Early in the morning without a mouthful to eat, we had to hurry to the cars, which reminded us of home. These cars were made in Jersey and they were more commodious than any of the same kind in the States. They traveled at the rate of two miles an hour. The locomotive came in collision with one of the native’s cork cars and upset it, by which one of his companions was hurt. This delayed us for half an hour.
When we arrived at the Chagres river, we had to leave the cars. The gentlemen went immediately and hired a boat. We took our dinner in an American house of entertainment, containing two rooms and a kitchen. We had plenty of corn beef and cutlets, potatoes, rice and bread. After dinner we repaired to the boat, the descent to which was so steep and slippery that it would have been impossible to go down without falling into the water, had not the soldiers kindly lent a hand. After the passengers and baggage were on board, it was perceived that the boat was too small, so we had all our moving to do over again into a larger one. By the time this was done, all the other boats that had been chartered had left; however, we reached the river, and during the evening we passed many that had started before us.
The boat, in which we were, was engaged to go to Crucis, but when we reached the town of Gorgona, the captain and sailors positively refused to go further, so we prepared to remain aboard all night. However, after eating our supper, which consisted of whatever little the passengers could muster up; the captain made his appearance, and stated, that he would proceed to Crucis. So we set out again. After sailing half a mile, Antonia said it was too dark, and he would not go any farther; by coaxing he proceeded another half mile. He stopped, the sailors went on shore, and lay down on the beach. The captain placed a coat down at the helm and rested on it. After some time, Mr. Butler urged him to continue; he refused unless he was paid on the spot which Mr. Butler objected to do till we got to Crucis. So we set out again. After sailing half a mile, Antonia said it was too dark, and he would not go any farther; by coaxing he proceeded another half mile. He stopped, the sailors went on shore, and lay down on the beach. The captain placed a coat down at the helm and rested on it. After some time, Mr. Butler urged him to continue; he refused unless he was paid on the spot which Mr. Butler objected to do till we got to Crucis.
While the natives were on shore, they were heard laying plans to take us to the rapids and drown us, as they had done to many before, but a gentleman understood them and informed us, so we went ashore and kindled a fire on the beach. When they found that we would not go, they lay down on the sand. Sister M. Ignatia gave them medals; they received them, thinking that they were pieces of money, and on discovering their mistake threw them into the water. The passengers dried their clothes at the fire, and in the morning returned to the boat.
