22 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



military life, personally acquainted with the public and 

 private characters of the most distinguished military 

 men of the age, his conversation was like reading a 

 page of history. He is one of a race that is fast pass- 

 ing away, and with whom an American seldom meets. 



But to return. The large window of the dining- 

 room opened upon the harbour ; the steamboat lay in 

 front of the Government House, and the black smoke, 

 rising in columns from her pipe, gave notice that it was 

 time to embark. Before rising, Colonel M' Donald, 

 like a loyal subject, proposed the health of the Queen ; 

 after which he ordered the glasses to be filled to the 

 brim, and, standing up, he gave, " The health of Mr. 

 Van Buren, President of the United States," accom- 

 panying it with a warm and generous sentiment, and 

 the earnest hope of strong and perpetual friendship be- 

 tween England and America. I felt at the moment, 

 " Cursed be the hand that attempts to break it;" and 

 albeit unused to taking the President and the people 

 upon my shoulders, I answered as well as I could. 

 Another toast followed to the health and successful 

 journey of Mr. Catherwood and myself, and we rose 

 from table. The government dory lay at the foot of 

 the lawn. Colonel McDonald put his arm through 

 mine, and, walking away, told me that I was going 

 into a distracted country ; that Mr. Savage, the Amer- 

 ican consul in Guatimala, had, on a previous occasion, 

 protected the property and lives of British subjects ; 

 and, if danger threatened me, I must assemble the Eu- 

 ropeans, hang out my flag, and send word to him. I 

 knew that these were not mere words of courtesy, and, 

 in the state of the country to which I was going, felt 

 the value of such a friend at hand. With the warmest 

 feelings of gratitude I bade him farewell, and stepped 



