IN PANAMA 



211 



their domain. The Pioneer acknowledged that once he broke an agree- 

 ment with a chief, stole across the river that marked his boundary, and 

 began work on the rich forbidden forest. As a result, his men were 

 shot down, one by one, until only he and one negro escaped. 



Another time he was caught far up a river, by the dry season, and 

 had to wait for the rains. When they finally came and he got his rubber 

 afloat, they had for provision only rice and bananas. Floating down the 

 river one evening in the bright moonlight, they came to a fine stretch 



THE TOURAINE CANVAS SHELTER ON THE ALMIRANTE. 



of beach, and he at once ordered the canoe men to make camp there. 

 They refused with every evidence of extreme terror, as they said the 

 place was haunted. The Pioneer, tired and hungry, forced them to do 

 as he ordered, by threatening them with his revolver. He soon had 

 supper and was quickly sound asleep under his mosquito netting. About 

 midnight, just as the moon was setting, he was awakened by a strange 

 and dreadful cry. Sitting up to call the crew, they suddenly threw 

 themselves upon him, held him down, and practically gagging him kept 



