268 JOURNAL. 



Indian. We had scarcely left it a league, when I was obliged to 

 lag a little behind the party by a violent cough, and then I broke a 

 small blood-vessel.* It was some time before I could rejoin my 

 friends ; and then there was great consternation among them, as we 

 were at least ten leagues from home. I proposed to them to ride 

 on, and leave me to proceed slowly with the peon : this they refused 

 to do ; and the hemorrhage increasing, I felt pleased that they 

 remained with me. I had nothing with me to stop the bleeding, 

 and I longed for water ; on which Don Jose Antonio recollecting a 

 spring not far off, he and Mr. de Roos rode off to it, and filling the 

 little jars we had brought with us, we put some orange-peel into it, 

 and whenever the cough returned I took a mouthful. I found I 

 dared not speak, nor ride fast ; so at a foot's pace we went on to San- 

 tiago. I had two very serious attacks before I reached the city, but, 

 on the whole, I cannot say I suffered much ; it was a delightful day, 

 and the scenery was beautiful and grand. We crossed the plain of 

 Maypu farther to the westward, and nearer the scene of the great 

 action than before. The ground was covered with flowers, and flocks 

 of birds were collected round them. I thought if it were to be my 

 last ride out among the works of God, it was one to sooth and com- 

 fort me ; and I did not feel at all depressed. I may think, with more 

 ease than most, of my end, detached as I now am from all kindred. 



A few miles before we reached home Mr. De Roos rode on, and 

 having told Dona Carmen what had happened, she ordered my maid 

 to have fire, warm water, and my bed prepared. Mr. De Roos also 

 found Dr. Craig, who came immediately, and as I was almost with- 

 out fever and very well disposed to sleep soundly, the accident of 

 the day promised to be of little consequence. 



11th. — Letters from Valparaiso announce the arrival of the Doris, 

 and that my poor cousin Glennie has taken possession of my house, 

 being in a state of health that gives little hope of his recovery. He 



* I was the more vexed at the accident, as it prevented my seeing the coming out of 

 the Mapocho, if it be indeed that river. 



