About eighteen of the rioters advanced to the entrance of the cabin; but seeing our strong position and our formidable weapons, they paused irresolute. Among them were the three deserters from our party. One of them I called by name, opening the door of my state-room and beckoning him in. He stepped forward much agitated, and entered with me. His agitation showed me that I had little to fear from him; and a few words of surprise at his conduct and of promises to forget it, brought him over to our side. As he left the door of the state-room and joined our party, the rioters fell back, evidently cowed, and one by one slunk again into their places in the hold. By eleven o’clock all was quiet, and we breathed freely again. I have no reason to believe that Cambiaso, Garcia, or any of the officers were concerned in this outbreak; it was concerted entirely among the men, who were probably instigated by their desire to obtain possession of the treasure. That night was an anxious one to us. We were nearing the port, and our approach to land was known to the crew, and probably to many of the prisoners; every moment we were liable to another outbreak more desperate than the last, as the ringleaders among the prisoners must have been sensible that their last chance of escape was fast passing away; but all was quiet; and the morning of the 14th of February, 1852, dawned, to show us the port of San Carlos almost within our reach. Before dark we were beating into the harbor with the American ensign flying at the spanker gaff. CHAPTER IX. Reports of the revolt reach San Carlos--American Minister sends assistance--Chilian Government despatches forces for the Straits--The Virago--Fears of the inhabitants of San Carlos--I deliver the Florida to the Chilian authorities--Arrival of the E. Cornish--The Virago takes the prisoners and treasure--Passage to Valparaiso--Protest and claim of salvage--Mr. Duer--Don Antonio Varas--Injustice done me by the Chilian government--The British Admiral claims the treasure--I protest again--Compromise--Don Antonio denies all claim--My claims put into the hands of the United States Authorities. Early in January, about a month before our arrival, the news of the insurrection in the Straits had spread some alarm through San Carlos and other southern Pacific ports. The first report was brought by two of the soldiers who escaped from the colony with the governor, and had not been captured by Cambiaso. They had witnessed the capture of the Florida and the Eliza Cornish, from their hiding place among the bushes around the cantonment; had even lurked in the vicinity long enough to witness the embarkation of the colonists and the abandonment of the colony; then, through incredible hardships, had found their way to the Pacific coast, been taken off from thence by some passing vessel, and carried to San Carlos. Their report was that Cambiaso had turned pirate, and was coming to San Carlos to take the port.