THE ATLANTIC COAST AND ITS CONNECTIONS. 33 
attractive. Fine oranges we bought from a tree in the 
yard of our cassava-maker at ten for a medio (five 
cents). 
The fine view from the fort can be seen in the illus¬ 
tration ; but as Frank and I stepped over the low wall 
and set up the camera to photograph it, we attracted the 
attention of the officer in charge, who at once ordered us 
to come to him. A convenient temporary ignorance of 
Spanish delayed us until the view was secured and a 
squad of soldiers sent to arrest us, when the officer 
wanted to know what we were “ telegraphing in the fort 
for.” With a very few words I exposed his ignorance to 
his soldiers, who laughed as heartily at him as if they 
had not been quite as stupid as he; and he begged us to 
leave at once. Of this same garrison it is related that 
some years ago a French corvette anchored off the point 
and fired a salute. The first gun was all right; but the 
second astonished the valiant soldiers, and at the third 
they all threw down their guns and fled to the bush, fully 
convinced that an attack on the village was intended. 
After a while boys were sent out into the woods to tell 
these warriors that it was safe to come home. The light¬ 
house here, which all incoming vessels are taxed to main¬ 
tain, consists of a stout pole; but the lantern has been 
broken, and not replaced. 
Below this military post is the usual landing-place for 
canoas. These are nearly all dug out of single mahogany 
or cedar logs, and are not only well made, but of good 
form. Some are forty feet long and six feet wide. The 
paddles were of mahogany, and the women paddled as 
well and powerfully as the men ; both, indeed, seemed 
to be quite at home on the water. 
3 
