56 SPORTING ADVENTURES 



February, in time for the shooting season, which 

 opens on the 1st of March, corresponding with 

 the 1st of September at home. Few sportsmen 

 go out till after the rains, as the heat is very 

 great, and there is no scent or water for the 

 dogs ; but naval officers cannot afford to be so 

 particular, and must take their chance when it 

 comes, provided of course that it is the proper 

 season. 



On the 2nd of March I took the train to 

 Llaillai, about half way to Santiago, accom- 

 panied by , one of oar officers, and a 



first-rate shot and sportsman. 



Putting up at the hotel for the night, we 

 started the next day at daylight, and worked 

 round some neighbouring hills ; it was pleasant 

 enough till about nine o'clock, when the heat 

 became terrible; however, by working hard we 

 made a fair bag, and returned to the hotel at 

 dark, with fourteen brace of partridges and a 

 few pigeons. These partridges are fine birds, 

 they look larger than our English ones, but are 

 not so in reality. I weighed several, and found 



