One particularly, Santa Maria, attracted our attention because of its erupting regularly at intervals of half an hour; regularly as your watch marked the stated period a great explosion occurred and a cloud of smoke, steam and dust was vomited out and floated away slowly landwards.

In the clear calm air it was a magnificent spectacle and I never tired watching it.

Another volcanic peak had recently been absolutely shattered, one whole side as it were blown off it.

On arriving at San Jose, the port of Guatemala city, we had a great reception, my friend being the owner of the railroad--the only railroad in this State.

A special train took us up to the capital, splendidly-horsed carriages were put at our disposal, and we were banqueted and entertained at the Opera, my friend insisting that I should share in all this hospitality.