Page:California Historical Society Quarterly vol 22.djvu/251

 I shall send you a full description. We arrived safe at Valparaiso Sept. 16. We were very fortunate in this, for on the 1 7th commenced the grand festi- val of the "Dias Ocho," the celebration of Chilean independence. We were thus enabled to see more of the people and their customs than we would at ordinary times, all the Natives from the country thronging into the city with "best bib and tucker" to join in the festival. It continued one week or longer and during this time nearly all business is suspended. Horse racing. Bull fights, Masquerades and Fandangos are the order of the day. I attended a "Grande Bal Masquerade a la Grande Teatro," in full costume too. My dress was a red cap, black mask, crimson shirt over a fancy white and pink one, white pants with crimson sash around my waist, white kids, and the self same patent leather gaiters which flourished at the grand ball in Wash- ington. If you had but seen me in this costume I am certain you would have fallen in love with me at once, even if you had never seen me before. I knew that many of our Company intended going to this ball as spectators, so I kept it a secret as to my mask from all but one or two. Now, if I begin to tell you of all the jokes I played on them there, of the fun and adventures I had, t'would fill this sheet 7 times, and I have so much besides to talk with you and tell you, so I will cut it short. The whole affair was like the carnival at Venice. Many times I wished you were there to enjoy all this with me, so you see you were not forgotten; I could write you a small volume on what we saw and what befel me in Valparaiso. I will tell you of one adventure: I always went armed with a pistol when I went off alone which I did often, taking many excursions into the country a short distance. On one occasion I was obliged to stop at a small "Rancho" for lodgings, in the suburbs of the city. I was shown into a small room, in fact there was but one room in the house, and one bed. In the corner was a stout Chilean stretched upon a bench, apparently fast asleep, wrapped up closely in his "Sarape." Knowing their treacherous character I simply threw myself upon the bed prepared for anything which might occur, placing my pistol under my pillow. Be- ing very much fatigued I was soon in the land of dreams, how long I had been sleeping I know not, but I was awakened by something touching my foot. It was a very slight touch, but I was wide awake in an instant. I made no motion or noise, but quietly drew my pistol. It was total darkness, for they have no Avindows in these small houses. Soon I felt the touch again and then found this Chilean was feeling along carefully so as to find my pockets. I lay motionless, waiting the result, knowing that they never use their knifes until obliged to, or in a quarrel. He felt quietly along until he found my coat pocket, and just as he was introducing his finger in the most insinuating manner possible, I struck his hand away with a sweeping blow and lay quiet, holding my pistol in my left hand; all was silent for a few moments and I then heard him move back to his corner and stretch himself on the bench. Not a word had been spoken by either of us. It was total darkness and