SANDWICH ISLANDS. 
229 
employers. All flocked to Arqueros, with that eagerness 
which the hopes of the precious metals have always excited ; 
every one petitioning for an Estaca or Pertinencia (200 
yards on the same vein), and taking his position according 
to priority in presenting the petition. Some veins far richer 
than the original one were soon found, and the general in¬ 
terest excited can scarcely be described. Up to the present 
time, 300 Estacas have been granted, and the veins may be 
said to spread over a space of not less than ten leagues. The 
Anglo-Chilian Association had their Cateadores, or searchers, 
and were so fortunate as to discover a vein, which, on being 
opened for a few feet, presented native silver in great abun¬ 
dance. This vein did not exhibit any metallic appearance 
on the surface, but gave other favourable indications, which 
the commissioners did not overlook. 
They removed Peons from their other veins to this, to 
the great amazement of the people of the country, who 
could not believe that metal would be found there; but on 
seeing the vein prove so rich, their respect for the know¬ 
ledge of the Europeans was greatly increased, and with it 
also the expectation of riches in places which had hitherto 
escaped their less knowing searchers. 
We left La Serena early in the morning, and, descending 
into the valley, crossed the Coquimbo, now much swollen 
