64 INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



ed. My engagement with Mr. Catherwood was for a 

 specific time ; the rainy season was coming on, and by 

 the loss of a month I should be prevented visiting Pa- 

 lenque. I considered it actually safer to pass through 

 while all was in this state of suspense, than after the 

 floodgates of war were opened. Rascon's band had 

 prevented my passing the road before, and other E-as- 

 eons might spring up. The captain had not the same 

 inducement to push ahead that I had. I had no idea of 

 incurring any unnecessary risk, and on the road would 

 have had no hesitation at any time in putting spurs to 

 my horse ; but, on deliberate consideration, my mind 

 was so fully made up that I determined to procure a 

 guide at any price, and set out alone. 



In the midst of my perplexity, a tall, thin, gaunt-look- 

 ing Spaniard, whose name was Don Saturnino Tinocha, 

 came to see me. He was a merchant from Costa Rica, 

 so far on his way to Guatimala, and, by the advice of 

 his friends rather than his own judgment, had been al- 

 ready waiting a week at Zonzonate. He was exactly 

 in the humour to suit me, very anxious to reach Guati- 

 mala ; and his views and opinions were just the same as 

 mine. The captain was indifferent, and, at all events, 

 could not go unless he could procure mules. I told Don 

 Saturnino that I would go at all events, and he under- 

 took to provide for the captain. In the evening he re- 

 turned, with intelligence that he had scoured the town 

 and could not procure a single mule, but he offered to 

 leave two of his own cargoes and take the captain's, or 

 to sell him two of his mules. I offered to lend him my 

 horse or macho, and the matter was arranged. 



In the midst of the war-rumours, the next day, which 

 was Sunday, was one of the most quiet I passed in Cen- 

 tral America. It was at the hacienda of Dr. Drivin, 



