The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1855-12-29


penguin the "pastor," as the sailors have
dubbed him, because he wears black coat
and white cravat, and on account of his rev.
erential demeanor His short chubby feet
placed so low down the body, certainly do
not bespeak mirth and activity, therefore he
sits for many hours at a time upon solitary
rock, apparently wrapped in deep medta-
tion, and so inactive that one is led to be-
lieve that he would readily suffer himself toI
be taken. But no sooner does the boat strike
the shore, than he gives us ocular demon
stration of his powers Of flight, dives into
the ocean, and rises al several hundred yards
distance. After stumbling over the skeletons
of several sea lions we reach the guano, and in
few moments more we are into itup to the
knees. You observe il lies in regular stra ia
like rock--the lower being more compact
than the upper ones in consequence of the
pressure, and nave a more dark red color
than the upper ones.
On the surface it is Of brownish color,
and has a hard crust, baked by the burning
nests, eggshells, ribs and other animal re-
mains, SO that it much resembles a large
honey comb After difficult ascent over
d very uninviting path. we reach the cap
ital Of the island, which consists Of 20 or 30
: miserable tents, constructed of four poles
: and some grass mats. The household furni-
: ture consists of several roughly made bench
; es and dirty pots. The beds are made of
: grass mats. Very little attention is paid to
the wardrobe. And old pancho and pair
: of torn calico trowserS are worn by the
elite, while the mass of the residents are ab-
: solutely naked. A somewhat more comfort
able hut is occupied by two English sailors
The commandant, an elderly gentleman, of
decided military appearance, sports cabin
window in his hut. Similar residences are
r found scattered over the islands, The ag-
gregate of laborers is from two to three hun
dred, principally Indians, who appear to be
!, well satisfied with their lot, fiom the fact
= that they receive very high wages although
= everything around them-their food not ex-
cepted--is highly impregnated with guano.
h In the daytime they may be found sleeping
, !, in their tents, or lounging about smoking
i and at night they perform their labor. This
o is done on account of excessive heat. When
: these laborers find themselves in possession
e of surplus amount Of money, they take o
: trip to Pisco, and there conduct themselves
j. much in the same style that tars do when
u they make port from voyage to the Indies
with this difference, however, that in Pisco
e they drink chica--a beverage made of corn
6 instead of rum and porter, and dance the
; Fandango to the music of the guitar instead
/ of the hornpipe and violin.
o The "diggings" very much resemble {
stone quarry. Loading the vessels is com
n paratively light work. From the top of tht
It cliff shutc extends downwards toward tht
D, sea- the aperture of the lower extremity o
y which is protected by piece Of heavy can
% vasS.
n Vessels approach the cliff as closely a
e possible in seven fathoms of water plac
IS the aperture of the lower end of the ''shute
into the hold, whilst the laborers pour in tn
m guano from above. Those on board the YES
20 sci, whilst it is receiving its load of guano
y are most assuredly in very menvable stu
alton eyes, ears, nose and mouth, becom
u filled with the dust of guano; bunch c
4 tow is very frequently fastened beneath tn
z nnSe so as TO make the process of breathin