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HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 185 



patois, or bad Spanish, with uncouth gesticulations, for 

 half a day, the majority of them are unwilling to make 

 any extra bodily effort to procure it ; but when per- 

 suaded by liberal offers to undertake a task, it is 

 astonishing with what dogged perseverance they will 

 often pursue it, what weights they can support, and 

 what toil they can endure."* 



It is recommended that passengers from the States 

 should remain as short a time in Chagres as possible. 

 The exhalations from its malarious atmosphere are 

 extremely prejudicial to the health of the new-comer. 



From Chagres, the travellers j/roceed in canoes up 

 the Chagres river, to Gorgona, a distance of about 

 fifty miles, or eight miles further, to Cruces. The 

 canoes are mostly owned by the natives, and the 

 greatest care is necessary to get them to keep their 

 agreement. The usual plan by which their services are 

 secured, is this : A bargain is made with the owner of the 

 canoe, stipulating for the necessary captain and poles- 

 men, and then some of the party going up the river in 

 the canoe, take possession of it, and maintain it, while 

 one goes before the alcalde, and pays the whole amount 

 agreed upon, taking a receipt in Spanish. This pre- 

 caution is rendered necessary ^ the proprietor of the 

 canoe returning the money to those who engaged it, 

 on finding he can obtain a greater price from others. 

 At the present time, vessels, steam and sailing, are 

 being constructed at Chagres, for the passage up the 

 river, the increase of the Isthmus travel rendering it 

 both necessary and profitable. 



The beauty of the country through which the 

 Chagres river flows has been the theme of frequent 

 praise. Its banks are filled with all the luxuriant 



• Diary of a Physician in California, by James L. Tyson, M. D. 



16* 



