170 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



During our absence the sea had risen con- 

 siderably, and we found the ship rolling heavily 

 at her anchor, warning us that it was time to 

 be off. The American Minister and Mr. Blair 

 spent the night on board, and landed the next 

 morning under the salutes due to their re- 

 spective ranks. The same day, having em- 

 barked a few refugees, we sailed for Fonseca 

 Bay, and anchored off Amapala the following 

 morning. The town, or rather village, of 

 Amapala is built on Tiger Island, one of the 

 largest in the bay ; it was selected as the 

 terminus of the railway, projected across the 

 continent of Nicaragua, but if one might judge 

 from the condition of the railway plant which 

 was lying about, it will be a very long time 

 before the undertaking is completed. 



We were told that game was to be found on 

 the island of Zacate Grande, the largest of the 

 group, and conveniently near to the anchorage ; 

 so I took the opportunity whilst the coaling 

 was going on to pay it a visit, accompanied by 

 E and my coxswain. We left the ship 



