QUINTERO. 191 
Having spent the forenoon in riding to see the cattle, and plant-. 
ing fruit trees and strawberries in the garden, Mrs. Miers and I took 
leave after dinner, and returned to Concon by way of old Quintero 
House, most picturesquely situated near the lake, of which we had 
seen the seaward end in riding along the beach. Some of the 
scenery is very pretty, particularly about the house itself; but as we 
coasted the lake towards the ocean, the vegetation began to give way 
to sand, and we soon found ourselves going cautiously along a 
formidable slope, where to have slipt would have precipitated us 
into a very deep lake, and where the sand was of so loose a texture, 
that to slip seemed almost inevitable. At length we reached the 
sea-beach, and there found, that owing to the high wind and tide of 
to-day, the barrier of the lake was burst ; and we had to search a long 
time for a ford. At length, however, we got over safely ; but it was 
not until dark that we crossed the river at Concon. The sagacity of 
the horses, who, having once passed it, had no hesitation in choosing 
the ford, carried us across with safety, though there is something 
fearful in fording a deep and rapid river in the dark. The rushing of 
the waters, the sensation of struggling owing to the resistance they 
offer to the horses’ feet, the cry of a water-bird startled from its nest 
on the margin, might easily become the shriek of the water sprite, 
and his attempts to seize the traveller. Night, doubt, and fear, are 
powerful magicians, and have done more to people the world of 
fiction than half the romancers that ever lived. 
15th. — On returning from a long and pleasant walk we met 
Captain F. S., and two other gentlemen, who had kindly ridden 
from Valparaiso to escort me home. I was really sorry to leave my 
kind hosts, who are so superior in knowledge and rational curiosity 
to any family I have seen for a long time, that I have enjoyed 
my visit more than I can say. We were three hours in reaching 
my house, for the road, in many places, does not admit of fast riding ; 
but a fine sunset, a beautiful view, and agreeable companions, made 
up for the road and all its difficulties. 
Valparaiso, August 17th. —I rode to the port to prepare for a 
