Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/229

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1838.]
CALENTURA.
175

sells at one shilling per quintal. The bullocks are the finest I have seen in central America, and were offered at five dollars each; but the cost of driving them to Realejo would make the whole amount to seven dollars each. Fish are abundant in the lake, principally perch. The Savola, or lake salmon of the tropics, is found, but not taken in any quantity. Alligators are also numerous. During the period of our stay, the temperature ranged from 84° to 85°, 5' water 83°. Evap. 81°.

At a quarter to four we quitted Tepitapa; and our horses, apparently more anxious than even ourselves to quit this inhospitable spot, carried us to our old quarters at Managua in three hours.

After a fresh set of observations on the beach, we moved on at three the following morning for Matiares, where we slept; and by noon the following day reached Nagarote. I was rather surprised to find the doors and windows of our friend's house closed, and as deaths in this country are frequently sudden, began to augur ill. My cicerone, however, led the way through the gate, and we soon found that a calentura was the extent of the evil.

However, as the gentleman was the sufferer, I very soon brought him to believe that he was not quite so ill, and eventually succeeded in removing the talismanic kerchief bandaged about his head. Before we took our departure, he was lively as on my former visit. I experienced the same kind at-