The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-02

overlooking all the land. Now into the saddle,
lasso in hand, and SO forth.
Last fall we got letter from your old correspon
dent Ranchero" telling Of the discovery Of rich
gold mines in this same district. This decided the
case; SO some two months since, the dry season
being fairly set In, we brushed up an old poncho,
invested seven dollars in pair Of long boots, Gall
men going 10 the mines buy pair Of long boots,)
unsIung our misunderstanding always, In this
use Of the plural, the writer and his inseparable
friend, Land took passage on board the steamer
Charles Morgan for Castillo Rapids. We had fine
opportunity to survey the river, for we were three
days in getting to Castillo, which is distant from
San Juan ninety miles. 1t must, however, DO
borne in mind that the river was then very
low, and having largo quantity Of freight
Oh board, we made several stoppages, and, in
in fact exchanged boats three times At this point
We took bungo and werc Ave days in getting to
our final Landing place at Muyalles, about eighty
ninety miles further, on the eastern shore Of Lake
Nicaragua We stopped, however, frequently the
brave mariners tying up altogether at night, and
going on shore to cook aud eat twice a day, which
performance occupied from two to three hours each
time. On ono occasion we laid over for day and
Ghaf, in seQuestered bay on the lake shore. The
the writer and his friend wandered of in quest Of
adventures, and coming suddenly upon the hacienda
OF venerable native, were treated with great po-
likeness, and invited to take vine and brandy nei
Their Of which articles on the writer's acceptance Of
the invitation, could be produced.
AT Muyalles we engaged mules to take us to the
mines-two to ride upon, one for our guide, and
Sns for our which Which We paid four
This Muyales In . cattle hacienda, belonging
TO Senior Fe1er. It is DELIGHTFULLY."- situated on the
shore Of the lake, broad, beautiful stream runs
through it. taking its rise I il the e,, mountains
el the berdsman Is built upon the bank
Of this stream, about . mile aud Q half from
its mouth. Tee ground here is level, eli AIDED by
broad sycamo.es and accacias, AUD covered with a
sssiS. SN ~S:el rss q about the hour Of seven
an enclosure hard by and the mixers we're going to
and fro with their native buckets followed out OF
log, pouring tie milk into long troughs cut likewise
out OF the trunks Of trees. In the next enclosure
against the operation. We drank about q gallon Of
milk, for which the herdsman who aettlcd with us
CO. sidered five cents ample remuneration, ard we
swung off after our guide through the forest. Thers
along while the shade lasted. Delica.e footed deer
tripped past through the opg ystas in the wood and
matronly cows stepped quietly out Of our path. We
saw troop Of peccarics or wild hogs steering for
Wv iNCA-EuuCy-iUOhlnS CHllcllAih 6Lu au[ cAteT8
skipped along the trunks Of fallen trees, stop.
ping occasionally to take fair look at l. and
myself Over head wild turkeys, parrots and
macaws Chartered and screamed; monkeys, In
same airy regions, pitching in among the
birds as t seemed out OF pure deviltry aud OF long
intervals we came upon sloth hanging to the trunk
Of tree by one leg, which we could hardly tell
from the hanging nest Of the yeowtaed oriole so
But this charming kind OF travel ceased when we
reached the open plain. On emerging from the
timber land, which reminded one, except for the
foreign animals and birds, Of park scenery in the
old world, we came upon burned savannah, with
species OF stunted tree growing here and there
about the size and shape Of the crab apple Of the
north, and almost destitute Of foliage. The heat
which reflected upon as from the pakea earth made
US believe that beneath the ground we tr0d was
really sheet Of smoulderng FIRE, viii, occasion
ally sent up its spires Of 1ame through tae craters
Of the volcanoes about us. We hurried over this
heated district In the direction Of the mountains
and after about two hours travel reached the ha.
cienda Of Hato Grsndo, which, like Muy allies, is 0
cattle estate, and the property Of Sonor Ferrer.
We have given this description Of onr journey
thither ward because it is by all odds the best road
San Ubdo about fifteen mes further do Down y ySs
lake, and consequently that much less distance for
them TO carry you and your baggage. Bat il you
ahouldnt get crowned In the surf landing at that
point YOU viii find no accommodation there, either
when you do get started. But this way Il Is oil
plain sailing. A good landing place at Muyalles, q
fine level r0sd to Hato Grande, thence IL miles to
the Indian village Of Juigalpa, thonce &c miles to
term 1t. At Hato Grande and Juigslpa the traveller
can find entertainment for man and beast and every
few miles along the r0ed between these stopping
places are Indian ranches, where he can obtain
be good looking or have box or two Of remedies
g. e. Brandreths or bread pills, he may DO invited
to lounge in D hammock made Of untauned hide
ard treated to drink Of chocolate and pounded
corn, BY dragged tailed indian girl, whose ap
Iearance will bring TO mind tho expression Of tie
nursery heroine who went into the garden to cut
cabbage leaf" What no soap!"
Do not think the road is all over such heated
Grsnde you get into the high country The air
here IL c,ol and invigoratng. Ircmemher we'll the
night before we arrived at Libertsd How cold il
was We had got within ten miles Of the town,
when we came upon rancho on fine table land
in the mountain Of Cosnatio Our party had in
creased 40 we approached the mines, aud there
we're now some twelve of us. When we &c, of from
our horses and mules and felt the onslaught of the
mosntsn wind, II chilled US Ike blast Of winter
We took drink Of aguardcnte all around, and
wrapped ourselves In great coats and blankets and
turned In. II was no use. There were two old
Californars with us, who had come across the
country from Realejo. They collected wood AID we
built great fire. and sat half the night orouching
sronpdit in our shawls and blankets, talking costly
Of distant places and other days.
When you arrive here you have reached your
journeys end. Immediately beyond tower the
mountain ranges Of Tiger and San juan rich in gold
and silver beyond comparison, but their sidcs are
covered with thick woods, SO that tho male threads
his way along with difficulty. Bat our site Il on
broad rolling plain, covered with tempting pastu-
raye, and dotted with native Tanchcs--just such a
4 sin ~ Abraham and Lot would have coveted,
when, very rich In cattle In silver and in gold they
Curneyed towards the South.
SIX months ago there was bnt one house in sight
fsom the point where / now sit, native Indian
rancho. Now | can count over City, a1d cites ore
stcady selected for the erection or Eeary as many
rnorc. Six months since tho solitary Indian roaued
through these grassy wales In search OF stray Cattle
O. thrcs1cd Che infreguent paths upon the noun.
TON t.des tracking tho wild bee. ard stopping oc-
as!onsly 70 pick fson The bids Of tho streanets