120 A FLYING TRIP TO THE TROPICS. 



is very abundant here. It has large leaves covered with a multitude 

 of hair-like thorns, which prick at the least touch and produce a 

 burning pain Avhich lasts for some time, and, to say the least, is very 

 disagreeable. The heat soon became so oppressive that shortly after 

 eisrht we turned back and reached the hotel about nine. After 

 breakfast I skinned the birds, and the remainder of the day we 

 spent around the hotel. An Indian boy brought to the hotel for 

 sale a fresh fish of the same kind as the small ones that we had 

 caught at Guaduas, but this one was about four pounds in weight. 

 It had been caught in the river in front of the town. 



We received some letters to-day, the first that had reached us 

 since our departure. It was clear and hot. 



Friday, July 15, 1892. We stayed around the hotel all day, saw 

 about our tickets for the steamer America that was to go down the 

 river next day, and got together our baggage. At Mr. Hallam's 

 we had the pleasure of meeting the captain of our boat. Captain 

 Bradford. This gentleman, a Georgian by birth, a graduate of the 

 Naval Academy, and an officer of our navy, left the service of the 

 United States to side with the Confederacy at the outbreak of 

 the late civil war, and upon its termination settled in Colombia, 

 where for the last twenty-five years he has run upon the Magdalena 

 River. He is a gentleman of the old school, and we found in 

 him at all times that courteousness which is so delightful, but which 

 we now, unfortunately, so rarely meet. I should advise any future 

 travelers on the Magdalena to make inquiries as to Avlien the 

 America will go up or down, and, if possible, take passage on her. 



It was clear and intensely hot. 



Saturday, July 16, 1892. We were up early this morning, and 

 soon had our trunks packed, after which Cabell and I went out to 

 get the tickets which we had engaged the day before. The fare 

 for the down trip, owing to the shorter time required, is only two 

 thirds of the fare up. We saw a very large iguana in one of the 

 trees overhanoino- the Guali at the old bridsfe. In the same tree 

 I saw a new bird, a woodpecker about the size of our red-headed 



