Cochrane, el Diablo
“On to Lima! On to Lima!” was now the cry of the Argentine and Chilean soldiers. “Let us drive out the Spaniards! Let us expel them from Spanish America for ever!”
“On to Lima by sea,” was San Martin’s decision. Meanwhile, O’Higgins was busy equipping a fleet to carry the troops to Peru.
There was, at that time, in England a dauntless, dashing naval-officer, Lord Thomas Cochrane, who was famous for his extraordinary courage and adventures. He gladly accepted the invitation of San Martin and O’Higgins, to become Admiral of the Chilean Navy. And because excitement and danger were as meat and drink to him, he hastened to Chile.
He was welcomed with great rejoicings. His beautiful young wife became one of the belles of Santiago. English, Irish, and American officers, drawn by the fame of Lord Cochrane’s daring exploits, arrived in numbers offering their swords to Chile to help win her Freedom.
Then, with the single-star Flag of Chile nailed to his mastheads, Admiral Cochrane swept the Pacific clean of Spanish war-vessels. And so fiery were his attacks, that the Spaniards nicknamed him, “El Diablo.” “For the very Devil himself, he is,” said they.