THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 157 



boat of the steamer to search for wood, which he 

 was fortunate in finding, and in order to hasten 

 matters, he accepted the services of a volunteer on 

 shore to row out to us with the small boat load- 

 ed, while, with his assistant, he furnished another 

 load from the pile, a distance from the shore. The 

 volunteer proved not to be expert in the use of oars, 

 and soon capsized, the boat going down the stream, 

 while he, with a good deal of effort in the use of his 

 arms and legs, finally got on shore. We were now 

 in a pretty predicament, the Captain and one hand 

 on shore, without any means of returning to the 

 steamer, with but two hands to man the vessel, and 

 not sufficient fuel to raise steam. The only expe- 

 dient was hit upon, viz., to cut away and burn the 

 stanchions and flag-staff ; this being done, we finally 

 reached the shore, "wooded up," and started once 

 more on our way. I am happy to say we reached 

 Chagres that night, without any further serious ad- 

 ventures, and the next day, on board the Gorgona, I 

 arrived at Navy Bay. 



On arriving here, I found it necessary that I 

 should visit some native laborers at the Minde 

 Swamp, a distance of about five miles, four and a 

 half by water, up the bay, and half a mile by land. 

 Taking coffee at 6 o'clock in the morning, and in 

 company with Mr. King, the superintendent, with 

 good oarsmen, we started out on our daily trip. 

 The morning ride wa 3 delightful ; and on reaching the 

 station, we generally found breakfast prepared, 

 which consisted of fried plantains, coffee, and some 



