160 SPORTING ADVENTUKES 



city was mainly supplied, was broken down, its 

 ruins almost blocking up the road, so that we 

 had some difficulty in passing. From this place 

 till we reached the suburbs of the city, our 

 progress was constantly interrupted by the 

 debris of the fallen houses which had once lined 

 the road on either side, till at last the driver 

 stopped and declared he would go no farther. 

 By alternate threats and persuasion, however, 

 we got him to drive into the plaza, where the 

 President and many of the inhabitants were 

 encamped. 



We at once waited upon his Excellency, and 

 made known to him the object of our visit, 

 assuring him of the sympathy of her Majesty's 

 Government, and placing our services together 

 with the ship at his disposal. The President, 

 Field Marshal Santiago Gonzales, a fine old 

 soldier, received us with much cordiality, and 

 expressed in the warmest terms his gratification 

 and astonishment at the offer of assistance from 

 so unexpected a quarter. 



Having paid our respects to the President, we 



