and devoted soldier, named Pedro Flores, seeing the
movement, and guessing the man's intention, galloped up to him at a
critical moment, striking him a violent blow across the face, and thus
arresting his murderous design. The ruffian finding himself vigorously
attacked, made off, without resenting the blow, and so, no doubt,
another premeditated attempt on Lady Cochrane's life was averted.

CHAPTER V.

SAN MARTIN'S VIOLATION OF TRUTH--REMOVAL OF BLOCKADE--SPANISH
DEPRESSION--TROOPS DYING OF FEVER--SAN MARTIN'S DESIGNS ON
GUAYAQUIL--MUTINOUS CONDUCT OF OFFICERS--REFUSAL TO OBEY
ORDERS--DEPOSITION OF VICEROY--SAN MARTIN GIVES ME TROOPS--JEALOUSY OF
SAN MARTIN--ATTACK ON ARICA--CAPTURE OF TACNA--CAPTURE OF
MOQUEGA--REFUSAL OF MORE MEN--AN ARMISTICE RATIFIED--DISTRESS OF
LIMA--DISSATISFACTION OF THE ARMY--LADY COCHRANE--GOES INTO THE
INTERIOR--DANGEROUS POSITION--LADY COCHRANE IN ACTION--DEVOTION OF
SEAMEN.

On the 8th of November I went to Ancon with our prize, this being hailed
with great enthusiasm by the army, which--now that the Spanish naval
force had received, what even the Spaniards themselves considered its
death blow--made certain that it would be at once led against Lima,
before the authorities recovered from their consternation. To their
mortification--no less than my own--General San Martin, in defiance of
all argument to the contrary, ordered the troops on board the
transports, having decided on _retreating to Huacho!_ whither the
_O'Higgins_ and _Esmeralda_, abandoning the blockade, had to convoy
them. In place of prompt action--or rather demonstration, for the
occupation of the city would have amounted to little more--he issued a
proclamation, promising, as before, the most perfect freedom to the
Peruvian people if they would join him:--

"Spaniards, your destiny is in your own hands. I come not to declare
war against the fortunes and persons of individuals. The enemy of the
liberty and independence of America alone is the object of the vengeance
of the arms of the PATRIA. I promise you in the most positive manner,
that your property and persons shall be inviolable, and that you shall
be treated as respectable citizens, if you co-operate in the great
cause," &c. &c.

By the 12th the army was again disembarked, amidst evident
manifestations of dissatisfaction on the part of the officers, who were
naturally jealous of the achievements of the squadron, from being
themselves restrai