SANDWICH ISLANDS. 
231 
number of small huts, surrounded by heaps of ores belonging 
to different mining agents. Two or three of these assem¬ 
bled together on the mountain side, form the station of the 
Anglo-Chilian miners: they are inhabited by two Germans, 
and the peons necessary for the labours of the mines. 
Our first care was to turn our horses out to pick up their 
well-earned supper among the herbs and shrubs that are but 
very thinly scattered over the surface of the mountain, and 
then, while our own repast was preparing, we descended 
into the mine, which is only carried twenty feet below the 
surface. To our inexperienced eyes the vein appeared ex¬ 
tremely rich, and we each brought away a few specimens. 
On our return to upper earth, we caroused as sailors are 
wont, after a ride of forty miles. The company, besides our 
own party, consisted of several Chilian mine-owners, who, 
after eating and drinking with us, were entertained like our¬ 
selves with the country songs, which one of our German 
friends sang and accompanied on his guitar, while the 
working miners sat round as spectators, apparently enjoying 
the scene. 
The next day we returned to La Serena, where we re¬ 
mained until the 13th, having, in the meantime, been most 
hospitably treated, especially by the Mining Company’s 
agents, who gave a ball in honour of our visit to the place. 
