WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 77 



reported to have risen upwards of fifty feet im- 

 mediately after the earthquake, breaking up on 

 the ruins, inundating the flat on which the 

 town was situated, and sweeping every thing 

 before it, barely giving the inhabitants time to 

 effect their escape to the hills. 



About half-past 3 p. m., in one of these tern- 

 porary wooden houses, we found H. W, Rouse, 

 Esq., His Majesty's Consul ; and I need not say 

 how happy we were to introduce ourselves to 

 him, and deliver the Captain's letter. From our 

 shabby dress and dirty appearance, he for a 

 moment eyed us with suspicion ; but having 

 opened the letter, his countenance assumed an 

 expression of benevolence and pity. He shook 

 hands with us, called for wine and water ; and we 

 immediately saw in him all those characteristics 

 which endear us to one another. He then left 

 us to consult the Intendent6, and deliver the 

 letter we brought from the officers at Arauco : 

 he did not return till 6, when we dined ; and the 

 circumstances attending the wreck formed the 

 subject of our conversation, as Captain Seymour's 

 letter put him only in possession of the bare fact. 

 At 11 we each took a tepid bath, and turned 

 in " to comfortable beds, the Consul having pre- 



