ARRIVAL AT SOCEGO 



23 



suddenly put his hand on the beast's withers, and secured the 

 vampire. In the morning the spot where the bite had been 

 inflicted was easily distinguished from being slightly swollen 

 and bloody. The third day afterwards we rode the horse, with- 

 out any ill effects. 



April I'^th. — -After three days' travelling we arrived at 

 Socego, the estate of Senhor ]\Ianuel Figuireda, a relation of 

 one of our party. The house was simple, and, though like a 

 barn in form, was well suited to the climate. In the sitting- 

 room gilded chairs and sofas were oddly contrasted with the 



VAMPIRE BAT (DESMODfS d'oRBIGXYI). CAUGHT ON BACK OF DARWIx's HORSE 

 NEAR COQUIMBO. HEAD, FULL SIZE. 



whitewashed walls, thatched roof, and windows without glass. 

 The .house, together with the granaries, the stables, and work- 

 shops for the blacks, who had been taught various trades, formed 

 a rude kind of quadrangle ; in the centre of which a large pile 

 of coffee was drying. These buildings stand on a little hill, 

 overlooking the cultivated ground, and surrounded on every 

 side by a wall of dark green luxuriant forest. The chief produce 

 of this part of the country is coffee. Each tree is supposed to 

 yield annually, on an average, two pounds ; but some give as 

 much as eight. IMandioca or cassava is likewise cultivated in 



