18 
CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED. 
small boats. It can be obtained in any quantity, and a more 
lovely place cannot well be conceived of. After adjusting our 
baggage preparatory to manning our oars, we again shoved out 
into the stream. We manned four oars, consequently kept a 
reserve. We were all fresh and vigorous, and, being much 
elated with the novelty of our voyage, resolved to work the 
boat all night. It was already quite dark, but with the aid of a 
lamp we kept on our course. The river here was walled up on 
either side by gigantic trees, their branches interchanging over 
our heads, almost shutting out the stars. Sometimes the branches 
stretching out but little above the surface of the river, were 
filled with water fowls, the white heron presenting a strange 
and most striking appearance. They would start with fright at 
our approach, striking wildly in the dark with their wings; some 
would find secure resting-places on the more elevated branches, 
while others would settle down through the dense foliage to the 
margin of the river. Innumerable bats, attracted by our light, 
were flitting along the surface of the river, but aside from these 
all nature appeared to be hushed in sleep. 
We moved along with much spirit until about eleven o’clock, 
when there were symptoms of disaffection. Some were weary, 
others sleepy; some declared they would work no longer, 
others that the boat should not stop. We had all the premon¬ 
itory symptoms of a mutiny. It was suggested that we should 
uncork a bottle of brandy, which was accordingly done, and . it 
was soon unanimously declared that our prospects had never ap¬ 
peared so flattering. I am sure our boat was never propelled 
with such energy. I am not prepared to say that the brandy 
didn't have an influence. We moved along rapidly for an hour 
when we had a relapse of the same disaffection. We resolved 
to stop ; but we were in a dilemma. We had left home under 
the impression that the Chagres river was governed by alligators 
and anacondas, assisted by all the venomous reptiles in the 
u whole dire catalogue,” consequently, to run to the shore was 
to run right into the jaws of death, which we did not care to do 
at this particular time. We pulled along until we came in con¬ 
tact with a limb, which stretched out over the surface of the 
river, to which we made fast. After detailing two of the party 
as a watch, we stowed ourselves away as best we could. I was 
