CHAPTER I

.—The Brig Francis—Departure from New York—San Domingo—The

Coast of Central America—Monkey Point—Shrewd Speculations—A Naked Pilot—Almost a Shipwreck—San Juan de Nicaragua—Music of the Chain Cable—A Pompous Official—Delivering a Letter of Introduction—Terra Firma again—“Naguas” and “Guipils”—The Town and its Laguna—Snakes and Alligators—Practical Equality—Celt _vs._ Negro—A Wan Policeman—The British Consul General for Mosquitia—“Our House” in San Juan—An Emeute—Pigs and Policy—A Viscomte on the Stump—A Serenade—Mosquito Indians—A Picture of Primitive Simplicity, 17

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