of wind soon, he would certainly throw it overboard.  Soon after, we had a little wind from off the land, when the Jesuit carried the image back with an air of great triumph, saying he was certain that we should not be without wind long, though he had given himself over for lost some time before it came.  Next morning we anchored in the port of Valparaiso.  In that part which is opposite to the fort, ships lay so near the land, that they have generally three anchors ashore, as there is eight or ten fathom close to it; and the flaws come off the hills with such violence, that if it was not for this method of securing them they would be blown out.  This is only in summer-time, for in the winter months no ships ever attempt to come in here; the northerly winds then prevail, and drive in such a sea that they must soon be ashore.

The Spanish captain waited upon the governor of the fort, and informed him that he had four English prisoners on board.  We were ordered ashore in the afternoon, and were received as we got upon the beach by a file of soldiers with their bayonets fixed, who surrounded us, and then marched up to the fort, attended by a numerous mob.  We were carried before the governor, whose house was full of officers.  He was blind, asked a few questions, and then spoke of nothing but the strength of the garrison he commanded, and desired to know if we had observed that all the lower battery was brass guns.  We were immediately after, by his order, put into the condemned hole.  There was nothing but four bare walls, excepting a heap of lime that filled one third of it, and made the place swarm with fleas in such a manner that we were presently covered with them.  Some of Admiral Pizarro’s soldiers were here in garrison that had been landed from his ships at Buenos Ayres, as he could not get round Cape Horn.  A centinel’s box was placed at our door, and we had always a soldier with his bayonet fixed to prevent our stirring out.  The curiosity of the people was such, that our prison was continually full from morning till night, by which the soldiers made a pretty penny, as they took money from every person for the sight.

In a few days, Captain Cheap and Mr Hamilton were ordered up to St Jago, as they were known to be officers by having saved their commissions; but Mr Campbell and I were to continue in prison.  Captain Cheap expressed great concern when he left us; he told me it was what he had all along dreaded, that they would separate us when we got into this country; but he assured me, if he was permitted to speak to the president, that he would never leave soliciting him till he obtained a grant for me to be sent up to him.  No sooner were they gone than we fared very badly.  A common soldier, who was ordered to provide for us by the governor, brought us each, once a day, a few potatoes mixed with hot water.  The other soldiers of the garrison, as well as the people who flocked to see us, took notice of it, and told the soldier it was cruel to treat us in that manner.  His answer was, “The governor allows me but half a real a day for each of these men; what can I do?  It is he that is to blame; I am shocked every time I bring them this scanty pittance, though even that could not be provided for the money he gives them.”