June 1835. cACiauE — stores — remove. 



457 



of Captain Seymour, and their immediate removal was decided 

 upon. Though the Indians as yet had been inoiFensive, Mr. 

 Rouse had heard as he came of a large body who were approach- 

 ing from the interior, and whose intentions he suspected to 

 be hostile. The tribe then about Molguilla was that of an 

 Indian cacique, in alliance with the Chilians, and therefore 

 inclined to be civil, while the plunder was not very tempting, 

 and while all the party were well armed and on the alert. 



A few days after the ship was wrecked, this cacique gave a 

 fine young heifer to Captain Seymour, who thanked him for 

 his present, and expressed regret that any thing he could offer 

 in return must be very trifling ; when he was startled by a 

 violent exclamation from the chieftain, who indignantly refused 

 to accept any thing from men in distress. He would not take 

 the paring of a nail from them, (biting his thumb-nail angrily 

 as he spoke). 



By Mr. Rouse's exertions and assistance, as interpreter and 

 adviser, several yoke of oxen were procured, as well as many 

 horses, mules, and donkeys ; but even with such unhoped-for 

 help, the removal of the heavy stores which had been saved 

 was a tedious and difficult undertaking. Once established, 

 however, at Leiibu, they felt comparatively secure : tents were 

 made out of sails ; a palisade was fixed and a ditch dug : but 

 the guns, spars, anchors, cables, and large boats, were left on 

 the beach, as they were too heavy for removal overland ; and 

 to transport them by sea, from such an exposed coast, was out 

 of the question. 



Leaving their good ship a wreck upon the shore, in the 

 hands of those who would soon destroy her, to get at the 

 copper and iron, was to all a melancholy sensation. But the 

 feelings of her captain at that moment — how little those who 

 obeyed orders had to feel, compared with him who gave them ! 



On the 8th of June the wreck was abandoned : and the 

 whole party were encamped at Leiibu. Time passed away but 

 no tidings of assistance arrived. Sickness began its insidious 

 attacks : for cold wet weather had succeeded to a duration of 

 fine dry days unusual at that time of year. Some of their 



