t the same time that they surrendered, and begged for quarter. The men
frantically waved handkerchiefs, towels, in fact anything white that
they could lay their hands upon, to emphasise the fact that they had
struck.

"I detest being obliged to give quarter to mutineers," said Douglas to
his young first lieutenant; "and these fellows undoubtedly are such, for
they murdered their captain, and surrendered against his wishes; but I
must accept their surrender, I suppose, as it would simply be murder to
continue firing into them now; they are all half crazy with fright.
Have the port and starboard quarter-boats manned and lowered, Senor
Manuel, if you please, and bring off the crew of that ship; but take the
precaution of first putting them all in irons. After you have
transferred them to the _Angamos_ I will put a prize-crew aboard, under
your command; and you shall keep me company until we return to
Valparaiso. I have a little plan at the back of my mind which I hope to
be able to put into execution and I will tell you what it is before you
finally go aboard the _Miraflores_. Now, be as quick as you can, for
there has been a good deal of firing during this action, and the _Union_
may put in an appearance at any moment; and I do not wish to see her--
just yet."

Manuel saluted, and ran away aft to give orders about the boats, and,
five minutes later, they were being pulled across the water toward the
now motionless gun-runner. Jim saw Manuel climb up her tall sides; and
then he went into his chart-house to await the lieutenant's return, and
to think out the details of the plan about which he had spoken to
Manuel. However, he first sent a man into the fore-topmast crosstrees,
and one into the main, with orders to keep a bright look-out for the
appearance of the Peruvian corvette.

Some two hours later Manuel returned, bringing with him the whole of the
Peruvian ship's crew, most of whom consisted of ne'er-do-wells of almost
every nationality under the sun: and a choice-looking lot of rascals
they were. Jim wisely refused to accept the parole of any of them,
placed them, still in irons, in the cruiser's punishment cells, and took
the precaution to post a strong guard over them. He then received the
report of his lieutenant, which was to the effect that the damage on
board the _Miraflores_ was, with the exception of the shell in her
boiler-room, mostly superficial, and could soon be repaired by the
prize-crew. Sev