IN PANAMA 
209 
refitted. The few inhabitants were Indian, and in looks, habits, and 
manner of living, just what one finds from Mexico all the way down to 
the Amazon. They were friendly and brought us pineapples that were 
most delicious, and after much palaver, we secured a pilot. It was while 
walking along the shore from one little settlement to another that the 
Scout, with whom I was, had an unpleasant experience. We were 
under a tree that looked for all the world in bark and leaf like a pear 
tree, with a fruit that had the appearance of a small apple. We each 
picked half a dozen and the Scout bit into one, remarking that it tasted 
OX THE BEACH, GUBERNADOR ISLAND. 
like a sweet apple. I used mine, however, to pelt the native 
dogs that were following, and then both forgot the episode. 
After the return to the schooner, however, while getting under 
way, the Scout was taken suddenly ill. vomiting, retching, 
and complaining that he felt as if he were on fire inside. We gave him 
such simple remedies as were obtainable, but it was hours before the 
attack passed off. The natives said later that both tree and fruit, known 
as the bitter mansana , or arsenic apple, are intensely poisonous. A horse 
