WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 21 



had, for the previous twelve months, been carry- 

 ing on a war of extermination against the more 

 southern Indians of Tucapal, Tercia, and Im- 

 perial. We also learnt that, on the 20th of Feb- 

 ruary last, the city of Concep9ion had been 

 totally destroyed by an earthquake, since which 

 shocks had been continually felt upon the coast 

 in the vicinity, and of which we had soon expe- 

 rience. The position on the beach where the 

 landing had been made was described as unte- 

 nable 5 and it was recommended to take the 

 highest elevation that the small sand-hills on 

 the extensive flat around us afforded, as a secu- 

 rity from the rising of the sea, which in three 

 days after rose far above the spot on which our 

 first communication with Camilo took place, and 

 level with the base of the small sand-hill of 

 scarcely ten feet elevation on which we were 

 encamped. 



With the assistance of the Indian cacique, 

 horses were procured ; and with the greatest 

 satisfaction we saw from the ship our two ship- 

 mates, with their guide, at half past four, depart 

 on their journey to Concep9ion, the Indians 

 retiring to the hills on the approach of dusk. 

 In the ship, six larboard after-main-deck guns 

 c 3 



