DESCENT TO CHAGRES. 



261 



myself on the top of the awning of the canoe. 

 Captain Foster, of H. M. S. Chanticleer, a most 

 promising officer, lost his life, by thus attempt- 

 ing to obtain a better position for observing the 

 scenery of the river. He was returning with 

 some of his officers from Cruces to rejoin the 

 Chanticleer at Chagres, after being engaged in 

 making some valuable observations connected 

 with his profession. As the canoe was proceed- 

 ing down the river, he could not resist getting 

 outside this covering in spite of the persuasions 

 of his friends. The boat tilted, and he fell into 

 the river, and was drowned. The disconsolate 

 officers returned to the ship with the melancholy 

 news ; and it was not until several days after, 

 that the body of this unfortunate gentleman 

 was found, floating on the surface of the Chagres. 

 His remains were immediately interred on the 

 bank. 



We passed the point of junction of the 

 river Trinidad with the Chagres at about thirty 

 miles from the sea, and about twenty miles 

 further brought me to the junction of the 

 Chagres and Gatun, on the right bank of the 



