176 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



sumed, after which the place relapses into its 

 usual stagnant condition. 



After a short stay at Panama we ran down to 

 Taboga to coal and give leave to our men. 



This lovely island is about nine miles from 

 Panama; it is generally resorted to by her 

 Majesty's ships, as the anchorage is good, 

 and vessels may lie within gunshot of the 

 shore in safety. The town has fallen to decay 

 since the Pacific Steam Navigation Company 

 have withdrawn their works to Callao, and the 

 inhabitants are of the lowest class. A supply of 

 coal is usually kept here by the above Company 

 for the use of her Majesty's ships, for which they 

 are charged from twenty-five to thirty dollars per 

 ton. Considering that coal could be brought 

 out from England and placed alongside her 

 Majesty's ships in the Bay of Panama for seven- 

 teen dollars per ton it must be admitted that we 

 pay dearly for the accommodation. This is no 

 random statement, but is based on calculations 

 made by myself, and includes freight from 

 Cardiff, the cost of discharging at Colon, trans- 



