A HUNT FOR A SOVEREIGN. 
165 
of Nicaragua, nor was her claim to this coast ever disputed. 
Great Britain, in her superior wisdom, however, decided that 
as Nicaragua had no particular use for seaports, they would be 
better in other hands, even if she herself should be compelled to 
assume the protectorate. The first step necessary to accomplish 
this magnanimous object was to find a suitable sovereign. She 
is supposed to have embarked in the search with her character¬ 
istic zeal and energy; it is presumed that the first inquiries 
were made at San Juan. At first the prospect of success was 
not flattering, but fortunately inquiries were made of a native 
Indian, who very innocently informed Her Britannic Majesty’s 
agent that his chief was sojourning along the “ Mosquito Coast” 
What could have been more opportune? This was precisely 
the individual sought; here was a great man, a chief, in actual 
possession of the country, i. e., he had actually hunted ’possums 
there for a period of six months! The matter was immediately 
decided upon, and arrangements made to pay the monarch a 
visit on the following day, preparatory to his coronation. Arti- 
zans were employed in the manufacture of presents suitable for 
one who seemed pointed oat by the finger of Providence to 
wear the u purple and ermine.” Tin pans were immediately 
transformed into crowns and collars, sardine boxes into breast¬ 
plates and stars, pill-boxes into ear and finger-rings, and “ extin¬ 
guishers” into ornaments for the nose. These, after a revision 
by chamois and soap-stone, were safely boxed, that they might 
not be tarnished by the touch of vulgar hands. A demijohn 
was filled with rum—as was supposed, to prevent his Majesty 
from fainting under the operation of putting on Ms first pair of 
pantaloons. 
Early on the following morning, the ship having been ordered 
to drop along down the coast, the party were in motion under 
the pilotage of the Indian above mentioned. What momentous 
results sometimes attend the acts of individuals in the humble 
walks of life! This poor Indian, having been driven to the 
shore by hunger, had, while making a meal of raw fish, imparted 
a word, which single word was the means of bringing forth to 
the world a full-grown king. What were the feelings of this 
native, as he cut his way through the chaparrals ? Had he 
aspirations ? No doubt he had ! In his wild delirium of plea- 
