PORTEirS JOURNAL* 



boar<l, counting those belonging to the officers. No part 

 of the world could have afforded us a more ample supply 

 of every kind of provision required. The flour and bread 

 were of a very superior quality, and could be procured in 

 any quantities without difficulty. We could not, however, 

 without considerable delay, procure salt provisions, except 

 jerked beef: this was to be had in large quantities, and put 

 up in a superior manner for exportation, in a network 

 formed of strips of hide, containing one hundred weight* 

 All the dry provisions were put up in hides ; the flour was 

 better secured in them, and more closely packed, than ifc 

 could possibly be in barrels ; and, although much heavier, 

 we found them more manageable. The use they make of 

 hides is astonishing; the most of the furniture for their 

 mules and horses, and their houses, and, on some parts of 

 the coast, even their boats, or (as they are called) balsas, 

 are made of this article. It is used for every purpose to 

 which it is possible to apply it, either whole, cut in pieces, 

 or in long strips. When used for balsas, two hides, each 

 cut something in the form of a canoe, with the seam up- 

 wards, are blown up by means of a reed, and stopped to- 

 gether ; a piece of board is then laid across to sit on, and 

 on this frail machine they venture a considerable distance to 

 sea. The laque, for the use of which the Chilians are so fa- 

 mous, is formed of a very long strip of hide, with a running 

 noose ; and their dexterity in using it, in catching animals at 

 full speed, is surprising. Every pack-horseman and driver 

 of a jackass is furnished with one of these ; and so much do 

 they delight in them, or in showing their dexterity, that 

 w^hen they wish to catch any one of their drove, either to 

 load, or unload, or for any other purpose, they take their 

 distance, deliberately coil up their laque, and never fail of 

 throwing it over the neck of the animal wanted. 



On the 17th, captain Munson, of the American brig in 

 port, arrived from St. Jago, bringing me a letter from the 

 consul-general, inviting myself and officers, in the name of 

 the government of Chili, to visit the capital^ and informing 

 us that horses and every other convenience were provided 

 for us on the road. Captain Munson was also desired by the 

 consul to inform me, that the president and junta, with a large 

 military escort, would meet us at a considerable distance from 

 the. city ; and that, in a political view, they considered our 



VOL. I, 13 



