Chapter I: 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 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.

CONTENTS.

CHAP. PAGE
I. OFF TO SEA 11
II. IN THE MALAY ARCHIPELAGO 30
III. A CYCLONE 50
IV. A RESCUE 69
V. AGAIN ON THE ISLAND 90
VI. HOME 109
VII. COCHRANE’S CAREER 128
VIII. THE BASQUE ROADS 146
IX. IN CHILI 158
X. WRECKED 176
XI. A DANGEROUS COMPANION 194
XII. DEATH OF THE CAPTAIN 214
XIII. PRIZE-MONEY 231
XIV. A PRISONER 249
XV. FRIENDS IN NEED 269
XVI. AN INDIAN GUIDE 287
XVII. DOWN THE RIVER 305
XVIII. CAPTURED BY INDIANS 323
XIX. IN BRAZIL 342
XX. FRESH TRIUMPHS 363

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page THE LIEUTENANT TALKS TO STEVE ABOUT GOING TO SEA, _Frontis._ 11 “WE WENT AT THE TREACHEROUS MALAYS WITH A WILL, AND DROVE 36 THEM BACK,” STEPHEN CRAWLS TO THE RESCUE OF HIS CHUM, JOYCE, 88 COCHRANE SCATTERS THE FRENCH FLEET IN THE BASQUE ROADS BY 156 HIS TERRIBLE EXPLOSION-SHIP, “THE SHIP FELL WITH A CRASH THAT THREW STEVE AND THE CAPTAIN 186 OFF THEIR FEET,” “WITH A SHOUT, STEPHEN SNATCHED UP HIS SWORD AND RUSHED AT 218 THE ASSASSIN,” STEPHEN BEATS OFF THE GREAT WAR-CANOE SINGLE-HANDED, 228 STEPHEN IS BOUND AND BROUGHT BEFORE THE GOVERNOR OF SAN 265 CARLOS, STEPHEN MAKES A DASH FOR LIBERTY, AND GRAPPLES WITH THE 278 GUARD, “THE ANIMAL WAS ON THE POINT OF SPRINGING WHEN STEPHEN 306 FIRED,” PITA TRIES STEPHEN’S PLAN IN ORDER TO ESCAPE FROM THE 323 WHIRLPOOL, “MY DEAR BOY,” EXCLAIMED LORD COCHRANE, “THANK GOD INDEED 365 THAT I SEE YOU ALIVE,”

WITH COCHRANE THE DAUNTLESS.