Page:A history of Chile.djvu/392

 354 A HISTORY OF CHILE next day there was some important manoeuvering with the "Cochrane," then a run to the vicinity of Pisagua, where the "Huascar" and "Magallanes" were stationed. The three vessels fired a few random shots at the tor- pedo-boat, which went on to Pacocho, where lay the "O'Higgins. " The story is told that Captain Moraga did not torpedo the "O'Higgins" that night as he had contemplated, for the reason that his engineer's brother was aboard it. Be that as it may, the "O'Higgins" was not attacked. On the 2ist, the "Condell" joined the "Imperial" and the two vessels anchored at Taltal. Two field-pieces ashore opened fire upon them, but a shell or two scat- tered the gunners. The Intendencia, or intendent's quarters, was demolished by the firing which followed from the boats; then a lively landing by about sixty men from the "Imperial" and "Condell" caused the troops on shore to flee, not, however, before they had wounded several men in the boats. This was all that came of the second cruise, as the two vessels returned to Valparaiso on the 24th. The government was disappointed that the two little torpedo-catchers had not destroyed some of the enemy's fleet, and in a few days ordered another cruise to the north to make demonstrations against ports held by the insurgents. Pisagua was bombarded and consider- able damage done. The forts, as well as the "Huas- car" lying the harbor, replied as best they could, but with little effect. The "Imperial" sustained some dam- age, but none aboard were seriously injured. Iquique was also bombarded, and a few shots were exchanged with the forts at Antofagasta. Sometime before this, three of the crew of the goy- ernment torpedo-launch, "Aldea, " had been bribed by the oppositionists to take the launch out to sea and