Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe
1835. RIDE FROM CONCEPCION. 431 that night, and to procure a circular letter to the local au- thorities. Not a minute was lost by either of those zealous officers in attending to and complying with my requests. Alemparte left his dinner to write a circular letter, in his own hand ; and neither he nor Colonel Boza would return to their respective parties, until they had ascertained that I was pro- perly provided with horses and a guide, and that I required no further assistance. Although orders were issued and the ferry-boat at her station, no crew were to be found, and only those men who belonged to the boat knew how to cross over safely. Vexa- tious as the delay seemed, I was afterwards glad of it ; for judging by the work in day-light, I doubt our having ever reached the opposite bank with our horses, in a dark night. While talking to Colonel Boza I remarked a watchful, wild- looking, young Indian, in a Chilian half-uniform, standing in the house. Something unusual in his manner attracted my notice though hurried, and I have since regretted losing that oppor- tunity of acquainting myself with the son of Colipi, a famous cacique, who is the principal, and a very powerful leader of the northern Araucanians, though at present a friend to the Chilians. Colipi is a very tall and unusually strong man ; his onset and his yell are talked of with a shudder, by those who have suffered from Indian hostility. Educating his son at Concepcion is one of the methods used to conciliate the ' Bar- baro.' 22d. Before the dawn of day we were looking for the water- men ; and, as the sun rose, succeeded in getting their boat, or rather flat-bottomed barge, into motion. We rode into the river, about two hundred yards, until we reached the barge, then lying close to an overflowed bank. By some persuasion of voice, whip, and spur, the horses were made to leap out of the water, over the gunwale and into the boat. They certainly showed more sense than horses usually have, in understanding so readily how to behave ; but whether their owners showed more than asses, in having so clumsy a ferry-boat, may be
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