CHAGRES. 



267 



the rain trickling down my back^ listening to 

 the large drops pattering in quick succession 

 from the eaves of the houses^ and keeping up 

 a rattling fusillade on the awning of the 

 canoe. What was to be done ? It was 

 now quite dark. I felt a creeping sensation 

 all over me of fever ague^ from which a 

 wetting to the skin would not defend me 

 the better by a night passed in the open 

 air, I was just making up my mind never 

 to come to Chagres any more^ if I once got 

 out of it alive^ when the splash of an oar 

 made me turn round and I perceived the cap- 

 tain of the English schooner rowing ashore in 

 his boat. I hailed him immediately^ and re- 

 quested permission to pass the night in his 

 vessel^ to which he kindly consented. When 

 landed he conducted me to the house of the 

 alcalde^ who went out himself to make search 

 for the' custom-house officer, who was at last 

 found, and I obtained the necessary permission 

 to take off the baggage to the schooner. 



The Gannet was not arrived, but I learned 

 that she would probably come the next day. I 

 N 2 



