hat Chili will not do for you.
_Caramba_! but it is a brilliant as well as a daring idea; what say you,
gentlemen? Yes, Senor Douglas, you shall have the torpedo-boat
_Janequeo_, and with her everything that you require. As for a crew, I
cannot _order_ men to go on such an expedition as you contemplate, but I
believe that if you call for volunteers you will get your complement.
At least, I hope so, for the honour of the Chilian navy. Now when do
you propose to make your attempt?"

"Well, sir," replied Douglas, "I am afraid that I shall require all to-
night and all day to-morrow to prepare; but I have very little doubt
that I shall be able to make the attempt to-morrow night."

"Very well, then," said the admiral, rising; "I will not detain you any
longer, Senor Douglas; for, as you have hinted, you will have a good
many preparations to make, and the sooner you are able to carry out your
scheme the better."

Jim wished the admiral good-night, and retired to his own cabin to
snatch, if he could, a few hours' sleep, which might very possibly prove
to be the last he would ever take on earth. He left orders with the
sentry that he was to be called at midnight; and accordingly at that
hour he turned out, washed and dressed, and then made his way to the
magazine, between which and his own cabin, with one or two intervals for
meals, he was busily engaged until four o'clock in the afternoon of the
next day; hearing all the time the thunder of the heavy guns rolling and
reverberating over his head; for during the last few days the _Blanco
Encalada_ had herself taken part in the bombardment.

As soon as he had finished his mysterious preparations in the magazine,
he went on deck and spoke a few words to the admiral. The latter
listened, nodded once or twice, and then gave a certain order to the
yeoman of the signals. A few minutes later a stream of brilliant-
coloured flags soared aloft into the now fast-gathering gloom; and it
would have taken a very sharp eye on shore to discern that the signal
was briefly answered by a man on board the _Janequeo_, who waved a small
yellow flag.

In another half-hour it had become too dark to continue the bombardment,
and the usual signal of recall was made from the flagship; in response
to which the furious cannonading ceased, and the ships drew away over to
San Lorenzo Island, where they always assembled prior to going to sea
for the night. Then, with the flagship and the _Huascar