Translated by Jeremiah Curtin. Published by
Little, Brown & Co.

Copyright, 1893, by Little, Brown & Co.





CHAPTER I


On a time it happened that the light-house keeper in Aspinwall, not far
from Panama, disappeared without a trace. Since he disappeared during a
storm, it was supposed that the ill-fated man went to the very edge of
the small, rocky island on which the light-house stood, and was swept
out by a wave. This supposition seemed the more likely as his boat was
not found next day in its rocky niche. The place of light-house keeper
had become vacant. It was necessary to fill this place at the earliest
moment possible, since the light-house had no small significance for the
local movement as well as for vessels going from New York to Panama.
Mosquito Bay abounds in sandbars and banks. Among these navigation, even
in the daytime, is difficult; but at night, especially with the fogs
which are so frequent on those waters warmed by the sun of the tropics,
it is nearly impossible. The only guide at that time for the numerous
vessels is the light-house.

The task of finding a new keeper fell to the United States consul living
in Panama, and this task was no small one: first, because it was
absolutely necessary to find the man within twelve hours; second, the