SEPARATION. 



161 



CHAPTER VIIL 



Separation.— An Adventure.— Copan River.— Don Clementino.— A Wedding. — 

 A Supper. — A Wedding Ball. — Buying a Mule. — The Sierra. — View from the 

 Top. — Esquipulas. — The Cura. — Hospitable Reception. — Church of Esquipu- 

 las. — Responsibility of the Cura. — Mountain of Quezaltapeque.— A narrow Es- 

 cape.— San Jacinto. — Reception by the Padre. — A Village Fete. — An Ambus- 

 cade. — Motagua River. — Village of San Rosalie. — A Death Scene. 



Having decided that, under the circumstances, it was 

 best to separate, we lost no time in acting upon the con- 

 clusion. I had difficulty in coming to a right under- 

 standing with my muleteer, but at length a treaty was 

 established. The mules were loaded, and at two 

 o'clock I mounted. Mr. C. accompanied me to the 

 edge of the woods, where I bade him farewell, and 

 left him to difficulties worse than we had apprehended. 

 I passed through the village, crossed the river, and, 

 leaving the muleteer on the bank, rode to the hacienda 

 of Don Gregorio ; but I was deprived of the satisfac- 

 tion which I had promised myself at parting, of pour- 

 ing upon him my indignation and contempt, by the con- 

 sideration that Mr. Catherwood was still within the 

 reach of his influence ; and even now my hand is stay- 

 ed by the reflection that when Mr. C, in great distress, 

 robbed by his servant, and broken down by fever, took 

 refuge in his house, the don received him as kindly as 

 his bearish nature would permit. My only comfort 

 was in making the lordly churl foot up an account of 

 sixpences and shillings for eggs, milk, meat, &c., to the 

 amount of two dollars, v^hich I put into his hands. I 

 afterward learned that I had elevated myself very much 

 in his estimation, and in that of the neighbourhood 



Vol. L— X 



