At this point the old railroad crosses the Canal bed, and there is a splendid view in both directions. This is looking toward the same mountains as in the previous drawing, early in the morning. The mountains are covered with long lines of mist, under which nestles the American-Japanese town of Paraiso. The new line of railroad never crosses the Canal, but passes behind the mountain on the right. The scheme of having it follow the Canal through Culebra Cut has been abandoned, owing to the slides. [Illustration] XVII THE CUT LOOKING TOWARD ANCON HILL This is the view toward the Pacific from the same spot in the full stress of work. The Pedro Miguel locks are in the distance, beyond is Ancon Hill, dominating Panama, miles farther on; and to the right, between the hills, but miles still farther, beyond Miraflores lock, the Pacific. [Illustration] XVIII LAYING THE FLOOR OF PEDRO MIGUEL LOCK This is the most monumental piece of work on the Canal, and the most pictorial. The huge approaches, quite different in form from Gatun--for all the locks have character, and the character of their builders--are only arches to save concrete. Here were men enough laying the concrete floor--others swarming over the gates not yet covered with their armor plate. Beyond is the lock just shown between the gates. [Illustration] XIX THE GATES OF PEDRO MIGUEL This is the same lock nearer the gates, and shows the great length of it from gate to gate and something of its building and construction, from my point of view. [Illustration] XX THE WALLS OF PEDRO MIGUEL This was drawn from the opposite end of the lock and the great side walls topped with their concrete-making crenellations and cranes are seen. In the foreground, on the left, is one of the side openings for emptying the water from one lock to another--for all the locks are double, side by side, and ships will not have to wait until a lock is empty, as is usual, before they can enter, but, as one empties, the same water partly fills the one beside it, and so steamers will pass without waiting. Two or three small vessels can go through at the same time, as well as the largest with room to spare. [Illustration] XXI BUILDING MIRAFLORES LOCK This lock, the nearest the Pacific, is again quite different and is the work of a civil engineer, Mr. Williamson, and not of army officers, like the rest. Between the two forces, I believe, the most fierce harmony exists. The drawing shows the two locks side by side, the great cranes--they are different, too--towering above. All the ground here will be filled by a small lake between this lock and Pedro Miguel. [Illustration] XXII CRANES--MIRAFLORES LOCK