CAPTURE OF THE ESMERALDA. 



a pistol at his head, the alternative of " Silence 

 or death — no reply was made — the boats push- 

 ed on unobserved — and Lord Cochrane, mount- 

 ing the Esmeralda's side, was the first to give the 

 alarm. The sentinel on the gangway levelled his 

 piece and fired ; but was instantly cut down by 

 the coxswain, and his Lordship, though wound- 

 ed in the thigh, at the same moment stepped on 

 the deck. The frigate being boarded with no less 

 gallantry, on the opposite side, by Captain Guise, 

 who met Lord Cochrane midway on the quarter- 

 deck ; and also by Captain Crosbie ; the after 

 part of the ship was soon carried, sword in hand. 

 The Spaniards rallied on the forecastle, where 

 they made a desperate resistance, till overpowered 

 by a fresh party of seamen and marines, headed 

 by Lord Cochrane. A gallant stand was again 

 made for some time on the main-deck ; but before 

 one o'clock the ship was captured, her cables cut, 

 and she was steered triumphantly out of the har- 

 bour, under the fire of the whole of the north 

 face of the castle. The Hyperion, an English, 

 and the Macedonian, an American frigate, which 

 were at anchor close to the scene of action, got 



