Chap. IX. AEKIVAL AT NEW YOEK. 159 
appeared to me a remarkable character, — one of those men 
who leave an impression in the memory of all who have 
encountered them. He was above seventy when I saw 
him, but though he was almost blind, and had lately 
broken several ribs by a fall, he still retained the traces of 
a powerful constitution and great energy. He told me 
that he had lived on the Mosquito coast from his youth 
without ever having been seriously ill. The country in 
general, he stated to be perfectly healthy. When, upon 
his questions, I told the old gentleman that I had visited 
the Rio Mico, he threw up his arms and hands, "That 
country is all mine," exclaimed he, as if inspired by a vision 
of the beauty and riches of his property. 
I left San Juan del Norte on the 12th of September, 
and on the 21st arrived at New York, after an absence of 
exactly one year. 
