Loudon free press. (Loudon, Tenn.) 1852-1855, 1854-12-21

ItSL Ut the Nicaragua t1Otei, Out 10 our diSap-
polntment found nothing we could relish very
well, paid our bills, walked half mile, call
ed for private breakfast, found something we
conld eat, but it might have been better. This
Village is quite romantic place; the houses
are all built upon the bank Of the river, and are
made of small poles which stand erect with one
end in the ground, and the most important
rooms are lined upon the inside with thin do
nestle. A short distance behind the village
the ruins of the castle rose in wild magnifcence,
but owing to our short delay, did not have
the pleasure of visiting it. Here we saw the
inhabitants of the Isthmus dressed in their ma
tive costume, which consisted of shirt, usually
of some gay color, with one or two ruffles upon
the bottom, and lose low necked body of G.
different color all fancifuy trimmed with ruffles,
ribbon, lace. beads, &c, which upon the whole
was quite becoming to them with their glossy
black hair either plated or hanging lose over
their bare necks and arms. At this place,
which was some 80 miles from Greyt0wn, we
got OH board of the j Ogden and sailed up the
river some twelve miles, during which time we
saw some Aligators Monkeys and Parrots, with
which the ISthmus abOunds. From the j. Or
den we went on the Central America, about
30 miles below San Carlos a small village at the
entrance of lake Nicaragua
Fer night had thrown her sable mantle DER
the world we were far out upon the lake, which
is 60 miles wide and 1870 long. What a glori,
Gus sun set we had upon the lake! There
were mountains Of heecy clouds lingering along
the Western horizon, and these were tranformed
into masses Of FURNISHED gold bv the lingering
rays of Sol. AS if 10th to bid adieu to the en-
chanted scene, and as we came IN view of n
lovely island upon which q lovely mountain
rose bidding defiance to the waves, | was led
10 exclaim, 0, sweet peaceful scene of azure
lake. and green clad mountains, SO wonderful
lovely is your aspect, that is seems like heaven
almost, and as if grief and care could never en-
ter here.
A few hours after dark the distant sound of
thunder was heard, and the Eghtnings play
ed Enthusiastically upon the bosom Of the lake,
but all at once it seemed as if the heavens and
earth were combining, the continued roar of
thunder made the vessel tremble, while the
heavens seemed on fire, and the waters dashed
to fury, but our little bark rode proudly on
amid all this commotion, and in few hours
the storm abated, the waves as if ashamed of
their wild raving, now lay buried amid the wa.
ter, and not a sound was heard, save that made
by the wheels Of the steamer as she moved
along.
On the morning Of the 18th we arrived at
Virgin Bay, small village situated upon the
lake Notwithstanding the rain came pouring
down in torrents, we passed hurriedy up the
village, and par:Ook of quite hearty breakfast
at the United States hotel, which was kept by
quite an intelligent American lady. The
scenes now presented to quite amusing.
The mules came in by dr0ves, and the greater
part of the ladies, and all the gentlemen
mounted upon mules Of all sizes, aud descrip-
TONS proceeded upon their journey. Some of
The ladies not wishing to ride the mules, the
gentlemen procured a wagon for us and We
started quite merily, rejoicing that We had been
so fortunate as to escape the mule ride. We
moved quite slowly, and arrived at the half
way house about two o'clock, where we partook
of a very good dinner, and when we wished
la-a..,r. o.rain mnles refused to 90, but with
SB sa eE cart RY fRs to h abehnf we
dies proposed walking, but nevertheless the
mules would not move one inch, SO the gentle
men dismounted, and placed us upon their
mules, and in consequence of my early training
had no difficulty, but twas not so with ALL
Some of the ladies sat in the position the ladies
of East Tennessee ride. but others f.ucipd or
was compelled 10 adopt a different mode,
among the latter was a Dutch girl, very low,
and weighing l53 pounds, which WAS one OF
the most cnmcal scenes ] ever witnessed. We
now had quite a merry ride for FIVE miles, to a
village on the shore of the Pacific ocean, called
San Juan Delsud. We obtained accommoda-
tons ofthe American Hotel. Our room was
( quite small. and the only furniture it contained
was two apartus they termed beds. about
two and a half or three feet wide, but having
slept either upon the floor or bench for two
nights previous, | slept quite soundly notwIth
standing the ram was coming in our room, and
it looked like it bad been wet for the last six
months The provisions we got here were
dreadful. were so badly cooked they were I'M
wholesome, and we were detained in this place
for two DAYS. On the morning of the ID day
the proprietor came to rs and said both he and
his cook were sick, and his provisions had Civ
en- out, but fortunately for us, the steamer ar
rived that evening, and in short time after
dark we were sailing upon the Pacific ocean ii
the steamship Cortes.
The accommodations on the ship We're sc
far superior to the hotel at which had beer
STAYING that the first and second days passed
by almost e'er we were aware.
On the Goth had very severe attack OF TIE
Isthmus fever. but good medical aid WAS soon
procured, and under the very kind attentions O
my friends soon recovered, and on the 2Itl
was able to 20 to the dining saloon.
Owing to the unpleasant weather during on
DELAY upon the Isthmus. mary contracted fever
and on the 25th. one spirit took its flight to
world unknown, while the body was consigned
to a last resting place in the gulf Of California
What a sad scene is burial at seal! Tn
corpse is sewed up in blanket. heavy weigh
{ attached to the feet, and is carried upon bic
to the deck, and while the Purser reads sol
emn and appropriate ceremony. the body IS cas-
. into the water. n few signs breathed DER hi
waterv tomb, and the ship passes on. and III
short time no one seems to remember the fat
/ of the stranger, unless they have a relative o
. board.
4 On the Goth we passed two sailing vessels
: which were hailed with delight by us as it prov
: ed we were not alone upon the mighty deep =
Fer the sun of the 26th had set another spir
had gone to the God who gave it, while tn
waves of the Pacific rolled over his unconciou
| body.
: The 9th was bright and lovely day, an
! after sun set the moon rose in all her splendo
and while we stood gazing upon and admirin
E the scene, procession slowly advanced, tn
ceremony read and another body laid IN W;
Y terv tomb.
= The 18th passed by without any unusual o.
= currence, but e'er the sun of the goth ha
wheeled his golden car many hours upon h
Al. &c ,IfNF