ern extremity of this level land is a small village, called, as
usual in such cases, the Porte, or landing place. The bay, which is a
fine harbor, sweeps far to the eastward, when the land, trending away to
the southward, with a slight inclination westerly, becomes lost in the
distance. The more immediate, or inner, harbor, is formed by a point of
land opposite the Porte, on the southern extremity of which is a
battery, formerly of considerable dimensions, and strength, but since
suffered to decay, and is much reduced in effectiveness. It was intended
to command the harbor and anchorage; but with Spanish artillerymen, a
mile offing, and reasonably good weather, a ship would be as safe from
its fire, for three months at least, as though she was all the while in
London Docks.

At the distance of two or three miles from the usual anchorage, and
forming an excellent leading mark for the bay, is Pedro Blanco, or the
White Rock, of two hundred feet height, perfectly precipitous and
inaccessible, and resembling a huge tower, rising abruptly from the sea.

Taken altogether, the bay of St. Blas forms a very beautiful prospect,
with the Andes in the back ground, which, with their

"Meteor standard to the winds unfurl'd,
Look from their throne of clouds o'er half the world;"

its white sand beach, fading gradually away to the south and east, its
town roosting on its barren rock, and indistinctly seen; its low lands
covered with a luxuriant growth of lime and other trees; and lastly, by
way of seasoning, its moschetoes and sand-flies.

CHAPTER II.

A knight he was, whose very sight would
Entitle him mirror of knighthood.
HUDIBRAS.

Tropical climates have certainly one advantage over all others, that is
not to be held in light esteem. They have rainy and dry seasons, that
are exclusively rainy and dry. During six months, or nearly as long, the
windows of heaven stand wide open, by night and by day, and the liquid
blessing descends upon the thirsty earth beneath "in one lot," as
auctioneers say; while on the other hand, the dry season has its great
and manifold advantages and pleasures. With us in the temperate zone, as
geographers call it, I suppose, for want of another name, a man does not
think of riding twenty miles without India rubbers, a great coat, boots,
and an umbrella, to say nothing of an entire change of raiment, if he is
a prudent, cautious old bach