DESCENT INTO THE CRATER. 13 



way from the bottom, and below this it was a naked and 

 perpendicular wall. It was impossible to go any farther. 

 I was even obliged to keep on the upper side of the tree, 

 and here I was more anxious than ever to reach the bot- 

 tom ; but it was of no use. Hanging midway, impressed 

 with the solitude and the extraordinary features of a scene 

 upon which so few human eyes have ever rested, and 

 the power of the great Architect who has scattered his 

 wonderful works over the whole face of the earth, I 

 could not but reflect, what a waste of the bounties of 

 Providence in this favoured but miserable land ! At 

 home this volcano would be a fortune ; with a good* 

 hotel on top, a railing round to keep children from fall- 

 ing in, a zigzag staircase down the sides, and a glass of 

 iced lemonade at the bottom. Cataracts are good 

 property with people who know how to turn them to 

 account. Niagara and Trenton Falls pay well, and 

 the owners of volcanoes in Central America might 

 make money out of them by furnishing facilities to 

 travellers. This one could probably be bought for ten 

 dollars, and I would have given twice that sum for a 

 rope and a man to hold it. Meanwhile, though anx- 

 ious to be at the bottom, I was casting my eyes wist- 

 fully to the top. The turning of an ankle, breaking of 

 a branch, rolling of a stone, or a failure of strength, 

 might put me where I should have been as hard to find 

 as the government of Central America. I commenced 

 climbing up, slowly and with care, and in due time 

 hauled myself out in safety. 



On my right was a full view of the broken crater of 

 the Volcano of Nindiri. The side toward me was 

 hurled down, and showed the whole interior of the cra- 

 ter. This the alcalde had declared inaccessible ; and 

 partly from sheer spite against him, I worked my way 



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