The New York Herald Newspaper, May 12, 1874, Page 3

7 | ‘voluntarily valuable information tn regard to the | * reat and progressive railway now traversed by DARIEN. Examination of the Proposed Line by Government Engineers. ‘THE QUESTION. DETERMINED. Btrange Scenes in Start- ling Situations. A TRIP DOWN THE BAPIDS. Camp Life in a Virgin Forest—Sad Plight in a Bustic Palace, Merits of the Rival Routes—Opin- ion of the Engineers. On Board U. 8. S. SARANAC, Limon Bay, South Pacitic, April 11, 1874. Lést some misapprenension might exist in refer- ence to the present examination o! the Nicaragua and Atrato-Napipt Canal routes, surveyed under the auspices of the government, it may, perhaps, bé as | well. vo explain that when the Commissioners, con- sisting of General Humphries, Commodore Ammen | and Professor Pierce, were appointed by the Presl- | Gent to determine the merits of the different pro- ‘BOsed interoceanic lines of communication, it was Agreed that an officer of the United States En- -gineer corps shou!d make a personal inspection of She places designated tn order that their report @might be the more complete and authentic, Major ‘Walter McFarland, it will be remembered, was Belected for the duty, and Captain kuer, of the game corps, was detailed to assist him, Several gentiemen, including eminent civil engineers, were Subsequently invited by the Navy Department to participate in the examination, and aithough Gen- eral Ammen, Colonel Walton, of New Orleans, and Professor Mitchell, the party now com- Posing the invited guests, will doubtless furnish Various features which present themselves in the ‘course of the trip, all the recommendations and | Suggestions will, of course, be based mainly on the | OmMicial report of Major McFarland, who was spe- Cially assigned to the task. This much by way of | explanation, owing to some misconception as to the character of the party now comfortably quar- ‘tered on board this hospitable craft, and 1 proceed | ‘With all despatch to my siare of the business, Of | Cuuree a Commissioner, like myself, may not know everything, from a tunnel to a turnpike, yet, di- vesting myself of all engineering technicalities, I think I shall be able to piace before you a Jair and | impartial idea of the relative merits of the two | Toutes, It will, perhaps, be remembered that when She party arrived at Panuma, a'ter a thorough in- Vestigation ot the proposed Nicaragua route, they ‘Were received by Commander Seliridge and con- veyeil to the United States steamer Saranac, Shen anchored in the bay. BEFORE THE START. ‘The interest created at Panama by the arrival ef the party from Nicaragua was, I may say, pretty general, and not a little speculation was indulged 4m as to the views they entertained on the subject bhi route through that charming country. Poor a! The recent fire has made sad havoc | ‘With a place which the catual observer might have | thought two months ago cotld not have peen made much worse. The turkey buzzards now congregate amid the ruins of the Grand Hotel, like Mourners at a funeral. The little plaza, once iively with the hum of lazy loungers, once | Roisome, too, with the hideous twang of the shoe- | Jeas svldiers, is now silent and forlorn, Merchants have shiftea into hambler quarters ip this wasting | aquare, but have not forgotten their quondam hospitahty. I believe another hotel is now in course of construction by the same energetic, though unlucky, caterer who owned the Grand Hotel. The Qffairs of the town, moreover, were not improved by the revolution that took place not long siuce, ‘when the dwarfish and ragged warriors perforated the interior of several private residences, To add | to the general stagnation the government con- tinues its extortion, and, altogether, the prospect | is not encouraging. THE NIVARAGUA ROUTE AND ITS RIVAL. Although it would, perhaps, be premature at this stage to anticipate the views entertained by ‘the engineers in reference to the Nicaragua canal route, it may be safely stated that its feasibility is hot doubted by any of them. Indeed, they all in- Cline to the idea that the only real difficulty pre- sented is the bar at Greytown, to which I pre- viously reierred as the great stumbling block to all progress in Nicaragua. It is apprehenaed that the estimates set down as likely to cover | the cost of the proposed improvements would fall far short of the required amount. How- beit the bar is the worst feature of the Nicaragua Toute; yet where the other elements of the pro- posed line are so favorable it is reasonable to sup- pose that such an obstacle would not be allowed | ‘to stand in the way of the greatest undertaking of | the present age. Speaking of the interest excited by the advent of the party at Panama, en route to the South Pacific, I should add that the inhabi- 4 tants of that hectic spot, and indeed of the entire | Isthmus, have long asserted tha: the only line practicable, in every sense of the word, for an interoceanic canal route was that contiguous to ‘tue railway track, where every iacility was at hand to aid the carrying out of the enterprise. They have, consequentiy, treated other surveys ‘with a feeling bordering on indifference, confident in the hope tat a canal would never be built on any other line than that (rom Aspinwall to Panama. And whatever may be the result of the present | undertaking—whether the’ Commissioners at | Washington will report in favor of either of | ‘he great routes surveyed under the auspices Of the United states government—the good people to wnom I allude wiil forever maintain that their she iron horse points out hard by the sure and ouly medium of water communication between the two oceans. The subject bas given rise to | Much discussion, but as it is beyond my province | just now to endorse or adopt statements as to the feasibility or cheapness of any route I will pro- ceed to give the detaiis of tue examination of the Mine known as TUE ATRATO-NAPIPI ROUTE. Prior to the arrival of the engineers from Nica- agua. Lieutenant J, T. Sullivan, United States | Navy, who had already assisted Commander Self- ridge in two important interoceanic surveys, pro- eceded in the Saranac to Limon Bay, some miles from the western termihus of the preposed route, t0 make @ barometrical reconnoissance of the conutry lying between the valley of the Napipi and the Doguado, as weil as to pro- cure indian guides and oances jor the party, And I may here add that the duty ussigued to Lieu- tenant Sullivan was well periormed, as the foot- gore travellers bad reason Subsequently to experi- ence. And now, bidding adieu to the sundurat city of Panama, to ite crumbling ramparts and dia ©o:dant bells, its perforated walls and belligerent ehanticleers. ‘Ine Saranac weighed anchor on the evening of the 6th instant, and sailed for Cupuca Bay. The trip was exceedingly enjoyable, ren- @erea more so by “he geniality and kind consiaera- Sion of the oMcers attached to the vessel. 1 had ©ccasion, three years ago, when accompanying the Darien Canal Surveying Expedition, to speak of the great organizing powers and executive ‘+ gbility of Commander Selfridge, and now, as I Toscded hye on ty Paseage overhauling all » NEW YORK. HERALD, TUESDAY, MAY 12, 1874—TRIPLE SHEET, the requisites for the maré& over his proposed Toute, as 1 saw him busied among the pots and Pans, mosquito bars and hard tack, leggings, knapsacks and all the oer necessary appur- tenances, I could not help being reminded of bis Wonderful perseverance and enthusiasm. What- ever merits or disadvantages his proposed canal Foute presents, there can be but one opinion as to the unflagging energy of its discoverer, FACTS AND FIGURES, So much having been said in reference to the Atravo-Naptpi route, I propose at this stage to give, without comment, merely @ brief outline of its general bearing. With the Guif of Darien for a harbor on the Atlantic side, the line ascends the Atrato River for 150 miles, The proposed route for @ canal starts from the Atrato about three miles below the moath of the Napipi, and runs almost due west, and never at a distance of more ‘than half @ mile from the Nappi River, till near the mouth of the Doguado. The canal then bends with @ curve towards the river, and crosses the Napipi below the junction of the Doguado, It follows close to the right bank of the latter in a general southwest direction and eatere the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of asmall stream called the Chirt- Ohirt, the name of the bay which forms the west- ern terminus. This artificial cut or canal is to be twenty-cight miles in length, According to Com- mander Seliridge the country is flat along the Doguado for two miles, when there is jound a gradual rise of sixty feet, THE PROPOSED TUNNEL isto be three and a half miles from the Pacific, and 4s continued for three miles, passing under the divide, which ts about 660 feet above the sea, The dimensions of the proposed canal include a depth Of 25 feet and a width at bottom of earth of 50 feet and in rock of 60 feet, giving a working surface width of 70 feet. The tunnel is to be 112 feet high and 60 feet wide, leaving 87 feet in the clear above the surface water. It is further proposed to construct three sidings six miles apart, 2,000 feet in length, for vessels whose size would not permit them to pass each other on the canal. The water to fill the canal would be drawn entirely from the Napipi River, which, at the summit level, would include also its two principal tributaries, the Murindo and the Doguado, This route requires ® system of twenty locks—eight from the Atrato River to the summit level and twelve, which follow One immediately after the other, to the proposed harbor of Chiri-Ohiri on the Pacific, The entire cost of construction of the proposed canal route, including twenty-five per cent added for contin- gencies, is estimated by Commander Selfridge at $60,583,746, I have thus briefly calied attention to few of the main jeatures of the route, and will take occasion at a later period to refer more munutely to the details. IN CUPICA BAY. Scarcely had the Saranac dropped ancher in Cu- Pica Bay when the beauty of the surrounding scenery burst upon the view. Towering hills, cov- ered with dense foliage of the brightest green, rose almost perpendicularly from the water's edge, | but perhaps the very last thing to suggest itself would be the prospect of an interoceanic canal in this desolate region, We anchored about a mile from shore, along which the long, sweeping bil- lows of the Pacific spent their strength in endless foam, Nosign ol life was to be seen, and, alto- | gether, & more lonely situation could hardly be conceived, unless it be the grave, But the rainy ; season had already begun to announce its arrival, and little time could be spared in contemplating the wild grandeur of the place. With character- istic alacrity Commander Seliridge went ashore to ascertain from the inhabitants .of a solitary hut near the beach if the Indians whom he had em- | Ployed on his previous visit, ten days before, with Lieutenant Sullivan, who was now in the intertor awaiting our arrival, had succeeded in conveying & communication to the Atrato, requesting one of the natives to have his canoes and guides in Teadiness at the head of navigation on the Napipi River. THE THREE STRANGERS. When Commander Selifidge reached the shore ‘he was soon lost in the dewsity. of the forest and it was not until late in the afternoon that he re- turned with three stalwart looking natives, whose airy costume would quickly attract the attention ot a New York policeman. Indeed, the parsimont- Ous scarcity of their apparel was not at all en- couraging to the tailoring trade. But what they lacked in clothing they made up,in paint, and the | Style in which their jaws were trescoed eliclied various interesting comments, Each of them car- ried a machete and his earthly possessions averag- ing about one pound troy weight. Ajthough some- what timid at the sight of the warlike surround- ings on the vessel, they nevertheless paia grateful | Sttention to the ‘hard tack” and pork with which they were regaled. In storm or sunshine the peo- pie of this desolate region are entirely divested of raiment, except that whict modesty imperatively demands, Without much ado the anchor was Weighed and the Saranac proceeded to Limon Bay, @ charming retreat three miles further down, where the Indians were landed with orders to hasten over the trail and announce the arrival of the vessel to the chief o! the guides and canoemen, in order that they might be in readiness io convey the party to the Atraco when they should reacn the head of navigation on the Napipt. PRELIMINARY SEASONING, From on board the Saranac a roaring cataract could be seen far up in the mountain, and, upon the suggestion of Commander Selfridge, the party went ashore on the jollowing day, and ascended On foot a stream known as the Limon River, but which was rather a series of tortuous rapids, Compelled to walk in the bed of this river, progress on the banks being impossible, it may readily be interred that promeflading was a risksome bual- ness, misfortunes frequently attending the more incautious of the travellers, who, in bounding from Tock to rock, slipped and tvok an involuntary bath. But they were all the better tor it, since this | Was regarded as asort ofa trial trip by way of preparation for the grand tramp over the divide that was soon to test tlhe patience and the mettle of those who were to view the Darien panorama in all its wildness and inhospitality. After many mishaps the party reached the waterfall; bat, the precipitous side ofthe mountain preventing any further ascent in that direction, we returned to the ship thoroughly drenched, and sitisfied that as place of amusement Darien might be counted out. THE PROVISION PARTY. At dawn on the morning of the 10th inst. the Provision party, consisting of one oMcer, a guide and twenty-five sailors, started from the Saranac to carry provisions across the trail and deposit them at the Rancho Grande, where the canoes were to be in readiness sor the party. From the appearance of the men on their return it must have been @ very trying experiment, many of them being almost exhausted from fatigue, They returned in straggling order, and seemed to have lost much of tne enthusiasm which inspired them atthe start. But 1 shall be the better able to appreciate the situation after I have experienced some of the difficulties myself. Urders were issued that the party shouid be in readiness by six A. M. on the 11th inst, to accompany Commander Seliridge over the divide from Limon Bay by the old Indian trail, traversed doubtless over a cen- tury ago by the ruthless buccaneers, It was the only route by which the canoes could be reached. ‘These canoes were to convey tie party irom’ the head of navigation on the Napipi to the Atrato. We were then to return over the line of the pro- posed canal—namely, up the Napip! to the Doguado, up the Doguado to the head of navigation on that river, thence over the divide to the Pacific. THE PERSONNEL, A drizzling rain commenced to fall at daybreak‘ and looking shoreward the surf seemed to be in an angry mood. Ai the appointed hour the party ap- peared on the quarter-deck of the baranac as {ol- lows:—Commander Selfridge, General Ammen, Major McFarland, and Captain Huer, of the Corps of Engineers; Colonel Walton, Professor Mitchell and your correspondent. To one of the sailors was allotted the duties of cook, With such an army of engineering skill I suppose you would have no particular objection to know what style of attire was donned on the occaston—whether the naval commander Wore his epaulettes, the two army officers their | Gala uniforms, or the professor his sombre black frock and specs. I regret to say that Darien did Rot “ratg” thia display, for Ui you Jook towarda the gangway you will see @ man ip a slouch hat, with | American eagle. But they watched our every ® pair of keen, black eyes, & determined mouth id @ pair of handsome coal black whiskers. He ts giving orders as the whaleboat comes along- side, and seems in a hurry to be off. He wears a heavy flannel shirt of some unknown color, He bas thrown aside bis paper collar, but his shoes, ike @ pair of gondolas, make up for all deficiencies, and bis stout limbs are encased in a pair of can- vas leggings, which don’t contrast unfavorably with the blue pantaloons of stuff generally used for butchers’ aprons, With asacchel thrown over his shouider and a map case in his hand this com- paratively young man moves about rapidly and you can hear iflm two cable lengths away. ‘This is Selfridge, He has been looking after tin pans, kettles, bags of “‘hard tack,” bacon and coffee, and is seeing it safely placed in the boat. Here comes Geueral Ammen, a fine old gentleman, and as sturdy and stanoh a soldier as ever fought for the Union. He carries pole—we all have poles to climb the mountain—and is dressed in order—fannel shirt, cotton pants, leggings and ship’s shoes, with a broadbrim nat to crown the picture. And now, as the General issties from the cabin, arrayed in all the peaceful costume of a mountaineer, be reminds you of 4 shepherd in the olden time going forth to tend bis flock. But he is going todo no such thing, for you see he 1s hunting up his knapsack among the seven that lie on the quarter deck, If you look up towards the hurricane deck you will see & broad shouldered, Jul bearded man of, say thirty-five, with an ex- ceedingly frank and pleasant face and a hat that beggars description. He is above the ordinary height, vigorous, healthy, jovial, and, as he stands in the midat of a crowd of naval officers, you can hear his hearty laugh, ringing like a well toned bell. He, too, is destitute of coac and collar, and looks, indeed, as if he bore the loss with becoming resignation. His revolver hangs by his side as cosily as a toothpick reclines in the vest pocket of acivilian. At the very first glance you would decide he wa9a man of intelli- gence and discernment, able to take the world as itcame. To him has been intrusted the import- ant duty of determining the relative merits of the two canal routes, Allow me to introduce to you Major Walter McFarland, graduate of the Free Academy of New York, and later of the military institution at West Point. Not far from the ward- room hatch you may see a tall, lithe, wiry looking gentleman, with fair hair, sunburnt face and the merriest of twinkling eyes, standing in the rain | Nok being. Particularly interested in the move- ‘with his hat slightly on an angle and his hands in his pockets. He is whistling, and looks as if he ‘were “taking stock” all round. This 18 Captain Huer. Then we have Volonel Walton, an emi- ment civil engineer, irom New Orleans, whose time is pretty well occupied with his handkerchief in absorbing the stream of Perspiration which the stifing closeness of the morning produces, Much interest is centred in the Colonel. And now Professor Mitchell, whose great specialty is that of tide guaging, appears on the scene in @ long linen coat, with satchel to match. He examines his pocket thermometer with grave attention, looks seaward and skyward, Which he takes in at a glance, and, having lighted his pipe, proceeds on the important mission of looking for his knapsack. There is yet another— the cook, a blustering Portuguese, who, from the heavy armament be wears, to wit, a hatchet, a machete, a huge revolver and cartridge box, seems destined for an untimely end. I hope he ‘will not die immediately, though I have my fears Should he stumbie in the woods. And so the fore- going, with your correspondent, make up the Party, as unique a group as you might see for Many @ day. Dreariness and Desolation=The Engi- meers on the Tramp—A Very Hard Road to Travel—What Indian Females Thought of Modern Improvements—A Night of Terror—Down the Rapids—Ex- citing Scenes on the Napipi—Arrival at the Rancho Grande. Camp No. 2, NaPipr River, April 13, 1874, Canal hunting is not a pastime, It may have charms ior the engineering mind, but that it can fairly be classed among field sports is an open question, My objectin setting forth some of the munor details of this expedition, some of the little incidents of travel as well asa few of the incon- veniences which it begets, is mainly to show that the search for a good route by which vessels may in time to come proceed from the Atlantic Ocean ‘vo tne Pacific without the necessity of going round Cape Horn, is not entirely unaccompanied by unforseen mishaps which, believe me, oftentimes suggest to the victim the hope of speedy dissoiution. itisa sad thing to wish for the blotting out of your existence; but let the fireside philanthropist of an inquisitive turn take @ look through Darien and ll warrant he will s00n be willing to give up the ghost. ‘See Naples | and die” is the traditional exclamation of the champagne tourist, Should any of the heirs, as- Signs or descendants of that proverbial party ever think of tramping this way in quest of novel scenes it would, under all the circumstances, be prudent for him to visit Naples beforehand, since it 18 more than probable that his chance of passing out of existence in that charming spot would be very remote aiter spending a short vacation in this quarter of the globe. i 4 FEW FEATURES. Here in this desolate region—lonely, comfortless, clammy—where the sound of life is scarcely ever heard, where nauseating vapors potson the air, where long, twisting parasites sap the founda- tion of the stateliest trees and spurious vegeta- tion springs up like magic; crawling vipers fatten on filth and hydra-headed insects feast td suffocation on the unlucky being wnom an evil star may chance to place within their reach, Whatever it may have been in the time of the buccancers, Many, many years ago, Darien to-day has little to recommend it. It seems as if some blight had | fallen on the land, so barren, so wretched, so ves- titute of everything that goes to make life pleas- | ant, But enough of this for the present, since time | presses and the order to start for the Atrato is im- | erative. AN ACCIDENT. But just here an unlucky accident occurred which well nigh threatened the success of the ex- pedition. While the Projessor, with characteristic geal, was endeavoring to obtain the temperature of the water, upon which so momentous results depended, he found, to his horror, that his instru- ment would not record the fact, and thereupon cast itinto the stream. Should some Indian pick it up @ month hence there will douotiess be a coun- cil of war held, Colonel Walton brought up the rear of the party in good form, though it was evi- dent the sand flies had not improved his genial spirit, The Colonel drank copiously from tue Napipi, though Commander Seliridge insisted that fluids were injurious in a long march. At all events nobody seemed much in need of repairs though I am bound to coniess that no great enthusiasm was displayed when the order to resume the march was is- sued. .The sun now shone forth in all its glory and from the scientific persons of the experts there streamed a cloud of vapor suggestive of great moisture. Up and down we go again, stumbling, sticking, tripping, and, I regret to add, falling into postures highly unbecoming the important occasion, As our plight could not be much worse, the natives beheld with awe the recklessness with which the party plunged into streams to cross to the opposite banks, and doubtless came to the conclusion that wet clothes were much less agree- able than no clothes at all, But all things must Come to an end, and so at length, alter many a slip and many a silent prayer for the success of the canal, we crossed the Napipi for the last time that day, and, turning abruptly in the forest, came in full view of our destination. It was an Indiun hut, ‘at the head of navigation on the Napipi, wherein were stored the provisions for the party, the locality being known by the name of THE YUCAL, We had been seven hours on the march and had come the distance of twelve miles, I suppose, therefore, that no comment on the nature of the trati and its surroundings is absolutely necessary. The hut, covered with paim leaves and open on all sides, as most of them are, Was & welcome sight. Around it thronged the Indian guides and several of the tribe, including two women, whose scant and ventilative garments caused them to shrink ck Simidly fram she wondering gage of the gr | the moutn of the Merindo River, whére the party movement with breathless interest. While keep- ing at a civil distance they seemed to be wrapped up in us. They looked at the rifles, examined the pistols, gazed with bewildering anxiety at @ little barometer; but when a agal- lant gentieman, who thoroughly appreciated the scene, took out bis tegth, they fairly quailed, and, watching their opportunity, fled the place. By degrees the interior of the rustic palace, twenty feet square, Was reduced to some ‘sort of order. The cook set about his work like a hero, and it was not long before the irizzling bacon set up a tune far more emehanting than the best o1 Wag- ner’s modern compositions. Poles were cut on which to stretch our hammocks, knapsacks'were thrown open to the blazing sun, wet clothes were wrong and spread out to dry—there was general polishing up all round—and py the time supper was served every face beamed with satisfaction. Never did blue smoke curl more leisurely from well filled pipes; never did weary bones find more sweet repose. Our hammocks were lashed to- gether three feet trom the ground, underneath the Indians lay contentedly, and, when night fell, Morpheus was king of tne hut. THE DELUGE, Is must have been long past midnight when the trouble commenced, The shouting, rushing ana brawling; the loud complaints, the squabbling on the slimy bank, would have roused the sprites Ina churchyard, I thought t! ‘oof was coming tn; I knew the rain did, and when fairly awake discov- ered, to my horror, that I was about to founder in the hammock. But misery likes company, and, wretched as was the plight, it was a relief to find others sitting up in a mournful attitude, with their useleas rubber blankets adding to the flood that now flowed through their litle beds. We com- menced to bailout, I have said there was con- siderable brawling going on somewhere. The river had risen several feet, and was coursing past with a thundering roar. The canoes were in dan- ger of being carried off or smashed to pieces— hence the excitement on the bank. Some one hinted that all hands might be floated off free of expense, and we kept awake for the emergency. It was subsequently suggested, with more pro- priety, that the garments which the broiling sun had tempted many to spread out to dry the day before might possibly become more damp than ever, and I believe they did. DOWN THE RaPIDs, if ments of Aurora that morning, I cannot record in what imaginary Costume the lady appeared. I have no doubt it was very nice; put as most of | Armed with revolvers, though in anything but the party were busily engaged in arranging thelr saturated clothing, packing their knapsacks, with Many blessings on the industrious clerk of the weather, and disposing of their matutinal repast, it 1s to be presumed that the beauttes of.the sur- Founding scene were entirely lost on the pictur- esque though somewhat despondent group. It was a rosy morning for all that, and the prospect of an exciting trip over the rapids of the Napipt tended in some degree to cheer our drooping spir- its, more especially since the sun began to shed his gladdening rays around. There were seven ca- noes 1n waiting, each propelled by two natives, who, distributed the baggage and provis- fons through each, according to its size and ca- pacity, andthe members of the party having taken their seats, THE NOVEL LOOKING SQUADRON got under way. In the first sat Commander Self- ridge drying himself in the sun. If I forget not General Ammen followed, then came Major McFarland; in the next canoe were Captain Huer and myself. Professor Mitchell and the “baggage train” brought up the rear. The two indian females who had flea so precipitately from the camp the day before now issued from their palm leaf home in the woods and appeared on the bank in all their tropical luxuriance. To all our metropolitan gesticulations of adieu they responded not; but, looking bashfully on the ground, quickly wheeied about and disappeared. And now the Napipi began to unfold its beauties, as the giant trees on either side formed a sheltering archway overhead. Countless parasites entwined themeelves in in- extricable twists around the branches high in air, hanging pendant in every shape and form to the water’s surface. The river was ex- tremely crooked, and every turn brought fresh and enlivening novelties. We had settled ona long day’s ride, being now on the wayto the Rancho Grande, forty miles from the mouth of the Naptpi. Little did we think that as the canoe Trashed over the rapids like an arrow the time was close at hand when that same canoe would crawl like a snall; that we would be compeiled to jump out in the whirling current and drag it over the rocks; that it would yet be jammed over flity times in twice as many yards; that in stepping on slip- pery stones we would tumble and hold on for grim death, and that by an act so thoughtiess our craft would fill with water, thereby entailing the labor of bailing. But, uniortunately, ali these things came to pass; and yet, for those who loved excite- ment, the trip was a joyous one. Pen cannot pic- ture the humors of this extraordinary ride—the duckings, the ridicujous situations and tnnumera- bie mishaps that marked its progress. The SPICE OF DANGER made it all the more agreeable. There was plenty of work for the canoemen, who managed tueir tiny crait with wonderiul skill and judgment, Indeed the only thing dreaded was the upsetting of our frail conveyances, an event which momentarily seemed to come about. Asit was our knapsacks were pretty well saturated. These rapids extend for several miles, and for the greater part of the way the canoes were hauled bodily over them, their occupants being compelied to meander in the bed of the river until such times asa ciear space intervened. After a very exacting journey the canal squadron reached the Rancho Grande, near was warmly welcomed by Lieutenant Sullivan, who, asi have already atated, had gone ahead some ten days before, and who had made ail the arrangements necessary for the comfort and | transportation of the engineers. After a hearty repast the usual process of drying clothes wus proceeded with. Moreover, as chance would have it, the eventful day was Monday, and, there being nothing better tnan to follow home traditions, all hands went into the laundry busi- ness with great avidity and despatch, so that before long the display of linen on the sur- rounding bushes was decidedly creditable. But the sand files were intolerable, and, what with the vigorous assauits of regiments of red-lieaded ants, the evening was spent in loud and long continued execrations. But we hada good night’s rest in the ranch, our hammocks being spread on the floor, and the occupants numbering about thirty Persons of every hue and color. This was the house | after the march was commenced to the Pacific—an of Paulino, the patron, who exercised absolute sway over those he hired ror the purposes of the expe- dition, Our course now lay down the Napipi to the Atrato River, which was partly to be examined, We were then to ascend the Napipi, along the left bank 0! which is the line of the proposed canal, the river being used only as a water supply. As already stated, the distance to the Atrato was forty miles, though the proposed excavation on the bank in a straight line would be only twenty miles, After the usual operations incident toa morning the canoes started In good order at seven o'clock, amid the howling o1 lanky dogs, which raised a piteous yell for their fast receding master. Glimpses of the Proposed Line of Canal— A Startling Cry Near Midnight—Contest on the Floor of an Indian Hut—How a Gallant Soldier Despatched a Foe—The Terror Strickem Natives—Examination of the River. Camp No. 3, ATRaTO River, April 14, 1874. It must have been seven o’ciock, an hour or 80 | after dai when the last canoe hauled up in front of this Indian hut. Ina long stretch of forty miles it ts almost an impossibility for the little craft to keep together. Apart, however, from any differ- ence in point of speed, Captain Huer, Professor Mitchell and your correspondent were somewhat delayed under the following circumstance :—The survey was originally made along the river, no line of levels ever having been made on the land over which ‘the supposed route is supposed to run, It was inferred for some reason or other, that the country was level, and that with the exception of a jew undulating | the friendly faces of the officers and men brimful the line, whion, by the way, as yetremains a virgio forest, By way of experiment a stoppage was made on the way and, two of the canoes hauling along side the bank, the three’ persons named, armed witb maccetes and accompanied by a native, proceeded to clear a pathway. Alter cut- ting briskly for half an hour we arrived at an ele- vation which Captain Huer pronounced to be 175 Jeet in height, according to his barometer. It was near being his last scientific deciaration, however, for your correspondent in cutting down a sapling forgot for the moment that the Captain was close at hand, so that when the sapling {ell the huge knife following ita course nearly divided bim in two. This, I believe, was the only elevation found or sought after, the fact betng that it would re- qure @ thorough and complete survey on land to determine the nature of the country, Com- mander Selfridge claims to hava made only & reconnoissance from the river, but believes no obstacles present themseives on the imagtaary line, An actual survey would of course settle the question, But I am digresstng. When we arrived at the hut, somewhat the worse for wear, the lights shone brightly and the cheer- ing aroma from the invigorating coffee can lent a charm to the place, which, however, was soon to be dispelled. We had our quinine and rum to be- gin with—a mixture well calculated to wrestle with the most determined fever—and then we had our supper, the natives, meanwhile, cooking on their own account in another part of the estab- lishment, whicn, like all other huts, was open on all sides and contained one room. Swarms of mos- quitoes swarmed in upon us, red-headed ants in- vestigated us, but the crowning feature of torture Was the hornet’s nest at the very door of the house. It bamed the engineer skill of the company and struck terror all round, Groan followed groan, and as a last resort all hands crawled under their mosquito bars to seek repose, Scores of all sorts of things paraded outside the netting, seek- ing in vain for admittance, and, after all, there was some prospect of immunity from danger, when the startling cry, “CULBBRA!”? “CULEBRA!’? sent @ thrill throug every heart, Sure enough there {t was, coiled gracetully in the rafters, glit- tering in the light—a snake. Vertly’a raid by the | Apaches could not have made a greater sensa- on; not that there was any extraordinary alarm man. jested, but the house was supported on poies, We all slept on the ground, and the most callous Must admit that these fascinating reptiles are by no means agreeable bediellows, But the alarm had been sounded, and all were eager for the fray. ‘Warlike costume at the moment, a skirmishing + Party was thrown out in the middle of the floor. Bang! bang! bang! and slowly the object of attack begins to unfold itself. Doubtless the snake has been phased by a bullet, but it takes the shock very coolly, and now, stretched at tall length, lines seven teet of the roof, Bang! bang! bang! bang !—not the slightest motion is per- ceptible, though, strange enough, the starlight can be seen through the rafters. But why prolong this scene of agony? A well-directed shot by Major McFarlana doubled up the reptile, which swings down from the roofat full lengta; the at- tacking party retreated, advanced again and fired. ‘The snake falls to the ground in a heap, yet burn- ing with indignation raises himself defiantly with Pointed fangs, droops and dies. Captain Huer chopped him in two, but the tail still showing signs of life @ wide berth was given to the remains. Napipi Commander Selfridge took soundings, showing & depth at this point of from six to eight fathoms of water. And now the examination of the proposed canal route is commenced. We shall shortly ascend the Napipi, along the leit bank of | which the line 18 supposed to run. It will doubt- less be hard work paddling against the current, but the “feet” is under way for home, and ‘where there’s a will there’s a way.” The Rainy Season in Earnest—Raid on a Lone Indian—A Free and Easy Sleep. ing Booth—Ascent of the Doguado—The Troubles of Los Hermanos, Camp No. 7, Doauabo River, April 16, 1874. Nothing short of the most vigorous exertion on the part of Commander Selfridge—whose vim and executive powers are well worthy of example— nothing, indeed, but a determined will and a thor- ough knowledge of the wnim: Datives, could have succeeded in accomplishing the journey in such a space of time. We are now with- in three hours’ march of the ship, and will proba- bly be on board by ten o’clock. The ascent of the Napip! was exceedingly monotonous and unevent- fal. Gompelied to push against a rapid current, Progress wag slow. At nightfall Camp No, 4 was erected on the leit bank of tife river, under the su- Pervision ot Lieutenant Sullivan, au old campaigner in Darien, whose amiability and earnest endeavors to contribute to the comfort of the party, ashore and afloat, will be remembered as a promi- nent feature of the expedition, I never remember to have seen a wilder or more picturesque scene than that presented at this lonely retreat in the virgin forest. Around the blazing fire of logs sat the group of Indians at their evening meal, the members of the party having long since retired to their hammocks. The surrounding gloom was | | ind caprices of the | Pirates they could not have presented a more sorry . spectacle than we, and few couid restrain asmile ag the general dilapidated appearance of the party, But I'am confident that had we been absent three months the welcome extended to our party could not have been more cordial or sincere, it seemed as if the offers almost vied with each other in’. their endeavors to make their visitors comforta- ble and supremely happy; and, altogether, I do Not Know of sny feature of the expedition having greater claim to kind remembrance than the event to which I now refer. The Saranac got un- der way at eleven o’clock for Panama, where Commander Selfridge and the party will leave for Aspinwall to join the United States steamship Gettysburg and proceed to examine the mouth of the Atrato River and the harbor adjacent thereto, The Last of the Expedition—The Rival Routes Compared—Opinion of Expert The Panama Line To Be Recommended for Survey—Homeward Bound. On Boarp THE U. 8, 8. Gi GULF OF DaRIBN, April 25, 1874. The examination of the Atrato-Napipi route for @n interoceanic canal has at length come toan > RENN end, The last of the labor was completed this - afternoon, and in an hour or ao the little vessel on which I pen these lines will heave up anchor for home. Whatever may be the result of the under- taking—whether the commission at Washington. Will decide in favor of either line of survey, that by way of Nicaragua or the Atrato route—certain is it that the important task assigned to the officer upon whose official report so mucn depends, has been performed with great delicacy and faithful- ness, Fear, favor or affection has not, I think, entered into his calculations; and whatever state- ments or recommendation Major McFarland may make in summing up his report, there can be little doubt they will receive that attention which care- fal observation and a conscientious adherence to the existing state of facts must necessarily demand, THE BAR AT THE URABA. When the Gettysburg arrived here from Aspine wall with Commander Seliridge and party @ par tial examination of the bar was made at the mouth of the Uraba. On the iollowing day Commander Seliridge, with Major McFartand and Captain Huer, ascended the Uraba avout twenty miles to the Atrato, for the purposes of observation, while Protessor Mitchell and General Ammen made & more extended examinattun of the bar, upon which’ there was some five feet of water, 1s was their Opinion that no serious difficulty was presented by the bar, that its removal would not require much engineering skill and that, in fact, the surround. ings of the gull were all that could be desired, THE RIVAL ROUTES, Apart from minor details, which should hardly be taken into consideration in @ matter of such magnitude as the construction of an interoceanlo canal, I think I may venture to assert that as to the feasibility of the Nicaragua line no one who has examined it entertains the remotest doubt; and the question of feasibility means simply the amount requisite to carry on and compiete the un- dertaking. From frequent conversations with Major McFarland and the other engineers con- nected with this expedition I am satisfied that the route mentioned impressed them all favorably, and Will doubtless recetve earnest approval at their hands, But one and all agree that the bar at Greytown presents aificuities which only a very large expenditure canremove. The estimates ses forth by Commander Lull for its improvement they consider far below the mark, for, instead of $1,000,000, it would require from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 to bring about the necessary changes. It 1a the opinion of the engineers that an artificial harbor shoula be construcied such as extsts at Cherbourg. The line itself presents no obstacles whatever, and the supply of water is inexhaustible, As for the harbor on the Pacific side, Brito, the place selected, is nothing more than an indenta- tion in the coast, and there can be no gainsaying the fact that should the Nicaragua route be chosen it will require ARTIFICIAL HARBORS at botn ends. With the exception of the Gulf of Darien there 1s really no route yet surveyed for canal purposes that can lay claim toa harbor. I understand it is the intention of Major McFarland to recommend a survey of the line from Aspinwall to Panama. For years it hag had able advocates, and itisno more than just that its merits as a highway of water communication between the two oceans should be settled one way or the other. But 80 tar the engineers who have examined the Nicaragua route have expressed themselves de- cidedly in its favor. Should a better one be dia covered let us have tt, by all means. It is not with- out some dificulty that I come now to speak of the | Atrato-Napipi route jor which Commander Seliridge nas already made the estimates. Indeed, both Major McFarland and the other engineers, have yet to take its various !eatures into consideration before any opinion can be arrived at. Just as im the case of the Nicaragua route, the estimates for its constraction are necessarily guess work, to some extent, the advantage, however, with the former being that the character of the country has, from time to time, been visited and exam- | ined by eminent engineers, whereas in the latter nothing more than an instrumental reconnois- | ance or preliminary survey for section has been almost painful, and this situation was by no means enhanced by a sudden rustling through the dense undergrowth close at hand. The discordant scream- ing of the macawe, moreover, did not tend to | brighten matters, so that, under all the circum- stances, camping out in Darien has its disadvan- tages. To state that we fella prey to the hordes of stnging ants would but feebly convey an idea of the situation. Before morning the rain came down as if the clouds had conspired to drown us, The | water came through the tent in a stream, and, roused thus rudely from their gentle slumbers, the sleepers soon realized the fact that they were wal- lowing in half afoot of rain, But there was no help for it, and, with commendable resignation, daylight was awaited. It was inferred irom tne statements of the Indian guide that the journey to the head waters of the river over the trail would not occupy more than five hours. But, instead of this, the trail led over the mountains known as Los Hermanas, one of which | measures 1,946 feet above the level of the sea. This was the most trying feat since the start, and tested the endurance of every member of the party to the very utmost, The ascent of Mount Lordan was as nothing in comparison with it, and when at length the destination was reached on the right bank of the Doguado, a sigh of rettef was | breatned by all. So thoroughly exhausted were the travellers that but little attention was paid to the covering of the camp, so that long before day- light they were completely deluged. Camp was struck at six o’clock in the morning, and shortly | easy affair this time—the tramp embracing a de- scent of 700 feet tu the sea. The Return to the Ship—How the Naval | Officers Received the Wanderers—Ain’t | You Glad You Are Out of the Wilder- ness %—A Princely Greeting and Pleas- | ant Recollections. RD UNITED STATES STEAMER SARANAC, ee Cari-Curt Bay, April 18. 1874. ht The party received a royal welcome, Those who had first arrived at the beach from the interior made signal to the ship, which was promptly an- swered, Boats were lowered, and by the time they had reached the shore the men and baggage had arrived, ready for transportation, There was a heavy surf roihng, and some difficulty was expe- rienced in getting of, The natives expressed an earnest desire to visit the Saranac, which was at anchor about @ mile away, but as she had already got up steam their wish could not be gratified, As we neared the ship in any- thing but @ presentable plight we could see o1 curiosity, and I'll warrant never was a musical interrogation more heartily responded to than by the boat/ul of belated wanderers when the band Struck up ‘Ain't you Glad you Come Out of the Wilderness?” The first oMcer recognized in ths distance was the portly persou of Engineer Ford, who loomed up at the guard like @ nobie monu- made along the rivers, on the banks of which the | Proposed line runs, so that there is yet room for further development. sut whatever may be said in favor or disparagement of. either route, no one ; can deny to Commander Setiridge and the corps | of able young officers who accompanied him | the credit of boldly entering a region entirely un- | Known and producing results such as coula only be accomplished by the moat unremitting perse- verance, courage ana commendable ambition, | Little remains to be said, The expedition has throughout been marked by the most har- monious feelings and an earnest desire to deter- mine the relative merits o/ the two routes. To | Lieutenant David G. McRitchie, the commander of the Gettysburg, the members of the party re. | peatedly expressed their acknowledgments for the | courtesy and numerous acis of unoMctai kindness { whicn he dispensed in their behalf, The Gettys- | burg leaves this evening for Asp'nwall, and, having coaled at that port, will proceed to Havana, on route to Washington. THE CUBA CABLE, The supposed “fault” or imperfection in the | Quba cable, which had interrupted communication | during several months, proves to have been a com- plete break, The trouble was found a few days ago, nearly a mile and a half from the shore, where the parted ends were buoyed during a heavy sea, and the necessary repairs erected by eres ing’300 teet of new cable, The vreak showea thal it had been made with an axe, doubtless, in order | to clear some vessel’s anchor which it had for ANNUAL ELECTION aT THB STOOK EX. CHARGE, The annual election of the Stock Exchange took Place last evening, and resulted in the election of the iollowing officers :—President, George H. Brod- head, Chairman, M. A. Wheelock; Vice Chairman, James Mitchell; Secretary, B. O. White; Treasurer, D. G. Hay — pohhe ee aad De eee ears, H.@, Chapman, A. B. Ba tid Cooper, Joun b. Norns, 5. J, Russell A uM. Cahoone, J. Warren, M. Nathan and J, Week; to serve two years, Bi a Wilken Lummis; to serve one ¥ . J. V. Bouvier and 8, W. Patchen. Trustees of Gratuity Fund—Puli term, Jampbeil, of Ward, Campoell & Co.; to fill va- Wiliam Alexander Smith, of W. 4, Smith MORE STREET OLEANING INVESTIGATION. An Aldermanic committee, consisting of Messrs, Ottendorter, Gilon, Uooper, Falconer and McUaf ferty, appointea ata meeting of the Board on the 6th inst., met yesterday in the City Hall to investi. gate the street cleaning business of the Police Commissio! the ners. Mr. Ottendorfer nocnpied the chair, all bers except Alderman McCafferty being present. Mr. Ottendorier brought with him the report of, the proceedings beiore tne Legislative Committee. On Street Cleaning aud a copy of the minutes in the, case of John Keliy et al. va. Oliver Ubarlick, j Judge Lononue lust month, wiieh, he embodied tue main allegativus Commissioners, avd should be sul t jor the Mayor to remove taem, that under section 25 of the J has power to remove for cat bat 4 Must confirm the removal. Lt ts for to Ment of good nature and benevolence, Captain Pattison, with Lieatenant Commander Hoff and the other officers, received the party at the gang- way and expressed their satisfaction at the safe and successiul termination of the trip, Had the Jills DO serious obstruction was presented along Saranac been boarded by @ crew of sulpwrecked determine the cause. lveMciency and reason enough. Last year $1,600,000 was expended: for street cleaning, and yet leuving dirty ‘ Tacee ci cacy oo besos jetting to Netra Souumitees sdiourhad to meet et thal of the cha aD D