ained to go on board, and we had just reached
the launch, when, with a yell and thunder of hoofs, the Royalist
cavalry galloped down to the beach.

"Just too late to take their passage," laughed Miller. "What a pity!"

"There's our late prisoner," I cried, standing up in the launch. "Look
at the rascal; he is shaking his sword at us, and laughing."

"He's a fine fellow," remarked the colonel. "I don't grudge him his
liberty."

Taking off my cap, I waved it vigorously; to which Santiago replied
with a salute; and then, as pursuit was impossible, he led his men back
into the town.

CHAPTER XII.

A STERN PURSUIT.

As soon as our vessels left the shelter of the bay, they felt the full
force of the gale; and but for skilful handling on the part of their
crews, would most likely have come to grief. Even as it was, the more
timid of the passengers began to think they would have done better in
trusting to the mercy of the victorious Spaniards.

"It is lucky for us, lieutenant," exclaimed Castro, "that the brigs did
not reach Arica."

"I hope they are safe," I said doubtfully.

"Safe enough by this time," he replied--"at the bottom of the ocean!"

Whether or not he was right in his surmise I cannot say, but from that
day to this I never again heard mention of the unfortunate vessels.

After being at sea about a week, on reduced rations both of food and of
water, we ran one night into the roadstead of Pisco, landed, and before
daylight had made ourselves masters of the town, the Royalists
hurriedly retreating.

On board the schooner I had obtained a much-needed rest, but directly
my feet touched the shore I was set to work again.

There never was such a man for prompt and instant action as Colonel
Miller. As Jose said more than once, he was always packing twenty-four
hours' work into twelve, and no one within had ever had a chance to
shirk his share.

"We must follow up the enemy--follow them up, and not give them a
moment's rest!" said he, almost before the nose of our boat had touched
the shore.

First, however, it was necessary to obtain animals, and almost before
day broke a dozen parties were dispatched to scour the surrounding
district for horses. The Royalists, however, had been beforehand, and
it took three days to procure the needful supplies.

Fortunately a woman arrived from Lima with a drove of fifty mules,
which our leader instantly pressed into the service, in spite of their
lawful