led her to evade pursuit among the numerous islands which dot the
Straits. Douglas haunted the Straits for a whole week, searching every
nook and corner of them for the Peruvian; but the _Union's_ captain had
done his work well, and the fugitive was nowhere to be found. And at
length, unwilling though he was to give up his search, but anxious not
to lose time when the _Angamos_ might be required for other and more
important work, he started back for headquarters, arriving at Valparaiso
just a month after he had left it. He had carried out one part of his
task, which was to prevent the two cargoes of arms from falling into the
hands of the Peruvians; but the _Union_ still remained at large, and was
destined to give the Chilians a great deal more trouble before they
finally closed her brilliant and adventurous career.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE BOMBARDMENT OF CALLAO.

When Jim reported to the admiral he was greatly gratified to find that
his chief was perfectly satisfied with the way in which he had carried
out the task entrusted to him; and although the Chilian very naturally
regretted that the young skipper of the _Angamos_ had not been able to
bring the _Union_ to book, he fully recognised that Douglas had done all
that was possible. And he commended the judgment he had displayed in
bringing the cruiser back to Valparaiso, instead of waiting about in the
Straits of Magellan on the off-chance of again encountering her, for, as
he explained to Douglas, the fleet was even then on the point of leaving
port to harry the Peruvian coast, and the _Angamos_ was required to take
part in the work.

He was also informed that Captain Castello would take charge of the
_Angamos_ on the coming expedition, and that Jim himself was, for
certain particular reasons, to return to the _Blanco Encalada_, in his
former capacity of first lieutenant of the flagship. Admiral Riveros
also hinted that he had it in his mind to depute to him in the near
future a difficult and extremely important piece of work, the character
of which he would fully explain to him later, and this circumstance was
quite sufficient to compensate the young man for any disappointment he
may have temporarily felt at finding that he was not to retain the
command of the cruiser.

Accordingly Jim returned to the flagship, where he was heartily welcomed
by his old comrades, who informed him that the destination of the
squadron was thought to be Callao, and that in all