CHAPTER III.
A TRIP TO OLD PANAMA
THOUGH Vasco had explored nearly every nook and corner of the city inwhich he had lived, he had never visited what was called Old Panama.
You must understand that the Panama of to-day is not on the site of theoriginal city. The present city was built after the former one had beendestroyed by the buccaneers. Of them you may learn something further on.
The so-called "modern" Panama was founded in 1673. As protection frompirates and buccaneers a high stone wall was built around the city,which cost over eleven million dollars. That seems to us an enormoussum, and to the people of those days it was fabulous. It gives someidea of the vast wealth that must have been stored in the city to admitof such an outlay for its protection. Few traces of this wall nowremain. As civilization has advanced, and life and property have becomesafer, it has gradually been torn down.
One day, not long after the great military review, Vasco was down atthe water-front watching the fishermen unloading their boats. As ithappened, he fell in with Enrique Mendoza, in whose father's boat hehad witnessed the capture of the shark.
Enrique, as well as Vasco, was always looking for some new adventure.At this time he hailed his friend with a glad shout, and asked:
"What do you say, Vasco, to a trip over to Old Panama to-morrow? Fatherwill let us take a small boat he is not using, and we can go part ofthe way in that."
Vasco was much pleased at the invitation, but was in doubt as towhether it were perfectly safe for them to go without some one forprotector and guide, as he had heard many disquieting stories about theold city.
"Have you ever been over there?" he asked Enrique.
"Many times."
"Do you know the way about?"
"Of course I do. I have often been there with father. Besides, there'san old friend of his who lives in a hut near the ruins, and he will beglad to show us about."
When Vasco heard the last statement, he hesitated no longer. "I'll go,then," he said. "I have never been there, and I should like to see whatthe place looks like. What do you say to asking my American friendHarlan to go with us?"
"That will be fine. The boat will carry three all right, and we willhave all the jollier time."
Enrique had never seen Harlan Webster, but he had heard Vasco talkabout him, and was greatly pleased at the thought of having him alongon this trip. He had seen and heard enough of the Americans about thecity to know that they were very active and enthusiastic. So he feltcertain that this American boy would add to the fun of the excursion.
"All right, then," said Vasco. "We'll start early to-morrow morning.What time do you say?"
"Six o'clock won't be too early. It will take at least three hours toget over there. That will give us a little time to look around beforethe middle of the day, when it will be too hot to move about. Then inthe afternoon we can search among the old ruins awhile, starting forhome in season to get here before dark."
This plan suited Vasco, and he took leave of Enrique, saying that hewould see Harlan sometime during the day. He had little doubt that theyoung American would go with them.
As the day was now well advanced, though, Vasco first made his wayhome, when for several hours he remained within doors. He told hismother of his plans for the next day, to which she made no objection.She rarely interfered with his movements, except that sometimes sheasked him to do some chores about the house, and occasionally requiredhim to look after Inez and his baby brother while she was away on anerrand.
In the latter part of the afternoon Vasco went to see if Harlan couldgo with him the next day. It didn't take long to give the invitation,and it took Harlan even less time to accept it, so far as he wasconcerned.
"Wait a moment, though," he said to Vasco. "I must ask my mother if sheis willing for me to go with you."
To Vasco this seemed unnecessary. He never thought of having to askhis mother about such things. But he had known Harlan long enough tolearn that American ways, especially so far as boys were concerned,were different from Panama customs.
The American boy immediately went to his mother and told her whathe wanted. At first she was inclined to object to his making thistrip with only two other boys for companions, but his arguments andpersuasions finally overcame her scruples, if not her fears, and hesecured her consent.
Back to Vasco he hurried and told him the welcome news.
"Remember, now," said Vasco as he took his leave, "and be at the beachnear the Panama Railroad pier at six o'clock sharp."
"I surely will. Good night," was Harlan's reply.
Both boys retired in good season that evening, to get well rested fortheir early start.
At dawn next day Vasco sprang out of bed. He was not concerned aboutthe weather, for this was the dry season of the year, when for monthsno water falls, and there was no danger of rain preventing the day'souting.
Quickly he ate the breakfast his mother provided, and many minutesbefore the appointed time was on his way to the meeting-place. Thoughthe first on the scene, he did not have to wait long for the other twoboys. Enrique was the second to arrive, and shortly afterward Harlanmade his appearance.
Harlan was glad to meet Enrique, and felt sure that if his mother couldhave seen the sturdy brown fisher-lad getting the boat ready she wouldhave had no concern for their safety. All three boys were familiar withboats, though of course Harlan's acquaintance was with less rudelybuilt craft than the one in which they were to cross the bay.
Each boy had brought along fruit for lunch. In addition, Vasco hadsome hard-boiled eggs, wrapped in corn-husks, as sold in the market.Eggs are not bought by the dozen in Panama, but by the pair. The boysexpected either to catch fish or to get some from Juan, Enrique'sfriend who lived in the hut near the old city.
Soon they got under way in the little boat, with its sail spread wideto catch the light morning breeze. Enrique was at the rudder and Vascoacted as lookout at the bow, while Harlan made himself as comfortableas possible midway. All of them hugely enjoyed the sail across the bay.
Old Panama is only about four miles northeast of the present city ina straight line, but as the boys went, partly by water and partly onfoot, they had to cover a much longer distance. That did not troublethem, however, especially while in the boat.
After sailing about an hour, a landing was made at Point Paitillo,which forms the protection for the upper side of the Bay of Panama. Theboat was safely drawn up to shore and made fast to a huge boulder by along line.
As the tide was high when they landed, they knew there was no danger ofthe boat's going adrift later in the day. In fact, as the tide recededit left the craft high and dry upon the shore. At Panama the tide has arise and fall of about twenty feet.
The boat secured in its position, the boys took up their way afoot.They passed along the rocky shore, through some swampy lowland and overbroad green fields, crossing many little brooks and rivulets.
To Harlan especially this walk was delightful. He greatly admired thepark-like trees and shrubs, the luxuriant tropical vegetation, thebeautiful scenery, fleeting glimpses of city and sea, and over all theclear blue southern sky.
After awhile the boys came to Algarrobo River, which empties into thesea close beside the ruins. The stream was spanned by an old stonebridge, built over 350 years ago. Across this they made their way andcame in sight of the old city--or what was visible in the bewilderingmass of tropical vegetation.
They did not immediately go into its depths, however, but, led byEnrique, sought out the hut of Juan, who lived a hermit life on theborder of this city, where years ago there had been a great tideof humanity, and where ambition, avarice, gaiety, luxury, once hadfull sway, but now was only a memory. Where once thousands of peoplehad thronged, now the only living things were serpents, alligators,iguanas, pumas, and such.
The boys were fortunate in finding Juan at home, and as it was now welltoward the middle of the day, they were glad to get into the shelter ofhis little thatch-roofed hut, and rest
their weary limbs after the longwalk.
Vasco, Our Little Panama Cousin Page 6