THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 145 



cut ion of public works in this country, and interfere 

 so materially with the navigation of its streams. 



I had scarcely become settled in my new abode, 

 when one day Gavino, our Spanish boy, whose duty it 

 was to attend to the comforts of the officers, informed 

 me that two hambras were waiting to see Senor Me- 

 dico. I directed him to invite them in, and learned 

 that they wished me to go and prescribe for a sick 

 man about five miles down the river, at the house of 

 an alcalde named San Antonio. At first I declined 

 their invitation altogether, but as they still persisted, 

 I finally told them that I should charge ten dollars, 

 with the view of putting a stop to their importunities ; 

 but, to my surprise, they readily assented, saying 

 that I should be promptly paid if I would go. After 

 this almost unparalleled exhibition of confidence in 

 my skill, I believe I should have been inclined to go 

 without any other terms whatever. The messengers 

 soon started homeward to announce my expected 

 arrival, while I ordered two oarsmen, and with a 

 companion, proceeded down the river. Landing 

 about a mile above the ranch, we walked that dis- 

 tance along a level and hard-beaten path, through a 

 grove of palmetto palms. On arriving at San An- 

 tonio's, his wife, a fine looking woman, with black 

 eyes, erect figure, and more than usual white skin, 

 received us very politely. Her house was one of the 

 best I had seen in the country, the walls being plas- 

 tered on the outside with mud, and internally divided 

 into two apartments, with split reeds. On looking 

 about, as I seated myself on a rude bench, my atten- 



