INTRODUCTION. 71 
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been offered in Lima to those who shall capture any vessel of the 
Chilian squadron.* The moment of glory approaches: I trust 
that the Chilenos will fight as they have done hitherto, and that 
the English will do as they always have done, both in their own 
“ country and elsewhere. 
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“ CocHRANE.” 
** On board the O’ Higgins, 
“ Nov. 5th, 1820. 
Thewhole of the marines and seamen of the O’ Higgins, Lautaro,and 
Independencia, volunteered for the service, but 240 only wereaccepted ; 
and at eight o’clock in the evening all the boats, fourteen in number, 
assembled alongside of the O'Higgins, with their crews dressed in 
white, and each armed with a cutlass and pistol. The first division 
of boats was intrusted to Captain Crosbie, the second to Captain 
Guise; and, at 10 o’clock, Lord Cochrane, having given a few orders 
enjoining strict silence and the exclusive use of swords, got into his 
boat and pulled directly for Callao. They were first challenged by 
one of the gun-boats astern of the Esmeralda, when Lord Cochrane, 
rising in the boat and drawing his sword, said in an under tone, 
« Silencio o Muerte!” and was obeyed. He demanded the sign 
and countersign of the night. Victoria— Gloria; a good omen, 
and they passed on unmolested. In a few minutes the boats were 
alongside of the frigate, the starboard and larboard side being boarded 
at once. Lord Cochrane was the first man on board, and was shot 
immediately, through the flesh of the right-thigh just above the 
knee; but, having first seized the sentinel who fired at him by the 
heel and thrown him overboard, he seated himself on the hammock- 
netting and continued to give his orders. Meantime the Spaniards 
had retreated to the forecastle, and seemed resolved to defend their 
post. Twice did Captains Guise and Crosbie charge along the gang- 
* The sum of 50,000 dollars having been offered by the Spaniards for a Chileno frigate, 
the same sum was levied on them on the fall of Lima, as if for the captors of the Esme- 
ralda; but the money was appropriated by San Martin, and neither that nor the value of 
the vessel ever paid. 
