WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 115 



trance, begins to be thickly wooded on each 

 side, presenting some very picturesque windings. 

 On the tops of the hills overhanging the river, 

 the views, inland, are very extended ; and ranges 

 of hills can be traced, till lost amongst the chain 

 of the Andes ; but not a vestige of a habitation 

 is to be seen. A Chilino was detected, to-day, in 

 attempting to introduce a strong spirit, peculiar 

 to the province of Arauco, into the camp ; and, 

 knowing the threat which the Captain had, through 

 Signor Sylva, held out against such a transac- 

 tion, attempted to make his escape across the 

 river ; but his horse, being tired, failed him : the 

 skin of spirits was, therefore, taken possession of, 

 and emptied in the mud. Nothing in sight from 

 the hill. The bay below us being smooth, the 

 Dingy was sent out to sound, and found a depth 

 of water for anchorage from nineteen to five 

 fathoms, in a direction between the two points 

 which formed it. The seine was hauled outside 

 the river, and several fine fish, of the carbinu 

 tribe, taken. 



June 20. — Dark and cloudy weather, with 

 showers of rain. Employed the ship's company 

 in making a road to the pier, laying on stones, 

 and ditching it on each side. Though our sick 



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