270 A VOYAGE TO Book VIIÍ. 



nies. Rancagua, when Santiago and Colchagua are 

 threatened, is alfo to lend iiiccours thither j and the 

 fame duty lies on Chilian with regard to Conception. 

 In thcie cales notice is conveyed with fuch dilpatch, 

 that they are fpeedily at their rendezvous, all thty have 

 to do, being to mount their horfes and repair to their 

 nation with the ufual pace uied in that country, which 

 is always a gallop; and thus the militia of this country 

 may be h\d to ride poll to the parts where danger 

 calls them. 



CHAP. IX. 



Commerce of Chili. Ale t hods ujed to keep up a good 

 Harmony with the wild Indians. 



tN my defcription of the city of Conception, I 

 ■■■ mentioned the inchanting beauties of the neigh- 

 bouring countries; and the exuberant returns of na- 

 ture for the huibandman's toil. The like profufion 

 of natural produvTtions is i'it'ix all over this kingdom. 

 Its plains, eminencie?, valleys, in ihort the whole 

 country to the fm-illcil portion of ground, is an ob- 

 jefl cf admiration. Every particle of earth in this 

 amazing fertility, ieems transformed in feed. The 

 country round Santiago, as it is not inferior in'plea- 

 faptnefs and fertility to that of Conception ; fo alfo 

 from the great afiinity to the climates, its produds 

 are nearly the fame. Accordingly fome farmeis 

 v.'holly apply themfelves to corn, others to fattening 

 of cattle; foiTwi confine themfelves to the breeding 

 cf horfes, and othefs to the culture of vines and 

 fruit trees. The firft find their account in plentiful 

 harvefts of wheat, barley, and pardcularly in hemp, 

 which thrives here furprifingly, aijd furpaíTes thofe 

 of the former. The ftcond at their large flaughters, 

 have great quantities oí tallow, graíTa, charqui, and 



fülc 



