ed to take it
as a matter of course; but as the plot thickened and they warmed at the
work, they tossed the long guns about like playthings, and indeed
managed them in an admirable manner." This he attributes to the system
taught on board the _Excellent_.

The crews of the Monte Videan schooners were in a dreadful fright all
the time, expecting to be sent to the bottom. On sounding the well on
board the _Alecto_, a considerable quantity of water was found in the
hold. When search was made, a shot-hole was discovered forward, between
wind and water. This was speedily plugged. Just as she came in sight
of the convoy, after her long and tedious voyage, she got on shore, and
there remained for some days before she was again floated off.

GALLANT EXPLOIT OF A ROCKET-BATTERY.

Santa Fe is situated on the east bank of the river. It is a place of
some size. Built partly at the foot and partly on the side of a lofty
hill, surrounded by _corrales_ where thousands of cattle are
slaughtered, their hides and their tallow being shipped from the port,
while vast flocks of vultures, carrion crows, and other birds of prey
hover over them to consume the refuse beef, which there are not human
mouths sufficient to eat. As may be supposed, it is far from an
agreeable place. The greater part of the English and French men-of-war
were lying at Baxadar de Santa Fe, which was the appointed rendezvous of
the merchantmen. Here the larger number, having effected their object,
collected towards the middle of May. The difficulty was now to get the
convoy safely back past the batteries of San Lorenzo. Sir Charles
Hotham had got up to settle some diplomatic affairs with the Government
of Corrientes, and on the 16th of May he returned in the _Alecto_.

A plan had occurred to Lieutenant Mackinnon of that ship, by which the
passage of the convoy might be facilitated; and, having proposed it to
Sir Charles Hotham, he, after a short consideration of its possibility,
expressed his willingness to have it carried out, should everything be
as supposed.

Lieutenant Mackinnon stated that opposite to the heavy part of the
batteries of San Lorenzo he had observed an island covered with long
reeds, grass, and small trees, but completely commanded by the guns of
the battery. He proposed, the night before the convoy was to fight
their way down, to take on shore a certain number of congreve rockets,
to land them at the back of the island, and to place