But--as they wisely say--the reports of the inhabitants must be received with extreme caution.

In the autumn of last year, some such explosion is said to have taken place at the Cedros Salse, a place so remote, unfortunately, that I could not visit it.

The Negroes and Coolies, the story goes, came running to the overseer at the noise, assuring him that something terrible had happened; and when he, in defiance of their fears, went off to the Salse, he found that many tons of mud--I was told thousands--had been thrown out.

How true this may be, I cannot say.

But Messrs.