WITHCochrane the DauntlessA TALE OFTHE EXPLOITS OF LORD COCHRANE INSOUTH AMERICAN WATERSBYG. A. HENTYAuthor of ”Under Drake’s Flag”, “The Dash for Khartoum”, “In Greek Waters”,“The Lion of St. Mark”, “Through Russian Snows”, &c.WITH TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS BY W. H. MARGETSONLONDONBLACKIE & SON,Limited, 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C.GLASGOW AND DUBLIN1897[pg V]PREFACE.In the annals of British sailors there is no name that should stand higher than that of Lord Cochrane. In some respects he resembled that daring leader and great military genius, the Earl of Peterborough. Both performed feats that most men would have regarded as impossible, both possessed extraordinary personal bravery and exceptional genius for war, and a love for adventure. Both accomplished marvels, and neither was appreciated at his full value by his countrymen, both having a touch of originality that amounted in the case of Peterborough to absolute eccentricity. In other respects they had little in common. Cochrane’s life was passed in one long struggle on behalf of the oppressed. He ruined his career in our navy, and created for himself a host of bitter enemies by his crusade against the enormous abuses of our naval administration, and by the ardour with which he championed the cause of reform at home. Finding the English navy closed to him he threw himself into the cause of oppressed nationalities. His valour and genius saved Chili from being reconquered by the Spanish, rescued Peru from their grasp, and utterly broke their power in South America. Similarly he crushed the Portuguese power in Brazil and ensured its independence, and then took up the cause of Greece. In all four enterprises his efforts were hampered by the utter corruption of the governments of these countries, just as his efforts on behalf[pg VI]of British sailors and of the British people at large had brought upon him the hatred and persecution of a government as corrupt as those of Chili, Brazil, and Greece. He was rewarded only with the basest ingratitude, and returned home after having expended a large part of his fortune and permanently injured his health in the inestimable services he had rendered. In other respects besides those exploits connected with the sea, his genius was remarkable. After retiring from active service he devoted himself to inventions, and some of these paved the way to later scientific achievements, giving him a place alongside the Marquis of Worcester.Of Lord Cochrane it can be said that he was the victim of his generous enthusiasm for the oppressed. During the greater portion of his life he rested under a heavy cloud, and it was only in extreme old age that he had the satisfaction of having his name rehabilitated, and of regaining the honours and rank of which he had been so unjustly deprived.G. A. HENTY.[pg VII]CONTENTS.Chap.PageI.Off to Sea11II.In the Malay Archipelago30III.A Cyclone50IV.A Rescue69V.Again on the Island90VI.Home109VII.Cochrane’s Career128VIII.The Basque Roads146IX.In Chili158X.Wrecked176XI.A Dangerous Companion194XII.Death of the Captain214XIII.Prize-money231XIV.A Prisoner249XV.Friends in Need269XVI.An Indian Guide287XVII.Down the River305XVIII.Captured by Indians323XIX.In Brazil342XX.Fresh Triumphs363[pg VIII][pg IX]ILLUSTRATIONS.PageThe Lieutenant talks to Steve about going to Sea,Frontis.11“We went at the treacherous Malays with a will, and drove them back,”36Stephen crawls to the rescue of his chum, Joyce,88Cochrane scatters the French Fleet in the Basque Roads by his Terrible Explosion-ship,156“The ship fell with a crash that threw Steve and the captain off their feet,”186“With a shout, Stephen snatched up his sword and rushed at the assassin,”218Stephen beats off the great War-canoe Single-handed,228Stephen is bound and brought before the Governor of San Carlos,265Stephen makes a dash for Liberty, and grapples with the Guard,278“The Animal was on the point of springing when Stephen fired,”306Pita tries Stephen’s Plan in order to escape from the Whirlpool,323“My dear boy,”exclaimed Lord Cochrane,“thank God indeed that I see you alive,”365
WITHCochrane the DauntlessA TALE OFTHE EXPLOITS OF LORD COCHRANE INSOUTH AMERICAN WATERSBYG. A. HENTYAuthor of ”Under Drake’s Flag”, “The Dash for Khartoum”, “In Greek Waters”,“The Lion of St. Mark”, “Through Russian Snows”, &c.WITH TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS BY W. H. MARGETSONLONDONBLACKIE & SON,Limited, 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C.GLASGOW AND DUBLIN1897[pg V]PREFACE.In the annals of British sailors there is no name that should stand higher than that of Lord Cochrane. In some respects he resembled that daring leader and great military genius, the Earl of Peterborough. Both performed feats that most men would have regarded as impossible, both possessed extraordinary personal bravery and exceptional genius for war, and a love for adventure. Both accomplished marvels, and neither was appreciated at his full value by his countrymen, both having a touch of originality that amounted in the case of Peterborough to absolute eccentricity. In other respects they had little in common. Cochrane’s life was passed in one long struggle on behalf of the oppressed. He ruined his career in our navy, and created for himself a host of bitter enemies by his crusade against the enormous abuses of our naval administration, and by the ardour with which he championed the cause of reform at home. Finding the English navy closed to him he threw himself into the cause of oppressed nationalities. His valour and genius saved Chili from being reconquered by the Spanish, rescued Peru from their grasp, and utterly broke their power in South America. Similarly he crushed the Portuguese power in Brazil and ensured its independence, and then took up the cause of Greece. In all four enterprises his efforts were hampered by the utter corruption of the governments of these countries, just as his efforts on behalf[pg VI]of British sailors and of the British people at large had brought upon him the hatred and persecution of a government as corrupt as those of Chili, Brazil, and Greece. He was rewarded only with the basest ingratitude, and returned home after having expended a large part of his fortune and permanently injured his health in the inestimable services he had rendered. In other respects besides those exploits connected with the sea, his genius was remarkable. After retiring from active service he devoted himself to inventions, and some of these paved the way to later scientific achievements, giving him a place alongside the Marquis of Worcester.Of Lord Cochrane it can be said that he was the victim of his generous enthusiasm for the oppressed. During the greater portion of his life he rested under a heavy cloud, and it was only in extreme old age that he had the satisfaction of having his name rehabilitated, and of regaining the honours and rank of which he had been so unjustly deprived.G. A. HENTY.[pg VII]CONTENTS.Chap.PageI.Off to Sea11II.In the Malay Archipelago30III.A Cyclone50IV.A Rescue69V.Again on the Island90VI.Home109VII.Cochrane’s Career128VIII.The Basque Roads146IX.In Chili158X.Wrecked176XI.A Dangerous Companion194XII.Death of the Captain214XIII.Prize-money231XIV.A Prisoner249XV.Friends in Need269XVI.An Indian Guide287XVII.Down the River305XVIII.Captured by Indians323XIX.In Brazil342XX.Fresh Triumphs363[pg VIII][pg IX]ILLUSTRATIONS.PageThe Lieutenant talks to Steve about going to Sea,Frontis.11“We went at the treacherous Malays with a will, and drove them back,”36Stephen crawls to the rescue of his chum, Joyce,88Cochrane scatters the French Fleet in the Basque Roads by his Terrible Explosion-ship,156“The ship fell with a crash that threw Steve and the captain off their feet,”186“With a shout, Stephen snatched up his sword and rushed at the assassin,”218Stephen beats off the great War-canoe Single-handed,228Stephen is bound and brought before the Governor of San Carlos,265Stephen makes a dash for Liberty, and grapples with the Guard,278“The Animal was on the point of springing when Stephen fired,”306Pita tries Stephen’s Plan in order to escape from the Whirlpool,323“My dear boy,”exclaimed Lord Cochrane,“thank God indeed that I see you alive,”365
WITHCochrane the DauntlessA TALE OFTHE EXPLOITS OF LORD COCHRANE INSOUTH AMERICAN WATERSBYG. A. HENTYAuthor of ”Under Drake’s Flag”, “The Dash for Khartoum”, “In Greek Waters”,“The Lion of St. Mark”, “Through Russian Snows”, &c.WITH TWELVE ILLUSTRATIONS BY W. H. MARGETSONLONDONBLACKIE & SON,Limited, 50 OLD BAILEY, E.C.GLASGOW AND DUBLIN1897
BYG. A. HENTYAuthor of ”Under Drake’s Flag”, “The Dash for Khartoum”, “In Greek Waters”,“The Lion of St. Mark”, “Through Russian Snows”, &c.
[pg V]PREFACE.In the annals of British sailors there is no name that should stand higher than that of Lord Cochrane. In some respects he resembled that daring leader and great military genius, the Earl of Peterborough. Both performed feats that most men would have regarded as impossible, both possessed extraordinary personal bravery and exceptional genius for war, and a love for adventure. Both accomplished marvels, and neither was appreciated at his full value by his countrymen, both having a touch of originality that amounted in the case of Peterborough to absolute eccentricity. In other respects they had little in common. Cochrane’s life was passed in one long struggle on behalf of the oppressed. He ruined his career in our navy, and created for himself a host of bitter enemies by his crusade against the enormous abuses of our naval administration, and by the ardour with which he championed the cause of reform at home. Finding the English navy closed to him he threw himself into the cause of oppressed nationalities. His valour and genius saved Chili from being reconquered by the Spanish, rescued Peru from their grasp, and utterly broke their power in South America. Similarly he crushed the Portuguese power in Brazil and ensured its independence, and then took up the cause of Greece. In all four enterprises his efforts were hampered by the utter corruption of the governments of these countries, just as his efforts on behalf[pg VI]of British sailors and of the British people at large had brought upon him the hatred and persecution of a government as corrupt as those of Chili, Brazil, and Greece. He was rewarded only with the basest ingratitude, and returned home after having expended a large part of his fortune and permanently injured his health in the inestimable services he had rendered. In other respects besides those exploits connected with the sea, his genius was remarkable. After retiring from active service he devoted himself to inventions, and some of these paved the way to later scientific achievements, giving him a place alongside the Marquis of Worcester.Of Lord Cochrane it can be said that he was the victim of his generous enthusiasm for the oppressed. During the greater portion of his life he rested under a heavy cloud, and it was only in extreme old age that he had the satisfaction of having his name rehabilitated, and of regaining the honours and rank of which he had been so unjustly deprived.G. A. HENTY.
In the annals of British sailors there is no name that should stand higher than that of Lord Cochrane. In some respects he resembled that daring leader and great military genius, the Earl of Peterborough. Both performed feats that most men would have regarded as impossible, both possessed extraordinary personal bravery and exceptional genius for war, and a love for adventure. Both accomplished marvels, and neither was appreciated at his full value by his countrymen, both having a touch of originality that amounted in the case of Peterborough to absolute eccentricity. In other respects they had little in common. Cochrane’s life was passed in one long struggle on behalf of the oppressed. He ruined his career in our navy, and created for himself a host of bitter enemies by his crusade against the enormous abuses of our naval administration, and by the ardour with which he championed the cause of reform at home. Finding the English navy closed to him he threw himself into the cause of oppressed nationalities. His valour and genius saved Chili from being reconquered by the Spanish, rescued Peru from their grasp, and utterly broke their power in South America. Similarly he crushed the Portuguese power in Brazil and ensured its independence, and then took up the cause of Greece. In all four enterprises his efforts were hampered by the utter corruption of the governments of these countries, just as his efforts on behalf[pg VI]of British sailors and of the British people at large had brought upon him the hatred and persecution of a government as corrupt as those of Chili, Brazil, and Greece. He was rewarded only with the basest ingratitude, and returned home after having expended a large part of his fortune and permanently injured his health in the inestimable services he had rendered. In other respects besides those exploits connected with the sea, his genius was remarkable. After retiring from active service he devoted himself to inventions, and some of these paved the way to later scientific achievements, giving him a place alongside the Marquis of Worcester.
Of Lord Cochrane it can be said that he was the victim of his generous enthusiasm for the oppressed. During the greater portion of his life he rested under a heavy cloud, and it was only in extreme old age that he had the satisfaction of having his name rehabilitated, and of regaining the honours and rank of which he had been so unjustly deprived.
G. A. HENTY.
[pg VII]CONTENTS.Chap.PageI.Off to Sea11II.In the Malay Archipelago30III.A Cyclone50IV.A Rescue69V.Again on the Island90VI.Home109VII.Cochrane’s Career128VIII.The Basque Roads146IX.In Chili158X.Wrecked176XI.A Dangerous Companion194XII.Death of the Captain214XIII.Prize-money231XIV.A Prisoner249XV.Friends in Need269XVI.An Indian Guide287XVII.Down the River305XVIII.Captured by Indians323XIX.In Brazil342XX.Fresh Triumphs363[pg VIII]
[pg IX]ILLUSTRATIONS.PageThe Lieutenant talks to Steve about going to Sea,Frontis.11“We went at the treacherous Malays with a will, and drove them back,”36Stephen crawls to the rescue of his chum, Joyce,88Cochrane scatters the French Fleet in the Basque Roads by his Terrible Explosion-ship,156“The ship fell with a crash that threw Steve and the captain off their feet,”186“With a shout, Stephen snatched up his sword and rushed at the assassin,”218Stephen beats off the great War-canoe Single-handed,228Stephen is bound and brought before the Governor of San Carlos,265Stephen makes a dash for Liberty, and grapples with the Guard,278“The Animal was on the point of springing when Stephen fired,”306Pita tries Stephen’s Plan in order to escape from the Whirlpool,323“My dear boy,”exclaimed Lord Cochrane,“thank God indeed that I see you alive,”365