and said, "Do you preach here?"
The chief features of interest to me were the pointed towers at either
side of the front, which are roofed with pearl shells. Pearls of great
beauty are found on various parts of the coast, and there are stores
particularly devoted to the sale of them. We visited the ruins of a
Jesuit college, also the old church of San Domingo. Some of the arches
in the latter are well preserved, and are crested with beautiful shrubs
and vines in full bloom. The natives called us "Americanos" as we
passed. About four, we took our places again in the omnibus, and in a
little while were at the wharf, where we bought a supply of bananas,
oranges, and pineapples. Embarking again on the little steam-tug, we
enjoyed a pleasant sail across the Bay of Panama, with the city and its
crumbling walls behind us. In about half an hour we came in sight of a
large fleet of steamers; for it is here the company keep their spare
vessels. Among them were the St. Louis, California, Guatemala, and our
own beautiful Constitution,--larger and finer than any of the others,
with our old voyage companions smiling their greetings over its side. It
seemed a long while since we had seen them, and it was quite like
getting home to have them about us.

We lay at anchor all night, and the next morning, Jan. 25, at six
o'clock, our Pacific voyage commenced. We passed in the bay the
mountainous island Toboga, with a pretty little village lying snugly
cradled at its base. From this island's cool, clear, springs, the
drinking water of Panama, is obtained.

"Don't they have wells in Panama?" inquired Carrie.

Yes; but the water is brackish and warm.

"What is 'brackish,' aunty?" said Alice.

Having a salt taste,--not pure. Our Constitution was very different
from the Ocean Queen, it being very clean and sweet. When we went on
board, the dinner-table was set in the long saloon, and every thing
looked as in our best hotels. We occupied a nice stateroom, having a
French bed with curtains, a sofa, a mirror on the wall, and some very
convenient shelves. We had, also, good washing arrangements; so that we
were well settled for a two weeks' voyage. There were three waiters to
each table, while there was but one on the other steamer. The dessert
was prettily arranged, on tables at either end of the saloon. All the
orders were given by a bell. The waiters went together to the
dessert-tables, and each took a dish of pudding, or cake, or fruit an