A HYMN OF THANKS. 
161 
bungo , when the lasso is slipped and the bullock beaten and 
booted until he jumps on board. Two passengers of this class 
will be seen cozily chewing their cuds in the midships of the 
two bungoes in the foreground, and one is just stepping on board 
that on the right. In the background is seen a party of natives, 
cooking and eating breakfast. They put rice and plantains 
together into an iron pot, and stew them into a chowder which 
is served out in small gourds. After spending an hour on shore, 
there was a simultaneous move to go on board; the inexpressi¬ 
bles of some were rolled up, others pulled off. Before starting 
we saw one native moving towards the bungo , and one only; 
he was dressed in nature’s garments, with a palm-leaf hat in his 
hand, and a bunch of stolen bananas on his shoulder. On 
arriving at the side of our bungo, we found the best apartments 
occupied by his bullockship, to which we immediately- protested, 
as contrary to the rules of polite society ; not that we wished 
to limit any one of the passengers in the number of legs 
used, but then his head-dress was u positively shocking,” and 
might put us to great inconvenience in a case of emergency. 
Our first impulse was to show him the depth of water on our 
larboard quarter, but then he seemed quiet, and as he was en¬ 
gaged to appear at the table of nobility at San Juan, we resolved 
to submit to the inconvenience, and let him ride. We soon 
slipped our cables, and were under way in the direction of San 
Carlos. Nothing can exceed the magnificence and beauty of 
the scene that now surrounds us. Mountains are climbing one 
above the other, until the last is lost in the clouds ; the lake is 
studded with islands, some reposing modestly in her bosom, 
others rearing their heads as if trying to vie with the surround¬ 
ing mountains. Now night throws her sable mantle over the 
scene, and all is hushed as death; the surrounding volcanos 
light their watch fires, and loom up in the most terrific grandeur. 
In the morning our boatmen rose up from their seats, and, in a 
wild strain, chanted a hymn of praise to God for protection to 
themselves and “ los Americanos.” 
In the course of the morning we passed in sight of a town, which 
was situated on the side of the mountain, at a great elevation, 
presenting a most picturesque appearance. We also saw miners 
at work in the gold mines, on the side of the mountain. As we 
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