As the spars and timbers dropped back into the sea, there floated on the surface but splinters where a few seconds before the proud steamer had stood.

The Loa and her crew had been swept into eternity.

It was then a cheer rang out from the little gig far in under the shore.

A bold, dangerous game had been played and won.
The most emphatic orders were issued after the destruction of the Loa, by the Chilean officers to their crews, to pick up nothing without the utmost care and the most rigid examination.

On an afternoon several days after the above order had been issued, the Covodonga steamed slowly along in bright, calm weather, on a cruise to the southward of Callao.
One of the crew sighted a pleasure row boat.