JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA. 



23 



CHAPTER III. 



Departure from Havana. — Truxillo. — The Commandant. — A Military- 

 Household. — The Dinner. — Incredulity of Mine Host.— Civility of a 

 Native. 



I had waited now four days in Havana for an opportu- 

 nity to proceed to some port in Central America, when I 

 was informed that an American vessel was on the point of 

 sailing for Truxillo, in the Bay of Honduras, from whence, 

 it was believed, I should find no difficulty in proceeding 

 by land to Guatemala, the capital of the country. I ac- 

 cordingly embarked at once, and found myself again toss- 

 ing on the ocean, and at the mercy of the elements. 



With every thing in point of accommodations and pro- 

 visions, that could be desired, with a worthy and obliging 

 captain, and a fast sailing vessel, it required no great degree 

 of courage to encounter once more the disagreeables of a 

 sea voyage. There was also the moral certainty of a quick 

 passage \ for as our course was westward 7 the mild airs of 

 the trade wind could scarcely fail us before we reached our 

 destination. 



On the 25th of April, the fourth day after our departure 

 from Havana, we came in sight of the Island of Bonaca, 

 situated immediately opposite to Truxillo ; and in the af- 

 ternoon of the same day, we cast anchor in the harbor of 

 that port. 



The town of Truxillo stands close by the sea, at the foot 

 of a lofty mountain crowned with trees, and clothed with 

 a rich vegetation reaching to the very edge of the water. 

 It is an isolated solitary place, of antiquated appearance, 

 with few houses, and those in a ruinous condition. The 

 objects most prominent at first view, are a fort mounted 



