I had more Spanish talked at me concerning it, most of which, by the way, I did not understand, than about any other subject. And it was simply delightful to see the boyish interest that the spectators took in my sport. More than once while playing a heavy fish, eager hands attempted to take hold of the line in an altogether kindly disposition to render me assistance. And how injured they were when I gently checked them. It was impossible to make those simple souls understand that the zest of the sport was found in giving the fish a run for his life.

I have endeavored to give the reader a somewhat entertaining account of a country that interested me exceedingly, coupled with some useful hints for his guidance, should he be at any time disposed to visit it, and having done that to the best of my ability, I will bid him "good-day," after, as the actors say, thanking him for his attention.

APPENDIX.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES.

DECEMBER 18, 1899.

Mr. SULLIVAN introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Interoceanic Canals.

JANUARY 16, 1900.

Reported by Mr. MORGAN, with amendments.

FEBRUARY 13, 1900.

A BILL

To provide for the construction of an interoceanic canal connecting the waters of the At

lantic and Pacific oceans.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled.

That the President of the United States be, and is hereby, authorized to acquire from the States of Costa Rica and Nicaragua, for and in behalf of the United States, control of such portion of territory now belonging to Costa Rica and Nicaragua as may be desirable and necessary on which to excavate, construct, and defend a canal of such depth and capacity as will be suf

ficient for the movements of ships of the greatest tonnage and draft, from a point near Greytown, on the Caribbean Sea, via Lake Nicaragua, to Brito, on the Pacific Ocean; and such sum as may be necessary to secure such control is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.

SEC. 2. That when the President has secured full control over the territory in section one referred to he shall direct the Secretary of War to excavate and construct a canal and water - way from a point on the shore of the Caribbean Sea, near Greytown, by way of Lake Nicaragua, to a point near Brito, on the Pacific Ocean. Such canal shall be of such capacity and depth that it may be used by vessels of the largest tonnage and greatest depth, and shall be supplied with all necessary locks and other appliances to meet the necessities of vessels passing from Greytown to Brito; and the Secretary of War shall also construct such safe and commodious harbors at the termini of said canal, and such fortifications for the defense of the canal, as will be required for the convenience and safety of all vessels desiring the use of said canal.

SEC. 3. That the President shall cause such survey as may be necessary for said canal and harbors, and in constructing the same he may employ such persons as he may deem necessary.

SEC. 4. That in the excavation and construction of said canal the San Juan River and Lake Nicaragua, or such parts of each as may be made available, shall be used.

SEC. 5. That in any negotiations with the States of Costa Rica or Nicaragua the President may have the President is authorized to guarantee to said States the

use of said canal and harbors, upon such terms as may be agreed upon, for all vessels owned by said States or by citizens thereof.

SEC. 6. That the sum of one hundred and forty million dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the completion of the work herein authorized, said money to be drawn from the Treasury from time to time, as the same shall be needed, upon the direction of the President based on estimates made and verified by the chief engineer in charge of the work and approved by the Secretary of War.

Amend the title so as to read: "A bill to provide for the construction of a canal connecting the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans."

THE END