224 MR. NOBBS AT VALPARAISO. 
to the catalogue of horrors belonging to the 
place ; the one a terrific conflict between some 
American passengers and the natives, in which 
the former were robbed, and several on both 
sides killed and wounded ; the other, a frightful 
accident, causing the death of between thirty and 
forty persons, and serious injury to seventy or 
eighty, on the Panama railroad. Between nine 
and ten miles from Aspinwall, nine cars were 
precipitated into a ravine thirty feet deep. 
On Mr. Nobbs's arrival at Valparaiso, he found 
his son and daughter in good health ; but he was 
just too late for a vessel for Pitcairn. Writing 
to the author from Valparaiso, he said : - 
"After some detention and sickness, I was 
graciously permitted to arrive here on the 12th 
of February ; and I am still detained, waiting for 
the Portland. Oh, how I wish to be at home ! 
I have divided the duty with the Rev. B. Hill at 
the church on shore, ever since I have been here, 
besides the service on board one of the British 
ships of war, once on each Sabbath ; so you see 
I am not idle. The agent for British steamers 
in these parts presented me with a free passage 
from Panama to Valparaiso. I hope my next 
will be dated ' Pitcairn's Island.' " 
Looking forward to the pleasure of being once 
more at home, he added, "Oh! that will be 
joyful.' 7 
Admiral Moresby, in a letter to the author, 
dated Valparaiso, 31st January, 1853, said: 
"My heart rejoices at the completion of 
my wishes in Mr. Nobbs's ordination., and the 
