in the British frigate _Andromache_, to take leave of me previous to
her departure for England, the Viceroy's lady, Donna Angela, begged of
her Ladyship to use her influence with the General to obtain leave for
her departure for Europe. Lady Cochrane immediately proceeded to Haura,
and effected the object; after which she remained for a month at
head-quarters, residing at the house of a Peruvian lady, Donna Josefa
Monteblanco.

A passage was also, by Lady Cochrane's influence, procured for the lady
in the _Andromache_, on board which ship Captain Sherriff politely
invited me to meet her. At this interview the ex-Vicequeen expressed her
surprise at finding me "a gentleman and _rational being_ and not the
_ferocious brute_ she had been taught to consider me!" A declaration,
which, from the unsophisticated manner in which it was made, caused no
small merriment in the party assembled.

As I was determined not to be idle, General San Martin was with some
difficulty prevailed upon to give me a division of 600 troops, under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Miller. On the 13th of March we sailed for
Pisco, of which, on its previous abandonment by the army, after a
useless sojourn of fifty days, the enemy had again taken possession. On
the 20th it was retaken, when it was found that the Spaniards had
severely punished the alleged defection of the inhabitants for
contributing to the supplies of the patriot force during its stay. Not
imagining that we should return, the Spanish proprietors of estates had
brought back their cattle, of which we managed to seize some 500 head,
besides 300 horses for the use of the Chilian forces, the squadron thus
supplying their wants instead of remaining in total inaction.

Previous to going to Pisco, I had again urged on General San Martin to