g40 LOSS OF A SPANISH FRIGATE. 
of Esparza, in the province of Costa Rica. The fruit of the 
softy trees, whose beautiful foliage we could not sufficiently 
admire, served us for supper that night. To create varietVi 
we ate them raw, broiled, and roasted under the ashes. We 
then crossed the river on a raft, and night coming on, we lay 
down to sleep with greater tranquillity than the preceding 
night. 
The next morning three of our men were despatched to the 
farm of Macotela ; I remained behind with two others, all that 
and the following day, during which we lived on the crabs we 
caught in the river. My companions were the Genoese mer» 
chant, who has been mentioned before, and a monk of the 
order of Mercy. On the night of the second day the latter 
was charged to watch, to prevent a surprise, while the mer- 
chant and I slept ; but the sentinel, who understood the mo- 
nastic better than the military duties, fell asleep likewise, till 
about eleven o'clock, I was suddenly awaked by a noise A^^hich 
seemed to call me by my name. I called the monk, but as 
he made no other reply than by snoring, I rose up, and at the 
same time distinctly heard myself called, though at a great 
distance. 
I awoke the Genoese merchant and the monk, and soon 
afterward we discovered on the river a large raft, on which 
were above twenty persons. They were conducted hj Don 
Domingo de Chavarria, the pastor of the town of Esparza. 
Our three men who had been sent off to the farm of Maco- 
tela had there met with him, and told him in what state they 
had left us on the banks of the river St. Anthony, to await 
their return. The good pastor, following the impulse of a 
benevolent mind, came to seek us with refreshments to re- 
cruit our spirits. He immediately set off with all his domes- 
tics, some of his friends, and all the provisions he could col- 
lect. Being informed who he was, and for what purpose he 
had come, I ran to salute him the moment he landed, at the 
same time expressing my gratitude for his kindness. The joy 
of the merchant and the monk, on this deliverance from the 
danger of perishing of hunger and of being surprised by the 
wild Indians, was equal to mine. Don Domingo and his com- 
pany appeared to be as highly gratified with having found us, 
so that we were all happy. 
The time and place not being suited to a long conversation, 
we all crossed the river on the raft. When we were on the 
ether side, each mounted a horse, excepting myself To re- 
lieve my feet, I was slung in one of those suspended beds 
