This morning our Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. William Pitt Adams, arrived from Lima, bringing me a letter of thanks from Lord Palmerston for the prompt way in which I had acted at Macao. [Sidenote: Aug. 26.] Joined royal salute in commemoration of the Prince Consort’s birth. [Sidenote: Sept. 2.] At sunset hoisted Admiral’s flag, _Inconstant_ having sailed for England. [Sidenote: Sept. 3.] Matthew Ash, captain of mizen-top, while on leave was murdered by one of the crew of a Chilian frigate, who was subsequently apprehended. Ship caulking inside and out, not before it was needed. Watered ship from the luxury of a tank. [Sidenote: Sept. 13.] _Asia_, 84, Captain Robert F. Stopford, arrived, to whom was transferred the Admiral’s flag. [Sidenote: Sept. 18.] Fired royal salute in commemoration of Chilian Independence. [Sidenote: Sept. 19.] Kindly invited to join Admiral’s party to witness a rancho: which means to drive wild cattle over a space of eighty to a hundred square miles into a strong enclosure. Our preparations were amusing, especially to our pretty lady companions, who looked as if they had never been out of the saddle. [Illustration: Mæander _at Valparaiso_.] We started after luncheon for our 10-mile ride to Pitama. The accommodation afforded by our ranchero host was a long low building, having a floor, but no ceiling, mere wooden truckle-beds to sleep on. The Admiral and family took possession of one end, we, the other: within hail, but outside talking distance. [Sidenote: Sept. 20.] We were up early, but the wild cattle were already in a disturbed state: bulls and pigs, horses and cows rushing across each other. The rancheros or drivers had been out a week. The ground was rough and varied, but nothing stopped our fair riders. It was dusk before half the cattle within the outer ranchero could be secured. Torches added to the wildness of the scene. The unbroken horses that had been captured by the young rancheros, and ridden when their own knocked up, began to lie down. The ladies of our party, who had ridden the whole day, appeared as fresh as their brother; but the Admiral, who was as hard as nails, himself made the signal to return home. I always regarded him with admiration and respect. He had commanded the _Volage_ in our Norfolk hero’s, Sir William Hoste’s, frigate action off Lissa. [Sidenote: Sept. 24.] Weighed from Valparaiso Roads on our northern cruise. Later I saw _Driver_ standing out. She was a full-rigged ship and what our American friends called a “side wheeler.” Her captain was under the delusion he could beat us sailing, but our three topsails only were sufficient to convince him of his mistake. [Sidenote: Coquimbo, Sept. 27.] Came to in Coquimbo Bay. [Illustration: _Coquimbo._] While cruising in my gig I observed an ancient-looking church, and landed to inspect it.