been obliged to set to work on quite a new system.
The _Janequeo_ was constructed to carry only two spar-torpedoes, and
these, of themselves, were quite insufficient for Jim's purpose. For
the ships would almost certainly be protected by booms to ward off
possible attacks by torpedo-boats; and, should he manage to approach
near enough, the young Englishman would need one torpedo to destroy the
boom, leaving him but one more with which to destroy the ship it had
protected.

But the destruction of a single ship was not sufficient; for to ensure
the subsequent success of the Chilian fleet it was imperative that _all_
should be destroyed. The young man had therefore brought along his
spar-torpedoes for use if necessary; but he had also manufactured a
dozen large bombs which he meant to attach to the ships themselves,
afterwards exploding them by means of a time fuse. By doing this he
hoped to be able to destroy the whole fleet practically simultaneously;
whereas by the spar method, even had he been able to carry a sufficient
number of torpedoes, he would have been obliged to destroy them one
after another; and of course, after the first explosion, the crews of
all the rest would be prepared for him. He also had it in his mind to
use the two spars themselves as a bridge, should he find that the
vessels were protected by booms. Thus, if he could but attach the bombs
undetected, he ought to be able to ensure the annihilation of the entire
Peruvian squadron.

But it was a terribly dangerous service that he had undertaken, for he
had on board the _Janequeo_ enough explosive to destroy twelve ships,
and if but one searching little machine-gun bullet were to strike her
cargo--well, there would be an end of Douglas, his crew, and the
torpedo-boat together. However, neither he nor the brave fellows with
him gave much thought to the danger which they were themselves
incurring; their country needed them, and if it must be so, she should
have them.

Jim had calculated to the utmost nicety the time which he would probably
need in getting through his business, and he had cut each of his fuses
to such a length that the bombs should explode, as nearly as possible,
at the same instant. If he received no check, and remained
undiscovered, well and good; but if he were delayed at all after
lighting the fuse, it would be very bad indeed for the _Janequeo_ and
her crew.

The wheel was in charge of an old quartermaster who knew Callao