to tho climate) which
nature has furnished to all classes and
conditions of mankind, and OCCASION
ally well-to-do cigar vender made
his appearance in streets clothed in a
straw hat sot jauntly upon his shock
of horribly distorted hair. Back of the
town lies a huge lagoon whore super
Huous children are disposed of to the
, delectation Of Alligators. In front the
prospect is not more inviting, tho river
spreading over wide reach of coun-
try away into the forest to tho West.