rnment forces were in
possession.

He had travelled about four miles from Puerto Cortez when he sighted the
_Lucy B._

He decided to wait for her, and find out from her how matters stood in
Puerto Cortez.

Suddenly, when about half a mile away, the _Lucy B._ fired on the _Rover_.

Captain Reed instantly ordered the engines to be stopped, and brought the
vessel to a standstill; but before the sailors had time to carry out his
orders, another shot was fired at him.

Soon after the vessel was boarded by General Reyes, of the Nicaraguan
government, and six of his followers.

He examined the ship's papers, and though finding them in order, still had
the ship searched from end to end, declaring that the _Rover_ was carrying
arms and ammunition to the rebels in Puerto Cortez.

When his search was over, and nothing had been found, Captain Reed
vigorously protested against the treatment to which he had been subjected,
and pointed to the American flag which was flying at the mast-head.

General Reyes replied that he might protest all he pleased, but he ought
to consider himself lucky that the _Lucy B._ had not sunk his vessel.

The captain of the _Rover_ will enter a protest against the action of the
Nicaraguans.

We have spoken several times about the insignificant character of the
revolutions in South America. We think it may interest our readers if we
quote for them the statement on this subject, made by a gentleman who has
been a good many years in Honduras, and who has large interests there.

He says: "A revolution down there is really nothing but an election.

"At election times the candidate for the Presidency who controls the guns
wins the election. If the President doesn't suit after he is elected, some
man gathers a force together, and a revolution follows.

"As nobody pays much attention to an election, so nobody pays much
attention to a revolution, except those most nearly interested in its
success or failure.

"The present President, Senor Bonilla, came into office after he had
carried through a successful revolution against somebody else.

"He is a clever man, and absolutely honest, but his standard is too high
for Honduras."

Richard Harding Davis has written a story called "Soldiers of Fortune,"
which gives a very excellent account of one of these South American
revolutions.

* * * * *

The Massachusetts Assembly has made its annual appropriation for the
destru