334 Volcanic Eruptions and Earthquakes. 
several persons are seriously unwell, and yesterday a girl of seven 
years old died with symptoms of an inflammatory sore throat— 
Flocks of birds are found dead, lying in the roads, and floating on 
the sea.” 
“The showers of dust lasted till the 27th.” 
The following is an extract from a letter of my own, dated Feb- 
ruary 7. 
“¢ Still in total ignorance respecting the place of the supposed vol- 
canic eruptions of last month, I can only state my own former mis- 
taken conjectures respecting them, and others of the same class to 
which they gave rise throughout Central America.” 
‘‘ Near Salama, the chief place of Verapas, being on the road 
from Guatemala to the port of Isabal, I distinctly heard, on the night 
between the 16th and 17th of January, continued noises similar to 
those always produced by volcanic eruptions ; however there was 
something peculiar in these sounds, often resembling the discharge 
of single large guns.” 
“On the night of the 22d, I was sleeping on the banks of the 
Polochic, about sixteen leagues before arriving at Isabal. I suppose 
that near eleven o’clock the apparent firing began ; the guns were 
heard at regular intervals. Both myself and all my men had been 
constantly accustomed during our whole lives to hear volcanic erup- 
tions in all parts of Central America, yet for some hours we were 
every one without a doubt that the noise was produced by artillery, 
and that it proceeded from the direction of Isabal.” 
“T could not but conclude that an action was taking place in that 
port; I then again, reflecting on the improbability of such an event, 
raised a conjecture that the commandant, in some extraordinary 
state of inebriation, was celebrating bis installation, his birth day, oF 
some other event: I slumbered and pondered on, still completely 
puzzled by the long continuance of the firing.” 
“ Towards day-light certainly the noise was confused, and more 
resembling ordinary volcanic eruptions; yet I resumed my boat 
journey down the river with considerable doubts on my mind, and 
the first canoe I met coming up the river, I ordered to be obliquely 
questioned as to the state of Isabal, and though the appearance of 
the men in it was that of fishermen, I had some ideas that they were 
soldiers in disguise, and that their arms were concealed in the bot- 
tom of the boat; other travellers however, subsequently dispelled all 
my doubts.”’ 
