WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 49 



unusually heavy surf rolling in on the beach, 

 breaking with great violence and height on 

 the breakers to seaward : the ship very uneasy, 

 so much so as to threaten a separation of the 

 decks from the lower body of the ship ; to re- 

 lieve her the foremast was cut away, and driven 

 up on the beach to the southward, and the lar- 

 board sheet-anchor let go, the mainmast and 

 bowsprit being the only spars now standing. A 

 second small anchor was got on shore to assist in 

 steadying the wreck, with the fore-gaugers and 

 chain-messenger bent to it and hove taut. As 

 the duty permitted, the officers and men were 

 allowed to stroll to some little distance from the 

 camp ; and, with one of the Chilinos as a guide 

 and interpreter, a party was occasionally made, 

 in accordance with incimation, as well as appe- 

 tite, in search of game of any description that 

 might assist in adding to and varying our dinner. 

 Persuaded by Don Bernardino, who furnished 

 horses, the captain, with Mr. Sarjeant and a 

 guide, rode for an hour two or in the direction 

 of the ground pointed out by Rafael Lobo, and 

 as far as the Cacique Cheuquante's residence, 

 over the hills north of us, distant about two 

 leagues. There they found one of Pinoleo's 



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