The history of the country is a romantic one. The names of Balboa, Pizarro, and other famous Spanish discoverers are closely linked to Panama, and readers of history as well as lovers of adventure are not likely to forget the part the notorious Morgan and his men played on the Isthmus.
There has been much of bloodshed, cruelty, and oppression in Panama's history, but let us hope that is all over. The example of industry and persistent perseverance set by Americans, as they cut away mountains and turn great rivers into new channels, ought to be a source of inspiration to the leisure-loving native. And such seems to be the fact to-day. Not only a canal, but a nation, is being built. New schools, new docks, new water-works, new streets, new sanitary measures, give evidence of a better era for Panama.
This all means new possibilities for our little Panama cousin. As his young American and English friends read about him, they may well believe that in the days to come they may all stand shoulder to shoulder in the onward march of civilization and progress.
CHAPTER PAGE I. HAPPY DAYS 1 II. ABOUT THE CITY 19 III. A TRIP TO OLD PANAMA 26 IV. STORY OF THE BUCCANEERS 36 V. AN EARTHQUAKE 60 VI. A JOURNEY 71 VII. CULEBRA 81 VIII. BALBOA 90 IX. COLON 96 X. UP THE CHAGRES RIVER 102 XI. NEW AMBITION 115
PAGE VASCO BARRETAS _Frontispiece_ LIEUTENANT AMADEO BARRETAS 4 A STREET IN PANAMA 22 THE TOWER OF THE OLD CATHEDRAL 55 "'THAT SCOOP WILL DIG OUT OF THE MOUNTAIN A TON OF EARTH AT A TIME'" 80 A NATIVE VILLAGE 110
IN young Vasco Barretas, who had both Spanish and Indian blood in his veins, there had been born a natural desire for excitement and adventure.
Just one thing equalled this desire. That was his dislike for work.
However, we must not blame him for that. His laziness was the result of training, or rather the lack of it. Necessities were few and easily obtained, and he had not learned to care for the luxuries of life.
On account of Vasco's fondness for bustle and excitement the time this story begins was most glorious for him. As his American cousin would say, "something was doing."
A successful revolution had just taken place in Panama.
A revolution was no new thing in the little strip of country that separates the Atlantic from the Pacific. Vasco's father had been through many such affairs. They had been nearly as regular as the rainy seasons.