WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 97 



the major, and six men, quitted the now dis- 

 mantled camp for the Leubu ; having previously 

 appointed a strong rear-guard, under the third 

 lieutenant, Mr. W. K. Stephens, with Mr. Rouse, 

 the Consul, consisting of a full quarter-watch, 

 twelve marines, the surgeon, Mr. Mould, the 

 second master, a mate, and a midshipman, to 

 guard the few remaining stores, and to proceed 

 as early as possible the next day to join our new 

 camp. Great was the satisfaction felt by all at 

 quitting a spot the scene of w^hich embittered 

 every recollection. The Captain and officers, on 

 clearing the wreck, had got on shore the remains 

 of their cabin furniture, which proved very ac- 

 ceptable presents to the governor and Chilino 

 party, the late earthquake having destroyed the 

 little they could previously boast of. The journey 

 to the Leubu began by passing the promontory 

 along the beach, on the nortli, to a distance of 

 three leagues ; then up an abrupt grassy slope 

 to a thick forest of very old timber, ascending 

 through it, for a mile and a half or two miles, to 

 an open level country, from two to three leagues, 

 covered with several species of dwarf myrtles 

 and coarse grass, to a second and third patch of 

 wood, and eventually to a short steep descent to 



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