FROM ANCON TO THE ISLAND 25 



did not worry about the dignity of his clothes on 

 these trips. He went hatless and coatless and 

 carried his lunch in a brightly colored twine bag 

 over his shoulder, in the comfortable fashion of 

 the humblest workers. He was educated at the 

 University of Panama to be a lawyer, but he knew 

 a great deal about plants and animals, too, and 

 I was always glad to have his company. 



After breakfast we made our way in the full 

 light of a new day past the cool and beautiful 

 American school building, and along a little walk 

 that runs up steps and down between houses to 

 the more thickly built-up streets of Panama and 

 the modern railway station. The morning Star 

 and Herald, printed both in Spanish and in 

 English, cost us a nickel from a little brown news- 

 boy. We showed our passes to the friendly 

 conductor, who already knew my face, and 

 climbed aboard the waiting train. 



The Panama railway is short but important 

 since it is the only road open all the way across 

 the Isthmus. The Canal does very well for ocean 

 liners and battleships, but it is far too slow and 

 expensive for commuters. All kinds of people 

 take this early morning train. Chattering tour- 

 ists run over for a day's sight-seeing in Colon. 

 Plantation owners go out to oversee work in the 

 bananas. Sometimes there are sleepy actors 

 from the vaudeville theaters. Children ride to 

 school. The quietest passengers are the Canal 



