FIRE ON THE PLAINS. 



403 



the mountain was Very steep, and besides large trees, 

 was full of brambles, thorn-bushes, and ticks, I was 

 obliged to dismount and lead my macho ; the dark skin 

 of my guide glistened with perspiration, and it was al- 

 most a climb till we reached the top. 



Coming out into the road, the change was beautiful. 

 It was about ten feet wide, straight, and shaded by the 

 noblest trees in the Nicaragua forests. In an hour we 

 reached the boca of the mountain, where Nicolas was 

 waiting with the mules under the shade of a large tree, 

 which threw its branches fifty feet from its trunk, and 

 seemed reared by a beneficent hand for the shelter of a 

 weary traveller. Soon we reached another station of 

 Mr. Bailey. Looking back, I saw the two great mount- 

 ain ranges, standing like giant portals, and could but 

 think what a magnificent spectacle it would be to see a 

 ship, with all its spars and rigging, cross the plain, pass 

 through the great door, and move on to the Pacific. 

 Beyond, the whole plain was on fire ; the long grass, 

 scorched by the summer's sun, crackled, flashed, and 

 burned like powder. The road was a sheet of flame, 

 and when the fire had passed the earth was black and 

 hot. We rode some distance on the smoking ground 

 along the line of flame, and finding a favourable place, 

 spurred the mules through ; but part of the luggage took 

 fire, my face and hands were scorched, and my whole 

 body heated. 



Ofl" from the road, on the edge of the woods, and 

 near the River Las Lahas, was another station of Mr. 

 Bailey. From that place the line runs direct over a 

 plain till it strikes the same river near the Lake of Nic- 

 aragua. I attempted to follow the lines again, but 

 . was prevented by the growth of underwood. 



It was late in the afternoon, and I hurried on to 



