The bar keeper alone was responsible for the supposed mistake. This explanation was not at all satisfactory to Mr. Bull, who commenced another volley of vituperation, ending with this most insulting remark: " It's that swab upon your shoulder that protects you." This was more than Lieut. T — could stand. And however unofficerlike and imprudent the act was, and moved by an irresistible impulse, he threw off his coat, and demanded of the landlord a pair of horse pistols that lie on the shelf, and that were loaded with balls. " And now, sir," turning to the Englishman, " the obstacle is removed, and if you are a gentleman, take one of these pistols, choose your friend, and come with me to the beach." By this time several persons had collected, and hearing the altercation remained as spectators.
The Englishman finding that he could not well back out, with evident reluctance accepted the challenge, took his companion, and T — took an acquaintance who happened to come in, all of whom proceeded to the beach, about two hundred yards distant. Arrangements were soon made, and the English captain had the first fire and missed. T — deliberately raised his pistol and fired, the ball struck the captain's right arm just above the elbow, and broke the bone short off. The parties then returned to the hotel. A surgeon was called and the difficulty amicably settled. The " broken- winged captain," subsequently made several visits on board the frigate, as a guest of Lieut. T —. While lying at Valparaiso this time, a ship arrived that had picked up one of the boats of the ill-fated whale ship, Essex, that had been struck by a whale, her bows stove in when she almost instantly sunk.
The crew at the time were all off in their boats, busily at work among a school of sperm whales, leaving only the ship keeper on board. The crews in the several boats, had but a small portion of provision, with some fresh water in their boats. I believe subsequent accounts stated that the remains of dead bodies had been found on an uninhabited and desolate island, which were thought to be part of the Essex's crew. The boat that was picked up, I think, had three living men having protracted their miserable existence by eating the dead bodies of their companions, who died in the boat. I saw them after they had landed, and truly they presented a shocking appearance.
They were well taken care of and drew much sympathy from the benevolent people of Valparaiso. As we have now told you all the news, we return to our boat again. We have but one week longer in which to finish our job. The frigate is nearly ready, having her provisions and water on board, and very little to do to the ship. I cannot help noticing a circumstance, though trifling as it may appear, yet goes to show how thoroughly a heart may be steeled against the smallest feeling of humanity, and wholly void of any restraining principle. G — n who shot A — e, only a few months since, and whose grave is near by where we are at work, frequently comes to this place, practising with his pistol, at a target placed almost dirsctly over the grave of his murdered victim.
The target being the size of a man, and he aiming at the heart. I think I have never seen a human being that I more heartily despised and for whom I had a greater contempt, than this man. lie was neither a seaman nor a navigator, and yet he pretended to excel in both these branches. I had occasion to tell him one evening, that he knew nothing. He began to " bristle up," but soon found that he had hold of the wrong customer. Our sailing day came, we had everything on board, weighed our anchor, and were now to let Lord Cochrane know that the Macedonian must enter Callao, blockade, or no blockade. In getting our anchor we had some little delay in consequence of breaking and rendering useless our spar-deck capstan.
On arriving off St. Lorenzo, we soon saw that in all probability there would be an attempt made by Cochrane to stop us. A ship was now standing out under full sail, evidently Q having been sent by the admiral to forbid our proceeding any further. The whole blockading fleet were now under way and they also were coming towards us. We beat to quarters, had all bulk heads down, deck sanded, guns double shotted, and matches lit; the first ship was now up with us, the captain stepped into the gangway to hail us, and as we had considerable way on the ship, Capt. Downes, very politely backed his maintop-sail to give the other an opportunity of making any communication from his Lordship that he desired.