In the nights of the _remolienda_, [a popular gathering or festival in Chile] his glance was many times distracted from the dark-hued and youthful beauties dancing the _Zamacueca_ [the national dance of Chile.] in the middle of the room, to the matrons swathed in black veils, who were playing the harp and piano, accompanying the dance with languishing songs which interested him greatly.

Perhaps one of these sentimental, bearded ladies might have been his aunt.
While his ship finished loading its cargo in Iquique, he came in contact with the crowd of workers from the saltpeter works,--"broken-down" [originally a term of contempt is now a complimentary by-name] Chileans, laboring men from all countries, who did not know how to spend their day's wages in the monotony of these new settlements.

Their intoxication diverted itself with most mistaken magnificence.

Some would let the wine run from an entire cask just to fill a single glass.

Others used the bottles of champagne lined up on the shelves of the cafes as a target for their revolvers, paying cash for all that they broke.
From this trip Ferragut gained a feeling of pride and confidence that made him scornful of every danger.