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. FIND challenger's crew. 449 horseback and clad in armour, were such immense advantages, that to oppose the progress of a few resolute Spaniards even by the numbers of a multitude, was a daring effort. In consequence of this and many subsequent acts of valour and conduct, the young Lautaro became a most celebrated leader, and was chosen by Caupolican as his lieutenant and successor. But I must return to the banks of the Lelibu, which we were approaching as fast as our tired horses could drag their hoofs through deep, loose sand, when a solitary light moving on the dark side of the opposite high land, showed the place where our countrymen were anxiously waiting for assistance ; we had heard that their encampment was under Tucapel Heights, and close to the river's mouth. As soon as we arrived at the water side, I hailed as loudly as I could call, but no answer was returned. Again I hailed " Challenger's a-hoy," and a faint ' hallo ' repaid us for every difficulty. " Send a boat !" I called. " Aye, aye !" echoed from the hills. Lights appeared directly coming down the hill : a lit- tle boat came across the river, and very soon we were embarked in the Challenger's dinghy,* the only boat saved. The mas- ter and one man were in her, from whom we heard that all the party were well, and that they had not yet been molested by natives. - — -r- Captain Seymour was at the landing place. Old friends, meeting under such circumstances, can say but little. Hasten- ing to the encampment, where all had turned out to hear the welcome news of assistance being at hand, we made their hearts rejoice by saying that the Blonde was at Talcahuano, and coming to their relief. With the officers, I found oiu* excellent consul, Mr. Rouse.-^ At the first intimation of the Challenger's loss, he had hastened to the spot without an hour's delay ; well aware how useful his influence and information would prove, and supposing that the officers would not be * At Dudnight. The horses were sent back to the Indian huts, with whose owners our guide held such noisy intercourse as we passed, t H. B. Majesty's consul at Concepcion. VOL. II. 2 G