862 THREE TEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



Samanco, which is not laid down on the charts, is as extensive 

 as that of Ferrol, but not so smooth, nor so well defended from 

 the sea. Fire wood, sugar, and rice, are carried in small coast- 

 ing vessels to the Lima market, but even this trade is very li- 

 mited. 



We left the ship about eleven o'clock, and pulled to the 

 southern end of the bay, distant about three miles from the 

 anchorage, and dragged the boat across the sand, which we 

 found covered with dead shells, and bones of marine animals. 

 Alarmed by our landing, a very large flock of flamingos rose, 

 and sailed away through the air with an infinite grace, while 

 a party of buzzards, less timid, only moved off a few yards, 

 and when we had passed, returned to their carrion feast. 



Our boat being launched on the waters of Samanco, we pulled 

 across to what is termed the port, a distance of at least seven 

 miles. When near the beach, we perceived a flag rancho, 

 built a few yards from the water, on a knoll of sand, which is 

 in a kind of gorge formed by high rocks rising on either side. 

 Several dogs ran out and set up a loud barking, at least ten mi- 

 nutes before we reached the shore. On the beach were several 

 pieces of iron machinery, and a sun-dried boat. Our boat was 

 drawn up "high and dry,'' and the oars &c. carried to the 

 rancho and deposited. 



The front of the rancho, which is about ten feet wide, was 

 sheltered from the sun by the roof projecting in advance of the 

 wall, forming a kind of corridor. The whole was built of cane 

 and flags or bulrushes. Beneath this shade we met an elderly 

 woman, of the sambo caste, in a calico gown. Panchita, as she 

 is called, was seated on a low stool, shelling corn, and at the 

 same time quieting a young child extended in her lap. On 

 her right was a shelf or counter, filled with bottles of aguar- 

 diente, gourds of chicha, and some cheese and onions; on her 

 left, were overturned gourds of different sizes, and several cats 

 and dogs lying together in familiar confusion. On one corner 

 of the counter was the Guia de los Fieles" — Guide of the 

 Faithful — and a mutilated copy of the incomparable adventures 

 of Don Quixote, that in appearance had been very frequently 

 thumbed. The interior of this dwelling was small, and appa- 



