We
entered the Straits of Magellan on September 3 and reached Rio Secco at
8 a.m. I went ashore, found a telephone, and told the Governor and my
friends at Punta Arenas that the men were safe. Two hours later we
were at Punta Arenas, where we were given a welcome none of us is
likely to forget. The Chilian people were no less enthusiastic than
the British residents. The police had been instructed to spread the
news that the 'Yelcho' was coming with the rescued men, and lest the
message should fail to reach some people, the fire-alarm had been rung.
The whole populace appeared to be in the streets. It was a great
reception, and with the strain of long, anxious months lifted at last,
we were in a mood to enjoy it.
The next few weeks were crowded ones, but I will not attempt here to
record their history in detail. I received congratulations and
messages of friendship and good cheer from all over the world, and my
heart went out to the good people who had remembered my men and myself
in the press of terrible events on the battlefields. The Chilian
Government placed the 'Yelcho' at my disposal to take the men up to
Valparaiso and Santiago. We reached Valparaiso on September 27.
Everything that could swim in the way of a boat was out to meet us, the
crews of Chilian warships were lined up, and at least thirty thousand
thronged the streets.
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