268 
PERU. 
to our gentlemen, in a hut adjoining that in which their supper was 
cooked, of which they witnessed the preparation. The cooking 
range was of peculiar construction, and might serve as a pattern for a 
modern cuisine. It occupied one corner of the apartment, and appeared 
to be convenient and well adapted to the wants of the inmates. The 
vignette is a representation of it and the occupant. 
After a time the fore quarter of mutton made its appearance, in 
the hands of their landlady, scorched to a cinder. Being unpro- 
vided with a knife, she began to tear it into small pieces with her 
fingers. Our gentlemen remonstrated, but nothing would stop her 
until nearly every morsel of it had passed through her dirty hands. 
This, added to her state of intoxication, caused some of them to lose 
their supper from sheer disgust, though all agreed that she carved or 
tore it into pieces in a most dexterous manner. 
After supper they were informed by their guides, in much conster- 
nation, that a band of Chilian marauders were approaching; the 
whole establishment was in great uproar. The party, however, 
proved to be a convoy. The officer in charge was civil, and engaged 
freely in conversation on the pending contest between Chili and Peru. 
During the night the party were very much troubled with head- 
ache and difficulty in breathing ; they passed an uncomfortable night 
