The pandemonium died down. A tense silence brooded over the destroyers, save for the hiss of escaping steam and the _swish_ of water from their knife-like bows. Satisfied that the pirate craft had received her quietus, the British destroyers were about to close and lower boats. There were lives to be saved, even if they were those of blood-thirsty pirates. Apart from humanitarian instincts, it was desirable to find out from the survivors the exact particulars of the mysterious buccaneering vessel. A gun was discharged from the burning Rioguayan cruiser, Whether it was a note of defiance, or merely caused by the flames exploding the charge in a loaded quick-firer was a matter for speculation. The masthead flashing lamp of the _Messines_ sent out a demand for surrender, with the assurance that quarter would be given to the survivors. "X G E" (surrender), read out the Chief Yeoman to the signalman, at the key of the flashing lamp, referring to the International Code Manual, "O A H (I will give you)..." Then he paused and turned inquiringly to the Lieutenant-Commander. "Beg pardon, sir," he exclaimed, "but there ain't no right letters for 'quarter '. Will this 'ere 'U E V' do?" Trehallow glanced at the signal book. "Use that and risk it," he replied, adding in an undertone, "s'pose the Tower of Babel is responsible for this." "Beg pardon, sir?" reiterated the Yeoman of Signals interrogatively. "Carry on," said the Lieutenant-Commander curtly. So the signal had flashed forth as follows: "Surrender--I will give you one-fourth!" The answer was in the negative. The _Cerro Algarrobo_ replied with five or six rounds, one of the projectiles penetrating the _Messines_' quarter and completely wrecking the Skipper's cabin. There was no hope for it. Both destroyers reopened fire. In less than thirty seconds an explosion was observed on board the hostile craft. Then, in a pall of smoke, she disappeared beneath the waves. The crews of both destroyers broke into a round of stentorian cheers. With searchlights still playing on the debris-strewn water, the _Messines_ hastened to search for possible survivors. Slowing down, she lowered a couple of boats. The _Armentières_, lying-to a couple of cables away, assisted in the search. Two half-naked and badly burnt men were rescued from the keel of an upturned boat. Others were observed to be clinging to a large float, somewhat resembling a "Carley" raft, at a considerable distance from the scene of the _Cerro Algarrobo's_ disappearance. The _Messines_' whaler was hurrying to their succour when there was a tremendous detonation within fifty yards of the _Armentières_. The destroyers heeled under the upheaval of the water. Men on deck were thrown about like skittles, some narrowly escaping being washed overboard by the torrent of water that swept completely over her. At the same moment her searchlights went out, probably owing to the dislocation of the circuits under the terrific concussion.