Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/416

396 slopes rising gradually into a spacious verdant amphitheatre.

About half a mile from the shore lay the schooner, and, nearer in, three or four smaller craft, with a few boats and canoes, upon the beech: the town consists of thirty houses indifferently built, with a very hut-like appearance, and in a straggling manner, within a quarter of a mile square; some of them being within thirty yards of the water's edge, which is affected by a slight tide. The population is about 100 souls, exclusive of the military, who are on duty for the defence of the place, and who, at this time, did not exceed twenty-seven, rank and file.

The only house with any tolerable convenience or comfort is that of Mr. Benson, and thither we were directed to guide our steps. Having entered the outer yard of this abode I met poor Mr. O'Reilley: I shall never forget the delight which he manifested in seeing me: he had suffered much in his passage up the gulf, and