"A house at the seaside. We'll look for a sheltered place on the beach to-morrow, bring down some men to build a hut, and have the colonel removed to it. With the sea air filling his lungs, he may yet have a chance of recovery." Instead of returning to camp, we slept that night at Pisco, and after an early breakfast went again to the beach. Jose had just selected an admirable spot for the hut, when we suddenly heard a shout of "Sail ho! sail ho! There's another--and another! Why, it must be Cochrane's squadron!" In an instant we were gazing seaward, and there, sure enough, rounding the corner of the bay, were several vessels, led by a stately ship. By this time a number of people had assembled, and more were coming in hot haste from the town. They talked and gesticulated violently--the majority, I observed being doubtful if the incoming vessels were friends or foes. As they drew nearer, however, all misgiving vanished, every one agreeing that the leading ship was the _San Martin_, so named in honour of the great general. "The luck's with us!" cried Jose joyfully. "Before nightfall we'll have the colonel on board one of those craft. How beautifully the admiral's ship is handled! she comes sweeping in like a great sea-bird." "Hadn't we better get a couple of men to pull us out to her? she'll anchor soon." "The very thing! we can't afford to lose time." Our arrangements did not take long to make, and we were soon speeding across the bay, our crazy boat being propelled by two wiry Indians. The whole squadron was now well within the bay, the smaller craft lying close in, and flying the Chilian colours; but Jose directed the boatmen to pull for the flagship. "_San Martin_ ahoy!" he yelled, standing up in the stern and hailing the ship in what he believed to be sailor fashion. "Hullo! Who are you?" came the answer. "Is Admiral Cochrane on board?" "Well, he was a minute ago." "Throw a rope, will you? we're coming up." This conversation was carried on in English, for many officers in the Chilian navy were Englishmen; and now the man on the _San Martin_ exclaimed, "Well, you're a cool customer anyhow! Walt a bit while I tell the captain." "Hang the captain!" roared Jose; "it's a matter of life and death." And those on deck, seeing how terribly in earnest he was, flung over a rope, and we scrambled up the ship's side. "Now, my man," exclaimed a sharp voice, "what is it you are in such a tremendous hurry about?" "I want to see Lord Cochrane immediately," said Jose. "His lordship is engaged in his cabin. Give your message to me." "I prefer to manage my own business, thank you," replied Jose coolly. "Tell the admiral I have come from Colonel Miller." As he finished speaking, a distinguished-looking officer, accompanied by several others, appeared on deck, and I knew instinctively that we were in the presence of the famous Admiral Cochrane, whose marvellous exploits had gained for him the admiration of the world.