S38 PREPARATIONS FOR 
I now ordered the ship and guns to be pre- 
pared for battle, in case it should prove neces- 
sary to force our way out. We proceeded with 
a fresh and favouring breeze so rapidly, that in 
an hour’s time we could distinguish the two 
vessels lying at anchor near the island of Qui- 
quirino. As we approached, a gun was fired 
from the frigate, on which signal both ships got 
under sail, and took a direction that would 
enable them to oppose our progress. No longer 
doubting their hostile intentions, I lessened my 
sail to make the ship more manageable during 
the expected engagement. The matches were 
lighted, and every one stood at his post ; but the 
Chilian frigate, a bad sailer, having run too far 
to leeward, could not come up to the assistance 
of the corvette which endeavoured to dispute 
our passage ; but clearly perceiving, when with- 
in gun-shot, that we were prepared to resist an 
attack, found it most prudent to sail peaceably 
on, contenting herself with calling something to 
us through a trumpet, which we could not un- 
derstand. Pursuing our course in an opposite 
direction, we were soon at a considerable dis- 
tance from the corvette, and ther saw the 
