WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 



75 



called the Luro di Villagu," and by the In- 

 dians *'Muguana" — (this being the place 

 where they defeated the Spaniards and gained 

 their independence) — then over a plain of six 

 leagues and upwards in length, with here and 

 there a cultivated spot, and many lakes covered 

 with water-fowl. We arrived at the pueblo of 

 San Pedro, on the southern side of the Bio-bio, 

 immediately opposite Concep9ion. 



Here old Camilo's " attention was called to 

 the means of conveying us across the river, while 

 we stopped at the house of an old dame to whom 

 he introduced us : she kindly brought us water, 

 and we washed, leaving our linen to undergo 

 the same process, as we were covered with fleas. 

 Camilo returned, and told us the launch would 

 not be ready for some hours, and recommended 

 our taking breakfast, which we were too happy 

 to agree to : we sat down and made a hearty 

 meal. 



About S o'clock we embarked in a flat- 

 bottomed oblong launch, with nearly a dozen 

 passengers, two bullocks, four horses, six pigs, 

 and several sacks of wheat. This conveyance 

 was kept under command, against a strong cur- 

 rent, by an immense oar which answered the 



