Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/62

 16 morning, and it was intended that the party should have moved on immediately for Panama. But want of mules and previous arrangement detained them until noon, when the greater part had moved forward. My astronomical observations detained me until three, when Lieut. Bevan and myself mounted our steeds, intending to reach Panama that evening.

One of the mates was left behind in charge of three chronometers, to await my return for rocket operations, in order to complete the meridian distance between the Atlantic and Pacific, or between Chagres and Panama, where the tides have effect. A party from the Sulphur, which had been ordered to meet me here, having been, by the mistake of the guide, taken to Cruces, missed me entirely.

Shortly before sunset, having lost our guide, we fell into the wrong road, but eventually met with shelter for the night in a hut where nothing else could be obtained. In the morning, by the assistance of the peasant, our host, we were enabled to reach the main road, and about two that evening arrived at Panama, when we found that those who had preceded us had also been similarly unfortunate.

Our first efforts were directed to free ourselves from the garrapatas, or ticks, which infest the woods of this country, and we then proceeded to pay our respects to the widow and family of the late consul, whom we found residing at the house of Mr. Dawson, the only English merchant (although by birth a Russian,) resident here.