SPORTING ADVENTURES IN THE PACIFIC. 43 



light sherry, and for a fiery spirit which is 

 manufactured there in large quantities, and is 

 much approved of by the Peruvians. 



The same evening the captain of the port 

 and another gentleman were coming to dine 

 with me, and happening to meet them on shore 

 I offered them a passage off to the ship in my 

 gig, when to my surprise a third guest, a self- 

 invited one, also made his appearance, evidently 

 intending to do me the honour of dining with 

 me. I was not then aware of the custom of the 

 country for guests to bring their friends with 

 them ; however, an accident relieved me of my 

 superfluous acquaintance, for in stepping into 

 the boat he slipped and fell overboard ; he was 

 quickly seized and dragged into the boat, but 

 not before he had had a good ducking, and had 

 shipped a cargo of salt water, so he had to go 

 home to change, and I saw no more of him. 



We left Pisco the next morning, and stood 

 out to the westward to catch the south-east 

 trade. 



A more desolate region can hardly exist than 



