310 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



CHAPTER XV. 



Hunt for a Government. — Diplomatic Difficulties.— Departure from Guatimala. 

 — Lake of Amatitan. — Attack of Fever and Ague. — Overo. — Istapa. — A French 

 Merchant Ship. — Port of Acajutla. — Illness. — Zonzonate.— The Government 

 found.— Visit to the Volcano of Izalco.— Course of the Eruptions.— Descent 

 from the Volcano. 



On Sunday, the fifth of January, I rose to set out in 

 search of a government. Don Manuel Pavon, vrith his 

 usual kindness, brought me a packet of letters of intro- 

 duction to his friends in San Salvador. Mr. Catherv^^ood 

 intended to accompany me to the Pacific. We had not 

 packed up, the muleteer had not made his appearance, 

 and my passport had not been sent. Captain De Nou- 

 velle vs^aited till nine o'clock, and then v^ent on in ad- 

 vance. In the midst of my confusion I received a visit 

 from a distinguished canonigo. The reverend prelate 

 was surprised at my setting out on that day. I v^^as about 

 pleading my necessities as an excuse for travelling on 

 the Sabbath ; but he relieved me by adding that there 

 was to be a dinner-party, a bullfight, and a play, and 

 he v^ondered that I could resist such temptations. At 

 eleven o'clock the muleteer came, vs^ith his mules, his 

 wife, and a ragged little son ; and Mr. Savage, who was 

 always my help through the little vexations attendant 

 upon doing anything in that country, as well as in more 

 important matters, returned from the Government House 

 with word that my passport had been sent to me. I 

 knew that the government was displeased with my pur- 

 pose of going to the capitol. The night before it had 

 been currently reported that I intended to present my 

 credentials at San Salvador, and recognise the exist- 

 ence of the Federal Government ; newspapers received 



