Page:Letters from the Battle-fields of Paraguay (1870).djvu/358



LETTEE XVI.

A VISIT TO THE GRAN CHACO.

Humaita, August 26, 1868.

My dear Z ,

Mr. Gould had given me an introductory- note to Lieutenant — now I am glad to say Commander C. Percy Bushe,, commanding H.M.^s steamer Linnet. A man-of- war in miniature^ and the only neutral ship here present, she is remarkable for trimness and neatness^ discomfort and in- utility. The commander could hardly stand upright in his state cabin, and several of the crew, amongst whom I recognised an old West African, suffered from fever. The " homey element " strongly asserted itself, and all were tired of the service — no wonder, after a monotonous diet of salt-junk, tired-beef, half-baked bread, and now and then wild duck and '^ partridge.^^ The Linnet's guns could have done little against a single 8-inch, and a few 68-pounders could easily have sunk her.

Lieutenant-Commander Bushe had been ordered up in February, 1868, with the view of protecting the so-called British '^ detenus/' Interested motives had spread evil report against ]\^rshal- President Lopez, and with few exceptions the press of Europe was so well packed that even Our Own Cor- respondent, the Consul of Rosario, was not permitted to print a line in favour of Paraguay. The war-loan of Sor Riestra, made against all neutrality laws, was to be supported per fas et nefas. After the Abranteso-Christie-nigger affair, the Brazil was to be treated with soft sawder. There was talk of another loan, but war — a game at which in these days subjects, not