_ for Bahia. As the commander of the smaller
ship, Captain Beaurepaire, was an active and efficient officer, good
results were soon obtained by the change. Several small captures were made
of vessels coming in with supplies. The port was completely blockaded, and
the Portuguese squadron, cowed by Cochrane's great reputation, dared not
venture out to engage him.

After remaining there for three weeks the admiral returned to the port to
see how the other ships were getting on, and in six days was back again.
The Portuguese fleet had ventured out, but as soon as Lord Cochrane
arrived they withdrew again. A week later information was obtained from a
ship captured while attempting to leave the port, that the Portuguese were
seriously thinking of evacuating the place altogether, before the
fire-ships that were, they had learned, in course of preparation, should
arrive. The admiral despatched the _Maria da Gloria_ to the port to lay in
water and victuals for three months. The other ships there were also to be
victualled, and the _Piranza_ was directed to join at once. In the
meantime Lord Cochrane determined to increase, if possible, the alarm of
the Portuguese, though he had now only the flag-ship off the port.

The enemies' fleet lay ten or twelve miles up the bay under shelter of the
guns of the fort.

"As to attacking them by daylight," he said when talking over the matter
with Captain Crosbie and Stephen, "it would be altogether too desperate.
Were this ship manned with English sailors I would do it without
hesitation, and even with Chilians a good deal might be effected; but
although the crew have gained greatly in discipline since we got rid of
the Portuguese, I could not count upon them. The Chilians had gradually
gained experience and confidence in themselves, but our crew are
altogether new to the work and could not be trusted to fight against such
enormous odds. Still, by going up at night we might get in among their
fleet unnoticed, and might even capture one or two vessels. At any rate,
it would heighten their alarm even to know that we had got up through the
channel into their midst."

As soon as it became dark on the evening of the 12th of June the _Pedro
Primeiro_ sailed up the river, sounding her way as she went. Absolute
silence was observed on board the ship. Unfortunately just as they reached
the outermost vessels the wind began to drop so light that the ship could
hardly stem the tide that was running o