The place was full of new buildings, some of them quite elaborate two-story structures of brick; and elevated plank sidewalks had taken the place of the old makeshifts. Although the Plaza was still the centre of town, the streets immediately off it had gained considerable dignity and importance. There were many clothing stores, nearly all kept by Jews, and a number of new saloons and gambling houses. As we were picking our way along we ran into an old acquaintance in the person of the captain of the _Panama_. He recognized us at once, and we drew up for a chat. After we had exchanged first news Johnny asked him if he knew of a place where a fair price could be raised on the diamond. "Why, the jewellery store is your ticket, of course," replied the captain. "So there's a jewellery store, too!" cried Johnny. "And a good one," supplemented the captain. "Come along; I'll take you to it." It _was_ a good one, and carried a large stock of rings, chains, pins, clocks, watches, and speaking trumpets. The latter two items were the most prominent, for there were hundreds of watches, and apparently thousands of speaking trumpets. They stood in rows on the shelves, and depended in ranks from hooks and nails. Most of them were of silver or of silver gilt; and they were plain, chased, engraved, hammered, or repoussed, with always an ample space for inscription. After Johnny had concluded a satisfactory arrangement for his diamond, I remarked on the preponderance of speaking trumpets. The man grinned rather maliciously at our captain. "They are a very favourite article for presentation by grateful passengers after a successful sea trip," he said smoothly. At this our captain exploded. "Are they?" he boomed. "I should think they were! I've got a dozen of the confounded things; and as I've just got in from a trip, I'm expecting another any minute. Good Lord!" he cried as a group of men turned in at the door. "Here come some of my passengers now. Come along, let's get out of this!" He dragged us out a back door into a very muddy back alley, whence we floundered to dry land with some difficulty. "That was a narrow escape!" he cried, wiping his brow. "Let's go get a drink. I know the best place." He led us to a very ornate saloon whose chief attraction was the fact that its ceiling was supported on glass pillars! We duly admired this marvel; and then wandered over to the polished mahogany bar, where we were joined by the half dozen loafers who had been lounging around the place. These men did not exactly join us, but they stood expectantly near. Nor were they disappointed. "Come, let's all take a drink, boys!" cried the captain heartily. They named and tossed off their liquor, and then without a word of farewell or thanks shambled back to their roosting places. "What's the matter, Billy?" demanded the captain, looking about curiously. "Where's your usual crowd?"