indly man they took their
departure, arriving at Arica two days later; and there, before their
eyes as they came in sight of the harbour, lay the _Blanco Encalada_,
the Chilian flagship, a sight which Jim thought the finest that he had
ever seen. The _O'Higgins_ was there also, together with three other
ships; and the two scarecrows lost no time in repairing on board their
respective vessels.

Jim Douglas's reception on board was one which he will remember all his
life. He was instantly shouldered by his brother officers and carried
off to the ward-room, where he was made to detail all his adventures,
the captain and admiral being at the moment ashore. It was nearly
midnight before Jim had finished; and, the admiral being still ashore,
he retired to his bunk and slept the sleep of the utterly weary.

The next thing he knew was that he was being violently shaken, while a
voice cried, "Rouse up, _amigo_; rouse up! The admiral has just come on
board; and, having been informed of your return, desires to see you
immediately. Hurry up! for I believe, from the look of the old
gentleman, that he has something good in store for you. It's just nine
o'clock, and he breakfasts in ten minutes; so look sharp."

Jim did "look sharp." He dragged a uniform out of his chest, slipped it
on, and in less than ten minutes was standing shaking hands with Admiral
Riveros.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

A GUERILLA STRONGHOLD.

"_Buenas dias_, Senor Douglas," said the old gentleman heartily; "sit
down and tell me all about yourself and your doings since the memorable
night when you left the _Blanco Encalada_. I feared that you, with all
the rest of the crew of the _Janequeo_, had perished in Callao harbour,
or fallen into the hands of the Peruvians--which is even worse, so they
tell me. I am indeed glad to see you back again, my young friend. Now
proceed with your report, senor, if you please."

Thus commanded, Jim plunged into a fairly full and detailed recital of
all that had befallen him since he had left the flagship, only pausing
in his narrative when Riveros wished to be enlightened upon some point
or other. The admiral continually nodded approbation of what Douglas
had done; and the lad noticed that he paid particular attention to the
account of the silver mine at Sorata, and Jim's description of the
country thereabout. When the young Englishman had finished his report,
which he did in the course of about an hour, Riveros sud