The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1896-07-08

In search OF good coffee soil. but all 10
no purpose.
Those who had desirable coffee land
for sale considered the "gringoes" as
legitimate prey. deficient in knowledge
OF the national industry and surfelted
with American gold. Accordingly. they
advanced their prices several hundred
per cent; we could not purchase the
merest trine unless We paid several
prices. Fortunately We did not have
TO depend on the natives for any thing
except eggs. milk and similar neces-
saries.
Put not your trust In the natives OF
Honduras. II you make a bargain re-
duee II to writing. otherwise your verb
nj agreement will be disputed and you
will be swindled. for there IS no re-
dress or reliable court OF appeal.
The gentleman who was introduced
10 as as the Americans friend" Is a
conspicuous example OF the swindler
OF this kind. On our arrival at Santa
Cruz we made arrangements with this
benevolent merchant 10 be furnished
with saddle muies( We had our own
nddles) At the rate OF 80 cents a day
for each mule-tho lawful rate He.
however, true to the native instinct,
presented a bin for just twice as much
% agreed upon and upon being re-
monstrated with. coolly insisted that he
had made no such bargain. We there
upon ceased to expostulate. paid him
according to our original agreement
and referred him 10 the alcalde for col
lection OF the balance. The next morn
ing he called on us as usual. and with
his habitual suavlty inquired after our
health. and II he could be OF any ser.
vice to Us,
The alcalde referred TO Is a son OF
Gen. Leiva, eN-president OF the repub-
lie For four years he resided In New
York city. where he acquired a far
knowledge Of English. lie Is court
eous, intelligent man. and an upright
official. Mr.. Leiya Is anxious TO have
Americans locate In his country. and
extends every aid and courtesy within
his power lie deplores the gross i'm
position and exiOrtlon which his coun-
trymen practice upon strangers and
fully appreciates the fact that until
such frauds are efiecually suppressed
by national legislation there Is little
hope OF Americans becoming financial
ly interested in the products OF the
country.
For the purpose OF becoming better
acquainted with the alcalde. and as an
evidence OF our appreciation Of his eff
forts on our behalf. We decided TO give
a dinner 20 the officials OF the munich
pality. There we're present; The al.
calde, the commandante. the secretary
and the treasurer There were also IN.
schoolmaster and Col Watts. The al.
calde and treasurer Don Pho Canton
spoke English.
We were informed that game wa.
plentiful around the town. consequent
~ Mortici and Howard. who are botl
good shots. decided to arise early ont
morning and go hunting. Peacool
chuckled silently TO himself. He alsl
had bis plans. but he kept his owl
counsel Soon after Mortici and How
ard started he hurriedly dressed. hell
a whispered conversation with thee cook
and armed with his 22-caliber parlo
rife nolselossly crepi out Just as w
we're all dressing he returned. and Will
a triumphant gesture deposited on IN
door abou, a dozen dead turkey buzz
yards. which he proudly informed u
was the result Of being a good sho
and a wary hunter.
Almos, before he had finished IN
alcalde accompanied by the command
ante sought admitiance. They came &
explain that Peacock had rendere
himself liable TO O double fne, first 70
, shooting within the city limits, and sec
/ ondly and more important-inasmuc
as the natives were furious-for shoot
4 ing turkey buzzards. which. they "a
E planned. we're the only soavengeB q
0 which Honduras boosted. We apollo
4 glzed for the unfortunate mistake. Pea
D cock meanwhile maintaining a dlscre,
y silence as he carefully locked his rid
In his trunk.
y Mortici and Howard continued I
{ supply MS with game. We had "
= more to learn OF the laws and regul'
= lions OF the municipality OF Santa Cru
i Brach and wlndemerc were fond ,
bathing, and inordlnately fond OF