352 
CBUISE OF JEL.M.S. CH ALLEN GEB. 
rock, and, although, the water gained rapidly, they 
were enabled to reach this harbour, and get her into 
shallow water : they then cleared out all they could 
from her (for high-water came up to the main-deck), 
and encamped on the Middle Island. After a short 
time they were rescued by the French war-steamer 
La Clier , and taken to Sandy Point. On their way 
they fell in with a steam-vessel bound to Valparaiso, 
to which they gave information of the wreck. This 
caused the ship to call here ; and finding matters Hot 
so had as represented, they took possession of the 
derelict, leaviug four men behind them in charge, 
intending, on their reaching Loto or Valparaiso, to 
send assistance to save the cargo (which consisted of 
silver ore, hides, sugar, saltpetre, and nuts), and to 
get her afloat again — to do which there appeared to 
be but little difficulty. Those in possession would 
accept no assistance from us. 
Although it rained continuously during our stay, 
it did not deter our sportsmen landing to explore the 
surrounding land. After scrambling through thick 
shrubbery, a flat space of tolerably open ground was 
reached. Here a few ducks and geese were bagged. 
The whole country seemed drenched with moisture, 
which we afterwards found, on proceeding farther 
south, was the normal condition of all the land 
bordering this part of the straits and channel. 
