1835. 



FIND challenger's CREW. 



449 



horseback and clad in armour, were such immense advantages, 

 that to oppose the progress of a few resolute Spaniards even 

 by the numbers of a multitude, was a daring effort. 



In consequence of this and many subsequent acts of valour 

 and conduct, the young Lautaro became a most celebrated 

 leader, and was chosen by Caupolican as his lieutenant and 

 successor. 



But I must return to the banks of the Leiibu, which we 

 were approaching as fast as our tired horses could drag their 

 hoofs through deep, loose sand, when a solitary light moving 

 on the dark side of the opposite high land, showed the place 

 where our countrymen were anxiously waiting for assistance : 

 we had heard that their encampment was under Tucapel 

 Heights, and close to the river''s mouth. 



As soon as we arrived at the water side, I hailed as loudly 

 as I could call, but no answer was returned. Again I hailed 



Challenger's a-hoy," and a faint ' hallo ' repaid us for every 

 difficulty. Send a boat I called. " Aye, aye echoed from 

 the hills. Lights appeared directly coming down the hill : a lit- 

 tle boat came across the river, and very soon we were embarked 

 in the Challenger's dinghy,* the only boat saved. The mas- 

 ter and one man were in her, from whom we heard that all the 

 party were well, and that they had not yet been molested by 

 natives. 



Captain Seymour was at the landing place. Old friends, 

 meeting under such circumstances, can say but little. Hasten- 

 ing to the encampment, where all had turned out to hear 

 the welcome news of assistance being at hand, we made their 

 hearts rejoice by saying that the Blonde was at Talcahuano, 

 and coming to their relief. With the officers, I found our 

 excellent consul, Mr. Rouse.-f- At the first intimation of the 

 Challenger's loss, he had hastened to the spot without an hour's 

 delay ; well aware how useful his influence and information 

 would prove, and supposing that the officers would not be 



* At midnight. The horses were sent back to the Indian huts, with 

 whose owners our guide held such noisy intercourse as we passed, 

 t H. B. Majesty's consul at Concepcion. 

 VOL. II. 2 G 



