INTRODUCTION. 87 



of battle. The brave General Las Heras and Lord Cochrane were 

 on horseback, with some hundreds of officers and private gentlemen, 

 eager to come to action ; the enemy's force was small compared to 

 the protector's army, and the general himself, as he called to the 

 two officers above-mentioned, seemed really animated with a sincere 

 desire of action, and a determination to engage ; but he gradually 

 cooled, wasted the morning in unimportant gossip, went to his 

 customary siesta, and then ordered the soldiers to go to dinner. 

 They however were resolved to exercise their sabres, and accordingly 

 charged a flock of sheep, killed them, and then obeyed the General's 

 latest orders, while the enemy, unmolested, proceeded to enter 

 Callao. It was on this occasion that Las Heras, after having in vain 

 urged the advantages of attacking Canterac, broke his sword, and 

 vowed never again to wear the habit of that disgraceful day. * The 

 admiral, (it was the last interview he ever had with San Martin,) also 

 urged him, even at the last minute, and pointed out the way still left 

 to preserve his own honour and that of the army ; when he answered, 

 " I alone am responsible for the liberty of Peru," and retired. This 

 scene was followed up on the 15th by one equally disgraceful to the 

 general. Canterac's army retired from Callao, carrying with it the 

 treasure, and all the military accoutrements, without even an attempt 

 being made to stop them. 



Meantime Lord Cochrane and San Martin had both been endea- 

 vouring to negotiate for the surrender of Callao, with La Mar the 

 governor. Lord Cochrane, intending to fulfil his promises, offered 

 to give safe conduct and personal protection to all, on condition of 

 delivering the forts to the fleet, giving up one-third of the Spanish 

 property, and paying passage money or freight to such ships as he 

 should provide, to transport t'hem to any country. San Martin, 

 however, who had no intention of keeping his word, offered un- 

 limited and unconditional protection, both to persons and pro- 



* He kept his word, and retired to Chile, where he lived in retirement till San Martin 

 fled thither in Oct. 1 823, when Las Heras retired to Buenos Ayres. 



