THE ISTHMUS. 



menced it at twelve o^clock, and did not arrive 

 till eight. 



The Gannet was not to return the next day to 

 Chagres, but was expected the day after ; I 

 therefore determined to remain at Cruces an- 

 other nighty to avoid a delay more dangerous 

 elsewhere. The situation of Cruces is high, 

 and comparatively healthy. In fact, I believe 

 it has alway s had the reputation of being a 

 safer climate than Panama. 



The next morning, having made up my 

 mind to be melted, for the heat was most op- 

 pressive, I sallied forth in the sun to ramble 

 over the village, in search of a boat to de- 

 scend the river the following day. I hired a 

 large one without difficulty, as they were 

 to be had of all sorts and sizes. On my re- 

 turn I descended from Senor Gazoos house 

 to the river. " Quiere usted banar (Do you 

 wish to bathe ?) said a little boy, pointing to a 

 hole where the water was eddying under the 

 bank. I was actually broiling, so, in spite of 



