Page:Narrative of an Official Visit to Guatemala.djvu/426

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406
OFFICIAL VISIT
[CH. XXX.

CHAPTER XXX.


Feelings on arriving at a British settlement.—Disappointment in not finding a passage by the Mahogany Ships.—Attacked with the fever.—Make acquaintance with the Intendant and Inhabitants.—Yellow fever rages at Jamaica.—Gulf of Florida swarming with Pirates.—Take passage in the Margaret, Trader.


It was about five o'clock in the evening when we landed at Belize; on passing close by the fort which protects the mouth of the river as well as the whole town, I was much struck with the chubby appearance of some children belonging to the soldiers of the garrison. We were shown to the only inn in the place, kept by Mrs. Ebrington, a fine English woman, fat, fair, and forty, and the widow of an English officer: the apartments bore also the peculiar characteristics of English comfort. The side-board was covered with drinking