228 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



prepared to render every assistance in our 

 power. As soon as the flag-ship's steam launch 

 could be got ready, we started for the scene, 

 with boats and fire-engines, and a strong party 

 of officers and men, under the immediate super- 

 intendence of Captain Wilson of the "Repulse." 

 Unfortunately the tide was out, and we could 

 not. approach nearer than a quarter of a mile 

 from the landing-place, so we had to get out, 

 and wade through the mud to the shore. 

 Placing guards over the British and American 

 Consulates, we made our way to the Plaza, 

 where a terrible scene presented itself. The 

 Grand Hotel had already been destroyed, and 

 about one-third of the city was blazing fiercely, 

 the picturesque old cathedral had fortunately 

 escaped. Owing to the absence of water our 

 fire-engines were useless, and all that we could 

 do was to pull down houses, and thereby pre- 

 vent the further spreading of the flames. This 

 occupied us till 2 a.m. when all further danger 

 was over, and we returned on board. 



Panama has on several occasions suffered 



