had at that time more reputation as a soldier than any man in Central America. He had been invited to Leon from Honduras, whither he had retired several years previously in consequence of having failed in a revolution against the Government of D. Laureano Pineda; and it was only by much entreaty and grave concession that Castellon had prevailed on him to take the command of the army of the Provisional Government. Since assuming the command Muñoz had acted wholly on the defensive, devoting his time to drilling the men pressed into the service of Castellon; and it was widely whispered among the people, especially among the blood reds of the Democrats, that Muñoz was anxious for a compromise between the two contending parties, thinking more of maintaining himself in power than of the success of the principles for which the revolution was begun. Walker was not ill pleased to hear from Morton on the way from Tiger Island to Realejo, the condition of affairs in Nicaragua. He felt that the more desperate the fortunes of the Castellon party were, the more deeply would they be indebted to the men who might rescue them from their danger, and the more thoroughly would they be committed to any course or policy the Americans might propose. Far from being depressed by the news, which to some might have appeared gloomy, he saw in the very straits to which the Democratic party was reduced, the cause no less than the presage of the success of his companions. The anxiety, too, with which Castellon evidently awaited the arrival of the Vesta, was cheering. He had sent Morton to Tiger Island for the express purpose of boarding the brig and of bringing her as speedily as possible to Realejo; and when the vessel appeared off the Island of Cardon, the collector of the port and a special officer, sent by the Provisional Director, Col. Ramirez, came out to the Vesta in order to welcome her to the waters of Nicaragua. On the evening of the 15th of June—the day before the Vesta was able to enter the harbor—these two officers came aboard the brig, and Colonel Ramirez informed Walker that he was ordered from Leon to see all proper arrangements made for the reception of the Americans. Quarters had been prepared for them at Realejo, and the Director was anxious to see Walker as early as possible.