_—_ 
: 
: 
101 
says Gilliss, “ that I cannot too earnestly express my appre- 
ciation of the considerate kindness shown me by the manager 
and agents of the line at Callao, Valparaiso, and Panama, 
or of the captains while making the voyages on board their 
ships.” “During two weeks’ detention on the isthmus,” 
when returning, “ we were guests of the Pacific Mail Steam- 
ship Company.” On the day of his arrival at Payta, was 
' received, through the captain of a war steamer lying in that 
port, a message from the Admiral commanding the French 
fleet in the Pacific, offering to carry him to any point on the 
coast, or to facilitate the observations by any means at his 
disposal. The Peruvian Minister at Washington had given 
official letters commending the expedition to the interest of 
the local authorities. The cases containing instruments and 
personal effects were passed unopened through the Custom- 
House ; the captain of the port, the prefect of the province, 
the governors of the towns, and the inhabitants of the re- 
gions traversed, afforded all the official aid and all the per- 
sonal hospitality in their power. 
Finding that the atmosphere near the coast was very 
unfavorable about the hour of sunrise, at which time the 
eclipse would occur, it was decided to travel inland to 
some point near the Andes, and close upon the central 
line of totality. Leaving the zenith-telescope of the 
Coast Survey, and a chronometer, with the Captain of 
the French steamer, who proceeded with the steamer to a 
point about sixty miles south of Payta, where the central 
line of the shadow would first touch the continent, Gilliss 
himself, with Mr. Raymond, his companion, carrying the © 
smaller instruments, and after despatching the Fitz telescope, 
the tent and provisions, half a day in advance of them, took 
their way inland on mule-back. “ The country between the 
two places is a desert of sand, which is so drifted by the 
9* 
