Year: 1876

equator, and are due west of Ecuador,
to which country they belong; the
current runs very swiftly past them
to the northwest, SO it is necessary to be
very sure of ones position when steering
for them. The first land we made out
was Charles Island, the southermost of
the group, on the north side of which
there is a good harbor called Post Office
Bay, where we anchored.


At daybreak our party, consisting of
the doctor, c. E., and myself, ac-
companied by the sergeant of marines,
my coxswain, and two bluejackets,
started on our expedition. We were all
armed with guns or rifles, and well pro-
yided with provisions and water.


We had not gone far when we met two
men, one of them on horseback, with a
pack of dogs, coming to meet us; they
had seen the ship coming in the day be-
fore, and had also heard our gun.


The principal man introduced himself
in broken English as the cemmandant of
the place, Colonel NJ. Zerda by name.
He explained to US that the route we had
chosen was not the best, the path being
bad and the distance great, and advised
us to go back and land at another place,
called Black Beach Bay, on the west side
of the island. We therefore again took
to the boat, and pulled round in that
direction.


Landing abreast of a deserted hut on
the beach, we started for the interior,
the colonel leading the way. The path,
gradually ascending, led through the
same desolate sort of waste we had ira
versed the day before, with cinders un-
der foot and thorny jungle around.


After an hours sharpwalk, we reached
hut, where we rested for few minutes;
from this place the country improved in
appearance, trees showed signs of life,
and wild flowers grew here and there, and
the fresh trade-wind made our walk more
pleasant.


We presently reached plateau of
about one thousand feet high, where the
whole style of the country changed, and
we emerged from wilderness into a
beautiful park-lik country, surrounded
by hills and valleys, with trees laden
with fruit, rich grass under our feet, and
many varieties of flowers to greet the
eye. The temperature also changed in
remarkable degree; in fact, we were in
a different climate, and it seemed difficult
to believe that we were in the same
island.


We at length reached the settlement,
consisting merely of two or three huts
into one of which, the celonePs own
abode, we were heartily welcomed, and
refreshed with coffee, whilst couple o.
nimble damsels prepared more sub
stantial repast.


A better site for settlement could
hardly be found; in front of the hut was
pond of good water, on which focl
of wild ducks were disporting them
selves; at the back was the colonel
garden, which he showed us with great
pride; and where splendid potatoes, let
tuces, maize, bananas, oranges, lemons
coffee and tobacco, all fourished in pro
fusion.


In answer to our eager inquiries as t,
the chances of sport, we were assured
that there were plenty of wild cattle
pigs, and goats, and whilst we were rest
ing after our long walk we saw some o
the cattle browsing on the hillsides ant
shading themselves in the neighborinl
woods.


After our repast l dispatched the sci
geant and two bluejackets to give an ac
count of cow which we saw far off, bu
they presently returned, after frin
several unsuccessful shots. The colone


told us that toward evening the beast


would come down to the pool to drinl


and at night they fed close to his hui
and sometimes broke into the garder
As it was now four p. m, and the rest {
| the cattle had taken alarm at the firing


we went in search of others.


We presently came across bull an
cow, but they made off before we coul
) get shot at them. We then separate
SO as to circumvent herd of cattle whic
l we saw in valley near at hand, on
, party going round to stalk them, whili
+ the rest of us posted ourselves in th


track we supposed they would take O