. When the pumps were got to work it was
found that they and the buckets sufficed to prevent the water from rising,
and preparations were at once made to get the vessel off the rock. There
was danger that when this was done she might sink, but Lord Cochrane
pointed out that the leak was not likely to increase, and declared he had
no doubt that she would swim as far as Valdivia. The anchors were got out
astern, the crew set to heave on them, and it was not long before she
floated off. But it was found that the water had entered the magazine, and
that the whole of the ammunition, except a little on deck and in the
cartridge-boxes of the soldiers, was rendered unserviceable.

This accident would, with a less determined commander, have put an end to
their enterprise; but Lord Cochrane relied, not upon the ship's guns but
upon the men, and considered that as these could not fire they would be
obliged to trust to their bayonets, and that the chances of success would
not therefore be diminished. In the morning they were joined by the
schooner and brig, and on approaching Valdivia as many men as possible
were transferred to the two small vessels. The admiral went on board the
schooner, and ordered the _O'Higgins_ to stand out to sea, as he intended
she should be used only in case of necessity. The channel leading up to
the town was three-quarters of a mile in width, and was commanded by six
large forts on the western shore, two on the eastern, and a very large
fort on an island, with six minor forts well situated for defence. The
position was all but impregnable, and, indeed, the surf was so heavy that
it was impossible for a landing to be effected save at a spot close to
Fort Ingles.

Having made all his preparations, Lord Cochrane sailed on to the port, and
boldly entered the channel. The troops were all sent below, while the two
little vessels entered, and anchored boldly off Fort Ingles. The swell was
so heavy that even the landing-place was unapproachable. The boats had
been towed on the lee side of the ships, and when shouted to to send a
boat ashore an answer was given that these had been lost in a storm. The
Spaniards, however, were not satisfied, and alarm-guns were fired and
troops brought up from the other forts. No hostile steps were taken,
however, until, some time later, one of the boats drifted astern. The
Spaniards had no longer any doubt as to the nature of the two vessels, and
Fort Ingles at once opened fire u