Chapter V: Reception-Day—General Respect and Admiration for the

United States—An Evening Ride—The Plaza—Churches—Hospital—The
“Jalteva”—Deserted Municipality—Melancholy Results of Faction—The
Arsenal—Natural Defences of the City—“Campo Santo”—An Ex-Director
and his “Hacienda”—Shore of the Lake in the Evening—Old Castle—The
“Oracion”—An Evening Visit to the Señoritas—Opera amidst Orange
Groves—“Alertas” and “Quien Vivas?”—The Granadinas at Home—An
Episode on Women and Dress—Mr. Estevens—“Los Malditos Inglesas”—A
Female Antiquarian Coadjutor—“Cigaritas”—Indian
Girls—Countrymen—An American “Medico”—Native Hospitality to
Strangers—The Ways infested by “Facciosos”—An American turned
Back—Expected Assault on the City, and Patriotic Resolves “To Die
under the American Flag”—A Note on Horses and Saddles—Visit to the
Cacao Estates of the Malaccas—The Cacao Tree—Day-Dreams—An
Adventure, almost—Grievous Disappointment—Somoza, the Robber
Chief—Our Armory—Feverishness of the Public Mind—Life under the
Tropics—A Frightened American, who had “seen Somoza,” and his
Account of the Interview—Somoza’s Love for the Americans—Good News
from Leon—Approach of the General-in-Chief, and an Armed American
Escort—Condition of Public Affairs—Proclamation of the Supreme
Director—Decrees of the Government—Official Announcements, and
Public Addresses—How they Exhibited the Popular Feeling—Nicaraguan
Rhetoric—Decisive Measures to put down the Insurgents—General Call
to Arms—Martial Law—Publication of a “Banda”—Great Preparations to
Receive the General-in-Chief and his “Veteranos”—No further Fear
of the “Facciosos”—A Break-neck Ride to the “Laguna de Salinas”—A
Volcanic Lake—Descent to the Water—How came Alligators
there?—Native “Aguardiente” “not bad to take”—Return to the City—A
Religious Procession—The Host—Increasing Tolerance of the
People—Preparations for “La Mañana.” 121