138 EAST PRUSSIA TO THE GOLDEN GATE 



wear the " poncho," the national garment, which con- 

 sists of a square, gay colored woolen blanket. This 

 blanket has a slit in the middle, through which one puts 

 his head. The "poncho" is considered by Germans and 

 natives alike a very useful article, particularly when 

 on horseback, as it is not only comfortable and warm, 

 but of so closely woven material that the rain does not 

 penetrate it. We left Valdivia on Monday, the 13th, 

 after having explored every point of interest; it only 

 took us about two hours to reach our vessel again, as we 

 had four able native rowers. 



The weather remained favorable, as I have already 

 stated, and it seems almost unnecessary to assure you 

 that I made good use of my limbs, as you are perfectly 

 aware of my love for excursions, particularly when trips 

 into a mountainous, region are so easily accomplished 

 as they are here. Whenever we wanted to visit some 

 point of interest, unapproachable by land, we would row 

 along the shore of the bay, and thereby attain our object. 

 At other times I would just take it easy by lying down 

 in the boat and, like a ferry man, await a chance to take 

 a, parcel ashore, which often took me across the bay to 

 the islands Niebla or Mansera, which, though about half 

 a German mile distant, did not even tire me, when T 

 had to make my way against flood and wind. 



The harbor was originally well fortified by the Span- 

 iards but now both forts and batteries are very much 

 neglected and I doubt if one would be able to find a 

 dozen old iron guns which could be pressed into service. 

 The buildings are, for the greater part, neglected and 

 covered with moss and climbers ; they are in many in- 

 stances mere ruins of which one sees quite a number 

 all around the bay. The little isle Mansera, which is 

 exclusively inhabited by Chileans, has the ruins of a 

 monastery, which are indeed very picturesque. 



Corral is a poor mountain village with only two Ger- 

 man residents, the Klix brothers, one of whom has a 

 little store in the village, while the other one owns a 

 saw mill on the road to the fort. Outside of the few 



