ncagua, and some
hundreds of fugitives, crossed the Andes into La Plata, where they
remained for two and a half years in exile. General San Martin, who fought
under Bolivar, and had taken the leading part in aiding La Plata to obtain
its freedom, felt himself strong enough at the beginning of 1817 to aid
O'Higgins to recover Chili from the Spaniards, who had been carrying out
wholesale confiscations and persecutions among all who had taken any part
in the revolution.

"In February they crossed the Andes with 5000 men, fell upon the main
Spanish army, of about the same strength, which was encamped on the
heights of Chacabuco, a position from which they overawed all the large
towns. Having the advantage of surprise, they completely defeated the
Spaniards, and in a very short time drove them altogether out of Chili.
The republic was again established, and the presidency offered to San
Martin. He declined the honour, however, and it was then conferred upon
O'Higgins. He and his council saw that it was impossible to hope for
permanent peace so long as the Spaniards were able to gather armies in
Peru, and pour them down into Chili whenever they chose, so he lost no
time in sending Don Jose Alvarez over here to endeavour to raise money in
the name of the republic to build war-ships, and enlist public sympathy on
their behalf.

"Among other things he was commissioned to offer me the command of the
Chilian fleet as soon as one should be created; and as my sympathies were
very strongly with the brave people who were struggling against tyranny, I
at once accepted, but have been detained in England upwards of a year
trying to get the war-steamer that we have been building completed. At
last the Chilians have concluded that as they cannot get the steamer they
may as well get me, and so you see I am on my way out."

"Thank you, sir," Stephen said; "I shall feel a great interest now in the
cause of the Chilians. My father told me they were fighting against the
Spaniards, but I did not interest myself much in the matter, and thought
much more of the honour of serving under you than of the Chilian cause.
Now that I know that they are really a brave people, struggling to
maintain their freedom, I shall feel proud of fighting in so good a
cause."

"How old are you, Mr. Embleton?"

"I was sixteen some months ago, sir."

The admiral nodded: "A very useful age for work; you are old enough to
hold your own in a fight, not old enough to