74 



A DIARY OF THE 



by this pleasing information, we dismounted, and 

 after begging pardon for our dirty appearance, 

 supper was ordered by "old Camilo:" it was 

 soon prepared, and served up in the Chilian style 

 by our industrious hostess, who, of course, supped 

 with us. During conversation, she told us that 

 there were some Englishmen in the village, and 

 sent for them : they soon made their appearance, 

 and in the course of conversation we discovered 

 them to be North Americans. They made us a 

 present of a dirty pipe and a small quantity of 

 tobacco, which they called real Virginia : this 

 was no treat, as we preferred the pajitas made 

 with mild tobacco, wrapped in the Indian corn- 

 leaf j and presented by our charming hostess, who 

 was an adept in making them. After enjoying 

 our aquaediente and pajitas, we retired to bed 

 and slept soundly ; and arose much refreshed 

 at daylight on the 23d. We were delayed 

 until seven o'clock for the horses 5 and if the 

 nature of our mission had not been so import- 

 ant, we might have said the loss of time was 

 not to be regretted, as our kind hostess was 

 busily engaged in supplying us with mat^. At 

 7 we took leave, promising to call on our way 

 back. We hurried over a high hill or mountain 



