a particular position, so that they might not be fired upon.
This they did, but by the admiral's orders similar lights were at once
hoisted on board the _Esmeralda_, thus causing much confusion among the
Spaniards. Both the neutral frigates were hit several times, while but few
shots struck the _Esmeralda_. Lord Cochrane was now forced by his wounds
to leave it to Captain Guise, the next senior officer, to carry out the
orders that he had previously given, namely, that the brig with the
bullion on board was first to be captured, then that every ship was to be
attacked and cut adrift. The success of these operations was certain, as
the Spaniards, directly they saw the _Esmeralda_ captured, had taken to
their boats and made for shore, and the whole of the Spanish vessels might
have been either burnt or captured. Captain Guise had all along thwarted
the admiral's plans to the utmost of his power, had fomented several
mutinies, and should have been tried and shot long before. He now, instead
of carrying out the orders, cut the _Esmeralda's_ cables, hoisted her
sails, and steered through the opening in the boom.

Although marred by the treachery, or at any rate gross misconduct of
Cochrane's subordinates, the capture of the _Esmeralda_ exercised almost
as great an influence on the fortunes of the struggle as did that of
Valdivia. It was a death-blow to the Spanish naval force in the Pacific;
for although they had still two frigates and some smaller craft in those
waters, they never afterwards ventured to put to sea, of which the
Chilians now became absolute masters. The action, in fact, ensured the
success of the Chilian effort to free Peru.

San Martin now requested Lord Cochrane to re-embark the army once more,
and carry it to Huacha. This was done, and there San Martin remained
without doing any more than he had done at the two other ports. After
having landed him the fleet returned to Callao, where they used every
effort to tempt the Spanish war-ships to venture out, but without success.
The effect, however, of these operations showed itself in other ways. On
the 3rd of December six hundred and fifty Peruvian soldiers deserted from
the Spanish service, and two days later forty officers followed them, and
from that time defections took place almost daily.

San Martin now made no secret of his intention to assume the dictatorship
of Peru. He had for so many months kept his army inactive, in order that
he might in time be