Our country should be the guardian of her children, wherever the rights of civilized society are respected, that our citizens may be in danger of outrage and injustice only among savages and outlaws; and we may be assured that in such extremities, they will, for the most part, like captain Brown, be found fully able to protect themselves. To return to my preface or apology: in offering this narrative to the public, let me repeat my assurance, that captain Brown is answerable only for the facts; for whatever literary defects there may be, I alone am responsible. E. H. APPLETON. _Cincinnati._ CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Valparaiso--The barque Florida--Chartered by the Chilian government--Prisoners for convict colony put on board--Captain Avalos and soldiers sent for protection--We set sail--Arrangement of the vessel--Mr. Shaw’s sickness--Attempted insurrection among the prisoners--Prompt conduct of Captain Avalos--All quiet again--We reach the Straits of Magellan--Williwaws--We anchor in Sandy Bay 15 CHAPTER II. Sandy Bay Colony--Governor Benjamin Munoz Gamero--Insurrection of Cambiaso--Forged Message from the Governor--Landing of Captain Avalos--Escape of Governor Gamero--Boat sent on shore--Return of the boat--Capture of the Florida--Mr. Shaw and myself seized--Taken on shore--Our imprisonment at the barracks--Privations--Mr. Shaw removed 30 CHAPTER III. My prison--My guards--An English hymn book--A fellow prisoner--Capture of the Eliza Cornish--Fears of the English mate--Death of Mr. Shaw--Of Captain Talbot and boy--Barbarity of their execution--The Chilian prisoners sympathize with us--Cambiaso’s bravado--Captain Avalos and others led out to view the dead bodies--Treacherous betrayal of Governor Gamero--Execution of the traitor--My walk 51 CHAPTER IV. Capture of the Governor--His execution--I am led out of my prison--The burning of the bodies--Governor Gamero’s character--His intercourse with the native tribes--The Priest Acuna--Arrival of H. B. M. war steamer Virago--Mr. Dunn, the Secretary--Cambiaso plans the capture of the steamer--He fears her force and discipline--The officers invited on shore--No suspicions aroused--The Virago sets sail 71 CHAPTER V. We are better treated--Captain Avalos again--His privations--The sergeant shot--Mr. Buela--Cambiaso’s discipline--His code of laws--Personal appearance--His vanity--Threats of poison--Improved fare--The coffee--The mate secures the E. Cornish--Cambiaso and Garcia visit me--I go on board the Florida--My steward 94 CHAPTER VI.