Such chaps as these are of but little use anywhere, more especially in a gale of wind. All the officers deserved much credit for their energy and promptness in refitting the ship. We dropped down to Hampton-roads, and from thence went to sea, with everything above deck new and strong, and the frigate through out in firstrate order. I looked out again for plenty of stock in my line of business. My old friends, the mast-nshos, were snugly stowed away with some small additions from the Navy Yard at Norfolk. I have another story to tell about the fishes by and by, notwithstanding there was so much trouble about taking them on board at Boston. CD We had a fine crew, p-enerallv; there were about forty, however, that were turbulent fellows.
They had been on board of English men-of war, and found much fault with the discipline of the Macedonian. But Mr. Percival was a terror to these evil doers, and they soon became suppled down. We doubled Cape Horn about the 1st of January, 181:), and arrived at Valparaiso in seventy-nine days from Norfolk. Two days before arriving at Valparaiso, we lost a fine fellow overboard; he was on the bridle port drawing water for washing deck. The lanyard broke, and he fell into the wTater, and although he swam nearly as fast as the ship was going, yet before the boat reached him, he went down. Valparaiso presented a scene of warl ike activity. Chili had declared themselves a Bepublic, and were at war with Peru.
Lord Cochran was commander-in-chief of the Chillian navy, consisting of two or three frigates, a corvette, and some smaller vessels. A number of merchant ships were employed as transports to carry their troops to the head-quarters, near Lima. I have now another tragical affair to relate, the result of cherished hatred, arising from the most trifling circumstance, of what is too often erroneously construed into wounded honor, and for which nothing can atone hut hlood! Two midshipmen, A e and G n, had quarrelled some six weeks hefore our arrival. It originated from a very trivial circumstance about relieving each other, as they were in different watches. Some sharp words passed, when one, in a hasty manner, gave the other the lie.
These two young gentlemen had been, up to the time of the quarrel, like brothers. I have frequently seen them sitting with their arms around each other's necks, and reading from the same book.