WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 35 



surf passed over its usual mark, and rolled far 

 up towards the mound of sand on which we 

 were encamped ; moving the boats, and several 

 articles which were laying, as was supposed, on 

 a spot free from the approach of the surf. This 

 day had been set apart as a day of rest ; and we 

 were about to make arrangements for performing 

 divine service, when a party of horsemen were 

 seen approaching from the direction of Arauco. 

 They proved to be twelve men belonging to the 

 militia established there, under the charge of 

 Don Bernardino Hermosillo, a captain in that 

 corps, who brought a letter for Captain Seymour 

 from Mr. Jagoe, one of the officers despatched 

 to Concep9ion, reporting their progress, and that 

 every facility would be given in the further 

 course of their destination. It appeared that 

 our shipmates were received at Arauco with great 

 kindness by the Chilian authorities, who imme- 

 diately ordered to Molquillo (the place of wreck) 

 the above party, with a view, as the Spanish de- 

 spatch of Don Jose Bustermente to the minister 

 of the interior afterwards expressed, " to pre- 

 vent robbery and extortion, and to advise and 

 aid in resisting any attack that the Indians might 

 be induced to make from the attraction this mis- 



D 2 



