CHAPTER VII.—Narrative Continued—Arrival of the General-in-Chief—The Army—Fireworks by Daylight—Prisoners—Interview with Gen. Muñoz—Arrival of the Californian Escort—“Piedras Antiguas”—The Stone of the Big Mouth—“El Chiflador”—Other Antiquities—Preparations for Departure—Carts and “Carreteros”—Vexatious Delays—Departure—How I got a Good Horse for a Bad Mule on the Road—Distant View of the Lakes—The Freedom of the Forest—Arrival at Masaya—Grand Entree—Deserted Plaza—A Military Execution—A “Posada”—“Hijos de Washington”—Disappointed Municipality—We escape an Ovation—Road to Nindiri—Apostrophe to Nindiri!—Overtake the Carts—“Alguna Fresca”—Approach the Volcano of Masaya—The “Mal Pais”—Lava Fields—View of the Volcano—Its Eruptions—“El Inferno de Masaya,” the Hell of Masaya—Oviedo’s Account of his Visit to it in 1529—Activity at that Period—The Ascent—The Crater—Superstitions of the Indians—The Old Woman of the Mountain—The Descent of the Fray Blas Castillo into the Crater, 173 CHAPTER VIII.—Magnificent Views of Scenery—“Relox del Sol”—John Jones and Antiquities—An “Alarm;” Revolvers and a Rescue—Distant Bells—Don Pedro Blanco—Managua—Another Grand Entree—Our Quarters—Supper Service—Enacting the Lion—Virtues of Aguardiente—An “Obsequio,” or Torch-light Procession in Honor of the United States—A National Anthem—Night with the Fleas—Fourth of July and a Patriotic Breakfast—Saint Jonathan—Leave Managua—Matearas—Privileges of a “Compadre”—Lake of Managua—A magnificent View—The Volcano of Momotombo—A Solitary Ride—Geological Puzzle—Nagarote—The Posada—Mules abandoned—A Sick Californian—Dinner at a Padre’s—The Santa Annita—Virtues of a Piece of Stamped Paper—A Storm in the Forest—Pueblo Nuevo—Five Daughters in Satin Shoes—Unbroken Slumbers—Advance on Leon—Axusco—A Fairy-Glen—The great Plain of Leon—A “touch” of Poetry—Meet the American Consul—A Predicament—Cavalcade of Reception—New Illustration of Republican Simplicity—El Convento—A Metamorphosis—The Bishop of Nicaragua—Forest, Miss Clifton, Mr. Clay—Criticism on Oratory—Nine Volcanoes in a row—Distant View of the Great Cathedral—The City—Imposing Demonstrations—The Grand Plaza—A Pantomimic Speech and Reply—The Ladies, “God bless them!”—House of the American Consul—End of the Ceremonies—Self-congratulations thereon—A Serenade—Martial Aspect of the City—Trouble anticipated—Precautions of the Government, 201