CHAPTER XYIL 



An unpleasant Dilemma, for which there is no remedy — The highlands 

 of the Isthmus — Chagres — Fort San Lorenzo — Disembarkation — 

 The Boatmen — Pitiable plight of the Ladies— Going up the River — 

 Going to Navy Bay — First Morning on the Island — The Coral In- 

 sect — Crabs — Temperature of the Climate. 



On returning to the ship at night, with the ex- 

 pectation of leaving early the next morning, I found 

 myself and room-mate in one of those unpleasant 

 dilemmas which sometimes occur, and for which 

 there is no remedy, simply because the other party 

 is — " a lady." 



In our absence, two women had come aboard, 

 and demanded a room ; the clerk, on looking over 

 his list, found every one already occupied ; but being 

 a gallant man could not tell them so, inasmuch as 

 their passage had been paid from New York through, 

 and consequently took them into the cabin and told 

 them, to take their choice, which unluckily fell upon 

 the one we had preoccupied. Finding no one to re- 

 monstrate, they expressed their satisfaction with it on 

 condition that the trunks should be removed ; which 

 was readily assented to, and in this state we found 



