96 A DIARY OF THE 



effects of the mice during the interval. To the 

 canvass they were most destructive, eating large 

 holes in all parts of our tents. Our force having 

 been now much divided, we were most anxious 

 to make a final march of all to our new camp. 

 Our usual precautions were exercised in examin- 

 ing the arms and mustering watches. 



Su7iday, June 7 Fresh breezes, and cloudy 



from the southward. It had been our intention 

 this day to have abandoned our Molquilla en- 

 campment ; but the faihu'e of the means of car- 

 riage, the mules not having returned from the 

 Leubu, prevented our accomplishing it. The 

 tents were struck at daylight, cut up, and placed 

 ready for transport. An express had reached 

 the governor, requiring his return to his command 

 at Arauco, and announcing that the second in 

 authority there, the major of the troops, was on his 

 road, by the concurrence of the Chilian govern- 

 ment, to relieve him. This major arrived abo t 

 raid-day. It being evident that it would be only 

 by getting a detachment away to-day to Leubu 

 that the final abandonment of Molquilla could 

 be accomplished on the morrow, all the mules 

 that were on the spot were laden and forwarded 5 

 and about 2 p.m. the captain, with Mr. Sarjeant, 



