270 A VOYAGE TO Book VIII. 



nies. Rancagua, when Santiago and Colchagua are 

 threatned, is alfo to fend fuccoiirs thither; and the 

 fame duty lies on Chilian with regard to Conception. 

 In thefe cafes notice is conveyed with fuch difpatch, 

 that they are fpeedily at their rendezvous, all they 

 have to do, being to mount their horfes and repair 

 to their flation with the ufual pace ufed in that coun- 

 try, which is always a gallop ; and thus the militia 

 of this country may be faid to ride poll to the parts 

 where danger calls them. 



CHAP. IX. 



Commerce of Chili. Met bods ufed to keep up a 

 good Harmony with the "wild Indians. 



IN my defcription of the city of Conception, I 

 mentioned the inchanting beauties of the neigh- 

 bouring countries; and the exuberant returns of na- 

 ture for the hufbandman's toil. The like profufion 

 of natural produ6lions is feen all over this kingdom. 

 Its plains, eminences, valleys, in fliort the whole 

 country to the fmalleft portion of ground is an ob- 

 ject of admiration. Every particle of earth, in this 

 amazing fertility, feems transformed in feed. The 

 country round Santiago, as it is not inferior in plea- 

 fantnefs and fertility to that of Conception ; fo alfo 

 from the great affinity to the climates, its produds 

 are nearly the fame. Accordingly fome farmers 

 wholly apply themlelves to corn, others to fattening 

 of cattle ; fome confine themfelves to the breeding 

 of horfes, and others to the culture of vines and 

 fruit trees. The firft find their account in plentiful 

 harvells of wheat, barley, and particularly in hemp, 

 which thrives here furprizingly, and furpalTes thofe 

 of the former. The fecond at their large flaughters, 

 have great quantities of tallow, graffa, charqui, and 



