80 



A DIARY OF THE 



according to his expedition : if he reached San- 

 tiago in seven days, he was to have forty-five 

 dollars, but if in less time, five dollars more for 

 every day less than seven, and decreased in the 

 same proportion for every day more than seven. 

 We were, until five in the afternoon, engaged in 

 preparing for our journey to the wreck, pur- 

 chasing presents to conciliate the Indians, indigo 

 and other articles to traffic with them, and hiring 

 mules, horses, and servants, to take charge of and 

 guard the numerous things the Consul thought 

 might be of service to the crew, whom he sup- 

 posed might be destitute. We left Concep- 

 9ion at half-past five, and rode to the bank of 

 the river, intending to cross and sleep at San 

 Pedro that night j but to our disappointment the 

 launch had gone over, and we were obliged to 

 return to the Consul's house, where we dined 

 and retired early, purposing to start at daybreak 

 next morning. 



Wednesday, 27. — Arose, took an early 

 breakfast, and crossed the river. We were de- 

 layed at San Pedro till 2 p.m. in arranging loads 

 for the mules, hiring horses, &c. ; at sunset had 

 only reached the extreme end of the plain before 

 described. 



