SANDWICH ISLANDS. 
215 
of the Ancles, and hailed with joy the appearance of a Chris¬ 
tian country. Six months had now elapsed since we had 
enjoyed civilised society, or heard news of our native land: 
we were all anxiety as to whether we should be able to 
reach Valparaiso Bay before dark. The water was smooth; 
our noble ship bore us through it at the rate of eleven 
miles an hour, but still we lay-to outside the harbour all 
night, for it was too dark ere we reached the entrance to 
pick an anchorage. A boat was, however, sent in, and re¬ 
turned with letters and newspapers, and all that was to con¬ 
firm our fears and our hopes concerning that home which 
no one ever learns to value so highly as those who sail the 
trackless deep. We found here Ilis Majesty’s ships Cam¬ 
bridge, Briton, Mersey, and Tartar, the latter on the point 
of sailing for England. 
Early next morning we were agreeably surprised to find 
the appearance of Valparaiso something more like the pro¬ 
mise held out by its name than when we left it. The 
winter rains had given it verdure and adorned it with the 
loveliest flowers, and the temperature of the air was de¬ 
licious. 
On the 22d the Cambridge, Briton, and Blonde sailed 
from Valparaiso for Conception, for the purpose of pro¬ 
curing wood and coal, which are there to be obtained at 
