d
him that it was not even then too late to attack the enemy, begging
and entreating that the opportunity might not be lost, and offering
himself to lead the cavalry. But to this he received the reply, 'I
alone am responsible for the liberties of Peru.'--_'Yo solo soy
responsable de la libertad del Peru_.' On this the Protector retired
to an inner apartment of the house to enjoy his customary _siesta_,
which was disturbed by General Las Heras, who came to receive orders,
and recalled to the attention of the Protector that the force was still
under arms, when San Martin ordered that the troops should receive
their rations!"

"Thus Gen. Cantarac, with 3,200 men, passed to the southward
of Lima--within half-musket shot of the protecting army of Peru,
composed of 12,000--entered the castles of Callao with a convoy of
cattle and provisions, where he refreshed and rested his troops for
six days, and then retired on the 15th, taking with him the _whole
of the vast treasure deposited therein by the Limenos_, and leisurely
retreating on the north side of Lima."

"After Cantarac had led his troops into the batteries of Callao,
the success was announced by the firing of guns and other demonstrations
which harrowed up the souls of the Chilian officers. The
patriot army thereupon passively occupied their old camp at the
Legua, between Callao and Lima."

"It would be an act of injustice not to mention that the second in
command, General Las Heras, disgusted with the result, left the
service of the Protector, and requested his passport to Chili, which
was granted; his example being followed by several officers of the army,
who, deeply wounded by what had taken place, preferred obscurity,
and even poverty, to further serving under such circumstances.
The British ship of war, _Superb_, was in the bay, and several of
the officers, expecting to see the decisive blow struck in Peru,
repaired to San Martin's head-quarters, and were astounded at the
coolness of a general, who, commanding 12,000 men, could abandon
a favourable position in which he might at least have intercepted
the convoy of cattle, and so at once have compelled the surrender of
Callao, instead of permitting them to pass without a single shot
being fired."[2]

[Footnote 2: "_Twenty years Residence in South America_," by W.B.
Stevenson. Vol. iii. London, 1825.]