54 CALLAO AND LIMA. 



CHAPTER IV. 



CALLAO AND LIMA. 



On the 1st of May we sailed for Callao, where we ar- 

 rived after a passage of twelve days. Nothing of interest 

 occurred during this period. The wind most of the time 

 was favorable, and the weather warm and pleasant. 



We found in port the United States ship " Lexington," 

 belonging to the Pacific squadron ; also the Chilian fleet, 

 amounting to ten sail, commanded by Admiral Blanco, an 

 English and a French frigate, and about fifty merchant 

 vessels, six of which were American. 



Callao, the seaport of Lima, is celebrated for its safety 

 and convenience. The island of St. Lorenzo shelters it 

 from the swell of the ocean to the west, and there is no 

 danger from any other direction. The Mole affords every 

 facility for landing goods from the boats. Water is con- 

 ducted to the Mole by an aqueduct, and a railway conveys 

 the goods to the far-famed fortress,* which is now con- 

 verted into a depot. There are a number of sentries sta- 

 tioned on the Mole night and day, for the double purpose 

 of preserving order among the boatmen, and to aid the 

 custom-house in preventing smuggling, which, notwith- 

 standing, is carried on to an extent that is hardly credible. 

 This is effected by the owner of the goods bribing the 

 custom-house officials. 



* It was here that the last stand of the royalist was made in New Spain ; and it was 

 in the same castle that the brave Rodil, with a handful of devoted followers defended 

 themselves with heroic courage against the insurgents in 1826. Surrounded, but not dis- 

 mayed, they still kept their assailants at bay, until famine stalked before them, and they 

 were forced to yield. History tells us that horse-meat sold among the besieged for a gold 

 ounce the pound, and a chicken for its weight in the same precious metaJ 



