Page:Narrative of a Voyage around the World - 1843.djvu/272

218 The flood did not run long, coming in and expanding its force almost at a gush; we, therefore, resumed our progress, and about four passed the town of Samborodon, the half way, or resting spot from Guayaquil, probably from its being the only village where supplies for a large party can be obtained, as well as the home of most of the boatmen.

The appearance of the town is improving; but its inhabitants being entirely coloured, and not otherwise interesting, we preferred using our best exertions to reach Guayaquil before the change of tide. This we effected by ten that evening.

From the foreign consuls, as well as from our kind friend General Wright, we met with every attention, and our affairs at Guayaquil being completed, we took leave of them on the 30th, taking with us our good friend the consul, and without kedging beat and backed through the narrows without accident, reaching our old anchorage off Punta Espanola on the morning of the 4th.

H. M. S. Harrier had called during our absence, on her way to San Blas and the Gulf of California, to collect freight, but only remained forty-eight hours; consequently I had not an opportunity of seeing my good friend Captain Carew.

By my letters, I found that affairs in Peru were in statu quo at Callao. Nieto, Lafuente, &c. had landed at Payta, and a Chilian force had attacked