148 
CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED. 
apparent concern at the situation of his companion , and en¬ 
deavored to keep beyond the orbit of our saplings. We ordered 
him to back up to a tree, he fell on his knees and said he would 
find the team in “ una momento ” and in a moment they were at 
the tongue of our cart; we now demanded his half of the five 
dollars already extorted, which he immediately paid over, and 
seemed to breathe more freely. We now released his compan¬ 
ion, in part, in order to give him an opportunity to escape, 
which we saw he was anxious to do. He improved the golden 
moment, for as we were making certain demonstrations with our 
saplings he made one tremendous leap and disappeared in the 
chaparrals. We were soon at Cliinandega, and did not forget 
to deduct the other two dollars and a half from our freight bill. 
Chinandega is a beautiful town, well laid out, the streets run¬ 
ning at right angles, and built upon compactly. In the suburbs, 
the streets are walled up, with the fluted cactus, with an occa¬ 
sional opening through which you enter into ornamented groves 
and arbors. Nothing can exceed the beauty and luxury of 
these retreats. Fruits of the most delicious flavor grow spon¬ 
taneously, every vine blooms, and the air laden with incense, 
breathes through, whispering gently to the foliage; here are 
also innumerable tropical birds, lending their notes and plumage 
to the scene. This town is celebrated for its beautiful women, 
and never did I look upon such specimens of female grace and 
loveliness: Their eyes were dark and lustrous, and their coun¬ 
tenances, like their native clime, always beaming with sunshine. 
The town numbers several churches and convents of great 1 ex¬ 
tent, one o’f the former being surmounted by a spacious dome 
and spire, (see Plate,) and furnished with an organ and valuable 
scriptural paintings. Near the town is a stream and pool, the 
favorite bathing-places of the inhabitants. (See Plate.) In the 
pool are seen both sexes, the Senoritas displaying their graceful 
forms, without the least reserve or sense of impropriety. Water 
is obtained here for the use of the town; bathers fill the earthen 
jars, when the Senoritas place them upon their heads and walk 
gracefully away'. Here are seen a party of females preparing 
corn for “ tortillosthey boil it in water into which is thrown 
a handful of ashes; it is then put into a basket and the hull 
removed, by getting in with their feet; it is then washed, dried, 
