Meanwhile several of the Chilian officers now began to propound schemes,
each of which was promising enough--up to a certain point, at which
somebody was certain to point out an insurmountable difficulty. One
suggested a concerted attack by the entire Chilian squadron; but this
was manifestly impossible, in face of the enormously powerful guns which
the Peruvians could bring to bear. Another put forward the suggestion
that an assault could be delivered in the rear of the town, by landing a
number of seamen and marines in Chorillos bay. But Chorillos bay was
open to the full "run" of the Pacific Ocean, and upon nearly every day
throughout the year there was such a terrific surf on the beach that a
landing by means of small boats would be impossible.

Presently Jim looked up from the chart which he had been studying, and
remarked quietly:

"I think, sir, I can manage the business; but it will probably involve
the destruction of a torpedo-boat, her crew, and myself! As regards
myself, I am perfectly willing to take the risk; but it is for you to
say whether you will spare the torpedo-boat, and I suppose it will be a
question of calling for volunteers if you should decide to allow me to
try my experiment."

"Let us hear what you have to propose, Senor Douglas," said the admiral,
"and we shall then be the better able to decide whether your scheme is
sufficiently promising to justify me in risking the loss of--or rather,
by your own showing, throwing away--a torpedo-boat and her entire crew.
Such a loss would of course be a small price to pay for the achievement
of our object; but you must convince me that there is at least a
possibility of success before I can consent to what you may have to
suggest." Whereupon the young Englishman described in detail what he
purposed doing.

When he had finished Riveros sat back in his chair and stared fixedly at
the ceiling for some minutes while he drummed upon the table with his
fingers. The other officers seated round the cabin seemed divided into
two parties, one party sunk in deep thought, while the other stared at
the young man as though he had taken leave of his senses.

Then presently Riveros brought his fist down upon the table with a
clatter that made everybody start. "By Jove! young man," he exclaimed,
"you shall try your scheme; and if you are successful--of which,
however, I have very grave doubts, let me tell you--I believe I can
promise that there is nothing t