Jack Crawford. His father
was one of the largest landowners in Peru, and a great patriot. The
Spaniards shot him some time ago, and the boy has been hiding ever since.
Yesterday we arrived at Pisco to join the detachment there, as
volunteers, and found the colonel delirious with fever. A few days
longer in camp will finish him."

"He shall be removed at once," exclaimed the Admiral.--"Captain
Wilkinson, will you order a boat to be lowered!" and then he began to
question Jose further concerning the condition of the troops.

Very quickly the boat was got ready, Mr. Welsh took his seat, and at his
suggestion we followed, giving instructions to our own men to return to
shore.

"Are you a doctor?" asked Jose of our companion.

"Yes; I am Lord Cochrane's private surgeon, though, fortunately, he gives
me but little work to do," and he laughed merrily. I have said that he
was a handsome fellow, with a boyish, fresh-coloured face, and bright,
sparkling eyes. He talked to us cheerfully about the campaign, and would
not allow that Colonel Miller was in danger of dying.

"You don't know him as well as we do," he said, with a laugh. "Most men
who had been through what he has would be dead already; but Miller stands
alone. The last time we brought him from Pisco he had a ball in the
right arm, another had smashed his left hand, while a third had gone
through his chest, fractured a rib, and passed out at the back. Of
course we gave him up, but he pulled through comfortably."

"Well, he is pretty bad now," said Jose significantly.

"He'll be leading a bayonet charge in a month," laughed the young
surgeon, "if the war lasts as long. For my part, I expect it to be over
sooner."

"I had no idea," said I, "that the Spaniards would be beaten so easily."

"The odds are all against them, you see. Lord Cochrane has scooped up
their navy, San Martin is waiting to pounce on Lima, they have to watch
General Bolivar in the north, and most of the people are in favour of the
revolution. Hullo! here we are! I suppose you'll come with me to the
camp?"

"Yes," said Jose, "and back to the ship if you will let us. We can do no
good here."

"All right. I daresay we can find you a berth."

The young surgeon came near to losing his self-possession when he saw the
actual state of things.

"Whew!" exclaimed he, "this will have to be altered. Why, the men are
dying on their feet! And I suppose it's the same old story--not enough