96 PRECAUTIONS ADOPTED. 
proceeding remained perfectly incomprehensi- 
ble, I still resolved to take measures for my 
security, in case it should be really attempted. I 
passed a sleepless night, and early in the morn- 
ing bade adieu to my kind host, to whom I was 
unable to impart my new cause of anxiety, ana 
hastened back to Talcaguana. On my arrival 
there, I found cards inviting myself and all my 
officers to a ball on the following evening: so 
far, therefore, the information I had received 
was correct. To avoid the appearance of sus- 
picion, I accepted the invitation, and went to 
the ball accompanied by a few of my officers. 
The rest remained on board the ship, having 
placed her so as to bring her guns to bear upon 
the house in which the ball was given, and to 
command the respect of the neighbourhood. 
Thus Talcaguana was at our mercy ;*nor had 
we any thing to fear, either from the armed 
corvette, or the battery on shore; the former 
being so situated that it must needs have 
struck to our first broadside, and the latter 
mounting only six guns quite unfit for use, and 
resting upon broken carriages. We had also 
removed our observatory, and conveyed all our 
