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NARRATIVE OF A 



canoe glided swiftly over the water towards her des- 

 tined port. This breeze, however, gradually shifting to 

 another point, it was necessary to take in the sail, and have 

 recourse again to the paddles. The boatmen now had to 

 exert themselves, in order to reach Izabal before the sea 

 breeze, which was coming on apace, became stronger ; as 

 in the case of the water rising into waves, the canoe, which 

 was of so little depth, and had no keel, ran a risk of being 

 swamped. Accordingly, we kept close in-shore, and pad- 

 dled along patiently and diligently for the space of four 

 hours, when we arrived at Izabal. 



Don Valentin, who had so kindly harboured me on my 

 first coming to the place, welcomed me back in the most 

 cordial manner. It was the 12th of July when I arrived 

 there, nine days since my departure from Guatemala. 

 There was no opportunity then for proceeding to Balize, 

 but one presented itself on the 15th, when I embarked in a 

 small English vessel destined for that port. 



The passage across the lake, and down the river to the 

 sea, was as pleasant as it had been when I came. I had 

 once more an opportunity of admiring the charming scenes 

 of that romantic river, and was now agreeably surprised by 

 a novelty which, in coming up, had escaped my notice. 

 This was a remarkable echo, produced at that point of the 

 river where, as I before observed, the bank consists of a 

 flat, perpendicular rock, like a wall. Every word, and 

 even a short phrase, uttered aloud, is repeated here with a 

 clearness that is surprising. The experiment was made, 

 and the repetition of the words was distinct and perfect. 



On approaching the mouth of the river, my attention 

 was attracted by a little village I had not observed in 

 coming up ; and with a mixture of surprise and pleasure, 

 I learnt that the name of the place was Livingston. This 

 was a compliment paid by the Central American Govern- 

 ment to that distinguished statesman and jurist, whose 

 criminal code had been adopted in the country, and whose 



