296 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



tied under the chin with black ribbon, the rim being free, and 

 the hair braided down the back. Amongst them were some 

 acquainted with gentlemen of our party, whom they saluted 

 with, '^adios! adios ! Caballeros." 



We had scarcely cleared Miraflores, when we saw the low 

 houses of Chorillos about two miles off, nestling under the 

 Morro Solar or headland of Chorillos, and the broad Pacific 

 expanding to the view. It was now near sunset ; the mild 

 breeze from the ocean kissed our heated foreheads as we gal- 

 loped into the pueblo. We met parties of ladies and gentle- 

 men, strolling about in every direction, to enjoy the cool air of 

 the expiring day. 



After ablution in cold water, we seated ourselves, and like 

 Sancho Panza were felicitating ourselves in not having en- 

 countered any perils on the road, when a gentleman came in, 

 with half serious face, and began with, Malditos sean los de 

 la policia que no limpian el camino de esos bribones de saltea- 

 d6res !" — Curse those police officers, for not clearing the 

 road of these villainous highwaymen 



Que hai ! que hai ! Don Ignacio?" — " What is the matter, 

 wliat is the matter, Don Ignacio?" asked two or three of the 

 party. 



<^ Puez, Seiiores, me pillaron dos de estos caballeros en la 

 mitdd del camino, de aqui a Miraflores, y si no fuera por la 

 oscuridad de la noche me hubi6ran descubierto la desnudez a 

 todo el mundo !" — '*Yes, Gentlemen, two of those cavaliers 

 caught me on the road, half way between here and Miraflores, 

 and had it not been for the obscurity of the night, would have 

 exposed me naked to the whole world V 



<<Que dices?" — "What sayest thou?" 

 Puez, Senores, es verdad, me dejaron fresco en cueros — 

 aun sin un hilo de mi camisa!" — "It is true, they left me 

 cool in my skin — without even a thread of my shirt !" 



" Caramba !" exclaimed one of the ladies. 



"Jesus!" cried another — Peruvian ladies ejaculate I 



"Que oigo, por Dios!" — "What do I hear, for God's 

 sake !" said a third. 



" Gua ! que lisos !" — " What impertinence !" said a fourth. 



