FLOCK OF PAROQUETS. 



29 



A soldier came to this post^ a very suspicious 

 looking character^ and eyed us most minutely, 

 but seeing that we were priming and preparing 

 our pistols for the nighty he became very friendly^ 

 and we all slept in the same room together — six 

 men and three women. We could neither get 

 bread nor salt at this placC;, and were swarming 

 with vermin. 



Wednesday y 2&th, After taking a piece of 

 beef for breakfast, without bread or salt^ we 

 procured horses and started : changed at St. 

 Juan^ seven leagues, and Tunas, eight leagues; 

 where we had some good bread and milk. This 

 was a good house ; the ground near it was culti- 

 vated, and large flocks of cattle were grazing on 

 the beautiful meadows. An immense flock of 

 paroquets here flew over our heads — the discor- 

 dant noise they make is far from being pleasant. 

 From this place the country assumes a more 

 cheerful appearance : passing the remains of the 

 Portuguese camp, which had all the appearance 

 of numerous pig-styes, we came to another cross. 



