WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 139 



respect of all. During the whole time since 

 his entering into communication with us, we had 

 benefited by his able services : added to his 

 official tact, his urbanity and kind disposition 

 had endeared him to all classes ; and should his 

 assistance be called for under a calamity similar 

 to our own, the unfortunate will find an efficient 

 friend in the British Consul at Concep9ion. 

 After touching at Valparaiso, where two of our 

 sick companions were sent to sick quarters, and 

 performing the melancholy duty of burying Mr. 

 Lane, the assistant-surgeon, who had sunk un- 

 der the effects of typhus fever, the officers and 

 part of the Challenger's crew embarked on board 

 His Majesty's ship Convoy at Coquimbo j whence 

 we sailed on the 2Sd July, cheered by the 

 Blonde, and our own pleasing anticipations of 

 soon meeting the congratulations of our friends, 

 and the sympathy of our generous countrymen. 



Including our stay of one week at Rio de 

 Janeiro, we completed our passage to Spithead 

 in eighty-four days, during which the incon- 

 veniences of a crowded ship were obviated by 

 the attentions to our accommodation, and the 

 arrangements kindly made by Captain Eden. 



