DEPREDATIONS OF RASCON. 



61 



Before daylight we were in the saddle, and rode 

 till eleven, when we stopped at a small village to feed 

 our mules and avoid the heat of the day. At three we 

 started. Toward evening I heard once more the deep 

 rumbling noise of the Volcano of Izalco, sounding like 

 distant thunder. We passed along its base, and stop- 

 ped at the same house at which I had put up on my 

 visit to the volcano. The place was in a state of per- 

 fect anarchy and misrule. Since my departure, Rascon, 

 rendered more daring by the abject policy of the gov- 

 ernment, had entered Zonzonate, robbed the custom- 

 house again, laid contributions upon some of the citi- 

 zens, thence marched to Izalco, and quartered his 

 whole band upon the town. Unexpectedly, he was sur- 

 prised at night by a party of Morazan's soldiers ; he 

 himself escaped in his shirt, but nineteen of his men 

 were killed and his band broken up. Lately the sol- 

 diers were called off to join Morazan's expedition, and 

 the dispersed band emerged from their hiding-places. 

 Some were then living publicly in the town, perfectly 

 lawless ; had threatened to kill the alcalde if he attempt- 

 ed to disturb them, and kept the town in a state of ter- 

 ror. Among those who reappeared I was told there was 

 a young American del Norte, whom I recognised, from 

 the description, as Jemmy, whom I had put on board 

 his ship at Acajutla. He and the other American had 

 deserted, and attempted to cross over to the Atlantic on 

 foot. On the way they fell in with Rascon's band and 

 joined them. The other man was killed at the time of 

 the rout, but Jemmy escaped. I was happy to hear 

 that Jemmy, by his manners and good conduct, had 

 made a favourable impression upon the ladies of Izalco. 

 He remained only three days, and whither he had gone 

 no one knew. 



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