134 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



pointed elevation which prevented our entry at the time, 

 but we had to be thankful to God for being permitted to 

 sail in close proximity to the coast. 



The weather became more favorable on Wednesday, 

 the eighth, when the wind settled in the West, blowing 

 more regularly, while the sea calmed considerably and 

 the air brightened. We pressed the sails hard all day 

 long so that our larboard was constantly under water. 

 We had yet a few showers during the afternoon, which 

 ended about six o'clock, followed by a magnificent, com- 

 plete double rainbow, which exhibited a beautiful variety 

 of harmonious colors, the like of which I have never be- 

 fore witnessed. The air became bright and mild, the 

 wind turning Southwest, which made it comparatively 

 easy to set full sails for land. The night, enlivened by 

 beautiful moonlight, aided our purpose greatly. In order 

 to avoid an untimely arrival we made another little trip, 

 just enough to fill out the time from eleven in the evening 

 to two o'clock in the morning. The horizon was clear 

 until daybreak, when a light fog set in. When five 

 o 'clock came it was sufficiently bright and clear to recog- 

 nize the high coast of Chile, which was about four miles 

 from our vessel in East-Northeastern direction. We now 

 sailed slowly along the high and rocky coast, which was 

 covered with an impenetrable primitive forest down to 

 the sea level, until we reached Cape San Carlos by one 

 o 'clock. While it is generally necessary to give the cape 

 a wide berth, we were fortunate enough to pass right 

 around it, and half an hour later we were at anchor, a 

 quarter of a mile from Fort Corral, in one of the most 

 beautiful and picturesque harbors of the world. One 

 hundred and twenty days and ten hours and a half had 

 passed since we weighed anchor in Cuxhaven. 



It was with a strange, indescribable feeling that I first 

 trod upon American soil. I slowly ascended the narrow 

 path among the steep rocks, which led from the beach 

 into the Chilean village Corral, but while my comrades 

 dispersed to find wine, bread and cheese in the cottages I 

 continued my way into the forest covered mountains. 



