Never were mortals more eager for immortality, nor was it ever more clearly within their reach; for even now, at this point in the drama, the very dogs of his Majesty seemed to proclaim it—the royal encampment was in sight. The party deployed into a single file, and prepared to approach the presence. They took the monarch by surprise; he was stretched out at full length, on a “highly-scented” raw hide, under the shade of a palm-tree, as naked as he came into the world. He was amusing himself by trying to “get up” a fight between a parrot and a young monkey; his squaw was broiling a couple of lizards or guanas, and roasting plantains for dinner.
The interview was at first embarrassing, but after consulting the demijohn, they seemed imbued with a more fraternizing spirit, and commenced conversation on the subject of empire, and the prerogative of kings. Her Britannic Majesty’s agent felt himself a man of importance, and at first seemed somewhat patronizing; but the monarch had consulted the demijohn too often to be outdone, and, as a proof of his invincibility, he exhibited a huge turtle, which had fallen a victim to his machet; he had climbed a tree that none of his men could climb, and caught sixteen “’possums,” all hanging by the same tail from the same limb; he had taken his biggest dog by the tail, and swung him around his head three times, and declared he would do it again for their amusement. “Carlo” was immediately seized by the tail, but feeling a little sensitive, he curled up, bit
his master, and escaped. This led to a spirited foot-race, and as “Carlo” dodged, the monarch slipped, his head coming in contact with the root of a tree. He seemed discouraged, and made no effort to regain his feet. The Englishman felt that he had committed a faux pas in allowing him free access to the demijohn, and resolved to defer negotiations until the following day. He immediately repaired to the shore, and hoisted a signal for the ship’s boat.
On the following morning, the boat was again sent ashore, with an invitation for the monarch to visit Her Majesty’s ship. Feeling as individuals will feel next day, he graciously accepted the invitation. A detail of what transpired on board has never been made public, reporters having been excluded. In the afterpart of the day an unusual demonstration was made, flags were displayed, cannon fired, and as the band struck up “Hail to the Chief,” an individual was seen descending the side of the ship, with a tin crown on his head, and a pair of red flannel pantaloons under his arm. On reaching the boat he took his position astride a barrel of rum, and moved toward the shore in triumph, having been crowned “King of the Mosquito Coast.” All hail, Jamaca I.!!! It is well known that Great Britain immediately recognized the government, and assumed the protectorate; hence the presence of the “red cross” at San Juan.
The distance from San Juan to Realejo is about three hundred miles. Passengers going the Nicaragua route now take a steamboat at San Juan, which runs up to the Castilian Rapids; then, after a portage of half a mile, another steamboat takes them up the river to San Carlos; thence across Lake Nicaragua to Virgin Bay. Then by pack-mules they are taken to San Juan del Sud, on the Pacific. The distances on the river and lake are about equal, being about seventy-five miles each, and from twelve to fifteen miles by land. There is every facility for crossing here, there being several steamboats plying on the river and lake. Steamships enter the mouth of the San Juan River, and the river boats come along side, consequently passengers incur no expense in the transfer, and are not obliged to land, as the small steamboats take them immediately up the river. This route has the advantage, in distance, over the Panama route, of about one thousand miles; still, the passage from San Francisco to New York has, as yet, been accomplished in the shortest time by way of Panama.
Now, dear reader, having finished my business here, I am ready to return. I will not trouble you to make the journey back to Realejo in a cart, but as I promised to accompany you, we will take one psychological leap, and salute our national flag in the main plaza of San Francisco.
