ose alongside the wall to the
corner of the house, round which the seamen also sheltered themselves; a
match was put to it; there was a loud report and a stunning concussion,
followed by the sound of rending timber; and the landing party dashed
forward again, round the angle of the building, and in through the
breach formed by the explosion. As they entered the house there was a
shout of execration and defiance from the floor above, and the defenders
began to swarm down the stairs to repulse their enemies.

But, hampered as they were by lack of room to move freely, they could do
nothing. They had foolishly left no force on the ground-floor, but had
all gone to the first storey, in order to be the better able to fire on
their foes; and this oversight now cost them very dear. The Bolivians
got jammed into an inextricable mass, in their efforts to descend the
stairs at the same time; and, while thus helpless, they were mercilessly
cut down and bayoneted by the infuriated Chilians.

In a few minutes the bloody work was over; the corpses on the stairs
were pulled away, and the assailants rushed upstairs to complete their
work. But the Bolivians had now no stomach for further fight, and they
threw down their arms, crying for mercy. Captain Latorre therefore had
them all disarmed and bound securely, after which he went up on to the
roof of the building and hauled down the Bolivian flag, hoisting the
Chilian ensign in its place. He then signalled to Admiral Williams:
"Custom House taken, with loss of nineteen killed and twenty-three
wounded."

Antofagasta was in the hands of the Chilians!

CHAPTER FOUR.

THE CHILIANS BOMBARD IQUIQUE.

Shortly after the occupation of Antofagasta, a Chilian force under
Colonel Sotomayor--who was in command of the troops landed from the
squadron--advanced to Caracoles, to protect the mines there; and on
March 23, 1879, defeated at Calama a body of Bolivians under Dr
Ladislas Cabrera, who was compelled to retire, with a loss of twenty
killed and wounded, and thirty prisoners. The losses of the Chilians
numbered only twelve.

Peru thereupon made certain precautionary preparations, and sent envoys
to both Chili and Bolivia; although, as a matter of fact, she had
already mobilised her navy, and was quite prepared to take the offensive
at any moment. Indeed it was perfectly well known in Chilian official
circles that the Peruvian fleet was actually at this time at sea,
seeking, if