47S DISCOVER AND REACH LEUBU. July 



lights also were occasionally burned during the nights, in 

 hopes that the schooner might see them. 



On the 5th of July, the day broke clearly for the first time 

 during the longest week I ever passed, and we saw the land 

 distinctly, from Cape Rumena to Tirua, with Mocha Island, 

 strange to say, for the first time — near it as we had often been. 

 Now that the tops of the hills were quite free from fog or 

 cloud, I recognised the Heights of Tucapel at the first glance ; 

 and after looking for some minutes at their summits, through 

 a good glass, I distinctly saw smoke rising. Standing towards 

 them — in half an hour flags were discerned on the heights, and 

 there was no longer any doubt ; yet no steps were taken until 

 near one o'clock, though it was a beautiful, and almost calm 

 day. From nine in the morning vmtil one, the Blonde lay 

 almost becalmed, about five miles from the land. At one, three 

 boats were sent to the mouth of the Leiibu, with some money 

 and a small supply of bread ; but a current setting along the 

 shore from the northward delayed their reaching the entrance 

 of the river until evening. 



We found the greater part of the Challenger's crew still in 

 health ; but delay and bad weather had increased the sick-list, 

 and two of her party (the assistant-surgeon and a young mid- 

 shipman) were in danger : waiting so long in uncertainty, and 

 without employment, in a wet, dirty place, had tried all their 

 constitutions severely. It was too late to attempt going out into 

 the offing after the Blonde, (which was standing to sea) with 

 the gig and cutter, two indifferent boats ; so manning the barge 

 with a double crew, one crew being men of the Challenger, 

 and taking one of her officers (Lieutenant Collins) with me, I 

 hastened out of the river as the sun was setting. A light breeze 

 from the land favoured us, and though the Blonde was hull 

 down in the south-west when we started, we were happy enough 

 to get on board at about eight o'clock. 



In going off to the ship after it became dark, we kept the 

 end of a piece of old gun-breeching burning, held up in the 

 bow of the boat. The light, as strong almost as that of a false 

 fire, was seen plainly on board the ship, and then she was hove-to. 



