The New York herald., 1879-10-08

Of that vessel with cloud Of dust mingled with
sand 1t was plain that the Huascar had taken the
hull of the Waeree its target. at the moment
wnen was reaching her for quiet inspectionl
moment more aud another shell went crashing and
bounding along the surface OF the immense piain
just before me- to bury itself in the hill two or
three miles inland. What was l to do? perceived
the risk incurrng in entering the wreck before
me alone and unknown to any one. but my pride,
interest and love of "vivd emotions were aroused.
and resolved not to forego the object of my visit
So l proceeded to walk leisurely around the I'M
mense iron hulk, reading the inscriptions which
former visitors had left upon her sides and hndng
the spot where the first projectile had bureditseif III
front of the vessel Ten twelve minutes elapsed
aud was standing behind the keel when another
Wna was heard pun OF smoke arose IRON the the
Wsteree striking the plain in the rear across the
railway track. This was quickly followed py
able to l inferred that the shots
from the two great turret guns of the mon
itor would come in pairs at intervals OF ten
minutes more. Looking northward l soon
the Tacna railway train approaching two or
rhree miles away ana Knew & .na wa, wIuaS nsors the
next shot. SO climbed up the iron framework OF
the paddlewheel on the landward side. ana
the Wateree. The entire woodwork had been
removed. and nothing but confused mass
of the vessel A great iron shaft passed through
the centre of the vessel, from wheel to Wheel and
After a hurried inspection took my post on one
of the engines just behind the seaward paddle-whee
and waited events. The Tacna train went by at
from the Huascar struck III the immediate vicinity
OF the watsree BY and by the land battery OF San
jose also began to practice upon the Wateree with
its immense guns, and one Of its shots passed
through the hulk nearly at the level of the ground
After somewhat moro than hour. as the
latter battery showed no sign OF being tired of
the sport, concluded that had enough
of the fun. Climbing down in the same manner
started for the town and had but gained the rail-
way track whcn another projectile passed between
and the Wataree. counted. all together fourteen
fhrann npfr hr,tK
eral others fell very Considering the distance
of perhaps four miles the craftsmanship not bad.
A DINNER PRESIDENT PRADo
That afternoon proceeded to make call upon
President Prado, and as he was not in ut the time
work. In the course Of conversation the mornings
target practice OF the Huascar and the battery of San
Jose was alluded to. and shall never forget tho
amazement depicted upon the countenances Of all
present when I casually remarked that thought
the marksnanship pretty good. as had been inside
of or about the Wateree nearly all the time. Par
ticulars were eagerly called for, and presently one
two officers started off to tel! the news to Others
st } saxe the 'u ho was wond
come in. When he arrived his first words after the
formal salutation to inquire if it true that
had been in the Wateree during the target practce
He then invited to dinner. where I met Admiral
Montcro. Captains Grau. OF the Huascar; Raygada
Of the Oroya and the chief officers of the staff OF the
Supreme Director of the War. Ny adventure OF the
morning the chief topic Of conversation.
.S m % s.rth of nre sexsr S
news. and my friend Reyes. from on board
the Huascar, dressed up the incident in most
picturesque form for the deiecaton OF tho readers
Of the Opinion Ndeioxai The consequence has
been that from that day to this. among the scores
and Lima scarcely one has failed to remark, as he
extended his hand. that he had heard read all
about my adventure in the Wateree. The thing is
getting. as Mark Twain would say. little monoto
nous.
DESCENDANTS MARY cHAwoRTH TAcHA.
have left myself space to do more than advert
to the fact of two long visits Captain More Of the
ilfated Independence, now prisoner at large and
I wh q great two ysts on taS the
little city of Tacna. thirty nine miles from
africa. on the road to Bolivia. now the
headquarters Of the Bolivian army. In that city
had the pleasure of making the acquaintance Of An
accomplished Bolivian lady. the widow Of Captain
George Chaworth Musters the celebrated explorer
OF Patagonia who died last January in London just
he was about to undertake voyage Of exploration
in Mozambique. His three beautiful children. all
less than five years Of age, great grandchildren
Of Byron's Mary Chaworth.
A PEACE MISSION TO CHILE.
At africa had the honor OF acting, at President
Prado's request one OF the Interpreters in the
interview between Hon s. Newton Pettis, American
Minister to Bolivia and Presidents Prado and Daza
IN which the former gentleman gave an account Of
his recent peace mission to Chile. 1t would be OBJ
only that immediate results to be expected.
He was received with all due courtesy by the
| Chilean government which expressed abundant de-
sires for peace and readiness to accept the good Of
fees of the United States, but upon con-
ditions which equivalent to refusal. A
President Urbina, Of Ecuador on his re-
cent mission to Chile, and similar result
may confidently be predicted for DR.. Arosemens,
the Colombian Minister, now in Chile similar
errand. 1t is hard to terminate war before it has
fairly begun. The prospects arc that a
long period OF nominal warfare will eIapse
before either beligerent will advance inio
the enemys territory. In fact. the war
seems to have been declared in order to prove
the impossibilty of any serious warfare between
Peru and Chile. For my own part, became exceed
insly tired Of the inacton at Iquque and Arcs and
concluded that Lima was o better place to pass
ones time until active operations shall COM
mence. During two weeks stay ut africa and
racna had frequent conversations with Presidents
Prado and Daza. to whom, as weh ~ to their genial
secretaries and staff officers, indebted for many
courtesies. shall ever preserve pleasant reco-
lection of several breakfasts and dinners At the Pres
idental table in africa. enlived by personal remi-
niscences of notable events In Peruvian history
narrated by conspicuous actors theren, aud by dis
cussons general subjects which revealed the high
standard Of intelligence which prevails in the head
quarters staff Of the Peruvian army.