Vasco, Our Little Panama Cousin

nd Indian blood in his veins, there had been bo

d this desire. That wa

of training, or rather the lack of it. Necessities were few and eas

t the time this story begins was most glorious for him.

ution had just tak

rates the Atlantic from the Pacific. Vasco's father had been through m

even the boys in the streets knew that th

t the results seemed likely to

ant to k

o a little bi

land connecting North and South America, had been a pa

ig a canal across Panama, but had been unable to get permission from Colom

the digging of a canal through their country w

nize a government of their own, and come to an agreement with the United States. At the ti

d, what has all thi

ter in a hotel and at other times the servant of an American engineer, was deeply interested in this

NT AMADE

ity as a seven-foot member of Napoleon's "Old Guard"-and more pomposity. When on parade he would strut about in his gaud

reets of the city and be inspected by the commander-in-chief. Several officers of the United St

ought to have a place where he might see his father march by, and be able to add his voice to the thou

of the city, so the soldiers would not pass by that pl

f the street; but what chance would a

it seemed to him that he might make use of

an American engineer who was i

of Panama. They had now lived here over a year. During that time Harlan had learned a good deal about the country. He had also acquired some knowledge of Spanish, the languag

e insisted on being called, had been in Mr. Webster's service at various times, and t

aneers of old times, about the raid on the city of Panama, about Balboa and his adventures

e to take him to many points of interest. When it came to excursions by water or by land, Vasco was in his element. He could hand

nt Vasco this morning. This hotel was in the better par

id Vasco, after he

o, Va

o see the great army

y. "Where can we go

ant to stand in the crowd on the street,

father can do to he

a pleasant "Good morning" when the boys appeared before him. Seeing the

to-day," said Harlan, "and Vasco is anxio

that Harlan was as anxious to get

nd watch from the tower or from one of

ing tickets can enter the cathedral till after the pa

hedral, do you think you can remain within

e can," rep

out the place that even Vasco did not know, and he said to the boys, "You know

the two bo

, built centuries ago to afford escape from the building. In times

s to make their way from the hotel, down the street, across the plaza, and through a narrow alley to the old battery. Quickly they passed inside. He

ny doors and wandered into several blind corridors. Vasco was almost ready to give up the search, but his American fri

dark passage. After going a few yards, t

ave to go far in this

stubbed his toes and scraped his shins on various obstacles

them one by one, thus faintly lighting the path. Then the boys were able to move forward

h was blocked by what seemed to be a wood

ally in trouble

lder to the partition. It did not budge, and the Panama lad was

up trying to get in

od in the dark. "Strike another match, an

oys hastily looked over the stout planking.

anced backward and spied upon the ground

," he shouted, darti

y easy for Vasco to do this and keep his match burning at the same time, but he m

wn these old pla

was a small lad, compared with Harlan, his well-trained muscle

give, the planks began to loosen, and soon t

noise the boys had made. No one dreamed of putting a guard at this point. T

themselves in a small room whi

lics here,"

ish, I guess," w

mine the stuff. They made their way to a steep stairway, down w

oor was made. But the door had been too long settled in its place to yield at once to their pushing. By persistent effort, however, the door was

se was about, and the boys were able to make their way without challenge to the portico facing the plaza. Once mingled with the throng, there was no da

isited their camp. They supposed, however, that the son of one of their officers had a right within the space reser

arlan something of the history of the cathedral, whic

up to the great d

dome sparkle so

pearl shells that are stuck into

t this great building was put up nea

heard that its builder was the fi

charcoal and then sold it from his back through the streets of Panama.

stood near and overheard the talk, "and this cathedral

s looked down the street by which the soldiers were to come to the plaza. In the distance

the onlookers. When he finally spied his father, Lieutenant Barretas, marching at the head of his company, Vasco was

Harlan's criticism and lack of admiration for the parade. Were not these soldiers enlisted

d enough to join them and wear the un

an end. The last flag had dipped before the reviewing stand, the last soldier

ople of Panama. As was their usual custom, shopkeepers and market-men closed their door

reets, and Vasco and Harlan took their departure from the cathedral,-the