ose him just yet."

"But suppose," said I, as we rode away from the valley, "that the
authorities won't allow him to be moved?"

"Why, we'll move him in spite of them. Quilca's men can be trusted to
help us. 'Twill be a little campaign on our own account!" said he, with
a jovial laugh.

Even Jose, however, could not impress a vessel that had no existence, and
the bay was empty. A few boats only lay peacefully resting on the placid
waters, but of a ship there was no sign. We stood for an hour staring
seaward, as if our will could conjure up a vessel, and then returned to
the town. We paid a visit to the governor, but he could not help us. It
was unlikely there would be a vessel, he said, until Lord Cochrane
returned with the squadron from Callao.

"When will that be?" I asked.

The governor gave his shoulders an expressive shrug.

"The gallant Englishman does not confide in me," he replied. "He may
come to-day; he may not come for a twelvemonth."

It was getting late now, and nothing further could be done till the
following morning. Jose was disappointed, but in no way disheartened.

"If we can't get what we want," said he, "we must be satisfied with what
we can get. There's a fine bit of philosophy for you!"

"And what can we get?"

"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