AN AMBUSCADE. 



179 



another start for the capitol. A low groan from the 

 piazza reminded me of my muleteer. I dismounted, 

 and, at the moment of parting, exchanged a few words 

 of kindness. His brawny figure was prostrated by fe- 

 ver ; at times he had vexed me almost beyond endu- 

 rance ; but, with all my malice against him, I could not 

 have wished him in a worse condition. The boy sat 

 by his side, apparently softened by the illness of his 

 master, and indifferent as to my going. ' 



For the first time in a long while we had a level 

 road. The land was rich and productive ; brown sugar 

 sold for three cents a pound, and white lump, even un- 

 der their slow process of making it, for eight cents, 

 and indigo could be raised for two shillings a pound. 

 I was riding quietly, when four soldiers sprang into the 

 road almost at my mule's head. They were perfectly 

 concealed until I approached, and their sudden appear- 

 ance was rather footpad-like. They could not read my 

 passport, and said that they must conduct me to Chi- 

 quimula. My road lay a little off from that town ; and, 

 fortunately, while under escort, the soldier whom I had 

 seen in San Jacinto overtook us, satisfied them, and re- 

 leased me. A short distance beyond I recognised the 

 path by which we turned off to go to Copan. Three 

 weeks had not elapsed, and it seemed an age. We 

 passed by the old church of Chiquimula, and, winding 

 up the same zigzag path by which we had descended, 

 crossed the mountain, and descended to the plain of 

 Zacapa and the Motagua River, which I hailed as an 

 old acquaintance. It was growing late, and we saw 

 no signs of habitation. A little before dark, on the top 

 of a small eminence on the right, we saw a little boy, 

 who conducted us to the village of San RosaHe, beauti- 

 fully situated on a point formed by the bend of the river. 



