pon them, the first shot passing through
the brig and killing two men. It became necessary, therefore, to land at
once, in spite of the surf. They had but two launches and a gig
altogether; Lord Cochrane took charge of the gig, while Major Miller, who
commanded the marines of the _O'Higgins_, embarked on board one of the
launches.

They got safely through the swell, and in spite of a heavy fire from the
Spanish troops effected a landing. They at once rushed upon the Spaniards,
who came down from the forts to oppose them, and drove them back at the
point of the bayonet. The second boat quickly arrived from the brig, both
returning to the ships, and in less than an hour three hundred men had
landed. From the spot where they had obtained a footing, the only approach
to Fort Ingles was by a precipitous path which could only be passed in
single file. The fort itself was only accessible by a ladder that had been
drawn up, as soon as the party driven back from the landing place had
returned. An attack seemed well-nigh hopeless; but the Chilians'
confidence in their leader was unbounded, and none doubted but that
success would attend their efforts. It was already late in the afternoon
when they landed, and while waiting for darkness to cover the operations,
they were sheltered by the nature of the ground from the fire of the large
body of troops which had assembled in the fort.

CHAPTER XIV.

A PRISONER.

As soon as it was dark the admiral prepared for the attack. From the
prisoners he had learned all details as to the fort, and found that while
almost impregnable from the river face, the flank of the fort was defended
chiefly by a strong palisading. He detached a small party of marines,
under Ensign Vidal, to endeavour to enter at that point. Another party
then silently moved forward to the direct attack of the fort, and as soon
as it had taken up its position under the wall, the main body advanced,
cheering and firing. The enemy at once opened a heavy fire of artillery
and musketry, but in the dark they were unable to take aim, and but little
damage was caused by their fire. The movement had the result intended--of
occupying the whole attention of the eight hundred men in the fort, and of
drowning any noise that might be made by those tearing down the palisades.

With great exertions Ensign Vidal succeeded in getting up a couple of the
beams; he and