A RUN TO NICARAGUA. 355 



travelled for a year in Europe ; returned to the 

 States, and became the editor of a newspaper in 

 New Orleans ; thence proceeded to San Francisco in 

 California in a similar capacity, which he relinquished 

 to take command of the Sonora expedition. On his 

 return from this he entered into the arrangements 

 above stated with Castillon. In stature, General 

 Walker is but little over five feet four. His features 

 are described as coarse and impassible ; his square 

 chin and long jaw denote character, but his lips are 

 full, and his mouth is not well formed ; his eyes are 

 universally spoken of as the striking feature in his 

 face of a singularly light grey, they are so large and 

 fixed that in a daguerreotype the eyelid is scarcely 

 visible. His manner is remarkably self - possessed, 

 and some of his most intimate friends, who have been 

 with him throughout the most trying scenes of his 

 Nicaraguan experiences, have assured me that under 

 no circumstances have they ever observed him to 

 change countenance, even to laugh, or to alter in the 

 smallest degree his slow and precise mode of diction. 

 He is at all times taciturn, and when he does speak it 

 is directly to the point. He manifests a contemp- 

 tuous indifference to danger without being reckless, 

 and altogether seems better qualified to inspire con- 

 fidence and respect among lawless men than to shine 

 in civilised society. 



He is ascetic in his habits, and his career hitherto 

 has shown him to be utterly careless of acquiring 



