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. ' haciknda' — river a — xf.gr a. 4B8 but so lately that there has not been any leisure time in which to think of more than the first necessaries of life. Noble trees surround this 'casa de hacienda.''* No underwood impedes your riding at a rapid pace in any direction : and beyond the woody spaces, extensive plains stretch towards the sea and to the bank of the river. These plains are intersected by nume- rous streams, and adorned with irregular clumps or thickets of trees : smaller indeed than those which shade the ' casa de hacienda,' but of a size sufficient to shelter cattle. This estate, which is not considered a large one in that coun- try, comprises, besides many square leagues of wild hilly coun- try, more than one hundred square miles of excellent land, well watered, abundantly wooded, and most pleasantly as well as conveniently situated. The owner is said to be a most worthy man, and numerous instances of his active goodness as well as excellent disposition, have been related to me at different times ; one of which I must stop to relate. My attendant, Vogelborg, passed near the door of Don Juan de Dios Rivera, while executing a commission entrusted to his most speedy despatch. Stopping a moment to ask the way, Don Juan remarked that he looked ill, and had better rest. Vogelborg thanked him, but explained the necessity of hastening onwards : in truth he was ill and very tired, though anxious to proceed. Don Juan then suggested the quicker method of forwarding the letters, entrusted to Vogelborg, by his own confidential servant, and forthwith despatched him upon one of his own horses, desiring Vogelborg to take jiosses- tion of an excellent bed ; where he remained two days under the kind care of Don Juan de Dios and his wife, who till that time, had never seen him. Abreast of Negra Beach is an anchorage, sheltered from the north and north-west winds by Point Coronel, but exposed to the southerly and west winds. Here, as well as in coves further south, much smuggling was carried on in the time of the Spaniards. Leaving the sea-shore, and some slippery rocky places over * Country-house upon the owner's estate. VOL. II. 2 F