Valparaiso—The barque Florida—Chartered by the Chilian government—Prisoners for convict colony put on board—Captain Avalos and soldiers sent for protection—We set sail—Arrangement of the vessel—Mr. Shaw’s sickness—Attempted insurrection among the prisoners—Prompt conduct of Captain Avalos—All quiet again—We reach the Straits of Magellan—Williwaws—We anchor in Sandy Bay
Sandy Bay Colony—Governor Benjamin Munoz Gamero—Insurrection of Cambiaso—Forged Message from the Governor—Landing of Captain Avalos—Escape of Governor Gamero—Boat sent on shore—Return of the boat—Capture of the Florida—Mr. Shaw and myself seized—Taken on shore—Our imprisonment at the barracks—Privations—Mr. Shaw removed
My prison—My guards—An English hymn book—A fellow prisoner—Capture of the Eliza Cornish—Fears of the English mate—Death of Mr. Shaw—Of Captain Talbot and boy—Barbarity of their execution—The Chilian prisoners sympathize with us—Cambiaso’s bravado—Captain Avalos and others led out to view the dead bodies—Treacherous betrayal of Governor Gamero—Execution of the traitor—My walk
Capture of the Governor—His execution—I am led out of my prison—The burning of the bodies—Governor Gamero’s character—His intercourse with the native tribes—The Priest Acuna—Arrival of H. B. M. war steamer Virago—Mr. Dunn, the Secretary—Cambiaso plans the capture of the steamer—He fears her force and discipline—The officers invited on shore—No suspicions aroused—The Virago sets sail
We are better treated—Captain Avalos again—His privations—The sergeant shot—Mr. Buela—Cambiaso’s discipline—His code of laws—Personal appearance—His vanity—Threats of poison—Improved fare—The coffee—The mate secures the E. Cornish—Cambiaso and Garcia visit me—I go on board the Florida—My steward
Comparative comfort—The American ensign—Christmas day—My visit to the barracks—The Indian boys—Cambiaso’s rage—Execution of the Indian woman—The cattle slaughtered—Escape of the Indians—Fears of the rebels—Preparations for leaving—The Florida re-christened—Interview with Cambiaso—The embarking of the colonists—Prisoners sent to the Florida
Cambiaso’s orders—We set sail—Wood’s Bay—The old French ship—A drunken riot—The officer condemned—Garcia’s interference—Men deserted at Wood’s Bay—The Eliza Cornish left behind—Stormy weather—Sandy Bay again—The Indians—Cape Gregory—Interview with Cambiaso—His promises—Conversation with Mr. Dunn—My determination
The re-taking of the vessel planned—Mr. Dunn—Captain Avalos—Preito—The corporal—Three bells—The struggle—Cambiaso overpowered—Garcia—Cheers for victory—The crew swear fidelity to me—Our course—Cambiaso put in irons—His cowardice—The prisoners from the hold—River Gallegos—Voyage round Cape Horn—Attempted outbreaks—Our danger—We reach San Carlos
Reports of the revolt reach San Carlos—American Minister sends assistance—Chilian Government despatches forces to the Straits—The Virago—Fears of the inhabitants of San Carlos—I deliver the Florida to the Chilian authorities—Arrival of the E. Cornish—The Virago takes the prisoners and treasure—Passage to Valparaiso—Protest and claim of salvage—Mr. Duer—Don Antonio Varas—Injustice done me by the Chilian government—The British Admiral claims the treasure—I protest again—Compromise—Don Antonio denies all claim—My claims put into the hands of the United States Authorities
