A CONDUCTA. 
39 
are deposited, are a succession of arches in mason-work, resem¬ 
bling large ovens. When one of these is full it is closed up, 
and the adjoining one filled. 
The city has a small garrison of soldiers, their only duty being 
to guard the prison, and conduct prisoners out in chain-gangs 
to labor, paving the streets, repairing the walls, carrying 
goods, &c. A gang will be seen in front of the cathedral, in 
the accompanying plate. The appearance of the under-offi¬ 
cers, is ludicrous in the extreme. They are seen parading the 
streets with an air of authority, in full uniform, and barefooted. 
Soon after my arrival at Panama, one of the British steamers 
came in from Valparaiso with $1,000,000 in gold and silver. 
This was deposited in front of the custom-house, and guarded 
during the night by soldiers; and, in the morning, packed on 
mules, preparatory to crossing the Isthmus. It required thirty- 
nine mules to effect the transportation. A detachment of nine 
first started, driven by a single soldier, armed with a musket, and 
barefooted. The second, third, and fourth detachments started 
at intervals of half an hour, each guarded like the first. The 
mules were driven in droves, without bridle or halter. The route 
being through an unbroken forest of twenty-five miles, it would 
seem a very easy matter to rob the “ conducta.” But, strange to 
sdy, although $1,000,000 per month, for several years, has passed 
over the route, no such attempt has ever been made. In the im¬ 
mediate vicinity, and overlooking the city, is a mountain called 
“Cerro Lancon,” which was once fortified by an invading foe, 
from which the city was bombarded and taken. On the summit 
a staff is now seen, from which the stars and stripes float proudly 
in the breeze. This was erected by the Panama Railroad Com¬ 
pany, to point out, during the survey, the location of the city. 
Great anxiety was felt by the Americans at Panama to pro¬ 
ceed on to California. The sun had passed overhead, and was 
settling in the north, indicating the approach of the rainy sea¬ 
son. Many were sick of the fever, many had died, which 
added to the general anxiety. Many had procured steamer 
tickets before leaving home. The steamers had passed down to 
San Francisco, been deserted by their crews, and were unable 
to return, and there were no seaworthy vessels in port. The in¬ 
domitable go-a-head-ativeness of the Yankee nation could not 
