EXPEDITION AGAINST GRENADA. 27 



and barefooted, their tread seemed stealthy ; people 

 looked at them with fear ; and it seemed rather the sally 

 of a band of conspirators than a march by the soldiers 

 of a republic. 



My muleteer did not return till daylight the next 

 morning. Fortunately for us, he had learned that the 

 troops were destined on another, but even a more in- 

 glorious expedition. Expenses had been incurred in 

 sending troops into Honduras, of which Grenada refu- 

 sed to pay its portion, on the ground that, by the con- 

 stitution, it was not liable except for expenses incurred 

 in defending the borders of its own state. This was 

 admitted; but the expense had been incurred; Leon 

 had fought the battle, and had the same materials with 

 which she gained it to enforce the contribution. In or- 

 der that Grenada might be taken unawares, it was given 

 out that the troops were destined for San Salvador, and 

 they were actually marched out on the San Salvador 

 road ; but at midnight made a circuit, and took the 

 route for Grenada. War between different states was 

 bad enough, but here the flame which had before laid 

 the capital in ruins was lighted again within its own 

 borders. What the result of this expedition was I 

 ♦ never heard ; but probably, taken unawares and without 

 arms, Grenada was compelled by bayonets to pay what, 

 by the constitution, she was not bound to pay. * 



Outside of Leon, and once more on the back of my 

 macho, I breathed more freely. Nicolas was induced 

 to continue by hearing that there was a vessel at Realejo 

 for Costa Rica, and I hoped to find one for Zonzonate. 

 The great plain of Leon was even more beautiful than 

 before ; too beautiful for the thankless people to whom 

 the bounty of Providence had given it. On the left 

 was the same low ridge separating it from the Pacific 



