As soon as our vessels left the shelter of the bay, they felt the full force of the gale; and but for skilful handling on the part of their crews, would most likely have come to grief. Even as it was, the more timid of the passengers began to think they would have done better in trusting to the mercy of the victorious Spaniards.
"It is lucky for us, lieutenant," exclaimed Castro, "that the brigs did not reach Arica."
"I hope they are safe," I said doubtfully.
"Safe enough by this time," he replied—"at the bottom of the ocean!"
Whether or not he was right in his surmise I cannot say, but from that day to this I never again heard mention of the unfortunate vessels.
After being at sea about a week, on reduced rations both of food and of water, we ran one night into the roadstead of Pisco, landed, and before daylight had made ourselves masters of the town, the Royalists hurriedly retreating.
On board the schooner I had obtained a much-needed rest, but directly my feet touched the shore I was set to work again.
There never was such a man for prompt and instant action as Colonel Miller. As José said more than once, he was always packing twenty-four hours' work into twelve, and no one within had ever had a chance to shirk his share.
"We must follow up the enemy—follow them up, and not give them a moment's rest!" said he, almost before the nose of our boat had touched the shore.
First, however, it was necessary to obtain animals, and almost before day broke a dozen parties were dispatched to scour the surrounding district for horses. The Royalists, however, had been beforehand, and it took three days to procure the needful supplies.