162 
CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED. 
drew near San Carlos, we saw several volcanos rising, in pyra¬ 
midal form, from the bosom of the lake; one, that of Omote- 
peque, towering up to the height of six thousand feet. (See 
Plate.) 
On our arrival at San Carlos we were required to submit to 
custom-house regulations, the officer insisting upon searching 
our trunks. To this we demurred, having passed through the 
entire country without submitting to such an ordeal. The 
officer seeming anxious to compromise the matter, demanded 
$5 in stead from each ; the Americans who had preceded us 
submitted to this extortion, but we were determined to resist. 
The officer became more moderate, coming down—down—down 
-—to a real; upon our refusing to pay this, he made a move 
in the direction of the cannon which was near; we, however, 
were first to possess it, and things for the moment wore a war¬ 
like appearance. The officer, not wishing to bring things to a 
crisis, held a consultation with our “ Padrone,” and came to the 
conclusion that all was right, that as we were Americans he 
would treat us with due consideration. At the left, in the Plate, 
is seen the residence of this worthy officer, behind which is the 
village of San Carlos. 
