gship to receive instructions. They
then learned that Rosas had thrown up strong fortifications about three
miles from where they then lay. They consisted of four batteries, two
on heights sixty feet above the surface of the river, and two in an
intervening valley. The batteries mounted altogether twenty-two guns,
some long thirty-two pounders, and others of smaller calibre. Opposite
the point was an island, which occupied a considerable portion of the
breadth of the river, so that vessels going up must of necessity pass
close to the batteries. Yet, further to strengthen the position, three
heavy chains, supported by twenty-four vessels, extended across the
river from the main land to the island, one end being defended by a
man-of-war schooner, mounting six guns, while close to the chains, ready
to be let loose at any moment, lay ten fireships. A force of nearly
four thousand men, artillery, cavalry, and infantry, was collected, so
the commodores learnt from their spies, to man the forts, and to oppose
any force that might be sent on shore to attack them.

The sailing-vessels were now formed in two divisions, while the steamers
formed a third, to take up a position as soon as they had disposed of
the fireships. All on board the ships waited eagerly for the signal to
weigh.

The hands had been piped to breakfast. The meal was over, still the fog
prevailed. Suddenly a light breeze sprang up from the southward, when
the fog cleared, and at a quarter to nine the signal was given for the
leading division to weigh. With eager alacrity the men sprang aloft to
loose sails, and in a few minutes the two divisions of sailing-vessels
were gliding up the stream; the one to attack the northern, and the
other the southern batteries, with directions to anchor about seven
hundred yards from them. With all sail set to stem the current, they
approached the batteries, which immediately opened fire on the headmost
vessels. They returned the compliment with interest, as soon as they
could bring their guns to bear, the thunder of the artillery breaking
the silence which had hitherto reigned over the scene, the loud roaring
increasing as ship after ship got into action.

The wild gauchos fought their guns well, and showered down on their
assailants round shot, grape, canister, shells, and rockets, which the
ships returned with similar missiles, French and English vying with each
other as to who should load and fire their guns the