Year: 1863

SrOSSlllB luc lStllnlio.


AS luck would have it, the river was
at its lowest stage and the steamboats,
that run regularly from San Juan to
Virgin Bay were not expected to be
able to make the trip for about two
weeks. To stay that length of time
in such place was worth more than
the fortune we expected to make i'll
five minutes after arriving in the land
of Ophir. Therefore we did not hesi-
tate to join party there proposing to
go up the river with native crew of
six comely darkeys in q Bungalo.-
Tom Leatherman alone was obstinate
about such an undertaking as the
craft had not sufficient stowage to car
ry his stock of eatables, without which
he must certainly starve. We ex-
pended our logic upon him by show
ing him the forlorn condition of tho
citizens of San Juan, and the probable
chance of scarcity there, before the ar
rival of another vessel, but all TO no
purpose. He was pursuaded that such
a trip would deprive him of all the
luxuries of life, and end his brilliant
career by laying his bones in pau
per's grave in the forests of Central
America. With many repinings of
parting with so genial q companion,
and such an abundant provider of all
good things and after four days spent
in getting things in readiness for a
weeks journey, we began loading our
traps and calamities into the bungalo,
hoping TO cast off our painter as early
as noon. But when the whole party
were assembled upon the beach, and
when all the baggage had bocn stow
ed, the old Spaniard who ofliciated as
helmsman and Captain of the crew,
announced that one of his men was
non est. After many hours of search
he was as last discovered drunk as n
lord and when the attempt was
made TO get him on board, he fought
and swore like trooper, but at length
yielded to the gentle pursuasion of
bottle of whisky. Once in his place
and holding nm oar o"d l. 50" -"


70 the then inconsidcrablc town that
has since become eminent i'll history
as the inofensive city bombardcd in n
very valiant manner by an armed
Man of War. We had not proceeded
far, however, before wc found we
drew too much water. Our pilot, to
please tho crew; who desired to go the
shortest route at any event. attempted
TO 90 through lagoon and so strike
the river above II large bend, thus
saving about three miles of pulling,
but the water was too shallow, and
although each one of the crew
profcssed to know just where the deep
est water was, and was determined to
90 upon his own knowledge, the quiet
gentlemanly old Spaniard at the helm
had his own way, and after allowing
them each to wade abut in various di-
rections III search of the wished for
depth, finally pursuadcd thcm to take
their oars and leave him to bring them
to their destination. 1t already be-
gan to grow dark when we got out of
sight of town, and tho question began
to be discussed as to where we should
sleep, for the whole country SO far was
one deep and tangled swamp. Our
uneasiness, however, was at length
quieted by our pilot, who assured us
that he would soon land us ut a capi-
tai camping ground, secure from
water and alligators, several of which
we had already seen lazily Tapping the
mud as we came along. Truo to his
promise, and while there was yet q
mist of daylight lingering in the west,
our pilot put the bungalo under q
bank, dry as floor and rooted over
with magnificent growth of timber
Here we kindled our fire and began
preparations for cooking our first
meal, while others made such ar
rangemcnts for sleeping as tho cir
cumstances would permit. When tn,
, venison was smoking upon the Goals


and the savory odor thereof began tC


float like incense upon the balmy ali


of evening, our recollcctions went bacl
t to Tom Leathcrman and we more thar
| ever deplored his leaving us so alb
! ruptly. The fatigues of the day sup
: piled US with as keen an appetite a
!, we could have desired il we had beer
! about to sit down to royal banquet
If the rcpast was net luxurious, it wa
h at least refreshing. No sooner ha'
y we satisfied tho hunger of our GREY
: than they took their traps and delib
g erately began their march back to tn
5 town, which by wading the lagoon
. they could reach by going less than
!, !; mile, We objected to thoir goinl
p back and leaving us in tho forest, bu