Vasco, Our Little Panama Cousin

spo without special incident. Here a halt was made and the train shifted to a side-track. Mr. Andrews was obliged to inspect the site of

nd hunt up his uncle, Francisco Herreras. "I am sure," said the boy, "that he w

ill be lots more fun than staying here to-night. I

eived by Mr. Andrews, who proceeded a

am, he met with unexpected good fortune. Two natives, who had come down to Obispo with a boat-load of

r, suitable for navigation of the shallow stream. On the way up many

familiar terms with the boatmen, who told them that in former times m

his favourite game. His life is a very simple one. Nature provides him with bread in the shape of bananas and plantains. He

of bamboo with hides thrown over it

alo Grande. On inquiry, it was learned that Se?or Herreras lived about two miles west of the river,

growing corn, tobacco, indigo, coffee, vanilla beans, and other products of the country were a source of wonder to him. Even

turn to serve as guide and leader of the party. Finding his uncle at home, he i

"Will you kindly follow me within that you may rest after your long walk, and I w

erreras continued, addressing Vasco. "It has

e told me of you that I am here with these friends. S

wish she were with you. Sometime I hope I

n an opportunity to remove the travel-stains, and by the time this

ins of about his own age, Jago and Alfeo, and before lon

inquired of Mr. Andrews as t

lhajuela, where I have some business

t to take the

was my

f them, and my boys will show them all about this place. I am sure they would all ha

accept your generous invitation on behalf of the boys. Thi

will consider that se

his journey, Vasco's uncle providing a hors

ds were left to

to the sugar-mill first,"

reply, and Vasco and Harlan rea

in this mill he also did grinding for neighbours who were

ined, and he regarded it as rather a small affair, but Vasco

out five feet long and one in the centre two feet higher. They were set c

ound and round in a circle the animals walked, and as they did so the machinery revolved. The stalks of cane w

masonry, and dried cane was used for fuel. The boiling process was watched by an o

IVE V

of the partially boiled cane-juice, whi

em, "the sugar is run into wooden moulds and then wrapp

n a cook in Se?or Herreras's father's household. This woman was said to be nearly a

n, the branches lopped off, and a Y-shaped fork left at the tops. These four trees were set deep into the earth as corner posts. Side pieces were

, though many houses have no upper room. The sides of the hut were

on with her. She told how the Indians in her youthful days used to adorn their bodies with figures of birds, beasts, and trees. The women did the painting an

rings made of

of some cheaper metal," replied the woman. "Chai

the old woman. "Instead of a cigar, or even a pipe, long strips of tobacco

ough the roll into the face of each man in the company, no matter how many of them. Then they, sitting down as usual, with their hands made a kind of funnel around their mouths and

ld have liked the boy

nting when you were

ows and arrows. They could shoot very straight with them

in the corner of the room and t

ft in the end of th

o," answe

ot at twenty paces by my oldest brot

g various points of interest in the vicinity of the plantation. They also fished and

glad to get an early supper and seek the re

Mr. Andrews returned and remained ove

e and with invitations to come again, the travellers took up their journey h