MOB OF CALLxVO. 



123 



actually put a whole boaf s crew to death, during 

 a popular tumult. This occurred a few days af- 

 ter the capture of the Esmeralda, in consequence 

 of an idea, equally preposterous with that which 

 possessed them now, that the American frigate 

 Macedonian had co-operated with Lord Cochrane 

 upon that occasion. 



As I was mounting to return to Lima, on com- 

 ing out of the Castle after seeing the officers, a 

 crowd rapidly collected around me, seemingly in 

 no cordial mood. I walked my horse deliberate^ 

 to the nearest of the houses to which any letter or 

 message from Valparaiso had been delivered, and, 

 under pretence of asking for a glass of water, 

 stopped at the door. The people of the house 

 came running out to receive me, and one of 

 them said, in a tone partaking both of kindness 

 and reproach, Oh, Senor, I did not think you 

 would have allowed spies to land in your boat.*" 



And I, my good lady,'** said I, never could 

 have supposed you would allow such an absurd 

 suspicion to enter your head." The crowd had, 

 by this time, collected in great numbers round us, 

 listening to all that passed, and many of my old 



