republic having ventured to "beard the English," he was to be punished
accordingly, and brought to reason. How this was to be done was the
question, as the ships could not get near enough to the shore to batter
down any of his towns.

Captain Hemming had, however, received sufficient information regarding
the interior of the country to be enabled to form his plans.

The ships having reached the neighbourhood of Bluefields on the Mosquito
shore, a pilot-vessel from one of the numerous keys situated off that
dangerous coast came out. The pilot being taken on board, they
proceeded with the lead going, to the anchorage off the town, which is
situated on the border of a wide extending plain, out of which several
volcanoes could be seen continually puffing forth smoke.

The British consul at once came on board, and expressed his satisfaction
at their arrival.

"There will be some work for you to do, Captain Hemming," he observed.
"A certain Colonel Salas, belonging to the precious Republic of
Nicaragua, who is at the head of a band of ruffians, has carried off two
persons from San Juan, falsely accused of breaking the laws of the
country, and he has, besides, offered numerous other insults to the
British flag."

A short time only was spent in making the necessary preparations, the
consul, Mr Wilmot, being a man of action, was eager himself to proceed
with the expedition, accompanied by a spirited young man, Mr Halliday,
who also begged leave to join the party. They offered the use of their
own boat, manned by natives, which was at once accepted.

The following morning the vessels got under weigh, and proceeded towards
the mouth of the San Juan river. Bluefields, it should be understood,
is one of the chief towns belonging to the dark-skinned monarchs of the
Mosquito shore, and Graytown, at the entrance of the last-mentioned
river, is the capital.

At noon-time the following day the expedition arrived off that not
over-delightful spot. It contains about 2000 inhabitants, and is
situated on perfectly level ground, so completely closed in by
impassable forests or water, that a walk in any direction is impossible,
unless along the sea-beach. The inhabitants consist of a few
Englishmen, and a greater number of Germans and Americans, employed in
the engrossing work of dollar-getting.

The grog-shops, however, drive a most flourishing trade. But few
natives live in the town, and from the colour of those seen paddling