with a sailor who attacks you, and don't stop to discuss with him whether
he is one of gentle blood, like yourself, or a mere peasant. For the time
being you put yourself on an equality with him, and it is a pure matter of
strength and skill. It is just the same with us in most matters. We stand
on our rank the same as you do, but when our blood is up we put all that
aside and fight without caring whether our opponent is a nobleman or a
peasant, and when it is all over we shake hands and don't feel that there
is any bad blood between us."

CHAPTER X.

WRECKED.

On the fifth morning when the ships got up anchor there were no signs of
movement on board the _Chacabuco_, nor was any attention paid to the
admiral's signals.

"Mr. Embleton, take one of the gigs, row on board, and report what is the
matter there."

Stephen did so. The approach of the boat was apparently unobserved, and
the companion-ladder was not lowered. He therefore ordered the men to
cease rowing; presently an officer appeared at the side.

"The admiral wishes to know what is the matter, and why you do not obey
his signals," Stephen said sharply, standing up in the stern-sheets.

"The crew are in a state of mutiny," the officer said, "and they refuse to
get up the anchor."

Stephen returned with the message. The admiral at once gave orders for the
frigate to bear down on the _Chacabuco_, and the crew were mustered at
quarters. When she came within a cable's length of the _Chacabuco_ the
frigate was thrown up into the wind, and the admiral shouted: "Unless the
anchor is a-peak in five minutes we will blow you out of the water."

There was no mistaking the earnestness of the tone, and many of the men
sprang at once to the capstan bars, and the anchor was soon out of the
water. "Make sail," Lord Cochrane again ordered, "and keep along close
beside us."

A few minutes later the fleet were all under sail, and that afternoon
entered the port of Coquimbo. As soon as the anchors were let go the
admiral's gig was lowered, and he went on board the _Chacabuco_.

"What is all this about?" he asked the captain, who received him at the
gangway.

"The men say that they are overworked, your excellency; that they are kept
hard at it all day making and taking off sail, and that they want to leave
the ship."

"Muster the crew, sir," Lord Cochrane said briefly. The crew silently
assem