Page:A history of Chile.djvu/380

344 A HISTORY OF CHILE charge made by Robles, and this was successful. Colo- nel Robles was mortally wounded while leading the charge; the government troops were cut to pieces. The gallant old colonel, while dying of his wounds, was riddled by bullets and pierced by bayonets. Balmaceda now' found himself in the trying position of sustaining a demoralized cause. After Robles' de- feat, the other government colonels retreated across the Andes out of Chile and did not return until winter; 2,500 of the government troops at Antofagasta ran away to Argentina ; the troops at Tacna fled to Peru. There was now no government force of any consequence left in the north, and the impassable desert prevented troops from crossing overland to Iquique from the south. Transports and a navy were necessary, and Balmaceda had neither to speak of. The "Imperial," which had been doing good service in reinforcing and provision- ing the northern garrisons, and which afterward fitted out as a cruiser, acted a conspicuous part in the war, would not hold a thousand troops. The torpedo-boats, "Lynch" and "Condell," had been ordered around from Buenos Ayres ; this was the extent of the government's navy. Opposed to it, the revolutionists had several formidable ironclads.