206 



LEAVE VALPARAISO. 



ping will point out a berth. In the three winter 

 months^ which are May, June, and July, or any 

 time when abreast of the bay to the westward, 

 it may be known at a distance by bringing the 

 high bell-shaped mountain of Quillota to bear 

 E. half N. by compass, which will lead direct in 

 for the bay. The water is deep to the beach all 

 round, and no danger but what 1 have men- 

 tioned. 



At Valparaiso, I was in hopes of finding a 

 fellow-traveller to cross the Cordillera ; and was 

 informed that a Captain G. of the Navy was 

 at Santiago, only waiting for a companion, 

 having delayed his journey on account of a re- 

 port being in circulation that the Pampas were 

 infested with monteneros. This I had not before 

 heard, therefore, was anxious to see him as 

 soon as possible : so, after arranging my affairs, 

 I left Valparaiso on the Sth December. A 

 friend accompanied me as far as Casa Blanca, 

 a distance of twelve leagues, where we got very 

 good entertainment, it being a most excellent 



