CHAPTER V

.—Reception-Day—General Respect and Admiration for the

United States—An Evening Ride—The Plaza—Churches—Hospital—The “Jalteva”—Deserted Municipality—Melancholy Results of Faction—The Arsenal—Natural Defences of the City—“Campo Santo”—An Ex-Director and his “Hacienda”—Shore of the Lake in the Evening—Old Castle—The “Oracion”—An Evening Visit to the Señoritas—Opera amidst Orange Groves—“Alertas” and “Quien Vivas?”—The Granadinas at Home—An Episode on Women and Dress—Mr. Estevens—“Los Malditos Inglesas”—A Female Antiquarian Coadjutor—“Cigaritas”—Indian Girls—Countrymen—An American “Medico”—Native Hospitality to Strangers—The Ways infested by “Facciosos”—An American turned Back—Expected Assault on the City, and Patriotic Resolves “To Die under the American Flag”—A Note on Horses and Saddles—Visit to the Cacao Estates of the Malaccas—The Cacao Tree—Day-Dreams—An Adventure, almost—Grievous Disappointment—Somoza, the Robber Chief—Our Armory—Feverishness of the Public Mind—Life under the Tropics—A Frightened American, who had “seen Somoza,” and his Account of the Interview—Somoza’s Love for the Americans—Good News from Leon—Approach of the General-in-Chief, and an Armed American Escort—Condition of Public Affairs—Proclamation of the Supreme Director—Decrees of the Government—Official Announcements, and Public Addresses—How they Exhibited the Popular Feeling—Nicaraguan Rhetoric—Decisive Measures to put down the Insurgents—General Call to Arms—Martial Law—Publication of a “Banda”—Great Preparations to Receive the General-in-Chief and his “Veteranos”—No further Fear of the “Facciosos”—A Break-neck Ride to the “Laguna de Salinas”—A Volcanic Lake—Descent to the Water—How came Alligators there?—Native “Aguardiente” “not bad to take”—Return to the City—A Religious Procession—The Host—Increasing Tolerance of the People—Preparations for “La Mañana.” 121

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