1835. EAKTHQUAKE-WAVES— SHOCKS. 407 



broke over, dashed along, and whirled about the shipping 

 as if they had been light boats ; overflowed the greater part 

 of the town, and then rushed back with such a torrent that 

 every moveable Avhich the earthquake had not buried under 

 heaps of ruins was carried out to sea. In a few minutes, the 

 vessels were again aground, and a second great wave was seen 

 approaching, with more noise and impetuosity than the first ; 

 but though this was more powerful, its effects were not so 

 considerable — simply because there was less to destroy. Again 

 the sea fell, dragging away quantities of woodwork and the 

 lighter materials of houses, and leaving the shipping aground. 

 After some minutes of awful suspense, a third enormous swell 

 was seen between Quiriquina and the mainland, apparently 

 larger than either of the two former. Roaring as it dashed 

 against every obstacle with irresistible force, it rushed— destroy- 

 ing and overwhelming — along the shore. Quickly retiring, as 

 if spurned by the foot of the hills, the retreating wave dragged 

 away such quantities of household effects, fences, furniture, and 

 other moveables, that after the tumixltuous rush was over, the 

 sea appeared to be covered with wreck. Earth and water 

 trembled : and exhaustion appeared to follow these mighty 



efforts. 



Numbers of the inhabitants then hastened to the ruins, 



anxious to ascertain the extent of their losses, and to save some 

 money, or a few valuable articles, which, having escaped the 

 sweep of the sea, were exposed to depredators.* 



During the remainder of the day, and the following night, 

 the earth was not quiet many minutes at a time. Frequent, 

 almost incessant tremors, occasional shocks more or less 

 severe, and distant subterranean noises, kept every one in anx- 

 ious suspense. Some thought the crisis had not arrived, and 

 would not descend from the hills into the ruined town. Those 

 who were searching among the ruins, started at every shock, 

 however slight, and almost doubted that the sea was not actu- 



* Thieves were numerous in Talcahuano. Directly after the ruin these 

 scoundrels set to work — though crying ' Misericordia,' and with one 

 hand beating their breast — with the other they stole most industriously. 



