_The Zuloaga_ sent off a bow torpedo, but it passed harmlessly under the stern of _The Pizarro_ without doing any damage. Nevertheless, the crew of the rebel ship seemed much alarmed, as well they might be, seeing that a single torpedo striking them amidships would sink their iron ship in a few minutes. Foolishly enough, it never occurred to De Galevez to sweep the starboard with his lights, and he was quite unaware that a second torpedo-vessel was stealing up in the darkness. Indeed, what with following _The Iturbide_ and _The Zuloaga_ with his search-lights, De Galevez had enough to do, and kept the torpedo boat at bay with his heavy guns. Occasionally a shot from _The Iturbide_ would pass through the rigging of the rebel ship, but no damage was done, and De Galevez's great desire was to keep at a distance the wasp-like torpedo which circled round rapidly, everywhere trying to plant its sting. While this drama was taking place on the port side, _The Montezuma_, on seeing _The Iturbide_ was discovered, moved up on the starboard at a distance of four hundred yards. When abreast of _The Pizarro_ she slowed down her engines and crept up within pistol range. Had it not been for the incessant firing of the guns, those on board _The Pizarro_ would surely have become aware of their danger. As it was, they thought themselves safe while they kept _The Zuloaga_ at a distance. A tremendous broadside was directed at that torpedera and at _The Iturbide_. It was her last discharge, for the next moment she was struck amidships by a torpedo from _The Montezuma_. There was a cry of frenzied fear, and the search lights flashed round to starboard only to see _The Montezuma_ slipping back into the gloom. Three minutes afterwards _The Pizarro_ sank. The vessels of the Junta at once flashed their electric rays on the spot, and where a moment before had been a magnificent vessel, now saw nothing but a wide expanse of cold black sea dotted with drowning men. Boats were lowered by _The Iturbide_ and a few soldiers and sailors were rescued, but so suddenly had _The Pizarro_ gone down that, with the exception of half a dozen survivors, the whole crew, officers, and soldiers, in all three hundred men, were drowned.