Chapter 5

AMERICAN SYMPATHY—I TAKE AN HOTEL IN CRUCES—MY CUSTOMERS—LOLA MONTES—MISS HAYES AND THE BISHOP—GAMBLING IN CRUCES—QUARRELS AMONGST THE TRAVELLERS—NEW GRANADA MILITARY—THE THIEVES OF CRUCES—A NARROW ESCAPE.

AMERICAN SYMPATHY. I TAKE OVER A HOTEL IN CRUCES. MY CUSTOMERS. LOLA MONTES. MISS HAYES AND THE BISHOP. GAMBLING IN CRUCES. QUARRELS AMONG THE TRAVELERS. NEW GRANADA MILITARY. THE THIEVES OF CRUCES. A NARROW ESCAPE.

When it became known that their “yellow doctress” had the cholera, I must do the people of Cruces the justice to say that they gave her plenty of sympathy, and would have shown their regard for her more actively, had there been any occasion. Indeed, when I most wanted quiet, it was difficult to keep out the sympathising Americans and sorrowing natives who came to inquire after me; and who, not content with making their inquiries, and leaving their offerings of blankets, flannel, etc., must see with their own eyes what chance the yellow woman had of recovery. The rickety door of my little room could never be kept shut for many minutes together. A visitor would open it silently, poke his long face in with an expression of sympathy that almost made me laugh in spite of my pain, draw it out again, between the narrowest possible opening, as if he were anxious to admit as little air as he could; while another would come in bodily, and after looking at me curiously and inquisitively, as he would eye a horse or nigger he had some thoughts of making a bid for, would help to carpet my room, with the result perhaps of his meditations, and saying, gravely, “Air you better, Aunty Seacole, now? Isn’t there a something we can du for you, ma’am?” would as gravely give place to another and another yet, until I was almost inclined to throw something at them, or call them bad names, like the Scotch king does the ghosts in the play.^A But, fortunately, the attack was a very mild one, and by the next day all danger had gone by, although I still felt weak and exhausted.

When people learned that their “yellow doctress” had cholera, they showed her plenty of sympathy. I must do the people of Cruces the justice of saying that they would have done more if needed. Indeed, when I most wanted quiet, it was hard to keep out the sympathetic Americans and sorrowful natives who came to ask after me. They were not content to ask how I was and leave gifts of blankets, flannel, and other things. They had to see for themselves what chance the yellow woman had of recovery. The rickety door of my little room never stayed shut for more than a few minutes at a time. One visitor would silently open it and poke his long face in. His sympathetic expression almost made me laugh despite my pain. Then he would draw his face out through the smallest possible opening, as if anxious to let in as little air as possible. Another would come all the way in and examine me curiously, as he might a horse or an enslaved Black person he was thinking of bidding on. He would help carpet my room, perhaps with the result of his reflections. Then he would say gravely, “Are you better now, Aunty Seacole? Isn’t there something we can do for you, ma’am?” Just as gravely, he would give way to another visitor, and then another. At last I was almost tempted to throw something at them or call them bad names, as the Scottish king does to the ghosts in the play.^A But fortunately, the attack was very mild. By the next day all danger had passed, although I still felt weak and exhausted.

After a few weeks, the first force of the cholera was spent, and although it lingered with us, as though loath to leave so fine a resting-place, for some months, it no longer gave us much alarm; and before long, life went on as briskly and selfishly as ever with the Cruces survivors, and the terrible past was conveniently forgotten. Perhaps it is so everywhere; but the haste with which the Cruces people buried their memory seemed indecent. Old houses found new masters; the mules new drivers; the great Spaniard chose another pretty woman, and had a grand, poor, dirty wedding, and was married by the same lazy black priest who had buried his wife, dead a few months back; and very likely they would all have hastened as quickly to forget their doctress, had circumstances permitted them: but every now and then one of them sickened and died of the old complaint; and the reputation I had established founded for me a considerable practice. The Americans in the place gladly retained me as their medical attendant, and in one way or other gave me plenty to do; but, in addition to this, I determined to follow my original scheme of keeping an hotel in Cruces.

After a few weeks, the worst of the cholera had passed. It lingered among us for some months, as if unwilling to leave such a fine resting place, but it no longer caused us much alarm. Before long, life among the survivors in Cruces went on as busily and selfishly as ever, and the terrible past was conveniently forgotten. Perhaps it is the same everywhere, but the speed with which the people of Cruces buried their memories seemed indecent. Old houses found new owners, and the mules found new drivers. The great Spaniard chose another pretty woman and had a grand, poor, dirty wedding. The same lazy black priest who had buried his wife a few months earlier married them. Very likely, they would all have hurried to forget their woman doctor just as quickly, if circumstances had allowed. But every now and then, one of them fell ill and died of the old disease. The reputation I had established brought me a considerable medical practice. The Americans in Cruces gladly kept me as their medical attendant and gave me plenty to do in one way or another. But I also decided to follow my original plan of running a hotel in Cruces.

Right opposite my brother’s Independent Hotel there was a place to let which it was considered I could adapt to my purpose. It was a mere tumble-down hut, with wattled sides, and a rotten thatched roof, containing two rooms, one small enough to serve as a bedroom. For this charming residence—very openly situated, and well ventilated—twenty pounds a month was considered a fair and by no means exorbitant rent. And yet I was glad to take possession of it; and in a few days had hung its rude walls with calico of gayest colour in stripes, with an exuberance of fringes, frills, and bows (the Americans love show dearly), and prepared it to accommodate fifty dinner guests. I had determined that it should be simply a table d’hôte, and that I would receive no lodgers. Once, and once only, I relaxed this rule in favour of two American women, who sent me to sleep by a lengthy quarrel of words, woke me in the night to witness its crisis in a fisticuff duello, and left in the morning, after having taken a fancy to some of my moveables which were most easily removeable. I had on my staff my black servant Mac, the little girl I have before alluded to, and a native cook. I had had many opportunities of seeing how my brother conducted his business; and adopted his tariff of charges. For an ordinary dinner my charge was four shillings; eggs and chickens were, as I have before said, distinct luxuries, and fetched high prices.

Right opposite my brother’s Independent Hotel, there was a place to rent. People thought I could adapt it for my purpose. It was just a rundown hut with woven walls and a rotten thatched roof. It had two rooms, one small enough to serve as a bedroom. For this charming residence, so open to the surroundings and well ventilated, twenty pounds a month was considered fair and by no means excessive. Still, I was glad to take possession. Within a few days, I had hung its rough walls with brightly striped calico, covered in fringes, frills, and bows. Americans dearly love a show. I had also prepared the place to seat fifty dinner guests. I had decided to run it simply as a table d’hôte, serving meals at a shared table, and take no lodgers. Only once did I make an exception, for two American women. They sent me to sleep with a long argument, then woke me in the night to witness its climax, a fistfight or duello. They left in the morning, after taking a fancy to some of my most easily removed belongings. My staff consisted of my black servant Mac, the little girl I mentioned earlier, and a local cook. I had often seen how my brother ran his business, so I adopted his prices. I charged four shillings for an ordinary dinner. As I have said before, eggs and chickens were distinct luxuries and fetched high prices.

Four crowds generally passed through Cruces every month. In these were to be found passengers to and from Chili, Peru, and Lima, as well as California and America. The distance from Cruces to Panama was not great—only twenty miles, in fact; but the journey, from the want of roads and the roughness of the country, was a most fatiguing one. In some parts—as I found when I made the journey, in company with my brother—it was almost impassable; and for more than half the distance, three miles an hour was considered splendid progress. The great majority of the travellers were rough, rude men, of dirty, quarrelsome habits; the others were more civilized and more dangerous. And it was not long before I grew very tired of life in Cruces, although I made money rapidly, and pressed my brother to return to Kingston. Poor fellow! it would have been well for him had he done so; for he stayed only to find a grave on the Isthmus of Panama.

Four crowds generally passed through Cruces every month. They included passengers traveling to and from Chili, Peru, and Lima, as well as California and America. Cruces was only twenty miles from Panama. But the journey was exhausting because there were no roads and the country was rough. I made the journey with my brother and found some parts almost impassable. For more than half the distance, three miles an hour was considered excellent progress. Most travelers were rough, rude men with dirty, quarrelsome habits. The others were more civilized and more dangerous. Before long, I grew very tired of life in Cruces, although I was making money quickly. I urged my brother to return to Kingston. Poor fellow! He would have been better off if he had done so. Instead, he stayed and found a grave on the Isthmus of Panama.

The company at my table d’hôte was not over select; and it was often very difficult for an unprotected female to manage them, although I always did my best to put them in good humour. Among other comforts, I used to hire a black barber, for the rather large consideration of two pounds, to shave my male guests. You can scarcely conceive the pleasure and comfort an American feels in a clean chin; and I believe my barber attracted considerable custom to the British Hotel at Cruces. I had a little out-house erected for his especial convenience; and there, well provided with towels, and armed with plenty of razors, a brush of extraordinary size, and a foaming sea of lather, José shaved the new-comers. The rivalry to get within reach of his huge brush was very great; and the threats used by the neglected, when the grinning black was considered guilty of any interested partiality, were of the fiercest description.

The company at my table d’hôte was not very select. It was often difficult for a woman without protection to manage them, although I always did my best to keep them cheerful. Among the comforts I provided, I hired a black barber to shave my male guests, for the rather large sum of two pounds. You can hardly imagine the pleasure and comfort an American feels in having a clean-shaven chin. I believe my barber attracted considerable business to the British Hotel at Cruces. I had a small outbuilding put up especially for him. There, supplied with towels and armed with plenty of razors, an extraordinarily large brush, and a foaming sea of lather, José shaved the newcomers. The competition to get within reach of his huge brush was fierce. Those left waiting made the fiercest threats when they thought the grinning black barber was showing favoritism for his own benefit.

This duty over, they and their coarser female companions—many of them well known to us, for they travelled backwards and forwards across the Isthmus, hanging on to the foolish gold-finders—attacked the dinner, very often with great lack of decency. It was no use giving them carving-knives and forks, for very often they laid their own down to insert a dirty hairy hand into a full dish; while the floor soon bore evidences of the great national American habit of expectoration. Very often quarrels would arise during the progress of dinner; and more than once I thought the knives, which they nearly swallowed at every mouthful, would have been turned against one another. It was, I always thought, extremely fortunate that the reckless men rarely stimulated their excitable passions with strong drink. Tea and coffee were the common beverages of the Americans; Englishmen, and men of other nations, being generally distinguishable by their demand for wine and spirits. But the Yankee’s capacity for swilling tea and coffee was prodigious. I saw one man drink ten cups of coffee; and finding his appetite still unsatisfied, I ran across to my brother for advice. There was a merry twinkle in his eyes as he whispered, “I always put in a good spoonful of salt after the sixth cup. It chokes them off admirably.”

Once this duty was over, they and their rougher female companions attacked the dinner. We knew many of the women well, because they traveled back and forth across the Isthmus, hanging on to the foolish gold-seekers. Their behavior at dinner was often very indecent. There was no point giving them carving knives and forks. Often they put their own knives and forks down and plunged a dirty, hairy hand into a full dish. The floor soon showed signs of the great American national habit of spitting. Quarrels often broke out during dinner. More than once, I thought they would turn their knives on one another. They nearly swallowed those knives with every mouthful. I always thought it extremely fortunate that these reckless men rarely inflamed their excitable passions with strong drink. Americans usually drank tea and coffee. Englishmen and men of other nations could generally be recognized by their requests for wine and spirits. But the Yankee’s capacity for gulping down tea and coffee was astonishing. I saw one man drink ten cups of coffee, and he still wanted more. I ran across to my brother for advice. His eyes twinkled with amusement as he whispered, “I always put in a good spoonful of salt after the sixth cup. It puts them off admirably.”

It was no easy thing to avoid being robbed and cheated by the less scrupulous travellers; although I think it was only the ’cutest Yankee who stood any fair chance of outwitting me. I remember an instance of the biter bit, which I will narrate, hoping it may make my reader laugh as heartily as its recollection makes me. He was a tall, thin Yankee, with a furtive glance of the eyes, and an amazing appetite, which he seemed nothing loath to indulge: his appetite for eggs especially seemed unbounded. Now, I have more than once said how expensive eggs were; and this day they happened to be eightpence apiece. Our plan was to charge every diner according to the number of shells found upon his plate. Now, I noticed how eagerly my thin guest attacked my eggs, and marvelled somewhat at the scanty pile of shells before him. My suspicions once excited, I soon fathomed my Yankee friend’s dodge. As soon as he had devoured the eggs, he conveyed furtively the shells beneath the table, and distributed them impartially at the feet of his companions. I gave my little black maid a piece of chalk, and instructions; and creeping under the table, she counted the scattered shells, and chalked the number on the tail of his coat. And when he came up to pay his score, he gave up his number of eggs in a loud voice; and when I contradicted him, and referred to the coat-tale in corroboration of my score, there was a general laugh against him. But there was a nasty expression in his cat-like eyes, and an unpleasant allusion to mine, which were not agreeable, and dissuaded me from playing any more practical jokes upon the Yankees.

It was not easy to avoid being robbed and cheated by the less honest travellers. Although, I think only the cleverest Yankee had a fair chance of outwitting me. I remember one case of the trickster being tricked, which I will tell you. I hope it makes you laugh as heartily as remembering it makes me. He was a tall, thin Yankee with a furtive look in his eyes and an amazing appetite. He seemed more than willing to indulge it, and his appetite for eggs in particular seemed endless. I have said more than once how expensive eggs were. That day they happened to cost eightpence each. We charged each diner according to the number of shells found on their plate. I noticed how eagerly my thin guest ate my eggs, and I wondered at the small pile of shells before him. Once I grew suspicious, I soon worked out my Yankee friend’s trick. As soon as he had eaten the eggs, he secretly slipped the shells under the table. He distributed them equally among the feet of his companions. I gave my little black maid a piece of chalk and some instructions. She crept under the table, counted the scattered shells, and chalked the number on his coat-tail. When he came up to pay his bill, he announced his number of eggs in a loud voice. I contradicted him and pointed to the coat-tale as proof of my count. Everyone laughed at him. But there was a nasty expression in his cat-like eyes, and an unpleasant remark about mine. Neither was agreeable, and they discouraged me from playing any more practical jokes on the Yankees.

I followed my brother’s example closely, and forbade all gambling in my hotel. But I got some idea of its fruits from the cases brought to me for surgical treatment from the faro and monte tables. Gambling at Cruces, and on the Isthmus generally, was a business by which money was wormed out of the gold-seekers and gold-finders. No attempt was made to render it attractive, as I have seen done elsewhere. The gambling-house was often plainer than our hotels; and but for the green tables, with their piles of money and gold-dust, watched over by a well-armed determined banker, and the eager gamblers around, you would not know that you were in the vicinity of a spot which the English at home designate by a very decided and extreme name. A Dr. Casey—everybody familiar with the Americans knows their fondness for titles—owned the most favoured table in Cruces; and this, although he was known to be a reckless and unscrupulous villain. Most of them knew that he had been hunted out of San Francisco; and at that time—years before the Vigilance Committee commenced their labours of purification—a man too bad for that city must have been a prodigy of crime: and yet, and although he was violent-tempered, and had a knack of referring the slightest dispute to his revolver, his table was always crowded; probably because—the greatest rogues have some good qualities—he was honest in his way, and played fairly.

I followed my brother’s example closely and banned all gambling in my hotel. But I got some idea of its consequences from the people brought to me for surgical treatment after gambling at faro and monte tables. In Cruces, and on the Isthmus generally, gambling was a business that drew money out of gold-seekers and gold-finders. No one tried to make it attractive, as I have seen done elsewhere. The gambling-house was often plainer than our hotels. You might not have known you were near a place the English at home call by a very harsh name. The only clues were the green tables, piled with money and gold dust, the well-armed, determined banker watching over them, and the eager gamblers gathered around. A Dr. Casey owned the most popular table in Cruces. Anyone familiar with Americans knows their fondness for titles. Casey was known to be a reckless and unscrupulous villain. Most of the gamblers knew he had been driven out of San Francisco. At that time, years before the Vigilance Committee began its work of cleaning up the city, a man too bad for San Francisco must have been an extraordinary criminal. Yet his table was always crowded, even though he had a violent temper and tended to settle the slightest dispute with his revolver. This was probably because he was honest in his own way and played fairly. Even the greatest rogues have some good qualities.

Occasionally some distinguished passengers passed on the upward and downward tides of rascality and ruffianism, that swept periodically through Cruces. Came one day, Lola Montes, in the full zenith of her evil fame, bound for California, with a strange suite. A good-looking, bold woman, with fine, bad eyes, and a determined bearing; dressed ostentatiously in perfect male attire, with shirt-collar turned down over a velvet lapelled coat, richly worked shirt-front, black hat, French unmentionables, and natty, polished boots with spurs. She carried in her hand a handsome riding-whip, which she could use as well in the streets of Cruces as in the towns of Europe; for an impertinent American, presuming—perhaps not unnaturally—upon her reputation, laid hold jestingly of the tails of her long coat, and as a lesson received a cut across his face that must have marked him for some days. I did not wait to see the row that followed, and was glad when the wretched woman rode off on the following morning. A very different notoriety followed her at some interval of time—Miss Catherine Hayes, on her successful singing tour, who disappointed us all by refusing to sing at Cruces; and after her came an English bishop from Australia, who need have been a member of the church militant to secure his pretty wife from the host of admirers she had gained during her day’s journey from Panama.

Occasionally, distinguished passengers passed through Cruces among the tides of swindlers and ruffians that swept back and forth through the town. One day Lola Montes arrived, at the height of her evil fame. She was bound for California, accompanied by a strange group. She was a good-looking, bold woman, with striking, wicked eyes and a determined manner. She was dressed conspicuously in full male attire. Her shirt collar was turned down over a coat with velvet lapels, and her shirtfront was richly embroidered. She wore a black hat, French trousers, and neat, polished boots with spurs. She carried a handsome riding whip, which she knew how to use in the streets of Cruces as well as in European towns. An impudent American took liberties because of her reputation, perhaps not unnaturally. He playfully grabbed the tails of her long coat, and she taught him a lesson. She struck him across the face with the whip, leaving a mark that must have lasted for days. I did not wait to see the quarrel that followed, and I was glad when the wretched woman rode off the next morning. Some time later, a woman famous for very different reasons followed her. Miss Catherine Hayes was on her successful singing tour, but she disappointed us all by refusing to sing at Cruces. After her came an English bishop from Australia. He would have needed to be a member of the church militant to protect his pretty wife from her many admirers. She had gained them during her day’s journey from Panama.

Very quarrelsome were the majority of the crowds, holding life cheap, as all bad men strangely do—equally prepared to take or lose it upon the slightest provocation. Few tales of horror in Panama could be questioned on the ground of improbability. Not less partial were many of the natives of Cruces to the use of the knife; preferring, by the way, to administer sly stabs in the back, when no one was by to see the dastard blow dealt. Terribly bullied by the Americans were the boatmen and muleteers, who were reviled, shot, and stabbed by these free and independent filibusters, who would fain whop all creation abroad as they do their slaves at home. Whenever any Englishmen were present, and in a position to interfere with success, this bullying was checked; and they found, instead of the poor Spanish Indians, foemen worthy of their steel or lead. I must do them credit to say, that they were never loath to fight any one that desired that passing excitement, and thought little of ending their journey of life abruptly at the wretched wayside town of Cruces. It very often happened so, and over many a hasty head and ready hand have I seen the sod roughly pressed down, their hot hearts stilled suddenly in some senseless quarrel. And so in time I grew to have some considerable experience in the treatment of knife and gun-shot wounds.

Most of the crowd were very quarrelsome. They held life cheap, as all bad men strangely do. At the slightest provocation, they were equally ready to take a life or lose their own. Few horror stories from Panama could be dismissed as improbable. Many natives of Cruces were just as fond of using knives. They preferred, by the way, to stab people in the back when no one was there to see the cowardly blow. The boatmen and muleteers were terribly bullied by the Americans. These free and independent filibusters cursed, shot, and stabbed them. The filibusters wanted to beat everyone abroad, just as they beat their slaves at home. Whenever Englishmen were present and able to intervene successfully, they stopped the bullying. Then, instead of the poor Spanish Indians, the filibusters found enemies worthy of their knives or guns. I must give the filibusters credit. They were never reluctant to fight anyone who wanted that momentary excitement. They thought little of bringing their lives to an abrupt end in the miserable roadside town of Cruces. This happened very often. I have seen the earth roughly pressed down over many a quick temper and ready hand. Their passionate hearts had been suddenly stilled in some senseless quarrel. And so, in time, I gained considerable experience treating knife and gunshot wounds.

One night I heard a great noise outside my window, and on rising found a poor boatman moaning piteously, and in a strange jumble of many languages begging me to help him. At first I was afraid to open the door, on account of the noisy mob which soon joined him, for villainy was very shrewd at Cruces; but at last I admitted him, and found that the poor wretch’s ears had been cruelly split by some hasty citizen of the United States. I stitched them up as well as I could, and silenced his cries. And at any time, if you happened to be near the river when a crowd were arriving or departing, your ears would be regaled with a choice chorus of threats, of which ear-splitting, eye-gouging, cow-hiding, and the application of revolvers were the mildest. Against the negroes, of whom there were many in the Isthmus, and who almost invariably filled the municipal offices, and took the lead in every way, the Yankees had a strong prejudice; but it was wonderful to see how freedom and equality elevate men, and the same negro who perhaps in Tennessee would have cowered like a beaten child or dog beneath an American’s uplifted hand, would face him boldly here, and by equal courage and superior physical strength cow his old oppressor.

One night, I heard a great noise outside my window. When I got up, I found a poor boatman moaning pitifully. In a strange mix of many languages, he begged me to help him. At first, I was afraid to open the door because a noisy mob soon gathered around him. Cruces was a dangerous place. But at last I let him in and found that an impatient American had cruelly split his ears. I stitched them up as well as I could and quieted his cries. At any time, if you were near the river when a crowd was arriving or leaving, you would hear a fine chorus of threats. The mildest included splitting ears, gouging out eyes, whipping with a cowhide, and using revolvers. The Yankees had a strong prejudice against Black people. There were many Black people in the Isthmus, and they almost always held municipal offices and took the lead in every way. But it was wonderful to see how freedom and equality elevate people. In Tennessee, the same Black man might have cowered like a beaten child or dog beneath an American’s raised hand. Here, he would face the American boldly and, with equal courage and greater physical strength, intimidate his old oppressor.

When more than ordinary squabbles occurred in the street or at the gambling-tables, the assistance of the soldier-police of New Granada was called in, and the affair sometimes assumed the character of a regular skirmish. The soldiers—I wish I could speak better of them—were a dirty, cowardly, indolent set, more prone to use their knives than their legitimate arms, and bore old rusty muskets, and very often marched unshod. Their officers were in outward appearance a few shades superior to the men they commanded, but, as respects military proficiency, were their equals. Add to this description of their personnel the well-known fact, that you might commit the grossest injustice, and could obtain the simplest justice only by lavish bribery, and you may form some idea of our military protectors.

When unusually serious fights broke out in the street or at the gambling tables, the soldier-police of New Granada were called in. The trouble sometimes turned into a full skirmish. I wish I could speak better of the soldiers. They were a dirty, cowardly, lazy lot, more inclined to use their knives than their proper weapons. They carried old, rusty muskets and very often marched barefoot. Their officers looked a little better than the men they commanded, but were no more skilled as soldiers. Add to this description of their personnel a well-known fact. You could commit the grossest injustice, but could obtain the simplest justice only by paying lavish bribes. Then you may form some idea of our military protectors.

Very practised and skilful in thieving were the native population of Cruces—I speak of the majority, and except the negroes—always more inclined to do a dishonest night’s labour at great risk, than an honest day’s work for fair wages; for justice was always administered strictly to the poor natives—it was only the foreigners who could evade it or purchase exemption. Punishment was severe; and in extreme cases the convicts were sent to Carthagena, there to suffer imprisonment of a terrible character. Indeed, from what I heard of the New Granada prisons, I thought no other country could match them, and continued to think so until I read how the ingenuity in cruelty of his Majesty the King of Naples put the torturers of the New Granada Republic to the blush.

The native people of Cruces were highly practiced and skilled thieves. I mean the majority, except for the Black people. They were always more inclined to steal at night, at great risk, than to do an honest day’s work for fair wages. For justice was always administered strictly to the poor natives. Only foreigners could evade justice or buy exemption. Punishment was severe, and in extreme cases, convicts were sent to Carthagena to suffer terrible imprisonment. In fact, from what I heard of the prisons in New Granada, I thought no other country could match them. I continued to think so until I read how His Majesty the King of Naples, with his ingenious cruelty, put the torturers of the New Granada Republic to shame.

I generally avoided claiming the protection of the law whilst on the Isthmus, for I found it was—as is the case in civilized England from other causes—rather an expensive luxury. Once only I took a thief caught in the act before the alcalde, and claimed the administration of justice. The court-house was a low bamboo shed, before which some dirty Spanish-Indian soldiers were lounging; and inside, the alcalde, a negro, was reclining in a dirty hammock, smoking coolly, hearing evidence, and pronouncing judgment upon the wretched culprits, who were trembling before his dusky majesty. I had attended him while suffering from an attack of cholera, and directly he saw me he rose from his hammock, and received me in a ceremonious, grand manner, and gave orders that coffee should be brought to me. He had a very pretty white wife, who joined us; and then the alcalde politely offered me a cigarito—having declined which, he listened to my statement with great attention. All this, however, did not prevent my leaving the necessary fee in furtherance of justice, nor his accepting it. Its consequence was, that the thief, instead of being punished as a criminal, was ordered to pay me the value of the stolen goods; which, after weeks of hesitation and delay, she eventually did, in pearls, combs, and other curiosities.

I generally avoided seeking the law’s protection while on the Isthmus. I found it rather an expensive luxury, as it is in civilized England, though for different reasons. Only once did I take a thief caught in the act before the alcalde and ask for justice. The courthouse was a low bamboo shed, with some dirty Spanish-Indian soldiers lounging outside. Inside, the alcalde, a Black man, reclined in a dirty hammock, calmly smoking as he heard evidence and passed judgment. The wretched defendants trembled before his dark-skinned majesty. I had cared for him during an attack of cholera. As soon as he saw me, he rose from his hammock and welcomed me with great ceremony. He ordered coffee to be brought to me. His very pretty white wife joined us, and the alcalde politely offered me a cigarito. After I declined it, he listened to my account with great attention. All this, however, did not stop me from leaving the fee needed to help justice along, or him from accepting it. As a result, instead of being punished as a criminal, the thief was ordered to pay me the value of the stolen goods. After weeks of hesitation and delay, she finally paid me in pearls, combs, and other curiosities.

Whenever an American was arrested by the New Granada authorities, justice had a hard struggle for the mastery, and rarely obtained it. Once I was present at the court-house, when an American was brought in heavily ironed, charged with having committed a highway robbery —if I may use the term where there were no roads—on some travellers from Chili. Around the frightened soldiers swelled an angry crowd of brother Americans, abusing and threatening the authorities in no measured terms, all of them indignant that a nigger should presume to judge one of their countrymen. At last their violence so roused the sleepy alcalde, that he positively threw himself from his hammock, laid down his cigarito, and gave such very determined orders to his soldiers that he succeeded in checking the riot. Then, with an air of decision that puzzled everybody, he addressed the crowd, declaring angrily, that since the Americans came the country had known no peace, that robberies and crimes of every sort had increased, and ending by expressing his determination to make strangers respect the laws of the Republic, and to retain the prisoner; and if found guilty, punish him as he deserved. The Americans seemed too astonished at the audacity of the black man, who dared thus to beard them, to offer any resistance; but I believe that the prisoner was allowed ultimately to escape.

Whenever an American was arrested by the New Granada authorities, justice had a hard struggle to prevail, and rarely succeeded. Once, I was at the courthouse when an American was brought in wearing heavy chains. He was charged with robbing some travellers from Chile on the highway, if I may use that term where there were no roads. An angry crowd of fellow Americans gathered around the frightened soldiers, freely insulting and threatening the authorities. All were outraged that a nigger should presume to judge one of their countrymen. At last, their violence so stirred the sleepy alcalde that he actually threw himself out of his hammock. He put down his cigarito and gave his soldiers such firm orders that he managed to stop the riot. Then he addressed the crowd with a decisive air that puzzled everyone. He angrily declared that the country had known no peace since the Americans arrived. Robberies and crimes of every kind had increased, he said. He ended by declaring that he would make foreigners respect the laws of the Republic. He would keep the prisoner in custody and, if he was found guilty, punish him as he deserved. The Americans seemed too astonished by the boldness of the black man who dared defy them to resist. But I believe the prisoner was eventually allowed to escape.

I once had a narrow escape from the thieves of Cruces. I had been down to Chagres for some stores, and returning, late in the evening, too tired to put away my packages, had retired to rest at once. My little maid, who was not so fatigued as I was, and slept more lightly, woke me in the night to listen to a noise in the thatch, at the further end of the store; but I was so accustomed to hear the half-starved mules of Cruces munching my thatch, that I listened lazily for a few minutes, and then went unsuspiciously into another heavy sleep. I do not know how long it was before I was again awoke by the child’s loud screams and cries of “Hombro—landro;” and sure enough, by the light of the dying fire, I saw a fellow stealing away with my dress, in the pocket of which was my purse. I was about to rush forward, when the fire gleamed on a villainous-looking knife in his hand; so I stood still, and screamed loudly, hoping to arouse my brother over the way. For a moment the thief seemed inclined to silence me, and had taken a few steps forward, when I took up an old rusty horse-pistol which my brother had given me that I might look determined, and snatching down the can of ground coffee, proceeded to prime it, still screaming as loudly as my strong lungs would permit, until the rascal turned tail and stole away through the roof. The thieves usually buried their spoil like dogs, as they were; but this fellow had only time to hide it behind a bush, where it was found on the following morning, and claimed by me.

I once had a narrow escape from the thieves of Cruces. I had gone down to Chagres for supplies and returned late in the evening. I was too tired to put my packages away, so I went straight to bed. My little maid was less tired than I was and slept more lightly. During the night, she woke me to listen to a noise in the thatch at the far end of the store. But I was used to hearing the half-starved mules of Cruces munching on my thatch. I listened lazily for a few minutes, then fell back into a deep sleep without suspecting anything. I do not know how long it was before the child woke me again, screaming loudly and crying, “Hombro—landro.” Sure enough, by the light of the dying fire, I saw a man stealing away with my dress. My purse was in its pocket. I was about to rush forward when the firelight gleamed on a villainous-looking knife in his hand. So I stood still and screamed loudly, hoping to wake my brother across the way. For a moment, the thief seemed inclined to silence me and took a few steps toward me. Then I picked up an old rusty horse-pistol my brother had given me to make me look determined. I snatched down the can of ground coffee and began to prime the pistol with it. All the while, I screamed as loudly as my strong lungs would allow. At last, the rascal turned tail and slipped away through the roof. The thieves usually buried their loot like the dogs they were. But this fellow had only enough time to hide it behind a bush. It was found there the next morning, and I claimed it.