40 



CHILI. 



another to the roar of a subterranean torrent, car- 

 rying along an enormous mass of rocks and stones. 

 Every person spoke of this sound with an expres- 

 sion of the greatest horror. One of the gentlemen 

 said^ it was " Espantoso (frightful.) " Yes/** 

 added the other, shuddering at the recollection, 

 " horroroso l**' 



Something peculiar in the shocks of the 4th of 

 April had excited more than ordinary fear in the 

 minds of the inhabitants, and, at a particular mo- 

 ment, no one could tell distinctly why, they all 

 rushed in a body to the great church called La 

 Merced. The gentleman who related this to us 

 happened to be standing near the church at the 

 time, and thinking it would probably soon fall, 

 called out loudly to the people not to enter, but 

 rather to bring the images into the streets, where 

 their intercession would prove equally elBcacious, 

 Fortunately, the prior of the church, who was 

 just entering the porch, saw the value of this ad- 

 vice, and seconded it by his authority ; ordering 

 the people to remain without, and desiring those 

 who had already entered to bring the images in- 

 stantly into the street. The last man had scarce-r 



