New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-10-02
CENTRAL AMERICA.
Journey from Leon through Nueva seseVA
and Honduras.

We reached the mountains OF Segovla
through a kind Of glen with wooded hills on
each side, with interruptions Of rocky, stony
ground. They rose gradually to conslderao.e
hight, the top forming kind Of table land, with q
few trees. Through the middle Of the glen flowed
a broad river, which empties in Lake Manasua.
There was water remaining in some places sur.
rounded by beautiful high trees, which had still
preserved their green foliage, most pleasant
sight at that time Of the year when all nature vas
dry and parchiDg, the trees generally, resembling
brooms raising their leadess arms to heaven, as If IN
payer for rain. Some of the rivers which had been
SO broad and deep in the last rainy season that sew
raj perions were dro Ened in passing them, were
now SO dry that we were obliged to dig to con-
siderable depth to obtain little muddy water
We continued our way in the glen for about nine
or ten mes, 90 little village called H,kaIai
where we began TO ascend the mountains. The
coil was broken and rocky ground, .uch as only
Seeoyia mule can pass over in safety. On our
right and left were the naked rocks,which at noon
reflected she hot tropical sun and the tempera-
ture was at 1862 Fahrenheit in the shade.
From this point our journey was only contin,
ual climbing up and down, through groves ana
glens, occasionally keeping little down IN the
of high table.land mostly covered with grass,
over which are scattered a fsw trees, from the
rinc OF " whose fruit are made Calaba hes lily karos
ia KIND of goblet with a round bottom and Quail
ouals fiat drinking. cup'.l There were here
very few miserable houses, with palm-leaf roofs,
and eat gaps in their fimsy walls.
The air IN the night became quite fresh, and we
were Lot little troubled by dense mist, which
every moynDg, at or o'clock, filed the whole
atmt sphere, penetrating and chilly, producing a
Temporary ague. In the valleys were many fields
Of sugar-care, but neaIly all the farms were small
The table lands were mostly used for cattle ha-
cieDdas, but the cattle we're small and oil Oh lnie-
nor quality.
As this v as the time for the cane harvest, we re-
ceived. VIII. rever we passed plantation, present
of q lunch Of il, and went on our way with the
appearance of band Of travelling musicians, each
one playing flute. This is most delicious eating;
so sweet that may devOur il to the last' xtrem
ty, ard so nonrishing that the Indians, at this
time Of the year, iaiten upon it like bears in the
Fail. In our CO ntinutd ascents ind descents, the
only thing worthy Of notice a large cave near
the village Of GUdzJm 1i0, q little way from the
road, on moubtbIn. At the entrance were some
sculptured rocks OF the same character as the IA
ci, nj monuments in the two lakes Of Nicaragua
and the little volcanic lake behind Managua. lit
lie Indian leg end is connected with III cave, which
relate 5 that an Aztec Princess, great sorceress,
peIst euted ly the SpaDiaIds took refuge there,
niyDg a dense and poisonous mat at the en-
trance, so that none could follow her
There, it is said, she still dwells, .ound-
cd ~ strange, my steriOus beings, and at every
rev nc on comes cut at the mountain to see il an
eas'e fights with and kills a 'ulture because
when this shall happen, the time is ut hand for
the d. liveTance Of the county. Then the white
foreigners ibsll be exteTminhttd and the old royal
race Of the Indians again take possession Of the
land. From present appenances, | think, this
I.no FIR rod
SHIFTED, tobGccOche wing race from the north
that begin 10 settle in the country arc rathrr dit
iCUlt to eAteTnlnate. | should have liked very
much to explore the cave, which is said 60 be Of
Enormous extent, but not an Indian would hive
gone with ne on any account, nnd hesltated to
enter slone for in This kind If caves sulphlrous
tates are very CON mon and weak as was, there
were nine chances to one that | should perish in
nv enterprise | wa, told that there was in the
cave q suite Of apartments, adorned by sculptures
IN the rock, Of which parts we're gilded, but as |
intended TO return III, re, postponed the explora-
tior, a. il turned out perhap', forever.
Onth ehth cny from our departure We descend
ed Il gorge 30 steep and 50 deep that it seemed as
If We were LtBring the center OF the earth, in
stetd Of which however, we came upon pleasant
little village called La COHcOrdid situated in the
inject OF sugaT-cHLe fields and groves Of fine old
trees which had preserved luxurious green on
the b rctrs OF small stream 10 wing over a rocky
bottom. We Bscended the other side OF the
gorge, hard and troublesome task, the more 80
as bad lent my horse to Baiilio, who had been
kicked by one OF the mules and WAS unable TO
walk ard alternately riding on Don Eusebios
horse ana walking IN my heavy travelling boots,
posss an unpleasant day.
Toward evening We reached the northern edge
Of a strip Of table lard. and we've in sight Of ~.
Rafael, our place Of de estimation. The landscape
beioIc us presented mOst singular scene. On
the south rose the lofty mOuotnns with their
A. Il. La linz
the maintains OF Greece aud Asia. Minor. GA the
Loith there was not the least indication that We
were in tropical country. The small valley oil
st Rafael. surrounded by little volcanic hills like
the valley Of TeplitZ, in Bohemia, with red oah IN
abaI dance, and the tops Of the hills covered WITH
immense masses Of noble pine-tfees, while the
hats o. the lnte village in their shape and size
lCokt d much like the mountain habitaiions OF my
native country. Every thing in this direction le-
minded ME Of Germany. the house OF Don td-
ttbio was situated about mile from the village,
and on our arrival the Don presented me to his
vile and daushtt as: "hombre mny de 6sen, mug
cdbGhCr0," ia very good man. aud very much OF
GENT, m4Dl. At his Kind Invitation | rema ned
there Tor a " hile as ] neSded day or two OF re-
pose, ard as two Of he mules had been left be-
hind, ltirtly worn out the previous day. with theif
i0aCs end my baggage, aud Apclnar0 must go
with hesh beasts to bling them TO 81. Rtiael.
This short stay refreshed and recruited me rap
idt.
Don Eusebio showed me biz principal prairie,
which was nesily Us large as one Of the German
Ducbies, with about 1 eco head of cattle, bu:
called himself poor man. since, from all his prop.
eIty, he could not Tuise more than the value oil
about StOO or $500 year, cattle being worth no
mole tnan 'hrte. four or five dollars pi'ce. AS
tie Don Intended TO send a small cargo OF penoche
("h tt sugsIl toward Ocotal, | made contract
with BIN 10 furnish me beasts for DIplto, a con-
side rabe mining place.
1t was necessary to catch some Of the mules
that were running loose in the plain, aud, at his
Invitation | d'termntd TO try my hand at the
lasso One morning -four OF ~ went out on horse
back, each with lassO Ii, to the horn oil MS
SADDLE. Don EusebIo gave ne some Instructions
how to act as there is u vast diff renee between
throwing lasso on foot and On horseback 10
hsif an hour, the two moZos had caush1 the ne
cHssnta nnmlar Of b. nj. In IlnIns inward them