150 THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 



passed since I came into this summer land of sun- 

 shine and showers, and, like the climate, my duties 

 have been one almost unvarying round from day to 

 day, and I am beginning to appreciate, as I never 

 did before, the blessed privilege enjoyed by those 

 who live in a land of changing seasons, civilized so- 

 ciety, and completed railroads. The fleet of boats 

 which pass every two weeks, conveying passengers 

 to and from Panama and Ohagres, on the arrival of 

 the steamers at these ports, is a spectacle of the 

 greatest interest of any that comes under our obser- 

 vation ; and it is truly wonderful sometimes to see 

 the number of people going to or coming from the 

 land of gold. 



On one of these occasions, about nine o'clock in 

 the evening, after a rainy day, an application was 

 made on behalf of "four ladies," for the privilege 

 of a shelter for the night; the party having been out 

 in the rain all day, the night being dark, and the 

 river rapidly rising, they had found it impossible to 

 proceed any further. Of course a simple feeling of 

 hospitality dictated a cordial welcome, and every 

 one who could claim a cot, immediately resigned it 

 to the service of the guests ; but this was not all, 

 the possibility of seeing four ladies on the Isthmus, 

 had not been even dreamed of, and the fact that they 

 were reported genuine, was a feature of great inter- 

 est, especially those who had not feasted their eyes 

 on such a sight for six months. Gavino having been 

 directed to put the kettle on for a cup of hot tea, 

 and the steward ordered to take four of the best 



