IN THE PACIFIC. 143 



at the table, each with his revolver loaded and 

 capped by his right hand, with the barrels 

 pointing across the table; they had the de- 

 cency, however, to turn them away from me 

 when I sat down. In reply to my remark that 

 " I was astonished that an English gentleman 

 whilst on a visit to San Bias, and my guest, 

 had been grossly insulted by being searched 

 for and ordered to return to Tepic," they replied 

 that they were merely subordinates, and had to 

 carry out their instructions, and that they in- 

 tended to do so if possible. I informed them that 

 Mr. Heaven was safe on board the " Reindeer," 

 and likely to remain there ; but that should he 

 think fit to come on shore, he should do so, and 

 he would be protected. In answer to my ques- 

 tion regarding the safety of the ladies and chil- 

 dren, they said they did not intend to molest 

 them. The same night a reinforcement of 

 soldiers was sent down from Tepic, and our 

 guard at the house was doubled. Meanwhile 

 the forty-eight hours' grace had nearly expired. 

 During this time many families had left Tepic, 



