is squadron into two
parts, consisting of the _Almirante Cochrane_ and _Blanco Encalada_ in
one division; and the _O'Higgins, Loa_, and _Mathias Cousino_ in the
other. One column, consisting of the three latter vessels, was to steam
a hundred miles due westward, and then head south, while the admiral
would proceed in the same direction, but would keep close in along the
coast.

These arrangements having been made, the captains returned to their
respective ships, the anchors were raised, and the fleet separated into
two divisions--one going south direct, and the other going west in the
first instance.

CHAPTER NINE.

THE BATTLE OF ANGAMOS.

Although somewhat disappointed at their failure to find the Peruvian
fleet lying in Arica Bay, the men on board the _Blanco Encalada_ looked
forward, with all the pleasure of anticipation, to the time when they
should overtake the marauding warships, bring them to action, and
destroy them. And Commodore Riveros' offer of a hundred _pesos_ to the
man who should first sight the enemy, only increased the anxiety of the
flagship's crew to fever-heat, and men were to be found aloft upon the
look-out at all hours of the day and night. It had been made known,
too, that Captain Latorre, who had been promoted to the _Almirante
Cochrane_, had also offered a similar reward; and every man aboard the
_Blanco_ made up his mind that _his_ ship should have the honour of
bringing the Peruvians to action.

Leaving Arica on the 4th of October, the inshore squadron, with the
flagship leading the way, steamed slowly down the coast, exploring every
nook and cranny where the enemy might by any possibility be lurking--for
it was evident that they must have been hiding somewhere when the
Chilians had steamed northward a few days before. But no sign of an
enemy was seen during that day, nor during the next, in and on the 6th
the fleet steamed into the harbour of Mejillones de Bolivia, in order to
coal.

Commodore Riveros, bearing in mind his own attempt on the Peruvians at
Arica, and feeling convinced that their fleet must be somewhere close at
hand, gave the strictest orders that no men should be allowed to go
ashore, and that a patrol of steam-launches should ply up and down the
harbour the whole night through, in order to prevent the attempt of
similar tactics on the part of the enemy. He had also seen fit to
express approval of the manner in which Jim Douglas had carried out the
task assi