142 THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 



their melodious strains ; the moon had gone down, 

 the flickering stars had put out their lights, the 

 mountain-tops lit up with the first rays of the sun, 

 and the dark foliage of the forest appeared in its 

 bright hue of green, for the glorious morning was 

 fully broke upon us. 



At eight o'clock we arrived at Ahorca Lagata, a 

 distance of eighteen miles from Gatun by the river, 

 although but nine on the line of the Railroad. This 

 station was under the superintendence of Mr. Miller, 

 with whom we breakfasted, and afterwards he took 

 us out upon his work, to show what he had done, 

 and what he was going to do, all of which was very 

 creditable to his perseverance and the industry of 

 his men. 



We had a distance of eight miles jet to traverse 

 on the river, and we hastened away, leaving our 

 hospitable host looking after us from the beach where 

 he had welcomed us so heartily but an hour before. 

 The day continued pleasant, and the high banks of 

 the river presented an ever varying panorama of gor- 

 geous vegetation, adorned with wild flowers of the 

 richest hues, while here and there a large tree, rear- 

 ing its head above all surrounding objects, would 

 appear attired in the gay tints of the lilac. While 

 in the full enjoyment of the scene so varying and 

 beautiful, one of the boatmen cried out, "la Bujio" 

 and sure enough the beautiful station of Bujio Sal- 

 dado was in full view. 



