I give tht/fBooh:^
for tkijfouini^ tfS, "Coitege^inthh golow/"

Deposited by the
Linonian and Brothers Library

GUN PRACTICE.

AMONG TYPHOONS

PIEATE GRAFT

Captain LINDSAY ^NDERSON
AUTHOR OF *' CEUISE IN AN OPIFar CLIPPER"

WITH ILLUSTRATIONS

LONDON— CHAPMAN and HALL, Ld.
1892
[4/Z rights reserved^

LONDOir :
PRINTED ET GILBERT AND E1VI>GT0H', LD.,
ST. John's house, clerkenwell, e.g.

CONTETsITS.

CHAPTER I.
First Voyage in the "Eamont" .... 1
CHAPTER IL
Drilling the Crew  6
CHAPTER III.
We sail from Woosung, and have some big gun
drill outside . . . . . . .13
CHAPTER IV.
The Passage through the Saddle Islands . 21
CHAPTER V.
Attacked by Pirates Afloat and Ashore . . 27
CHAPTER VI.
We destroy the Pirate Junks . . . .34
CHAPTER VIL
Niechwang and its Opium Restaurants . . 41
A 2

iv CONTENTS,
CHAPTER VIII.
FAG I!
We leave Niewchwang and are attacked by
Pirates outside ...... 47
CHAPTER IX.
Scudding across the front op a Typhoon . . 56
CHAPTER X.
We witness a grand and noble Deed of Heroism . 63
CHAPTER XI.
Attacked by Lorchas . . . . . .70
CHAPTER XII.
Shanghai again — Nealancb and I visit Ah
Chbong in the City ..... 75
CHAPTER XIII.
About Woo Ah Cheong ... .85
CHAPTER XIV
We smuggle Ah Chbong out of the City 95
CILVPTER XV.
Wb sail prom Shanghai for Xagasaki . . 101
CHAPTER XYI.
Piratical Lorchas and their Tactics . . 107

CONTENTS. V
CHAPTER XVII.
We outmanosuvee the Pirate Lorchas . . 113
CHAPTER XVIII.
We sail for Nagasaki and land our Passengers
IN the dark  122
CHAPTER XIX.
The Japanese attempt to put us out of the
Harbour . . . . . . . .130
CHAPTER XX.
The Japanese Officials in the' boats come on
board to Lunoheon . . . . .138
CHAPTER XXI.
Nealance and I visit the Shore after dark by
Swimming . . . . . . .146
CHAPTER XXII.
Wb make a Daylight Visit to the Shore . . 157
CHAPTER XXIII.
The Captain suggests a Visit to Nagasaki . 163
CHAPTER XXIV.
We visit Nagasaki Town . . . . .170
CHAPTER XXV.
Another Visit after dark to Caeeero's . .181

vi CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXVI.
A second Visit to Nagasaki, where wb find
ANOTHER Bullock ...... 189
CHAPTER XXVII.
Making AVoo Ah Chbong pay up . . . .197
CHAPTER XXVIII.
From Nagasaki to Woosung — More Pirates . 207
CHAPTER XXIX.
To Ningpo through the Battle of Chinhae 216
CHAPTER XXX.
Rescuing fugitive Celestials from Ningpo . . 229
CHAPTER XXXI.
Shanghai again and Bob Allen . . . 241
CHAPTER XXXII.
Shanghai to Nagasaki with Despatches 249
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Arrive at Nagasaki and aue caught in a Trap . 258
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Land in a G-ale at Careero's .... 269
CHAPTER XXXV.
Japan opened at last  276

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Gun Practice . . (Front inpieoe)
Burning the Junks ..... fo face 37
Rescue of the Negro . . . . . ,, 65
Firing on the Pirate Junks . . . . ,, 213

AMONG TYPHOONS AND
PIRATE CRAFT.

CHAPTER I.
FIRST VOYAGE IN THE " EAMONT."
In a former work, entitled "A Cruise in an Opium
Clipper," I promised the readers thereof that I would
fill up the blank of several months that intervened
between the time of my engagement as third officer on
board the Eamont and our arrival at Hong Kong to
refit, previous to sailing on our expedition to Formosa.
Those who have read the first cruise must hark back
with me to Shanghai, and take up the threads of this
narrative from the time of my first appearance on duty
as an officer on board the JEamont.
We are lyingSin the river, moored with two anchors,
almost abreast of the English Consulate, and close to
two of her Majesty's corvettes, that were stationed here
at that time, for the protection of British interests.

2 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
Before I relate to the reader the admirable manner
by which the captain brought our rather peculiar crew.
into disciplinary order, I may as well state that the
reason the Eamont was in need of a hardy crew at that
time was this : she was going on a hazardous expedi'i^
tion, and it was the middle of winter.
She had come up the coast from Hong Kong to
Shanghai with a mixed crew of Malays and Manilla-
men, and half her crew had caved in and died of the
cold. The remainder were put on board the receiving-
ship till a passage down the coast could be found for
them, therefore a crew of palefaces had to be found,.
or the expedition abandoned. Money being very
abundant, men were found, such as they were, and on
the whole, we were lucky in picking up a very good
crew. As soon as four bells had struck in the fore
noon watch of this, my first day, on board the Eamont,
all hands were called aft round the mainmast, and the
captain delivered a short and very impressive address
to the men who had been brought on board from Bob
Aliens, —
" Now, my lads," says Captain GuUivar, " while you
sail with me, you will be well fed and well paid ; what
I require in return is obedience to all commands,
whether from me or my officers. If any of you wish

FIRST VOYAGE IN THE "EAMONT." 3
to back out now you are on board an armed ship that
fights her way, go at once, for there will be no shilly
shallying afterwards."
No one replying, the "captain says, " You are all
agreed to go ? "
" Yes, sir," came from the lips of all.
"Very good, my lads," says the captain ; then,
turning to Mr. Jule, he adds, " Give them a glass of
grog all round, and turn to and unmoor ship."
" Very good, sir," replies Mr. Jule, who gives the
necessary order to the steward, and the main brace is
spliced for the first time by this motley crowd of
ours. As soon as the grogging is finished I go forward
with the boatswain, and we start the hands on to the
capstan to heave the anchor up.
When the captain takes his departure for the shore
Mr. Jule of course comes forward, and takes principal
charge of the work of unmooring.
At eight bells, mid-day, we have got one anchor up,
and the other hove in to a short stay peak ; then the
crew are sent to dinner, while we of the after-guard sit
down to a well-spread luncheon.
When the bell strikes two, all hands are again on
the move. Boarding-nettings are lowered down, and
stopped along the hammock-rail. . The swinging booms
B 2

4 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
are brought in alongside, and all the boats hoisted
up in the davits.
At 2 p.m. Captain GuUivar comes on board,
accompanied by several Chinese gentlemen of note,
who are, seemingly, going as passengers with us,
having brought a goodly supply of luggage along
with them.
The captain having seen his passengers to the
saloon, returns on deck, and immediately the work of
getting the Eamont under weigh is proceeded with.
By the time the anchor is tripped, the topsail and
top-gallant sail are set, and the yards braced by to cant
her round, then, ere the anchor has reached the
hawsepipe, the Eamont has slewed round with her
head down the river, all sail is set upon her, and the
ensign is dipped to the two men-of-war as a token of
farewell, as well as good-bye to all friends on
shore. Wind and tide being alike in our favour, we made
good progress down the river, and in less than half an
hour we are well away out of sight of H.B.M.
Consulate or either of the corvettes.
As soon as the captain is satisfied of the foregoing
fact, he gives Mr. Nealance a peculiar nod of intelli
gence. Mr. Nealance thereupon calls upon the boatswain to

FIRST VOYAGE IN THE "EAMONT." 5
have some of the hatches taken off. He then proceeds
down into the hold, and soon returns on deck followed
by a dozen or more of her Majesty's bluejackets, who
have retired from her service, and are now entered on
board the Eamont for any service that may turn up as
the days go by.
The bluejackets find their way forward, and are soon
as much at home with their new shipmates as if they
had sailed with them all their lives.
The Eamont makes rapid headway down the river,
and by 8 p.m. we are safely anchored off the receiv
ing-ship at Woosung. The boarding nettings are
triced up all round, an armed watch is set under one
officer, then all hands not on watch turn in for the
night.

CHAPTER II.
DRILLING THE CREW.
We do not keep watch and watch, as they do in the
navy, but make as near an approximation to it as can
be done with the number of hands we carry, and
having regard to the work that has to be done.
An armed watch, consisting of an officer and four
men, is an indispensable necessity throughout the
night ; for we are in the midst of robbers and pirates
of a singularly clever and desperate kind ; who know
that the opium clipper is always a rich prize ; for if she
don't happen to have her cargo of opium on board, she
is almost sure to have the value of it and more in good
Mexican dollars ; however, I have seldom found them
brave enough to attempt a capture within gunshot of
any receiving-ship.
These receiving-ships, belonging to the different opium
companies, are all heavily armed and fully manned to
meet almost any emergency ; being simply a kind of
floating citadel for the protection of the merchants'

DRILLING THE CREW, 7
interests, and a convenient and safe place from which to
trade with the surrounding inhabitants.
Two bells in the morning watch, and the boatswain's
pipe is heard from stem to stern. Three bells, all hands
are on deck, and the work of cleaning ship is proceeded
with. Holystones are manned by some, swabbs and
scrubbers by others, while the guns are given over to
the bluejackets to be put in working order, under the
orders of the gunner and his mate. By the time eight
bells are struck the Eamont presents a clean and smart
appearance ; the flags are set, and all hands, save the
regular armed watch, are piped to breakfast. Break
fast over and two bells gone, the captain comes on deck
and desires Mr. Jule to send all hands aft.
As soon as all hands are mustered round the main
mast. Captain GuUivar addresses to them a short
category of their duties on board as fighting-men.
"¦ My lads," says the captain, " as it is possible we
may some day be called upon to fight our way, it is
actually necessary that you must all learn how to
handle a rifle and how to shoot with it. To-day we
will all go on shore, targets will be erected ; each man
will get a rifle and ammunition, and a dollar will be the
prize for every bull's-eye. The best shots will also be
made captains of the big guns, which will be worth
five dollars more a month, in addition to their pay as

8 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
able seamen." Turning aside with Mr. Jule, he com
pleted the general details of how he was to train his
marksmen. Mr. Jule, Nealance, and I then distributed arms and
ammunition, with the accompanying requisite harness
for each member of the crew. As soon as we are aU
thoroughly equipped, two cutters are put in the water,
into which we embark to the number of forty. Captain
GuUivar following in his gig, in command of the whole
party himself
Mr. Nealance takes charge of one cutter, the other
cutter falling to me, as Mr. Jule has to remain on
board in charge of the Eamont with the remainder of
the crew.
Starting away from the Eamont, we pull right across
the river to the north shore, where the ground is
somewhat level, and, what is more to our purpose, there
are no visible signs of any habitations.
A small narrow creek is found in the bank of the
river, up which we puU some hundred yards, then, after
securing the boats, we land and proceed through the
brushwood tiU a convenient place is found for our
practice. The carpenter and his mate put together our
targets, which are erected at distances of five hundred,
seven hundred, and nine hundred yards. Three of the
bluejackets, who are in no need of training, take their

DRILLING THE CREW. g
stations as near the targets as prudent, in order to
signal the result of the firing. Three small flags are
given to each signaller, one red, one white, and one
blue. Red denotes that the marksman has hit the
centre, and made a bull's-eye. White, that he has hit
between six inches and a foot of the centre ; and the
blue flag tells him that he is very wide of the mark.
All three flags held up together means that the target
has never been touched.
Beginning at the five hundred yards target, each
man is given two shots in succession, the first being
simply an experimental shot, so that we may see
whether they go any way near the line of the target ;
the signallers being warned to keep well to the right
and left, when the novices are thus given their first
shot. The second shot goes towards the marking, and very
few of them actually miss the target, while four or five
of them cause the red flag to be displayed, and so earn
a dollar each. Twenty of the best shots are taken to
the seven hundred yard target by the captain, where,
under his own supervision, thej' are given three shots
apiece, and instructed how to sight the rifle for dis
tance, depression of atmosphere, and windage. Those
who made the worst show at the five hundred yards
remained firing at that distance under the tuition of

IO AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
Mr. Nealance, till such time as they could raise the
white flag in detailed repetition, then they were taken
to the greater ranges and put through another course
of instruction.
Firing was carried on at these two targets tUl
1 p.m., when arms were piled, and half an hour's rest
given for light refreshment, and, of course, the ever-
essential inhalation of the fragrant narcotic weed that
Jack has been so fond of from time immemorial. The
half-hour soon passes away, then we all take up our
positions at the nine hundred yards target. The wind
has freshened a little in the interval, and is blowing
across the line of fire. One shot apiece is all that is
given here for the first round, and no bull's-eye is made.
The captain looks rather disappointed, and says, " My
lads, this will never do ; I would much rather you win
my dollars and let me know that you can draw a bee-
line on to the eye of the target. You must allow for
the freshening wind, and a little for the heavier atmo
sphere. See how the clouds are gathering above you,
and allow a couple of hairbreadths' more elevation on
your sight-line."
Taking a rifle from one of the men, the captain
carefully loads it, and marks the sight-line for the
necessary distance, then raising the gun to his shoulder,
lets fly at the target, and up goes the red.

DRILLING THE CREW. ii
" There, my lads," says the captain, " you see it is
easily done if you will only have a little judgment, and
take heed of the wind and weather."
" Mr. Nealance, Mr. Anderson," says the captain,
" just you two have a shot, and let them see what
steady hands and strong nerves are capable of"
Very willingly we comply, for I think we have
been itching to have a shot, at any rate I have ; for
having been with the captain all the forenoon as a
kind of aide-de-camp, I have not had a chance of a shot.
Nealance may have had several at the short range
whilst instructing the backward riflemen, and possibly
has his hand in ; but as for me, I had not had a rifle in
my hands for several months.
I allow Mr. Nealance the precedence of the first
shot, although he kindly offers me that position. He
fires, and up goes the red and white, intimating that
he was just on the edge of the ring of the bull's-eye.
I then raise my rifle to my shoulder, and take a
deliberate aim, at a point half-way between the upper
right comer and the centre of the bull's-eye. The
wind is blowing across the line of fire from right to
left, and small rain is falling. I pull the trigger and
up goes the red, which is waved three times in
succession, intimating a dead centre. The captain and
Nealance both compliment me for my excellent shot.

12 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
the captain remarking that he would not like to stand
before me at thirty paces before breakfast Of a
morning. Two hours' steady firing at the longer range, which
gradually grows in excellence, is succeeded by two
shots apiece at the shorter ranges, then we retire to
the boats, and proceed on board.
The captain gave the result of the day's firing to
Mr. Jule when we got on board as "Very good
indeed," and added, " if it had not been for the wind
freshening, I would have lost a good few more
doUars." ¦ • '
" Some of them ought to be good shots," says Mr.
Jule, "for they look to me as if they were weU
acquainted with shooting-irons, and, although perhaps
they have never served in any regular service, it is
possible they may have seen some work with Ward or
Burgevine." " Rough customers," says the captain, " are what we
require here ; the}^ only want keeping well in hand."
"Hoist the boats up, and send aU hands but the
watch below for the day. To-morrow we wUl have
some cutlass and revolver drill ; then, when we get out
side, some big gun drill, and then we will be a match
for anything twice our size." So says the captain to
Mr. Jule, as he retires to his cabin.

CHAPTER III.
we sail from woosung, and HAVE SOJIE BIG
GUN DRILL OUTSIDE.
The us ual routine of scrubbing and polishing is pro
ceeded with till eight bells the next morning, then at
two bells in the forenoon watch all hands are mustered
on the deck at general quarters, and placed in divisions
of sixes. Single-sticks with basket hilts are issued to
each m ember of the crew, then they are generally in
structed in the tactics of attack and defence, which in
those consisted of seven cuts and seven guards. The
bluejackets, who had already been trained in the use
of the cutlass, were placed in couples at the head of
each division to begin the practice, and so initiate the
others into the best modes of attack and defence.
The officer in charge of a division would also enter
the fray, and give and take some of the sharp knocks
that are the invariable result of such exercise.
The whole forenoon is employed at single-stick
exercise ; then, after dinner, two targets are fitted up on
the taffrail, and revolver firing is carried on, with very

14 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
varied success, ten dollars being the whole amount
of the winnings, at one dollar for every bull's-eye ;
however, on the whole, there were scarcely any shots
went farther from the centre than the breadth of a
human body, so that it might be fairly supposed that
every shot would tell somewhere in an actual fight.
At four o'clock in the afternoon the small arms are
placed in the armoury, and the ammunition boxes in the
magazine. A private signal is made to the receiving-
ship, and in a short time a large launch leaves that
vessel for the Eamont, with a goodly number of chests
of opium. The opium is quickly taken on board and
stowed in the hold; then the hatches are carefully
secured and locked. The usual armed watch is set for
the night, and the crew dismissed to their quarters.
Dinner is served in the saloon, and afterwards we retire
to our various cabins to court old Morpheus, or other
wise prepare for the doings of the morrow, for it is to
be our sailing-day. We are bound to a port in the
Gulf of Petchelee, and we have to run the gauntlet of
the many piratical craft that haunt the China Sea
between here and our destined port.
At daybreak the following morning we unmoor ship,
and proceed on our voyage to the northward, a portion
of the China Sea then but little known to the European
navigators.

WE SAIL FROM WOOSUNG. 15
We cross the bar in safety, feeling the way by the
lead, Nealance and I performing the duty of leads
men till we are out in deep water. The Eamont is
then run out in the direction of the Saddle Islands
till the village of Woosung is out of sight astern, and
the islands but dimly visible to the north-eastward.
The wind is light, and the sea is as smooth as a mill-
pond. The Eamont is brought to an anchor, and her
sails furled ; then two cutters are put in the water and
manned. Two large empty barrels are soon modelled
into targets, and placed one in each boat.
The boats pull away from the ship in opposite
directions, one proceeding right off to port, and the
other to starboard. As soon as they have got away
from the Euiiwnt, a distance of half a mile by the
judgment of the captain, a signal is made, the barrel
targets are put in the water, and anchored by means
of a heavy piece of stone. The boats return to the
ship, and are passed astern, out of the line of fire.
All hands are piped to quarters, and crews are
selected for each of the broadside guns, and the long
eighteen pivot gun on the forecastle. No regular crew
is told off for the big sixty-eight pivot gun amidships,
for when it is necessary to use this Big Ben the crews
of the broadside guns, that do not bear on the enemy
attacked, are drawn off to work it, so Big Ben is left

i6 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
alone till the practice with the broadside guns is con
cluded. We have eight broadside guns, four on each
side, and five men are told off to each gun.
Mr. Jule takes charge of one side and Mr. Nealance
the other, the captain, of course, commanding the
whole. The pivot gun on the forecastle is my especial
charge, and as it is rather lengthy, and takes some
working, mostly with handspikes, I am given six men
as my gun's crew.
The guns are cast loose and run in, then they are
carefully sponged out. A blank cartridge is rammed
home in each of the guns, now to be used and fired off
to see that all are in fair working order. As soon as
the guns are again sponged out. Captain GuUivar gives
the order to load with shot, and, standing in a prominent
position on the centre of the deck himself, so that he
can take note of all that is going on, he says, " Now my
lads, the first that hits the target gets five dollars, and
two dollars for every time you hit the target afterwards ;
also the crew that works their gun the smartest gets
ten dollars, and the second best five doUars."
Those of the crew who had won the prizes at rifle-
shooting were given the first shot at the target in
order to test them, so that if they were as successful in
their practice with the big guns they would remain in
charge as captains of their respective guns.

WE SAIL FROM WOOSUNG. 17
The guns, after being loaded, were each sighted to
eight hundred yards, then in breathless silence, each
captain of a gun kneels behind the breech and instructs
the wedge and handspike-men how to train the gun,
then, as soon as he has got a fair bee-line on the target,
the trigger is pulled, the gun captain springs clear of
the recoil, and gazes towards the target to see the
result of his shot. One by one in succession the guns
are thus fired, the captain, watch in hand and glass
under arm, watching the effects of his gunnery lessons.
Some very fair shooting is the result of the first round,
as far as straightness, but most of the shots hit the
water at the other side of the targets. " Very good
for a beginning," says the captain, when the first
round is concluded, " but none of you have made a
dollar yet."
" Mr. Jule, and you, also, Mr. Nealance," says the
captain, "have your guns sighted to seven hundred
yards. Mr. Anderson," he calls out to me, " your gun
is higher than the rest, try a shot at six hundred yards
and fire it yourself this time."
" Ay, ay, sir ! " I reply eagerly, for I have been
itching to have a shot, and only that I knew the
captain was desirous of testing and training his men I
would have fired the first shot.
" Mr. Jule and Nealance," I hear the captain say,
c

i8 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
" try your hands at a shot with number two gun, but,
mind, there are no prizes for your shooting, as I expect
my officers to hit the target every time." This last is
added with a broad smile.
" Are you ready, Anderson ? " says the captain.
"Yes, sir," I reply.
" Fire away, then," says the captain, " and make a
bull's-eye if you can."
I take another squint along my gun, and after
getting it fair upon the target, I raise my hand, the
trigger is pulled, and I jump up from my knees in time to
see my ball take the water about five yards this side of
the target, then it ricochets straight over the target,
the next splash showing that the target was right on
the line between the two splashes.
" A capital shot," says the captain ; " now you have
got the range, or nearly so, sight your gun for six
hundred and fifty, and let your gunner have a shot
as soon as we have had another round from the main
deck." Mr. Jule and Mr. Nealance, like myself, both fail in
hitting the targets, although, as the captain said, they
had fired straight enough, the shot from their guns
just hitting the water the first time as far beyond the
target as mine was inside of it. The guns are again
loaded and sighted to six hundred and seventy-five

WE SAIL FROM WOOSUNG, 19
yards, then the captains of the guns are given a chance
to earn the prizes. Numbers one and three on the
port side, under the charge of Mr. Jule, win five
dollars each, and numbers one, two and four on Mr.
Nealance's side win the like amount, while my gun
wins a first and second prize at the target.
Four rounds have been fired with shot, and the
captain evidently deems that a sufficient quantity to be
expended at present, for he gives the order to cease
firing, and secure guns.
These guns being secured, the men who worked the
port broadside are then brought by Mr. Jule to get the
large midship gun to position, and pointed towards the
remains of the target, out on the port side. A blank
cartridge is fired out of Big Ben, then it is well
sponged, and carefully loaded. Mr. Jule then arranges
the sight for a distance of six hundred and seventy
yards, and as soon as he has trained the gun on to the
remains of the target, the hammer line is pulled, and
we see the shot make an enormous splash right in
amongst the debris of the target. The starboard
broadside men, under Mr. Nealance, immediately seize
the gun and swing it round on its pivots (the carriage
being provided with roUers, running on a broad brass
rim in the deck) towards the starboard side. Sponging
and loading are the work of a moment now, the men have
c 2

20 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
got into the way of it ; then Mr. Nealance trains the
gun on to the remains of his target, and like, as Mr.
Jule did, he lands his shot right on to what remains of
the target, and thus completes its demolishment.
The gun is rounded to amidships and again secured.
The captain expresses himself highly pleased with our
gunnery practice as he presents the prizes to each gun's
crew who have won, and as a solace to the non-winners,
all hands are piped to grog, and then dismissed to their
quarters.

CHAPTER IV.
THE PASSAGE THROUGH T'HE SADDLE ISLANDS.
A LITTLE before sunset, all hands are called on deck to
get the Eamont under weigh again. While we were at
dinner. Captain GuUivar explained to Mr. Jule,
Nealance and I his intention of running through a
passage in the Saddle Islands that night, and so cutting
off a goodly portion of our distance to Niewchwang,
as well as, perhaps, evading the piratical junks that
might be lying in wait for us if we took the usual
route. " There is sure to be some of them on the look
out for us," says the captain, "for, although the
mandarins at Shanghai keep on beheading them as fast
as they can catch them, it seems to have no effect.
Twenty-eight were beheaded that morning we left
Shanghai, and their heads stuck up on the walls, at
the main entrance gate, close to English Town, yet,
for all that, I have no doubt that some of their emis
saries in the city have given them information of our

2 2 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
intended route, as weU as fuU knowledge of aU the
cargo and specie we have on board.
" I wonder," says Mr. Jule, " they don't get some
better gun-boats than them two old Yankee craft,
and make a clean sweep of them."
" That is exactly what is wanted," says the captain ;
" but then, don't you see, to-day the Imperialists are in
possession at Shanghai ; in a month or two hence the
Taipings may have it ; then, these fellows who are the
pirates to-day, by siding with the rebels, wUl get the
protection of the mandarins then in power."
"How do they get their information ?" asks Mr.
Nealance. " From the Chinese clerks in the various offices,"
replies the captain, "who are open to do anything
that will bring them doUars, although they would sell
their piratical friends at any time for an extra dollar ;
and, I daresay, the reason the mandarins are so fond of
beheading their prisoners without much trial, is for the
purpose of stopping their mouths, for fear they should
get implicated themselves ; dead men tell no tales, and
the mandarins stick to all the loot they find when a
capture is made."
" Where were you living, Anderson, when you were
in Shanghai ? " asks the captain.
" Yery near the centre of the city, with an old

PASSAGE THROUGH SADDLE ISLANDS. 23
Chinaman named Ah Cheong, whom I had formerly
met at Ningpo, and done him a little service there
when the rebels attacked that city," I replied.
" Did you explore much of the city ? " asks the
captain. " No, sir, not much," I reply. " I was present at
one of their beheading scenes, and as some of the
parties there looked rather askance at me, I thought it
safest to keep as near home as possible, for though
Ah Cheong had a good deal of influence in a certain
quarter, he did not know himself how long that influ
ence would exist. I have also a suspicion that he
used me as a link between the authorities in the
European quarter, to make his fellow-citizens beUeve
that he was in somewise conneqted with the different
consuls, and that if he was spirited away there would
be trouble."
'*' I see," says the captain ; " the soldiers at the gate,
seeing you go towards the Consulate, had an idea you
were doing business for Ah Cheong. By-the-bye,"
adds the captain, " when we get back to Shanghai,
just remind me, Anderson, about this same Ah Cheong,
and you will perhaps be able to introduce me to him,
that is if I have not already met him. It strikes me
that I have heard the name mixed up with the Japanese
treaty we are going about when we come back."

24 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
The conversation came to a close as we finished our
dinner, then, when the stewards had cleared away the
table, the chart of the locaUty was placed upon it, and
the captain described to us the different points and,
bearings we would have to pass during the night,
before we could reach the open sea.
" Now, gentlemen," says the captain, " that's the
track I am going to take this time ; the wind ought to
lead us right through, and when we are through, we
know what to do with the Eamont and the north-east
monsoon. If we meet any craft to dispute our right of
way, we are a match for any half-dozen of them, or
more, if there is plenty of wind. Mr. Jule, you will
go and get the Eamont under weigh," says the
captain ; " and, Mr. Nealance, you and Mr. Anderson
will take a gun's crew each, and go and load the guns,
Big Ben and all ; then cover them carefully up after
you have secured them. After you have finished with
the gun-loading, place a fair amount of shot in the
sacks, especially grape, then have aU your small arms
ready in the chest, and secure it somewhere close to the
mainmast." As I have already related at the opening of this
chapter, it was close on sunset when the captain gave
the order to get under weigh, so that by the time th«
Eamont was under all plain sail, and speeding away

PASSAGE THROUGH SADDLE ISLANDS. 25
for the channel we were to pass through, it was
nearly dark, as it was the captain's intention to slip
through under cover of the darkness, if possible; he,
therefore, as soon as all our carronades were loaded,
and the small arms ready, and in a handy position,
gave orders to put out all lights, and one watch to go
below to their quarters.
The breeze is moderately fresh, the water is smooth,
and the Eamont rushes along nine or ten knots an
hour, making as little noise as if she were sailing on
a sea of oil. The captain and Mr. Nealance take
the watch from eight to twelve, both having been
through this channel, at various periods, in the course
of their career. I had come through it once, but in
the opposite direction, and it seems to me a very
plucky resolve on our captain to tackle this passage by
night. When I came through, it was in a vessel
twelve times the weight of the Eamont, and I imagine
it was our great size that kept ,the many very
suspicious-looking craft we met from attacking us.
Having every confidence in Captain GulUvar that
he would bring us meritoriously out of any danger by
which we might be assailed, I made no mention of
having witnessed anything at aU suspicious when
coming through the channel, nor had I any wish to
throw any suggestion in the way that would tend to

26 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
retard what might possibly turn out a very excitable
adventure, should any of these pielongs dare to attack
us. I was young, and anything in the shape of adven
turous excitement was like the breath of life to me ;
and, during my eventful career, I had often observed
that the person who was in the habit of throwing cold
water on any enterprise by gloomy forebodings of
what might happen was generaUy disliked, and very
much avoided by the honourable, chivalrous, and daring
of his messmates. Besides, the commander of the
Eamont, Mr. Jule and Mr. Nealance had inspired me
with the highest confidence in their intrepidity, daring
and skilfulness, therefore, when the beU struck eight,
I retired below to the cabin, and turned in to court old
Morpheus, as I have often done before, with the calm
sereneness of a mind at perfect peace.

CHAPTER V.
ATTACKED BY PIRATES AFLOAT AND ASHORE.
Crash ! crash ! crash ! I am suddenly aroused out of
my calm repose by the noise of artillery firing and the
crash of woodwork on the deck of the Eamont. To
rush on deck, harnessed for whatever fray might occur,
is only the work of a moment, and as I reach the deck
I hear the captain's stentorian voice calling out various
orders in rapid succession : " Put your helm up,
quartermaster, and keep her right off before the wind,"
is the first order I hear ; then, as he spies Mr. Jule
and me coming out of the companion, he says, " Now
then, Mr. Jule, look alive, and get all hands to quarters ;
Mr. Anderson, look sharp with that long gun of yours
on the forecastle, and as soon as you make out where
they are firing from pitch into them."
" Steady your helm, my man," says the captain ;
" now steady, so." All hands are soon on deck, the
guns are cast loose, and we await with breathless
impatience our enemy's next fire to reveal his where
abouts. We are not left long in suspense, three or

28 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
four bright flashes appear simultaneously from a ridge
half-way up on the face of this portion of the island
and almost right astern of us, as we are now heading.
Our guns are useless at present, and, lucky for us, the
shot from our concealed antagonist this time falls
short, and drops into the water a few yards astern of
the Eamont.
" Hand the mainsail and gaff topsail, Mr. Nealance,"
says the captain. " Mr, Jule, get ready the big gun
and we will give them a taste of it outside their range."
As soon as the mainsail is down and secured, the
Eamont is wore round and headed back in the direction
she has come, with just the sUghtest incUnation to
draw in towards the land, from whence the firing has
proceeded. While these necessary evolutions are
being executed, the captain, Mr. Jule and I have been
carefully endeavouring to determine the exact position
of this battery, as well as its surroundings. The
enemy keeps blazing away at the rate of one discharge
for every ten minutes, and as he lights up the scene
with his now harmless flashes, we are able to make out
more the environments of our opponents.
There are three or four junks Ij'ing under this fort,
evidently waiting for the Eamont's disablement by
the loss of her spars, before they come to effect her
capture.

A TTA CKED B Y PIRA TES. 29
" Steady she goes now, quartermaster," says the
captain, when he has made up his mind what he intends
doing, for it won't do to run away without showing them
the weight of our metal.
" Clew up the topsail and topgallant sail, and haul
the fore bowline to windward," says the capt6,in, " and
we will keep right here till we silence that mud fort
and give these junks a peppering."
" Now, Mr. Jule, you keep your glass steady on the
shore and watch every movement of these junks, while
I go with Nealance and Anderson and direct the firing
from our two pivot guns."
After thus instructing Mr. Jule, the captain pro
ceeds forward with Nealance and I to begin operations.
Big Ben is trained right on to the battery on the
hill, the aim of the captain, who trains the gun him
self, being greatly assisted by a kind of martello-tower
right in the rear of the fort. The water is smooth as a
millpond, so that when Captain GuUivar gives the
word "fire," a shot is landed in the fort or close
to, for we are repUed to by an irregular discharge from
the battery, seemingly fired under circumstances of
great excitement
" Now, Mr. Nealance," says the captain, " I think
we have got a very good range, so keep them awake
by a shot every quarter of an hour till the moon gets

30 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
up, which will be in an hour, then we will see better
what to do."
Having thus arranged for the practice of our largest
piece of ordnance, the captain comes forward to my
gun on the forecastle. After looking intently towards
the shore with his night-glasses, he takes up his posi
tion in rear of the gun, and trains it, with the help of his
glasses, right on to the junks lying close in shore under
the battery. As soon as he has got it right on, he
gives the word " fire," and away speeds an eighteen-
pounder to waken up those who are on board the
junks, and who are, as we suppose, waiting to pounce
upon us as soon as the battery has disabled us.
No response comes from the junks in reply to our shot,
so I am instructed by the captain to favour the junks
with a shot about every quarter of an hour. For the
space of an hour we continue this somewhat desultory
style of warfare, but when the moon makes its appear
ance over the island, and we are better able to make out
what we have to deal with, the captain changes his
tactics, and adopts a stronger line of argument, in
order to give these marauders a taste of our power.
" Cease firing," says the captain ; " put her under all
sail again, Mr. Jule."
Ay, ay, sir ! " replies Mr. Jule, and in less time
almost than I write it, the Eamont is gliding alone

ATTACKED BY PIRATES. 31
under all sail on a course that will take her almost
within pistol-shot of the junks.
" Man your port broadside guns, Mr. Jule, withdraw
your shot and load with grape, and pitch right into
these junks when I call out ' fire.' Nealance," keeps on
the captain, as he rapidly issues his orders, " you load
also with grape and cannister, and pass the word along
for Anderson to do the same forward. We will all
fire at the one signal right into the junks, then
we will go about and do the same on the other
tack." Everyone works with a will, and we are ready in a
twinkling. The battery keeps on firing; but as we
are slipping through the water at a goodly rate, they
cannot get a range for us, and we see their shot splash
ing in the water astern.
Our captain, standing close to the man at the wheel,
conns the Eamont till he brings us within two
hundred yards, then I hear him calling out, " Ready
there, aU ? "
" Ready," each of us reply, as we keep our guns
trained on the junks.
" Fire ! " and as the word leaves the captain's mouth,
our guns belch forth their arguments, and we are
greeted from the junks with yells and roars, accom
panied by a futile discharge of their guns, that is a

32 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
sufficient answer to us that our shot has landed in the
right place.-
" Hard a lee," shouts the captain, so that I can hear
liim forward, " and slack up the head sheets."
" Topsail haul," is the next order, and the Eamont
is now round, with her starboard broadside ready for
the junks. "Stand by your guns again," shouts
Captain GuUivar, "and let them have all you have
got." " Ready, all ? " again calls out the captain.
" Ready, sir," comes from each gun ; and as we again
glide by the junks, when the captain gives the word
" fire," we pour in another broadside of grape and
cannister, which is returned in a very lame and in
effective manner by those on board the junks.
" Helm up again, quartermaster," says the captain.
" Ease off the main sheet a bit, and let her run off
clear of their shot from the battery. Steady, so, now,
my man ; there, that'll do ; let her go like that till I
have another look at them." Then, as he finishes his
orders to the man at the wheel, he brings his glass to
bear upon the enemy.
The junks make no attempt to get under weigh and
come after us, but the battery on the hill keeps on
firing, although their shot fall ver}' short of the
Eamo)d.

ATTACKED BY PIRATES. 33
" Mr. Jule ! " calls out the captain, " lay the top
sail to the mast and bring her to for a bit ; then pipe
the hands to grog and come down below, and bring
Nealance and Anderson with you."

CHAPTER YI.
WE DESTROY THE PIEATE JUNKS.
Walking aft with Nealance, when informed by Mr.
Jule of the captain's invitation, I asked him how they
had got into the engagement.
" Very simply," says Mr. Nealance. " The captain
and I were walking the weather-side of the quarter
deck. The captain's cigar went out, and he caUed for
a light instead of a match. One of the men misunder
standing him, brought one of these big lanterns aft,
which no doubt let those fellows on shore know that
we were coming, for in less than ten minutes bang
went their guns, smashing in a lot of the starboard
bulwarks, and that was our first intimation, for it was
pretty dark then; the rest you know yourself; that is
up till now, for I don't think Captain GuUivar wiU
leave them yet."
Entering the cabin, the captain says to us, " Now
then, gentlemen, help yourselves, and while we are
refreshint;; I will tell you what I mean to do."
"There are three junks there, and I think we can

WE DESTROY THE PIRATE JUNKS. 35
silence them effectively," begins the captain ; " then
as soon as we have hunted the fellows out of them, we
will board them, rummage them, and then set fire to
them. They began the fight and so must take the
consequences. At any rate it will be a bit of a lesson
to them to take care whom they attack in the future ;
and besides, had it been an unarmed merchantman
coming along, as soon as they had made sure of that,
these junks would have been off, thrown their stinkpots
on board, and by this time the crew would have been
murdered and the vessel pillaged."
"You are all agreed with me, of course ? " continues
the captain.
" Yes, sir," we reply immediately.
" Very good," says the captain ; " now I will tell you
how we will do it. We will wear round again and
sail towards them with our port broadside as before ;
but instead of tacking, we will heave to, and keep on
peppering at them till they are silenced, then we will
board them and set fire to them. I don't think them
old carronades on the hill-fort can touch us, for the shot
went far astern of us when we fired our first broadside
into the junks."
Immediately the captain had finished his explana
tion, we all proceeded on deck and took up our separate
stations in readiness.
D 2

36 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
" Put your helm up," says the captain to the
quartermaster. " Stand by your main sheet here,
Mr. Nealance," calls otit the captain, as the Eamont
pays off before the wind, and brings the wind round on
the other quarter.
"Brace round the head yards, Mr. Jule," is the
next order ; then comes the final order in this evolu
tion, " haul aft your head sheets, Mr. Anderson."
"Now then, my lads," shouts the captain, "be handy
with your guns. We are going to take these junks,
and what you find on board of them will be divided
amongst all."
Of course, as we were not the aggressors, and having
the power to punish these highway robbers upon
the sea, I myself saw no harm or iUegality in our
taking summary vengeance on these miscreants. It
was well known in those daj's, that many of the
missing craft in these seas were done to death by these
marauders, when they could get the chance, and it
was also known that there was no real government
along the coast who could bring these pirates to
justice, or give any redress to the sufferers that
escaped to tell the tale, who were few and far between,
those piratical scourges believing firmly in the maxim
that " dead men tell no tales."
As we again approach the whereabouts of the junks.

BURNING THE JCXKS.

WE DESTRO Y THE PIRA TE JUNKS. 37
the captain sings out, " Ready all there, fore and aft ? "
" Ay, ay, sir ! " is the enthusiastic reply from every
gun ; then, just as we get right abreast of the junks,
the captain calls out, " Fire." Off goes the guns,
carrying enough grape and cannister as would
sweep the decks of a line-of-battle ship.
There is no response from the junks this time, not
the faintest murmur, but the guns on the shore en
deavour to get at us by bringing them more round the
hill towards us.
" Hard-a-lee," shouts the captain, and the Eamont is
again brought round on the starboard tack, but this
time her topsail is left aback and her forebowline to
windward. Two boats are instantly put in the water and
manned ; Nealance taking charge of one boat, and I of
the other. We pull rapidly away in the direction of the
junks, and are soon on board of them. We find them
entirely deserted ; therefore, after taking out of them
everything of value, including their golden Josses and
sanctuary, as well as arms and ammunition, we set them
on fire in various places to ensure their total destruc-
tioli; then we return on board the Eamont, the boats
are hoisted in, the topsail is filled open, and we stand
away again on our original course, after a parting shot
at the fort, the destruction of which, although very

38 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
desirable, the captain does not consider within the
range of his duties.
The engagement has lasted about five hours, and we
have no casualties; so, after the guns are again
secured, and the decks are cleared, the hands are piped
to grog and the regular watch is set.
Before daylight we are away out on the open ocean
with the Saddle Islands nearly out of sight astern.
The Eamont is surging along like a mad thing, close
hauled on a bowline, with every rag spread upon her,
going along eleven and twelve knots across the north
east monsoon.
The guns are all well covered up, as they had need
to be, for the Eamont leaves no dry spot about her
when she is thus driven through the water. We have
a dead beat before us, and it is only by carrying on
that we can make decent headway towards our
destination. Like the Ranterpikes, that used to ply
between Liverpool and Glasgow, before the days of
steamers, there was no taking in sail here so long as
she would stand up to it. You might be seen at sea
with a broken spar, but you would not need to be seen
at any time under shortened sail. With us then it
was simply a question (that is, as far as comfort was
concerned) of going under water when we left the
Saddle Islands, and of emerging therefrom when

WE DESTROY THE PIRATE JUNKS. 39
we got into the northern part of the Gulf of
Petchelee. Fourteen days are thus expended in battling
against the north-east monsoon, when we arrive at the
port of Niewchwang, and are again able to live some
what like a human being and less like a fish. We
have no receiving-ship here, so have to be one's own
protector. As soon as we have run in and anchored,
the guns are carefully sponged and reloaded, while the
small-arms are placed in readiness for any attack, or
any emergency that may arise. The boarding nettings
are triced up, the regular armed watch is set, aiud no
person is allowed on board who cannot satisfy the
schroff of his honourable intentions.
This port has scarcely come within the halo of
Western civilization yet, and the junks belonging
to the merchants here are quite capable of doing a
little pirating on their own account, and possibly, if
need be, on that of their owners as well.
One vessel we find in the harbour pleases us very
much, for she will tend to keep things quiet as long
as she is stationed here. This vessel is the English
gun-brig Acorn ; a style of vessel long out of date, and
I believe she was of that class that Captain Marryatt
styles in one of his most interesting books as bathing-
machines. We gracefully dip our ensign as we pass

40 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
under the stern of the Acorn to take up our anchorage,
which is about half a mile inside of the brig and
nearer the town. It is near sunset when we anchor,
and too late for visitors, so we spend a very pleasant
and enjoyable evening amongst ourselves, after we
have got the saltwater partially rubbed and washed
off.

CHAPTER VII.
niewchwang and its opium RESTAURANTS.
By eight o'clock the next morning, the Eamont is once
more in her usual harbour rig. The yards are squared
by the lifts and braces to a hair's breadth ; the
booms are swung out, so that any boats that call may
lay off clear of our newly-painted sides, for she has
been painted round outside this morning, and looks
altogether Uke a vessel just come out of the builders'
hands, instead of having been ploughing her way up
the coast, the most of the time well under water.
After breakfast we receive a visit from the com
mander of the Acorn, who sends his gig back to his
brig, and then accompanies our captain on shore in
one of our boats.
The Chinese schroffs likewise accompany the captain
on shore, to transact the necessary business attached to
the selling of the opium, as well as to examine any
bills or quantities of specie that may be offered in
exchange for this valuable commodity. These schroffs.

42 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
of whom we carry four, are considered specialists in
this kind of business, and know all the chops of the
established traders. They know what paper is of real
value and detect a spurious Mexican dollar at its first
sound. Our forenoon on board is given up to over
hauling the rigging aloft and repairing any smaU
damage that may have been caused on our passage up.
The afternoon is spent in single-stick and cutlass
drill till four o'clock, when aU hands are dismissed to
their quarters.
Captain GuUivar returns on board about five o'clock,
bringing with him the commander, first lieutenant
and doctor of the Acorri, who were extremely weU
pleased with the neatness and order of the Eamont,
and probably still better pleased with the sumptuous
dinner we all shortly sat down to and partook of
While we laid in Niewchwang, our dinner-table was
well attended, either by some of the few gentlemen
that dared to live in the city, or else some of the
officers of the Acorn, and sometimes both parties
combined, which would necessitate the taking down
of the bulkhead that divided the forward cabin from
the captain's more private after cabin. There was
plenty of the good things of this life on board the
Eaviont, and it was dispensed by no niggardly hand,
which is a matter of great importance where sociable

NIE WCH WANG. 43
conviviality is desired. Nealance and I dined twice on
board the Acorn as a return compliment, and we fared
very well considering, for she had been in commission
for over three years.
Captain GuUivar and Mr. Jule were likewise enter
tained on board the brig, when her commander gave
one of his special spreads, to inculcate feelings of good-
fellowship with the authorities of the place.
We were, of course, invited on shore to visit the
estabUshments of some of our city visitors. Mr. Jule
not being much of a shore-visiting man, but rather
inclined to always stay on board, it fell to the lot of
Mr. Nealance and I to pay the complimentary return
visit to the shore. We have been in harbour eight or
nine days, our cargo is all delivered, and we only
await its return value in specie, and whatever dis
patches will be ready against our departure.
Having received permission from Captain GuUivar
to pay a visit to the shore, Nealance and I, in
company of two officers from the Acorn gun-brig,
accordingly take our departure immediately after
breakfast, and we are safely landed on the beach by
one of our own boats, which returns to the ship.
We are met on landing by our compradore, who
acts the part of pilot for us in our march through the
city. We are, of course, taken to the compradore's

44 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
house first, where we are refreshed with Uquor and
cigars ; then, after a short stay here, we proceed to the
establishment of one of our friends, and partake of a
rather elaborate breakfast, to which have been invited
several other of our acquaintances to meet us. We
spend a pleasant hour here, then as business caUs our
host and his fellow-residents away for an hour or two,
we, in company of the compradore, proceed on a voyage
of exploration throughout the city. First we visit one
of their gambUng estabUshments, and come away
thoroughly disgusted with the awfully hideous avari-
ciousness that is displayed on the countenances of this
villainous assembly. We visit a Chinese theatre, and
are much amused at the very grave grotesqueness of
the acting, as well as at the decorous seriousness of the
audience. We then visit what he called a higher class opium-
den, where the gambling was not seen in such vulgar
form as was seen in the place we visited earHer in the
day. Opium-smoking was carried on in it, although
we had not noticed it, as aU the viUainous- looking
assembly looked, at the time we were there, so deeply
intent on robbing their neighbours, that it would not
have been possible for them to have partaken of their
favourite solace at that time.
Our compradore has the open sesaiiie into this other

NIEWCHWANG. 45
more palatial opium-club. We follow our conductor
through a courtyard, then up a few steps, and then
enter a rather spacious hall. Round the sides of this
haU are ranged many divan couches made of strong
wicker-work. At the head of each couch is a Chinese
pillow, and in close proximity thereto is the inevitable
spirit-lamp. The lamps are nearly all alight as we
enter, and the couches occupied by persons, either in
the act of inhaling this most alluring narcotic, or,
having inhaled it to the full, are now lying senseless,
enjoying those elysian dreams so very much raved of,
as being engendered on the mind and brain of the
opium-smoker. Some of the loungers are young and still ruddy with
the hue of lusty health ; but the elder ones, what a
spectacle of poor humanity they represent, their whole
bodies shrivelled up like boiled parchment after it has
dried ! A more miserable and degraded-looking spec
tacle could scarcely be imagined, and yet those poor
miserable wretches deem their horrible infatuation the
very acme of enjoyment.
We do not stay long in this elysium, but soon return
to the street, glad indeed to get out and breathe the
purer air of the city, which, although not of the pures
and cleanest, for the city is rather neglected in its
sanitary arrangements, still it is better than the fumes

46 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
which regaled our senses while within the walls of the
opium-smokers' hostelry. We caU on a few more of
our acquaintances, then after another visit to our
worthy compradore's place of business, we return to
the beach, where a boat is in waiting to take us on
board, and I think we are all rather glad to be back on
board the Eamont again. The officers of the Acorn
who have been on shore with us are invited by Captain
GuUivar to stay to dinner, an invitation they are very
pleased to accept. We spend a pleasant hour or two,
then Nealance and I see our visitors on board their
ship, and after returning the boat is hoisted up, the
booms swung in, the boarding nettings secured aU
around, the armed sentries posted round the decks;
then, after our captain has said good-night, we also
dive below, to dream of opium-smokers and Chinese-
theatricals.

CHAPTER VIII.
we LEAVE NIEWCHWANG AND ARE ATTACKED BY
PIRATES OUTSIDE.
All our opium having by this time been landed, and
successfully disposed of, we are only waiting for its
value in specie to come on board before we again weigh
anchor and return down the coast. We are likewise
to have the honour of conveying two Japanese of
exalted rank as far as Shanghai, who have been to
' Pekin on diplomatic business, no doubt in connection
with the opening up of their country to the benign
influences of open trading with the outside world.
While we lay waiting for our passengers and specie,
we do not pass the time uselessly away, for each day,
as soon as the regular clearing is got through, all hands
are exercised at big guns and small arms, and before
we sailed from this port our practice was not far short
of that on board a regular man-of-war.
During the forenoon of the third day subsequent to
our visiting the shore, our specie and passengers arrive

48 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
alongside. The ambassadors are received with all due
solemnity, and conducted by Captain GuUivar to the
state-room set apart for their accommodation. The
specie, which consists of numerous cases containing
Mexican dollars and bars of silver, is carefully taken on
board and stowed away in the treasure-room, which is
carefully barred and locked, the keys being deUvered,
one to the captain, one to the chief officer, and one to
the principal schroff or compradore serving on board.
The value of the specie we have taken on board is
somewhere about one million doUars, so that the
Eamont would now be a very good prize to any of the
buccaneering lorchas.
As soon as the specie is thus safely disposed of, the
blue-peter is hoisted at the fore, and in reply to that
weU-known signal the mails and despatches are
promptly brought on board. The captain not consider
ing it safe to lie here any longer with such an amount
of valuables on board, gives the order to Mr. Jule to
heave short as soon as the last packet of letters is
received on board.
While Mr. Jule and I attend to the heaving up of
the anchor, ilr. Nealance is busy with another portion
of the crew, setting all necessary sail, aud, by the time
the anchor is at the hawse-pipe, the Eamo)tt is gliding
away out ofthe harbour in her usual stately ship-shape

WE LEAVE NIEWCHWANG. 49
style. Passing close to H.M. brig Acorn, we grace
fully salute the flag, and with many a wave of our caps
we bid good-bye to our pleasant acquaintances, who
cordially return our greetings.
The wind is from the north-eastward and moderately
fresh, so the town and the brig are soon out of sight
astern. We have the wind a couple of points on the
port quarter, steering out somewhat to the eastward to
keep clear of the south shore of the gulf, as well as to
be out of the way of any piratical lorchas, who rarely
come out into the open.
It is getting towards sunset when we lose sight of
the Acorn and the other vessels in the harbour. I
have been busy securing the anchors and stowing the
cables, and have not had much time to look around me
since we passed the Acorn, so that I am rather surprised
when I hear the captain shouting in no uncertain
sound, " Stations there, fore and aft."
" Haul in your starboard braces, Mr. Jule, and let
your yards go forward to sharp up," calls out the
captain. " Haul in your main sheet, Nealance, and flatten in
your headsheets, Anderson," says the captain, all in
the same breath.
These orders are executed in as little time as I take
to-record them ; the Eamont is brought to the wind on
E

50 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
the port tack, and is soon flying through the water
like a wild stag before the hounds.
As soon as I have trimmed the headsheets, I take
the opportunity of glancing around the watery domain.
Just about two miles dead to leeward of us are three
heavy-looking lorchas, and all three are heading in the
same direction as ourselves.
"Uncover the guns and cast off all the extra sea-
lashings," is the next order I hear from the quarter
deck, and in a trice I have got the long eighteen to
bear on the headmost lorcha, when I hear my name
called out, with the intimation to proceed aft.
When I arrive on the quarter-deck I find the
captain, Mr. Jule, and Nealance in consultation on
the present state of affairs. The captain, although
rather annoyed at being thus stopped, when he ex
pected to make a fast run down, is not at aU dismayed,
but calmly discusses the position with us, and explains
by what means he intends to circumvent the lorchas
and so get out of their clutches.
" The guns are all ready for instant use ? " suggests
the captain.
"Yes, sir," replies Mr. Jule, "the broadside guns
with grape, and the pivot guns with round shot."
" Very good," says Captain GuUivar, " now, as we
must do at once what we are to do, just pipe the

WE LEA VE NIE WCHWANG. 5 r
hands to grog, for they will get no supper till we are
out of this, and then prepare for action."
As soon as all hands have been refreshed they are
armed for the coming fray, and stationed at their
positions for either fighting or working ship as the case
might be.
" Hard-a-lee," shouts the captain, and in a moment
the Eamont is all in the wind.
" Topsail haul,'^ again shouts the captain, and ere
the sound of his voice has died away the Eamont is
racing away in the opposite direction, like some wild
thing fleeing for very life.
' The three lorchas follow our example, and go about
on the other tack also. They take a much longer time
to execute this manoeuvre than we have done, there
fore, by the time they have got round, we are nearly a
mile ahead of the foremost one, as they now lie.
"Keep her off four points, quartermaster," says
' Captain GuUivar, and faster away flies the Eamont.
" Ready with your big gun, Mr. Jule, and try and
knock a spar or two away," shouts the captain.
" Now, Anderson," shouts the captain from the
quarter-deck, " try that long gun of yours on that
headmost lorcha, and bring down some of his top-
hampers." Both guns are fired as soon as we have got within

52 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
a possible range, but, although we have evidently
caused some consternation on board, we have failed in
touching his top-hampers.
The lorcha lets drive his whole broadside at us, but
all his missiles, be they stones or shot, fail to reach
within one hundred yards of us. Very few of these
craft have any very far-reaching ordnance ; they
depend most on getting to close quarters, and, after
suffocating you with their stink-pots, despatching you
to worlds unknown while you are insensible from the
effects of that noxious compound, of which these
engines of war are composed.
" Are you ready with your guns ? " asks the
captain. '¦ All ready, sir," is our reply.
" Fire then, and bring something down," shouts the
captain. Both guns are fired almost simultaneously this time,
but with little more success, as far as we can make out,
for it is just getting dark and there is no moon.
" Ready about,^' shouts the captain, when we have
finished reloading the guns.
" Hard-a-lee," comes the next order from the
captain, and the Eamoni is once more whirled round
with her head in the opposite direction. The lorchas
follow suit in putting their heads the other way, and
go careering away to the eastward.

WE LEA VE NIE WCHWANG. 5 3
" Luff all you can," says the captain to our helms
man, " and deaden her way a bit."
The lorcha which is now sternmost in their line
seems to us to be behaving in a somewhat erratic
manner to that of her consorts, and as if there was
something the matter with her steering gear. As soon
as Captain GuUivar observes this lagging movement in
the lorcha we had been firing at, he changes his tactics,
and instead of endeavouring to outsail them on a long
stretch to the eastward, as he had intended (now
that the night was setting in) he gives the order,
" Ready about."
"Hard-a-lee," shouts the captain, and round comes
the Eamont, quickly obedient to her helm.
" Topsail haul," is the next order from the captain,
then as soon as she has filled away upon the starboard
tack, he orders her to be kept four points off the
wind, and every rag to be made to draw its very
best. Twice we have tacked the Eamont in the last quarter
of an hour, so we have not had much time to look
round us to see what our antagonists are up to. When
I dp get a squint at them wdth my night-glass, I can
make out that the two farthest off are in stays, and
coming round on the same tack as we are on, but they
are a mUe or two to the eastward. The lorcha we had

54 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
been firing at is seemingly disabled, one of her sails
being down, and she looks as if she were hove to.
" Keep her ofl' a couple of points more," I hear our
captain sa)', then he adds, " ease off the main sheet a
bit and square in your head yards." As soon as these
orders are executed, he shouts out in his loudest tone,
" Ready with your port broadside and both pivot guns,
and fire right into that lorcha as we pass her."
" Steady your helm," says the captain to the man
at the wheel, when he has got the disabled lorcha about
three points on our port bow, and we are tearing up
towards her at a tremendous pace. When we get to
within one hundred yards of our antagonist, and right
abreast of him, we let drive the whole of our battery
right into him, and as we speed away on our course
into the darkness of the night, we hear the discharge
of their guns, mingled with shouts of wildest rage,
come floating on the wind to leeward, we having left
to them, our would-be captors, the weather gauge in
the contest, should they care to try any further result
with us.
The two lorchas that were farthest off get no nearer
the Eamont than half a mile, when we have them on
our port-quarter. As soon as it is well apparent that
we can outsail them, the main boom is gibed and the
Eamont set upon her course for the Saddle Islands.

WE LEAVE NIEWCHWANG. 55
Guns are again carefully secured and covered up, the
watch is set and all hands go below to enjoy their well-
earned dinner and supper.
As soon as the engagement was over, our two
Japanese, who had stayed on deck all the time, walked
up to Captain GuUivar, and in their rather amusing
way paid him their highest compliments for the
successful manner in which he had carried the Ea.mont
through the blockading lorchas.

CHAPTER IX.
SCUDDING ACROSS THE FRONT OF A TYPHOON.
The principal topic at dinner that night was, of course,
the exciting engagement we had come through, and
the temerity of the lorchas in daring to attack us
almost within gunshot sound of the harbour.
" How do they get to know that we are so much
worth trying for, and so long before it is shipped, as
they must have done ? " I ask the captain.
"Well, to us Europeans all Chinamen are so very
much alike, you never know much difference in them,
and so the agents of these lorcha-men get into offices
and warehouses, as well as on board of ships, and find
out all that is going on," replies the captain.
" I came across a vessel that was pirated between
Hong Kong and Swatow," says the captain, " and was
just in time to save the crew, who had taken refuge up
aloft. The pirates cleared out when we bore down upon
them, or else they would have killed the whole crew,
after they had taken out of the ship aU that was of

SCUDDING ACROSS A TYPHOON. 57
value. Now in this ship there happened to have been
put on board at Hong Kong several cases of arms.
These cases of arms were stowed away in a separate
portion of the vessel's hold, and afterwards covered up
with other cargo. When the pirate lorcha got along
side and chased the crew overboard and into the
rigging, they, the pirate crew, took off the particular
hatches that led towards these cases of arms, and then
went to work and cleared out the cargo that lay be
tween them and the cases of arms, as if they had been
present at the stowing of them there in Hong Hong,
which no doubt some of them were."
" Then there are the lightermen and sampan-men,"
explains the captain, " who bring the cargo off to the
ship; they are always open to making a dollar or two
by giving information to the agents of these piratical
chiefs, and if the truth were known there is no doubt
that many of our compradores are in league with these
' lorcha people."
" I suppose there will be some of them looking out
for us as we get down towards the islands again," says
Mr. Nealance.
"You may be sure of that," says the captain, "and
they will be wanting their revenge for that mauling we
gave them on the way up."
" By-the-bye," adds the captain, "I have just been

58 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
thinking, when I shaped the course, whether or not to
go back the same route, fbr it is possible they may look
for us more to the eastward. What do you think,
gentlemen?" asks the captain.
" It is the shortest cut," says Mr. Jule, " and as we
are a good match for half a dozen of them, I don't see
why we should take a long sweep round to get out of
their way."
"I think that is our best plan too," replies Mr.
Nealance, " for the lorchamen are sure to look out for
us almost anywhere else than where we have had
^trouble with them already ; at any rate, I have never
been attacked by them twice in the same place. They
seem to be eternaUy moving their rendezvous, so that
it would be rather difficult for any cruiser to find out
their whereabouts."
" I expect they are welcome anywhere," says the
captain, "between Hainan and the Corea, and are
well-known to the inhabitants of every creek along the
coast. The fact of the matter is, every junk or lorcha
that is built is fitted out so that she can fight her way
against the pirates; then, when they meet with a junk
or lorcha of inferior size and worth capturing, the
trading junk does a little pirating on his own account.
The weakest as usual goes to the wall, and the
strongest and fittest survive to carry on the work."

SCUDDING ACROSS A TYPHOON, 59
" Very well then, gentlemen," says the captain as we
rise from the table, " if the weather holds steady, we
will carry her through that same passage, but watch
the weather, for the glass is on the droop."
I proceeded on deck and took charge of the Eamont
from the boatswain, the captain and my fellow-
officers retiring to their cabin.
When I reach the deck I find the wind has freshened
somewhat, and the Eamont has nearly as much wind
as she can carry her enormous fore and aft mainsail to.
The wind is well aft, and her steering has to be care
fully attended ; for I have been informed that one of
these vessels, when running down the coast in a strong
gale, with the wind right aft, jibbed her main boom,
the consequence of which was, that she capsized and
drowned all her crew, as well as taking with her to the
bottom of the China Sea the very respectable sum of
one million and a half of Mexican dollars.
As the night advances the wind keeps on increasing,
and it is only by the utmost care on the steersman's
part that we are kept from jibbing, and so following
the example of the ill-fated Ma.zeppa.
At midnight, when I am relieved by Mr. Nealance,
I call the captain and inform him of the state of the
weather as well as the faUing of the barometer. He is
not long before he is on deck, and before I can get to

6o AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
sleep I have the satisfaction of hearing the watch
lowering away and securing our enormous mainsail.
The wind increased rapidly as the morning advanced,
and ere the sun arose from out of his watery bed, we
were scudding along under a close-reefed topsail
and forestaysail, at the rate of sixteen to eighteen
knots per hour.
The wind was coming in heavy gusts, and there was
no doubt we were running on the inner or western side
of a typhoon. The wind was varying between N. by
W. and N. by E. as far as one could make it out, and
although the Eamont was making good weather of it
as she flew along the foam-covered water rather than
sailed through it, it was an amazing spectacle to
behold the elements roused up in all their mighty rage,
when I came on deck that morning at seven beUs.
Howling and shrieking, as if all the wind channels
of the heavens were opened and bent on our destruc
tion, this devastating wind tore through the masts and
cordage with a noise no pen can describe that would at
all bring to the mind of the reader the faintest idea of
the noise that prevailed on and around the Eamont,
We manage to get our breakfast after a fashion, then
the captain and I take charge of the Eamont to guide
her along in her race over the foam-crested waves.
It is about four bells in the forenoon watch when we

SCUDDING ACROSS A TYPHOON, 6i
hear a yeU from the man on the look-out, who is
rushing aft to the quarter-deck the better to make us
hear what he is yelUng for.
" Land ahead ! " he roars into the captain's ear,
when he gets close up to where we are standing on
the quarter-deck.
" Land, impossible," says the captain ; " bring her
out south-east, Anderson, till we see what it is."
" Ay, ay, sir," I reply, as I proceed to assist the man
at the wheel.
As the Eamont comes up to her new course, the
noise increases to an appalling extent, so much so that
all hands are soon on deck to see what means this
altered state of affairs.
As she comes up to S.E., the topsail gives one shake,
and flies away to parts unknown in the upper air, the
captain having instructed me previously not to touch a
brace. The topsail having taken itself entirely off by the
close reef band, gives us no further trouble.
The captain, Mr. Jule, and Nealance are gazing
intently towards the object on the starboard bow, which
called for the man on the look-out's exclamation,
" Land ahead."
" That's no land," says the captain, " it is a dis
mantled ship ; and now look there, did you see that

62 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
flash ? they are firing for help. Put your helm up,
Anderson, and keep her down towards her. There
now, steady so," says the captain, " let her go right
close round her stern."
" Now then, Mr. Jule, Nealance," rapidly shouted the
captain, " get all your life-buoys with lines and heave
them over on the starboard side when we round to
under her lee quarter. That is the only chance left
them, for no boat could live a moment in this hurri
cane." His orders are quickly and wilUngly obeyed, and
right along our starboard side twenty or more eager
hands are standing ready to heave their life-buoys out
on the foaming deep, in the hope of rescuing some of
these seafarers in their dire distress.
We are flying through the water at a tremendous
pace, and in less than a quarter of an hour from the
time we first sighted the distressed vessel, we pass within
twelve feet of her taffraU a'nd beckon and shout upon them
to jump as loud as we can roar ; then each man throws
his life-buoy into the sea, and the Eamont is brought
to under a couple of hammocks in the fore rigging,
right under the lee of the dismasted and apparently
water-logged vessel.

CHAPTER X.
WE WITNESS A GRAND AND NOBLE DEED OF HEROISM.
We can make out but four people at the most on
the quarter-deck of this disabled vessel, and they seem
to be parleying about what they are to do. All at
once, in a moment, through the blinding spray we see
one of the parties on the ill-fated ship take a leap into
the foamy abyss, and strike out in our direction. The
Eamont drifts but slowly, having a very deep keel and
a much deeper after-keel, therefore the swimmer makes
headway towards us surely but slowly.
We are ready with our life-buoys and lines, while
I see Nealance and two or three of our hands securing
lines around their waists should it be necessary to go
over into the water to assist this courageous swimmer
when he gets within reach of human help.
I am stationed at the wheel, therefore I can only
look on, however much I may wish to be with Nealance
in the work of rescue.

64 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
" Will he be able to reach us ? " is the breathless
question in many a heart.
" He must be a powerful swimmer," says our captain,
" to get along through that raging water. He's got
something on his back," I hear the captain say as he
walks along to where Nealance and Mr. Jule are
standing. Nearer and nearer comes this daring swimmer, till
he is within reach of one of our floating life-buoys,'
which he clutches with a firm grasp, while at the same
time he casts an appealing look towards the eager
hands, who are gentty drawing in the line that brings
him safely towards the Eamont. Before he touches
the side, Nealance and one of our men are over the
side with Unes in their hands and round their waists.
In a moment the brave fellow has a rope passed round
him, and is carefully hoisted to the deck by many
willing hands. The carefully- wrapped bimdle upon
his back is taken off, as he himself Ues in a somewhat
faint condition on the deck. The bundle being opened,
what is our astonishment when we gaze upon the form
and lineaments of a young and lovclj- girl of some two
or three years of age.
Both are quickly carried below to the cabin, where
means of resuscitation are quickly applied by our cap
tain, which soon have the eagerl}'^ desired-for result

RESCUE OF THE KEGRO,

WE WITNESS A DEED OF HEROISM. 65
As soon as the intense excitement of the last few
moments is over, I return to my post at the wheel,
and am awfully astonished when, as I cast my gaze
to windward to see how it fared with the disabled ship,
to find that no trace of her is to be seen. I immediately
proceed below and acquaint the captaia with the fact
that the vessel has gone from our sight. Leaving his
patients in the hands of Mr. Jule and Nealance, he
foUows me on to the deck, when, after an intense and
earnest look in the direction the disabled vessel had
been, he turns to me and says, " It is all up with her,
haul in all those life buoys and lines, and keep her
off again S. \ W. As soon as the rescued man comes
to his senses, we will get to know all about it." The
captain then proceeded below, leaving me to carry out
his instructions. The forestaysail was hoisted up,
and, obedient to the pressure thus brought to bear on
her forward, the Eamont fell off on her course, and
was soon racing away like a wild stag before the
pursuing hounds.
Half an hour had scarcely gone by since we first
sighted the disabled vessel, yet in that short space
of time we had been witnesses of One of the most
heroic deeds on record ; a deed remembered by
many who lived or sailed in these far-off Eastern
lands, and often spoken of by those who upheld the

66 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
grand nobility of man, irrespective of creed, race, or
colour. To watch that noble hero plunge from the derelict
into the seething, foaming, and bottomless abyss, was
a sight to be remembered for ever. Some talented
artist should have been there, to place upon his
canvas such a deed of heroic daring as we had just
been witnesses of, that it might have been handed down
to future generations to immortalize the now possibly
forgotten hero, who swam through that seething mass
of water to save his master's child in the midst of such
a tempest. As we watched him make his way towards us, now
on the top of the crested wave, then down in the
hollow, and hidden for the moment from our gaze, it
was a picture itself to watch the eager faces of our
hardened crew, as in breathless sUence they watched
the swimmer, and no doubt for this once in their lives
they offered up an inward prayer to the All-Seeing
One above, to help this brave man in his peril.
When the rescued man had been safely landed on
the deck, the intense strain ofthe past few moments fell
off from our crew, who now reUeved themselves by
shaking one another by the hands, as if they had been
personaUy engaged in that fight with the furious
watery elements, and remarking to each other, " By

JFE WITNESS A DEED OF HEROISM. 67
George, he is a splendid fellow." " Good luck to him
for ever," says another one ; while here and there, some
others who had felt so sympatheticaUy intense in their
wistf ulness for the swimmer's safety, had perforce to
turn their heads while they gulped down the risen
lump in their throats, so affected were they in this
sudden transition from almost the extremity of despair
to the exuberance of thankful joyfulness.
The sun had crossed the meridian before there was
any sensible lull in the howling of the tempest, or a
break in the heavily laden canopy above. The wind
had likewise backed somewhat to the westward,
showing us we had succeeded in scudding across the
front track of the typhoon, a very hazardous proceed
ing, which can only be accomplished by the swiftest
of vessels.
When I am relieved by Mr. Nealance at noon, he
gives me all the information about our rescued waifs
he has been able to glean, which was as foUows : —
"The man himself was steward on board the United
States ship Thalia of Baltimore, bound from Singapore
to Niewchwang, with a cargo of iron-wood spars,
which you know are mostly used for junks' masts.
They encountered some hard weather beating up, and
she sprung a leak somewhere about her stern-post,
where they could not get at it to stop it. There
F 2

68 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
was nothing for it but pump, pump, pump. The
crew got very disheartened, and two days before
we came across them, the Dutch second mate and all
hands deserted during the night in one of the boats,
leaving the captain, chief mate, steward, and captain's
wife and child on board to perish with the water
logged vessel.
" The typhoon was beginning when the cowardly lot
left in the boat, so that they have met their fate by
this time. When we came up to them the Thalia was
nearl}' full of water, and had not much longer to live.
They had no boat left, and in such weather a raft was
of no use. Both the captain and his wife were very iU
of fever when the trouble began, and had not re
covered from its effects when the typhoon came on.
They were quite reconciled to their fate, as was also
the chief officer, who refused to leave them, and ' they
thanked and blessed me,' says the Virginian, 'for
endeavouring to save their only child.' "
The man whom we had so providentially rescued was
a Virginian man of colour, born in the United States,
and though then a free man had in hiseavlv days been
a slave in the household of the captain's parents.
He was a noble specimen of manhood, standing
nearly six feet two inches in his stockings, and
measuring forty-five inches round the chest. From

WE WITNESS A DEED OF HEROISM. 69
what I saw of him afterwards, he seemed to me a man
of the most affectionate feelings towards his fellow-men,
either white or black, and always willing to use his
great strength in helping his weaker brethren. That
he had loved and respected his late captain and his
wife was very evident, from the watchful care and
tenderness he bestowed upon their orphan child.
Daniel Jackson was the name of this courageous
seaman, who had so successfully battled with the wild
sea waves in the rescue of his master's child ; and the
child's name was Mary Seward, a bright fair child,
who has possibly grown up to womanhood, and may
have the pleasure of reading in these pages a rather
too meagre account of her gallant rescue.
A few hours in time, a few miles in distance, and
what a change comes over the scene ! Could the ill-
fated Thalia have been by any possibility detained
at her loading port for a couple of days, such a scene
as we had witnessed had never occurred, and yet it
is possible that her commander in his hurry to get
along, was only too eager to hurry onward to his
then unknown fate. So it is with all human kind :
Rush on ! rush on ! is the ever-constant cry, while
none of us know what the rushing on will entail
upon us.

CHAPTER XL
ATTACKED BY LORCHAS.
When I turned in after luncheon, I left the Eamont
still scudding madly on, through the drifts and the
foam under her forestaysail, flying through, or rather
over the water, like some hunted thing endowed with
life-given motion.
As I came on deck in the dog-watch to relieve the
chief officer to his dinner, what was my surprise to find
the Eamont once more with her topsaU set, and the
crew busy preparing to set the double-reefed mainsail.
What a change in the weather a run of fifty miles had
made : the sky was again clear of the heavy mass of
aqueous vapour, in which we had been enveloped
throughout the former portion of this ever-to-be-re
membered day, and we were again sailing along, over
a bright blue sea, in our usual serene and exhilarating
manner. Before midnight aU our reefs were out, and the wind
had again veered back to its usual normal position at
this time of the year.

ATTACKED B Y LORCHAS. 7 1
Observations of the heavenly bodies are taken during
the night, to determine our position, and at four
o'clock in the morning watch, the course is set that
wiU lead us through the channels we intend to take in
passing through the Saddle Islands.
At ten o'clock, or four bells, in the forenoon watch,
land is reported ahead, and I immediately report the
same to the commander, who foUows me up on to the
deck. As soon as the captain has made the land
properly out, the Eamont is headed straight for the
channel, which is well known to our commander.
When we get close to the entrance of the channel
all hands are piped to quarters. The guns are all
uncovered and the shot taken out. The charges are
also withdrawn, then the guns are carefully sponged
out and reloaded. The small-arms are likewise brought
on deck, ahd stacked around the mainmast. As soon
as we are all in perfect readiness for repelling any
obstruction we may meet, the men are dismissed to
their quarters and we wait in patience the further
progress of events.
The wind is blowing a fresh gale, and increases as
we enter the channel, which is none of the widest,
being only two to three miles in some places, and
rather intricate should we have to haul our wind.
We keep in mid-channel, so that we may have room

72 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
to mancBuvre, either side we may be faced by any foe,
suddenly popping down upon us from out of the many
creeks around us.
As we pass the fort where we had the action on our
upward trip, we look for some signs of Ufe, but are
unable to make out anything with the slightest evi
dence that man is anywhere about, nor are there any
junks in the small creek under the fort on the hUl.
Not till we are through the channel do we see any
signs of life upon the ocean wave, or the land, then, as
we come out in the open, we are able to make out some
few lorchas to the right and the left of us, carefuUy
guarding the two channels we avoided coming through.
The captain, looking at me and Mr. Nealance, who
are standing by his side, says, " I think we have done
them this time."
" Yes, sir," says Nealance, " they'U have to be pretty
smart to get alongside of us now, but I'm hanged if
they are not going to try it."
" So they are, by Jove," says the captain ; " how
they are clapping on their muslin, but I doubt if they
will get within reach of our big guns, unless the wind
falls a bit, which it may possibly do, now we are out of
the narrow channel."
" Call Mr. Jule on deck," says the captain to me,
" and at the same time tell Jackson to stop down
below and amuse the girl should he hear any firing.

ATTACKED BY LORCHAS. 73
and on no account to come on deck, for the little thing
has not got over her awful fright and loss of her
parents yet."
I dive down below, and after calling Mr. Jule,
explain to Jackson the state of affairs, at the same time
bidding him to be under no apprehension, as we are
more than a match for the lorchas, either fighting or
sailing. Coming on deck after delivering my messages, I find
the position slightly altered, for two of the lorchas on
the starboard hand are making as if they would almost
cross our bow, but they are the only ones that seem to
have the slightest chance in point of sailing with us.
Mr. Nealance has manned the big gun, and is train
ing it on to the headmost lorcha when she shall get
within range.
"Mr. Anderson," says the captain, "get your
forward gun ready, and try for the top-hamper of that
headmost lorcha."
" Mr. Jule," I hear the captain say as I go forward
to my gun, "tell Nealance to put a length of chain
shot into that big gun, it is a capital thing for break
ing their rigging, if it don't bring the spars
down." Before the lorcha is within range we are ready with
both guns, waiting for the order to fire. Nearer and
nearer come the lorchas, evidently bent on their own

74 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
discomfiture, for it is quite clear to us they have not
the faintest shadow of a chance to cross our bows at
the rate we are travelling. Our guns are trained
nearly right on the starboard beam, when we get the
order to fire, and the lorchas are about two hundred
and fifty yards away.
"Fire," shouts the captain, and we let drive both
guns right into the first lorcha. When the smoke has
cleared away we have the pleasure of seeing the
lorcha's mainmast and mainsail fall over her side, thus
cutting short her career of obstruction for a time ; while
at the same time, to add to our special gratification,
the second lorcha, which was coming close on to the
heels of the first, not possibly expecting such a sudden
termination of her consort's career, runs slap into the
now dismasted lorcha, before she can get out of the
way, and so brings down her own masts and yards
with the suddenness of the crash, that lias also, favour
ably for us, put an end to the career of lorcha the
second. We fire no more but proceed on our way, and
soon the lorchas are all out of sight astern.
At ten o'clock that same night we came to anchor
at Woosung, close to our receiving- ship, the watch is
set after the Eamont has been securely moored and her
sails furled, and we retire to sleep and possibly to
dream of shipwreck as well as of fighting lorchas.

CHAPTER XII.
SHANGHAI AGAIN — NEALANCE AND I VISIT AH CHEONG
IN THE OITY.
The following morning our treasure is transhipped to
the receiving-ship, there to await the arrival of the
next schooner bound down to Hong Kong — which will
be a nice plum should she fall into the hands of the
pirates in the environs of that port — she having to call
at all the downward ports, collect the treasure from the
firm's receiving-ships, and carry it on to the head-office
at that great emporium of the Chinese trade.
Our treasure having thus been disposed of, we weigh
our anchor and make ihe best of our way up the river
to Shanghai, according to special instructions received
from on board our receiving-ship.
With a flowing tide and a slashing breeze of a fair
wind, we are not long in making our way up the
river, and before the sun has set in the golden west
the Eamont is again moored with two anchors nearly
abreast of H.B.M. Consulate at Shanghai. Half of

76 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
our crew are allowed liberty to go on shore, amongst
whom are the bluejackets who emancipated themselves
out of H.M. service, aud who are now going over to
Mr. Bob Allen's, to stay till we are ready for sea again.
They have been very useful to us in the training of
our crew, but as they have not yet grown out of
recognization by altering their whiskers or otherwise,
they rather dread the ordeal of a visit from any of
their former officers, therefore Captain GuUivar has
permitted them to retire for a time to Allen's safe
retreat. The officers of Her Britannic Majesty's ships
on the station were very often delighted to come on
board these opium- clippers and spend a pleasant
evening, the more so that the table was much better
than any of the hotels that were then in existence in
that far-off Eastern land.
Our Japanese Ambassadors take their departure
for the shore in company with our commander, and
in about an hour after the captain has left, tlie
American Consul arrives on board, and carries away
our rescued child and her saviour to more femininely
hospitable quarters on shore. After dinner Mr.
Nealance and I, after providing ourselves with a loaded
revolver and some ammunition, take our departure for
the shore also, to knock up old acquaintances and have
a look round at things in general.

SHANGHAI AGAIN. 77
We have not been on shore ten minutes when I am
accosted by a boy, whom I recollect to have seen about
the house of Ah Cheong. In his pigeon-English way
of talking he informed me that his master was very
\\ishful to see me, and also that he had a pass that
would pass me through the city gates.
" What do you say, Nealance ? " I ask my fellow-
officer, " will you come and see my ancient friend ? "
" I don't mind if I do," replies Nealance ; " but will
his pass admit two of us ? "
" You can have the pass," I reply, " and I will get
in without one. I have a password I got from Ward
that will let me in anywhere almost, except where
there are Tartars."
"Come along then," says Nealance, "and let us
have a look at this grave conspirator, Ah Cheong."
Following our guide we soon arrived at the gates
of the city, where we had no trouble about being
admitted ; the difficulty might happen in getting out
again, for they were rather curious people to deal with
in those daj's, and had no great liking for us
Barbarians of the West, as we were st3ded by them in
their chronicles of that date.
Passing along through the narrow streets of the city
in the wake of our guide, we safely arrived at the
mansion in which my friend Ah Cheong resided for

78 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
the present. It was not the same mansion in which I
had the pleasure of residing with him on a former
occasioQ, but one of much greater pretension, and,
seemingly by his surroundings, he had made a big
jump up in the social scale.
Arrived at the entrance porch of this imposing
mansion, our guide motions for us to stop while he
goes and announces our presence there.
We have not long to wait before we are admitted
into the mansion, and ushered into a room on the
ground-floor, where we are scarcely seated when Ah
Cheong himself comes bustling into the room, robed
and decked out in the very pink of Chinese fashion.
" How you do, Messee Anderson ? " says Ah Cheong,
and, before I can reply, I am taken aback by the
rather lugubrious expression that radiates his coun
tenance when he first claps eyes on Mr. Nealance.
" Messee Nealance," says Ah Cheong, and in the
same breath Nealance says, "Woo Ah Cheong," and
then both burst out into a simultaneous roar of
laughter, which I am compelled to join before it is
concluded. As soon as they can speak any way
coherently, I find out that Nealance and Ah Cheong
had known each other for several years. In fact. Woo
Ah Cheong had once been in the service of the opium
company as a compradore, but being of an ambitious

SHANGHAI AGAIN.

79

turn of mind, had one day attempted to rise superior
to his superiors, and for this unpardonable error he
had to seek for pastures new whereon to feed his
flock. "When did you leave Amry, Ah Cheong?" asks
Nealance. " One year and a half ago," says Ah Cheong.
" Made it to6 hot for you, I suppose ? " says Nealance.
" No, no," says Ah Cheong, " me only wantee takee
some gun, some powderee and shot a littee way up
country. Tootai say no, and come wantee catchee me.
I jumpee in lorcha, and comee up Ningpo. I go up
river and sellee all my thing, makee plenty dollars, and
Messee Anderson helpee me get away from Ningpo all
right, then I come here."
"What are you going to be up to next?" asks
Nealance. "I tinkee go Japan, perhaps by-am-by," repUes Ah
Cheong. " Havee something to drink ? " now asks Ah
Cheong, to which we both reply in the affirmative, as we
know that he generally has the best of liquor, wherever
he gets it from. A bottle of sparkling Moselle is pro
duced, of which we are invited to partake, as he kindly
informs us, in real Chinese style, that his house and
all that it contains is entirely at our service.
After we have pledged each other to our mutual

So AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
satisfaction, Ah Cheong tells us that he has got another
gentleman upstairs, whom Mr. Nealance knows, and'
asks if we would care to go up and visit him.
" Frank Careero here, in this house ? " says Nea
lance. " Yes," says our host, " he muchee likee stop here
better than English hotel."
" All right," says Nealance, " we will go up and see
him.'- Our host accordingly led the way upstairs to the
room wherein his other guest was located.
Following Ah Cheong we enter the room, and are
introduced in proper form to Mr. Careero by our host.
jMr. Careero receives us very graciously and asks us
to be seated. He looks pretty hard at Nealance and
then says, " I think you and I have met before ? "
" Yes," replies Nealance, " we have met in Hong
Kong at the Oriental several times."
" Ah, yes ! now I recollect," says Mr. Careero, and
adds, as if he knew Nealance and his profession,
" when did you arrive ? "
" A Uttle before sundown,'' replies Nealance, " but
we lay at Woosung all last night."
" Did you tranship all the treasure ? " asks Careero.
" Yes, all of it," replies Nealance ; " it don't seem as
if they were going to send us down yet awhile."

SHANGHAI AGAIN. 8i
" No, I doubt if you will be in Hong Kong before
June or July,'' Mr. Careero informs us.
" Do you know where we are going next ? " asks Mr.
Nealance. " Well, yes," replies Careero, " but I would rather
tell your captain first ; however, you are going East,
and I am going with you."
" Are you expecting Captain GuUivar to-night ? "
asks Mr. Nealance.
" Yes, I have been expecting him for some time ; in
fact when you came upstairs I thought it was your
captain and some Japanese friends of his,'' replies
Mr. Careero.
" WeU, in that case," says Nealance, " as we two
may be de trap we will shift our camp. What say
you, Anderson ? "
" I am quite agreeable anyway," I reply, " and, as
you say, we would be very much de trop, but it would
have saved me another journey here if the captain had
only arrived, and he had been satisfied that my Ah
Cheong was the same Ah Cheong as his."
" You may rest satisfied on that point," replies both
Mr. Careero and Nealance ; " he is the same party, and
a very useful party, when you can keep him running
straight." Having drank a parting glass with Mr. Careero, we

82 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
wished him good-night, and took our way downstairs,
where we found our friend Ah Cheong in the act of
receiving our captain and another European, as well
as the two Japanese who had come from Niewchwang
with us.
" Hallo, Anderson," says the captain, " is this your
Ah Cheong ? "
" Yes, sir," I replied.
" Not a bad fellow, is he ? " again says the captain,
addressing me. "But you must watch him, eh. Ah
Cheong ? " says the captain, now looking at our host
an^ giving him a playful dig in the ribs.
"Ah yes, me plentee good," says Ah Cheong, " only
some too muchee bad fellow no likee me, cause me
makee some time littee muchee doUar."
"AU right. Ah Cheong," says the captain, "there
are many worse men than you not caught yet ; " then as
he turns to Nealance and I again, he says, " Sorry I
can't invite you to the confab upstairs, but I daresay I
will be teUing you all about it to-morrow at lunch, for
I won't be off to breakfast. Mind you don't disturb
any of the peaceable inhabitants of this respectable
city, as you find your way to the gate, for it is scarcely
safe for only two of you."
" We are all right," says Nealance, " and Anderson
has a magic password, a real open sesame."

SHANGHAI AGAIN. 83
"Well, good-night, gentlemen," says the captain,
" and be careful, for good men are scarce at present."
Good-night having been said to all, we took leave
of our host Ah Cheong and found our way out into the
narrow lanes of the city. After some intricate and
perplexing lane-navigation, we finaUy found our way
to the gate, which was quickly opened for our exit
when I had whispered a certain magical word into the
car of the official in charge of the guard.
Having got safely outside of the city wall, I asked
Mr. Nealance if he knew who this Frank Careero
was. " Yes, I know him a little," replies Nealance, " but
T imagine our firm in Hong Kong have a good deal to
do with whatever business he may now have in hand.
He is a fellow that knows nearly every language under
the sun, and I suppose he is useful to them in opening
up new trade connections and such-like enterprises."
" What countryman is he ? " I ask.
" Portuguese; very likely native born — that is, Macao-
born, you know, — and if I mistake not he was educated
in some of their Jesuit colleges, very likely for the
priesthood, but I should think he has found the world
better to his liking than the church, for people say he
lives at a fast rate, as if money were no object," replies
Mr. Nealance. G 2

84 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
" What did he mean when he said we were going
Ikst ? " I ask.
" Japan, I suppose," replies Nealance. "There has
been a lot of talk lately about getting the Japs to open
their ports to the world at large, and that wUl make a
big stir here, for it is said to be a very rich country ;
and our people, I suppose, want to be there to get some
of the plums before the outside world get in and snap
them up, and so," adds Jlr. Nealance, " Careero will
be going over to palaver the Japs into aUowing us
Barbarians of the West to settle amongst them, and
teach them all the benefits accruing from the civiliza
tion of the Western world."
It is now nearly midnight, so we find a sampan and
proceed on board the Eamont, then after a few minutes'
talk and a smoke with Mr. Jule, We turn in to our
cabins and are soon far away in dreamland. The
Eamont is safely watched over by armed sentries, and
Bob Allen himself, unless he had the password, would
meet with a warm reception should he attempt any of
his man-stealing enterprises.

CHAPTER XIII.
ABOUT WOO AH CHEONG.
By the time eight bells are struck the following morn
ing, the Eamont is once more looking her best. Her
decks as usual are as white as driven snow, her guns
are glistening in the rays of the sun. So brightly are
they polished that one has no need of a looking-glass
to reflect the image of his person when iu their
vicinity, and I have actually seen, not once, but several
times, some of our men perform their tonsorial functions
by their aid. Her outside has not been neglected, and
it is also shining with the gloss of a new coating of
black paint.
After breakfast a few hours are given up to gun and
small-arm drill, so that our men won't get out of
practice; then, when Captain Gullivar comes off to
luncheon, Mr. Jule having given a good report of his
men, those who have not been on shore are supplied
with doUars, and allowed the usual twenty-four hours
to get rid of it, a consummation in most cases easily
and expeditiously attained.

86 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
The portion of the crew who had been on shore the
previous night take the places of those now going on
leave, so that at no time is the Eamont left without a
careful watch.
As soon as we sit down to luncheon, the captain
begins the conversation by asking Nealance how we
came to be with Careero.
" I did not know," replied Nealance, " he was in the
city. Anderson and I simply went to call on Woo Ah
Cheong, to see if there was anything stirring up
country at all."
" Did Careero teU you where we were bound to ? "
asks the captain.
" Not exactly, sir," replies Nealance ; " he said we
were going East, but that might mean to California or
anywhere." "You did not think so, I'll be bound," says the
captain, with a broad sihile on his face.
" No, sir," replies Nealance, " I had an idea it was
not so far away, perhaps Japan."
"It is Japan," says the captain, "and we leave the
day after to-morrow at noon, so I hope you have your
store-lists ready for me this afternoon to take on shore
with me ; make them out for three months, and replenish
the magazine."
" Woo Ah Cheong and you seem to be great chums,

ABOUT WOO AH CHEONG. 87
Anderson," says the captain to me. " Have you ever
been up the river with him ? " he also asks.
" Not up this river, sir," I reply, " but I helped him
up Ningpo river with one of his ventures, for which
he seems to be very grateful."
" I should think so," says the captain, " when he
made a quarter of a million taels out of the transac
tion." " I had no idea he had made so much," I say, " for
his lorcha did not seem so very large, although it was
well loaded with arms and ammunition."
" He just got up to Loochow in the nick of time,"
says the captain, " when the parties had plenty of
silver and no ammunition, and they doubly paid him
to get him to try and come back again, and I don't
believe he will ever attempt it. Some of their spies or
agents are after him now, and he is putting them off
with promises till I suppose he will land on board
here with Careero and go to Eastern lands with us, to
save his life ; for, if he don't fulfil some of his pro
mises soon, some one will split on him, and we will
have the pleasure of seeing Ah Cheong's head sticking
on the wall at the. entrance gates, the rest of his body
being absent."
" I hope not," Nealance and I both remarked at the
same time ; " for he is not a bad fellow as Chinamen

88 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
go," Nealance further remarks, a sentiment I assent
to with a nod.
" Oh ! I don't want to see him done for," says the
captain ; " he is a useful being in many ways, but, con
found him, he don't know which side to stick to when
there are^doUars about and his life in no danger. I
believe he must be one of the lost tribes of the Jews."
" That is very possible," says Mr. Jule, " for the
Jews go back to Abraham, and Ishmael came after
Abraham, so that he may be an Ishmaelite, and it is
well known that the Ishmaelites travelled as far East
as they could get."
"You Scotchmen are death on pedigree tracing,"
says the captain. " What do you say to Mr. Jule's
theory, Anderson ? "
"Oh, I believe in it thoroughly," I reply, "for in
all my deaUngs with human kind in Eastern lands, from
the Red Sea to the YeUow, they all have a natural
propensity to do the Gentiles out of aU they can."
" We'll see what j'ou think of the Japs in a few
days," says the captain to Mr. Jule, while he includes
me in his observation by a smUing nod, "and perhaps
we will be able to find a pedigree for them, as well as
find out how they got over there."
As the captain concludes this last remark, a note is
placed in his haud by the steward, which he imme-

ABOUT woo AH CHEONG, 89
diately opens and reads. When he has perused the
note he rises from the table, and says, —
" Mr. Jule, man the gig immediately, I must away
on shore. Do you want to come on shore to-night,
Mr. Jule ? " now asks the captain as he prepares to
depart. "No, sir," replies Mr. Jule.
" Very well, then," says the captain, " let Nealance
and Anderson come on shore after an early dinner, and
meet me at Ah Cheong's at seven o'clock. Mr. Jule,"
adds the captain, as he goes over the side into the gig,
" you had better go to the ship-chandler, this afternoon,
about the stores, and order everything to be on board
to-morrow by two o'clock. Good-bye," he says as the
boat shoves off, " tell any callers I am gone to the
Consulate. Don't forget your revolvers, Nealance, to
night." Our gig is a crack specimen of a captain's turn-out,
pulled by six oars, and in a few minutes we see the
captain land at the wharf, and enter the gates of
H.B.M .'s Consulate.
When the gig returns, Mr. Jule and I proceed for
the shore to see what we can knock up in the shape
of suitable stores. In those days it was always con
sidered best for two or three to be together and armed,
if possible, so as I was the junior or odd officer, my

90 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
trips to the shore were pretty frequent. We had a
walk round the so-called English and French town
outside the city walls, in our hunt after requisite
materials. There was only one English storekeeper
about the place, and we had perforce to put up with
the goods he had, and be thankful.
What we saw of the Chinese stores in and around
EngUsh and French towns, was not of an alluring
kind, and as it was not safe to purchase anything in
the city, if you would keep clear of being poisoned, we
were reduced to the condition of Hobson, therefore it was
either the one English storekeeper or nothing. When
we did find this one English store, we were agreeably
surprised by finding in the person of the storekeeper
one of our countrymen from the Land o' Cakes, by the
name of Mackenzie. His calf-ground was scarcely
twenty miles beyond either that of Mr. Jule or your
servant, the writer of these pages.
Two hours of pleasant recallings were spent by us
in Mackenzie's store, as we endeavoured to recall to
each other the various well-known peculiarities that
environed our calf-ground in stern and wild Caledonia.
Having finished our store business, we returned to
the Eamont in time for au early dinner.
Shortly after 6 p.m., Nealance and I took our de
parture for the shore in our o'\\'n hired sampan, it not

ABOUT WOO AH CHEONG. 91
being very desirable to leave any ship's boats near the
wharf after dark. When we landed we arranged with
our boatman a private signal to be used on our return,
and engaged him for the night, or at any rate till we
should again arrive at the wharf.
It is quite dark when we leave the wharf and wend
our way citywards. We find our way to the main
gates, and have no difficulty in entering the city, the
Chinese guards having a great deal of outward respect
for us Barbarians, however much they may hate us
inwardly. Having so recently traversed the city on
our former visit to the residence of Ah Cheong, we
have very little trouble in finding its whereabouts.
Knocking at the entrance-gate of the mansion, we
are beckoned into the interior by our guide of the
previous night, who, as soon as he has admitted us,
closes the door and securely bars it, so that no other
person shall get ingress till such time as he is ready
to admit them.
As soon as our guide has secured the door to his
satisfaction, he motions for us to follow him, and takes
his way upstairs to the room above, where the night
previous we had been introduced to Mr. Careero.
As we foUow our leader, Nealance says to me,
" Something is wrong here, Anderson ; I wonder if
they have caught Ah Cheong."

92 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
"I hope not, poor devU," I replied ; " for if they have,
we have seen the last of him."
Our guide gives a peculiar knock at the door, which
is immediately opened, and we are agreeably surprised
to find that our forebodings have been misplaced ; for
there sits Ah Cheong at the head of a well-furnished
dinner-table, almost up to the best European style.
On one side of the table sits our worthy captain and
Mr. Careero, and on the other are seated our two Japs
and a gorgeously-attired Chinaman, having as much
the resemblance of Ah Cheong as to make one believe
him to be his twin brother.
The dinner is apparently over, although the dishes
have not been removed, and the gentlemen are deep in
some grave discussion as we enter. They do not cease
their discussion as we enter, for the very good reason,
no doubt, that they are conversing in a language that
is quite unknown to either Mr. Nealance or I.
The captain is evidently as ignorant of the language
as we are, for as soon as we had uncovered and made
our salaams all round, he rose from the table and
came towards where we were standing, as if he had
no interest in the subject-matter under discussion.
" Have a glass of wine, gentlemen," says the captain,
" and as soon as they have done their confab we will
proceed to do our share in tho business."

ABOUT WOO AH CHEONG. 93
" Anything gone wrong, sir ? " asks Nealance, as we
fill our glasses with Ah Cheong's Moselle.
"Rather," says the captain in reply to Nealance's
query. " Some of Ah Cheong's friends have put the
Tootai on to him, and we will have to smuggle
him through the gates to-night, or to-morrow will
be the end of him. I suppose you are both willing
to lend us a hand to get the beggar off?" asks the
captain. " Yes, sir," we both reply.
" We have got all his cash out of the city this after
noon," says the captain, " and I have thought of a
plan by which we will get him out and on board the
Eamont with very little trouble. I may as well tell
you my plan at once," proceeds the captain. " He is
just about the height of Careero, so I am going to
clap a pair of whiskers and a moustache on to him,
then put him into a suit of Careero's toggery and
make a Barbarian of him. That other Chinaman that
looks so like him is one of our schroffs, who will come
to the gate with us and personate Ah Cheong, as if he
were seeing a Portuguese friend away, for I am afraid,
disguise him as we will, we could never turn him into
anything like an Englishman."
"What do you think of my plan?" the captain
asks, when he had finished his relation of it.

94 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT*
"It will do aU right," replies Nealanfce, "if they
don't look too closely at him at the city gate."
" Well, if they look too closely," says the captain,
" we must make a little diversion for them to take
their attention away from him, and that is where you
two will be useful. One of you will go ahead of us
about fifteen or twenty yards, and when they open the
gate for you, you will linger curiously in the gateway,
keeping it open till we come up, and it will be curious
if we cannot shove him through a lot of sleepy guards,
without having recourse to our revolvers, which would
be rather serious under the circumstances."
" Another thing I want to impress upon you," adds
the captain, "is, that we don't do any shooting, only
for our own protection, for I don't think he is worth
risking a good man's life for. Careero wants him, of
course, in this new business, but not even for him are
we going to kill any of the guards in order to get
him away. You know what I mean ; we will smuggle
him through if we can, but there is to be no shooting
inside the walls of the city. If he is caught on this
side of the walls, Careero must buy the guards off if
he can ; if not, he must meet his fate, as many a better
man has done before him."

CHAPTER XIV.
WE SMUGGLE AH CHEONG OUT OF THE CITY.
To the readers who have not had the pleasure of visit
ing the cities of the far-famed Celestial Empire, it is
necessary that I should inform them that all the in
corporated towns throughout this vast empire were
surrounded by a strong and solid-built wall of stone
and brick, somewhere about forty feet in height, and
nearly the same number of feet in breadth at the top,
while the base possibly occupied the space of nearly
fifty feet,
The city of Shanghai, within the walls, was similar
in appearance to other Eastern cities, especially in the
narrowness of its streets ; but there was a marked
difference in the style of architecture, for they had
generally adopted the conical system of roofing, so
common in our Western lands, instead of the flat roofs
that obtained to so great an extent from Egypt to
Bengal. At the time I am writing of, every vacant spot within

96 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
the walls was fully occupied with the habitations of all
sorts and conditions, and consequently there was an
enormous number of the people, who, not finding room
to live in the city, were living in floating houses on the
river, which flowed around nearly one-third of the
city wall.
The reader will now see by this short description of
the city, that it was not merely a gate through which
we had to pass our worthy friend. Ah Cheong, but that
we had to get him through an entrance-way which
was nearly sixty feet in length, by possibly twelve feet
in width, with a guard-house on either side of the inner
end of this our only way of egress from the city.
Shortly after the captain had ended his conversation
with Nealance and I, the two Japs took their departure,
being accompanied to the gate by the schroff who
so much resembled our host in appearance. After the
departure of the Japs we joined the others at the
table, and discussed again the means we were to take
to liberate Ah Cheong out of his difficultv.
No better plan presenting itself than that which the
captain had already promulgated to Nealance and I, it
was decided to at once begin operations by metamor-
phosizing our host from an enlightened Celestial to as
good an approximation of a Western Barbarian as we
possibly could under the circumstances.

WE SMUGGLE AH CHEONG. 97
Mr. Careero provided him with a suit of the latest
fashion in tweeds, then, as soon as he had got himself
inside of these, the captain proceeded to decorate his
Mongolian visage with the newest style of the Dun
dreary whiskers. A heavy moustache was securel}^
fastened upon his upper lip, but when the captain in
a bit of humour attempted to cut off his tail, there was
very near being an end to all the proceedings.
"You will have to let me cut your tail off, Ah
Cheong," says the captain.
" Cutee tailee off ? " says Ah Cheong in great con
sternation. " Yes," says the captain ; " it will have to come off,
or you won't be half a white man."
" I stopee here then," says Ah Cheong, sitting down
in a helplessly stricken state ; the loss of his head was
seemingly a lesser evil than the loss of his tail.
Mr. Careero now came to the rescue by suggesting
that the tail could be conveniently coiled away inside
one of his soft felt hats; a suggestion soon put in
practice, which had the means of dispeUing the mourn
ful lugubriousness from the visage of Ah Cheong, and
after a bottle or two of Moselle had been quaffed, he
was as brave as any Barbarian amongst us.
When the schroff returns from seeing the Japs to
their abode, he manages to get rid of Ah Cheong's H

98 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
domestics for the night, by generously advancing them
sufficient cash to permit them having the unutterable
enjoyment of a night in an opium restaurant.
We take our departure from the house about eleven
o'clock, and take our way towards the gates, carefuUy
piloted by our schroff, who is well acquainted with all
the intricate lanes and streets of this peculiarly laid-
out city.
We walk in threes and twos, wherever the lanes will
permit of so many walking together, tUl we come
within sight of the gates ; then I walk sharply some
twenty yards or so in advance, and on reaching the
gate, I knock, and having given my Wardian pass
word, the gate is opened, and the one soldier who is
awake conducts me to the outer gate, where I
accidently trip my foot and faU my full length right
in the gateway, the guard having left the inner gate
open while he conducted me through ; by the time I
have got to my feet, and given mj'self a puU to
gether, the rest of the party are upon us, who,
bidding good-night to the schroff in a careless pigeon-
English manner, pass through the gate along with me,
and are safely beyond the walls of the city.
The guard might have been made of wood instead of
being a breathing, living mass of humanity, for all the
notice he took of any of us ; and if there were any other

WE SMUGGLE AH CHEONG. 99
guards there of greater intelligence, they were possibly
spending their time in a more agreeable employment
to themselves than watching the city gates at such an
hour of the night.
" Well, I'm blowed," says the captain, after we got
some little distance away from the gates, " this is about
the tamest adventure I have had for some time. He
might have walked through himself, in his own
original attire."
" Possibly he might,'' assents Careero to this ejacula
tion of the captain's, " but if I am not mistaken, that
schroff of yours has had something to do with the
absence of the other fellows on guard. Most likely he
treated them to a well-prepared smoke when he came
to see the Japs through the gate ; if so, it wiU save us
any further annoyance, for the guards will have to hide
the fact of us passing through to save their own heads,
and no doubt they will find a method of silencing their
comrade, who so kindly permitted us to pass."
" All's well that ends well," says the captain ; and
then turning to Nealance and I, he asks, " Have you
got a boat handy ? "
" Yes, sir," replies Nealance ; " there should be one
waiting not far from the Consulate."
When we have passed Mackenzie's store, Nealance
blows a significant call with his whistle, which soon
H 2

IOO AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
brings our sampan to the steps on the river-bank, and
in less than a quarter of an hour we are all safely on
board the Eamont. The sampan is dismissed with an
ample douceur, which actually satisfies him, then after
a short desultory conversation over the evening's pro
ceedings, largely supplemented with much flowery
rhetorical thanks from Ah Cheong, we retire to our
cabins for the night.

CHAPTER XV.
WE SAIL FEOM SHANGHAI FOE NAGASAKI.
Early the following morning Nealance and I proceed
up the river in two of our boats, and having found the
lorcha on board of which Ah Cheong's goods and
chattels had been placed, we receive his possessions into
our boats and convey them on board of the Eamont.
Mr. Careero joined us in the saloon at breakfast ; not
so Ah Cheong, for he had again transformed himself
into a Celestial, and preferred messing with his own
countrymen, the schroffs .
" Mr. Jule," says the captain, when we have
finished our breakfast, " are all your men on board ? "
"AU but those bluejackets at Allen's," replies Mr.
Jule. "Ah, yes ! By-the-bye, we must not forget them,"
says the captain ; " well, you can send Nealance over
for them about one o'clock in a sampan, for I don't
want the ship's boats out to-day at all. We will leave
with the first of the ebb about two o'clock, so have her
unmoored and ready, say about half- past one, for we

I02 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
will trip and leave as soon as I come on board, and
don't allow any Chinese visitors on board, however
high may be their rank."
After he had finished his instructions to the chief
officer, he turned to me, saying, " Anderson, I want you
on shore with me, so get ready quick and bring a
satchel with you for the dispatches."
I am soon ready for the shore, and am in the sampan
before the captain or Careero have got there. A few
strokes of his scuUing-oar and the sampan-man has
landed us at the steps, close to H.B.M. Consulate.
The captain and Careero enter the Consulate, while I,
acting on the captain's instructions, make my way to
Mackenzie's, and threaten him with all sorts of penalties
if the Eamont's stores are not on board in half an
hour. Mackenzie and his men, thus put on their metal,
proceed to dispatch our stores with the greatest alacrity,
and in a little over half an hour I have the gratification
of seeing the last of them deposited in the sampan that
is to convey them off to the Eamont.
Wishing my compatriot good-bye, I take my way to
the Consulate, and am immediately dispatched by the
captain to the citj^, in company with one of our
schrofl's, to hunt up our two Japanese, and bring them
to the Consulate. When we arrive at the gateway
in the city wall, we are taken into the guard- house, and

WE SAIL FROM SHANGHAI. ' 103
the schroff who accompanies me is severely cross-
questioned as to his knowledge of the previous night's
proceedings. He knows nothing whatever about it,
therefore he is very well able to prove an alibi, and as
there is no one there who could have seen me, I allow
him to plead an alibi for me as weU. We are allowed
to proceed on our errand, but are closely watched to see
whether we go near Ah Cheong's late residence or not.
Luckily for us, our way does not lay in that direction,
or possibly we would have found ourselves in durance
vile in less than no time, and may have been the
recipients of some of their peculiarly swift and ending
methods of justice, as exercised by the mandarins of
that time. The schroff finds his way through this most
intricate of cities to the shop of one of its principal
merchants, where we find our two Japanese, who have
been joined by several of their own countrymen.
The schroff interprets my message to the Japs, who
instantly make ready for departure.
Many low-bending genuflexions are performed as
our Japs take leave of their friends and this rich and
powerful chop,' who, to prevent us meeting with any
unpleasantness on our return, sends several of his own
' Equivalent to firm, such as W. H. Smith, or Pears, or
Beecham. A Mexican dollar stamped with the chop of any-
firm became a chop dollar, a guarantee of its genuineness.

I04 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
retainers with us, to see us safely without the walls of
the city.
Thus accompanied by the retainers of this all-
powerful chop, who wielded the influence of a Roth
schild, we arrived safely at H.B.M. Consulate, where
are found the captain and Mr. Careero anxiously
waiting our arrival.
A short consultation was now held between H.M.
Consul, the Japs and Careero, scarcely a word of which
is understood by the captain or me. At the end of
their conference they all seem mutually satisfied with
each other, and after partaking of some light refresh
ments with H.B.M. Consul, a very pleasant though
somewhat grotesque leavetaking ceremony is performed;
then we take our departure from the Consulate, and
make for the sampan.
The sampan is lying at the steps in care of the
Consulate police, for she is pretty well filled up with
dispatches and various cases, in which I suppose there
would be found the sinews of this commercial treaty
warfare. When we have taken our places in the sampan in
order to proceed on board the Eamont, the captain says
to me, " Did you have any trouble in the city when
you went for the Japs ? "
" Not much trouble, sir," I reply ; "but they have

WE SAIL FROM SHANGHAI 105
evidently missed something from the city, for they had a
good quarter of an hour's jaw-tackling at the schroff."
" Did they get anything out of him do you think ? "
asks the captain.
" No, sir," I reply, " for if he did know anything,
he acted the part of the flabergastedone to perfection,
and they let us go, but took care to send two or three
Celestials after us for our protection."
" The mandarin has sent an official to the Consulate
to make inquiries," says the captain, " and we advised
him to go and examine the lorchas. By the time they
have examined the lorchas we will be a good way from
here, and when we come back the rebels may have
Shanghai, and another kind of mandarin be in
authority." We are now alongside the Eamont, and passengers,
dispatches, and specie are soon taken on board, and the
sampan dismissed for the shore.
" All hands on board, Mr. Jule ? " asks the captain,
as he steps on deck, and is received at the gangway by
the chief officer.
" Yes, sir," replies Mr. Jule.
" Very good," says the captain : " then we'll get
under weigh at once. Heave her a short stay peak
and set your top-sail and top-gallant-sail, by that time
I will have got my sea-rig on."

io6 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
Plenty of able and willing hands are soon making
the capstan fly round at a pace that would astonish
some of the old handspikemen, while at the same time
another portion of the crew under Nealance were
sheeting home and setting the top-sail and top-gaUant-
saU, as well as casting loose aU the canvas that
composed the plain-sailing attire of the Eamont.
The captain is soon on deck again, attired in his
rough-and-ready, all-round- weather suit, and as he
makes a signal by waving his hand to Mr. Jule, the
anchor is weighed, the Eamont turns her head away
down stream, and as soon as she is fairly round all
sail is clapped on her, and away she flies down the
river on her errand of peaceful negotiation to a
strange and hitherto unknown countrj'.
The wind is not actuaUy fair and in our favour, still,
with the help of a long leg and a short (as tacking is
denominated by most seafaring men), we made splendid
way down the river, and before ten o'clock that night
we were anchored within haUing distance of our
receiving-ship.

CHAPTER XVI.
PIRATICAL LORPHAS AND THEIE TACTICS.
The foUowing morning various visits are made to and
from the receiving-ship, and many cases of value are
brought from thence to the Eamont. We do not
break ground that day, for the reason that Captain
Gullivar was anxious to pass the Saddle Islands in day
light if possible, because he had good reason to suspect,
from information received through various sources,
that not a few of the pirate lorchas were on the look-out
for us.
The captain of the receiving-ship had likewise
informed our captain that some of these freetraders
had been observed cruising about outside, seemingly
in wait for something more valuable than a trading
junk. The principal topic of conversation at dinner to-day
was of course the pirate lorchas and how to evade them.
That we were more than a match for any two of them

io8 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
at a fair fight, even in a calm, goes without saying ; it
was when they got near enough to throw their abomin
able stinkpots on board and suffocate you that there
was the greatest danger, and so long as there was
plenty of wind and sea-room we could- outmanceuvre
a dozen of them.
" How did you get your information ? " asks our
captain, addressing the captain of the receiving-ship,
while we were at dinner .
" From some of the long-taUed Celestials that come
to purchase opium," replies the captain of the
receiving-ship, " and it is possible that some of
these fellows you set fire to last trip are amongst
them." "Likely enough," says our captain ; " some of your
purchasers are in league with the pirates."
" I have not the least doubt about it," replies the
captain of the receiving-ship, "when you take into
consideration that it was from some of them I got the
information that you had been skirmishing wdth them
over there. When they come on board to buy opium
they have a long taUiee-talkee with the schroffs, and
they have so many different ways of imparting informa
tion to each other that it would puzzle Old Harry
himself to find them out. Then the schroffs, when
they tell you anything, it is after the pUong has gone

PIRATICAL LORCHAS. 109
away ; I have never seen them, or heard of them,
telling any of these bits of information when the
rascal was within reach.''
" What do you think would come of the schroff that
split on any of them ? " asks Mr. Careero.
" I suppose," replies our captain, " a way would be
found to settle his account by some of the pilong's
friends." " Just so," says Careero ; " there would be no safety
for him in the Celestial Empire, and never will be till
they have some different kind of government in their
seaport towns. The schroff who gave any information
would have to exile himself from the land of his birth
for ever."
" Why don't these two Chinese gunboats go outside
a Uttle oftener ? " asks our captain of the captain of
the receiving-ship.
" For a very good reason, at this time of the year
at any rate," replies the captain of the receiving- ship ;
" for, although they are pretty well armed, their engines
are not up to much, and the lorchas can easily get away
from them. At the change of the monsoon, and often
in the light winds of the south-west monsoon, they do
good service, as can be seen up the river by the
number of fresh heads stuck up on the city walls
when they return from a cruise."

IIO AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
"Have you ever been attacked on the receiving-
ship ? " asks our captain.
" Twice since I have been in command," replies the
receiving-ship captain, " and each time we beat them
off with heavy loss ; in fact, our guns carry so much
farther than theirs, that we were able to riddle them
without their getting within range of us, and I doubt
very much if they will ever try it on again."
" There is no danger of them catching you by
surprise at any time ? " says our captain.
" Not the slightest," replies the captain of the
receiving-ship ; " we are always on the watch, and no
armed men are allowed on board. One chief officer
attends to the cargo business, and the other chief
officer does nothing but attend to the fighting crew
who are always at stations, in various commanding
positions, all over the ship. There is no relaxation
from this duty night or day, and when opium or
treasure is being handled, a strongly-armed guard is
placed round the hatchway, and from thence right to
the gangway. We leave nothing to chance, and are
therefore able to sleep at peace, although living in the
midst of a Chinaman's greatest temptation — Mexican
dollars and opium."
" What time do we leave in the morning. Captain
Gullivar ? " asks Mr. Careero.

PIRATICAL LORCHAS. in
" Four o'clock sharp," replies the captain, " then we
will have the whole day before us to circumvent these
lorchas outside, if there are any of them there. I
expect, from the look of the weather at present, that
we will have plenty of wind to-morrow, so you need
not be anxious about what may happen when we get
outside. I will guarantee to land you in Japan this
side of four days."
" Mr. Anderson, get the gig ready to take Captain
Barrett on board the receiving-ship," says the captain.
" Ay, ay, sir ! " I reply, as I depart from the table
in order to fulfil the captain's behest.
In a few minutes. Captain Barrett comes on deck, and
after he has bade his friends good-bye, he takes his
place in the gig with me, and is soon landed on board
the receiving-ship.
Before leaving the gig. Captain Barrett said, " I am
sorry I can't ask you on board, Mr. Anderson, to see
our fighting-deck ; but it would never do for me to
break one of my own rules, which is that no one is
allowed up the side of our ship but myself, between
sunset and sunrise. Any other time when you are
here, and the sun is shining, I will be very pleased to
see you on board."
" Thank you very much," I reply ; " I will avail my
self of your invitation the first time I have a chance.''

112 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
Having returned to the Eamont, I saw to the
hoisting of the gig, and then rejoined my messmates,
who are just having the parting glass, preparatory to
seeking some needed repose, to fortify them for the
coming day.

CHAPTER XVII.
WE OUTMANOEUVRE THE PIRATE LORCHAS.
At four the next morning we weigh anchor, and pro
ceed under easy sail towards Woosung bar. We
have careful leadsmen in both chains, who call out the
depth of water at every minute as we sail along
through the intricate channels that lead towards the
bar. Before the sun has made his appearance in the
eastern sky we are over the bar, and now under a
heavy press of sail are making our way towards the
Saddle Islands, which we have to pass through on our
way to Nagasaki. When the surroundings are fully
exposed to our gaze by the light of advancing day, we
are enabled to make out several lorcha-loohing craft,
lazily tacking about over towards the rising sun, and
right in the track of the course we are steering towards
the open Yellow Sea.
The wind is blowing pretty fresh from the north-
I

I £4 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
ward, and as the Eamont tears through the water, she
slings the water about everywhere ; sometimes sending
the spray as high as the topgallant yard, when a sea
has kissed her cheek in the act of breaking.
As we spin along the water. Captain GuUivar keeps
intently watching the various manoeuvres of the
suspicious-looking craft to the eastward of us, which
we are fast approaching.
" What do you think of them, Nealance ? " I ask of
my messmate after we have had a good look at
them. " I suppose they are the lorchas the captain of the
receiving-ship spoke about last night," he replies.
"You can tell by their dodging about there in that
style that they are up to no good ; but what they
.expect to do with us in this breeze is a puzzle to me, for
they have not the ghost of a chance."
" I don't know about that," says Mr. Jule, who has
been listening to Nealance and I; "if they get us
jammed into some corner amongst the islands, we'll
have a pretty hard time to get out of their clutches."
" If this breeze keeps ou," says Nealance, " they'll
have a poor chance of cornering us anywhere, and I
expect the captain will find a way of getting to wind
ward of them before the sun is over the foreyard."
Mr. Careero is the only one of our passengers who

WE OUTMANCEUVRE THE LORCHAS. 115
has appeared on deck this morning as yet, and he, like
the captain, is intently watching the motions of the
lorchas to the eastward and northward of us. There
are about a dozen of them ; some are leading to the
eastward and some to the westward ; while others of
them are wearing round and round, as if endeavouring
to keep in a certain position, according to some already-
devised arrangement.
" Mr. Jule," calls out the captain from the quarter
deck. " Sir," replies Mr. Jule, as he proceeds aft.
" Your guns are all ready ? " asks the captain.
" Yes, sir ! " replies Mr. Jule.
"Ball or grape?" asks the captain.
" All round shot, sir," answers Mr. Jule.
" Very good," says Captain Gullivar ; " then we will
have some long-range practice with the big gun and
the forecastle gun when we get a little nearer ; for if
these lorchas don't close their ranks we will pass right
through them, and at the rate we are travelling one
shot is all we will get."
" Mr. Jule," shouts the captain, when the chief
officer had got as far as the midship gun, " don't
uncover any of the guns yet ; keep them perfectly dry
till we require them — I wiU give you warning enough
when to be ready, and in the meantime you can pipe
I 2

II 6 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
the hands to grog, for there will be no breakfast for
any one till we are at the other side of the lorchas."
From time immemorial, or at any rate since the
days that wine or spirits were introduced amongst the
nations of this earth, a glass of real good liquor has
always had a very wonderfully cheering and inspiriting
effect on the genus homo at large, but how much more
so on the mariners who have, far away from home
and friends, toiled and fought to enrich and ennoble
their fatherland, as weU as to extend the benefits of
its enlightenment to aU the nations und er the sun !
The glass of cheering liquor, although costing but little
as a money's-worth, has often been of an incomparable
value, not only in cheering the mariner on to highest
deeds of derring-do, or in cementing friendships, but
it has also been the means, when hospitably and gener
ously bestowed, of chasing away the bitterness from
the heart of an enemy, and transforming him, the enemy,
into a warm-hearted and ever-loving bosom friend.
If you wish to raise a pleasant smile on board of
any ship, be the crew ever so dissatisfied, just call out
" Grog, ho ! " in a substantial meaning tone of voice,
then see with what an electric-like shock the faces of
all around are now lit up with smiles, pleasant and deep,
as they march aft to the saloon door to receive their
heart-warming glass of good old Jamaica.

JFE OUTMANCEUVRE THE LORCHAS. 117
The men having had this cheering solace adminis
tered to them are sent to stations, to be in readiness
for whatever may occur.
The captain, Careero, Mr. Jule, Nealance, and I, are
all aft on the weather-side of the quarter-deck, eagerly
scanning the various movements of (what is now pretty
certain) the enemy, in the shape of eleven lorchas all
told. " Hallo ! look there ! " exclaims the captain, " those
feUows away to the eastward are tacking back."
"So they are to the westward, sir," says Mr. Jule.
" They're going to make for these four that have
been wearing round and round ahead of us to keep in
our track, and I was going to dash through to wind
ward of them had the others kept their reach," says
Captain Gullivar.
"Nealance," says the captain, "you have charge of
the sails ; can you put your hand on that drag sail we
use dragging down the rivers, and bring it here under
ten minutes ? "
" Yes, sir," repUes Nealance, " in less time than
that," as he proceeds to carry out the captain's
order. " Look here, Mr. Jule," says the captain, " as soon
as that sail is aft, put it over the astern, and we will
hang the Eamovt back as much as we can, then when

ii8 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
all the lorchas get close together to pounce down on
us, we will slip the port drag ropes of the sail, wear
short round and haul out to the northward."
In less than the ten minutes the Eamont is in rein,
struggling to get away from the heavy drag that is
holding her almost as if she were at anchor.
" She is going rather fast yet," says the captain ;
"lower away your mainsail and gaff topsail, as if they
had carried away."
The mainsail and gaff topsail come down with a run,
and the Eamo7it'ia now motionless.
The lorchas thinking we are in a dilemma of some
sort, make all sail they can, irrespective of any line,
and come down on us almost in a compact body, the
easternmost and the westernmost having by this time
come close to those in the centre.
Down they come like so many wild vultures after
their prey, the headmost lorchas firing their bow guns
as they advance, although none of their missiles come
within the range of our vision.
When they have got within half a mile of us the
captain gives voice again, saying, " Hard a port your
helm, let go the drag lines, haul in your drag sail on
the starboard waist there, and be handy."
These orders are almost as rapidly executed as they are
spoken ; even the drag sail is got on board by the time
the Eamont has got the wind on her starboard quarter.

WE OUTMANCEUVRE THE LORCHAS. 119
" Hoist away your mainsail and gaff topsail," shouts
the captain, "and get your head sheets over."
" Brace her sharp up, Mr. Jule," is the next order of
the captain ; and as soon as this order is executed, I
take time to have a squint at the enemy.
They are all in the act of tacking and standing on
the same tack as us, but we have gained a decided
advantage over them in the matter of position, for
although they are still some half a mile to windward of
us, we have only one of them bearing forward of our
starboard beam, and if she is not one ofthe fleetest, she
will soon be Uke the rest, a good deal more abaft the
beam than she now is forward of it.
The next five or six minutes are spent by us on
board the Eamont in a kind of breathless suspense,
watching and waiting to see whether our ruse has been
effectual or not, which will depend on our being able
to out-distance the two headmost lorchas. One of them
is on the starboard bow, less than four points, and the
other is nearly right abeam, the rest of the lorchas
being pretty well on the starboard quarter, and ap
parently dropping into line astern of us.
" We are making on them," says the captain, after
this five or six minutes' silent survey.
" Yes, sir," replies Mr. Jule from the binnacle, " we
have made half a point on them by the bearing of the
compass."

I20 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
" Nealance, Anderson," shouts the captain, " man
your pivot gun, and pitch into that headmost lorcha."
" Starboard a bit, Mr. Jule," I hear the captain saj',
as I leave the quarter-deck; and at the same time I hear
a discharge of artillery, which on looking round I find
has come from the headmost lorcha, who has kept away
as if to cross our bow.
We are not long in opening fire upon this lorcha,
and make good practice, for the action of keeping the
Eamont off the wind a little has brought the lorcha
right on our beam, a point of great advantage to
us. Por about a quarter of an hour we keep up this
running fight, and although we are evidently a little
faster than the lorcha, we have not got sufficiently far
ahead to be able to haul our wind and cross her bows.
"Put a fathom of chain shot in that big gun,
Nealance, and fire right into her mainsail," I hear the
captain shout. Then taking up his trumpet he calls
out to me, " try for her steering-gear on top of her poop,
Anderson." Both shots are soon on their path of destruction, and
when the smoke clears awaj' we have the gratification of
seeing that the lorcha's mainsail has come to grief, and
also that she is flying up in the wind, as if her rudder
had lost somewhat of its controlling power.

WE OUTMANCEUVRE THE LORCHAS 121
" Haul in your main sheet," shouts the captain,
" keep her up to the wind, but mind, don't shake a
cloth, let her have all she will."
This is all performed faster than I can write it, and
when I have time to look around, after trimming the
head sheets, the lorcha is right in our wake and fast
dropping astern.
Some of the other lorchas have gone upon the other
tack in order to intercept us if they can, as we make
for the channel through the islands, we having run
somewhat to the westward of its entrance while
engaged in our running fight.
" Cover up the guns, and stand by about," shouts the
captain. In a moment we are also standing away in
the same direction as the lorchas, but this time we have
a clear weather gauge of them.
After reaching on this tack for half an hour, we
again tack to the north-westward, on which tack we let
her go for about twenty minutes, then round she comes
again, with her head to the eastward and with a slightly
flowing sheet she is given her head, then away she
bounds through the channel like a veritable racehorse,
and soon, very soon, the discomfited lorchas are hidden
from our view. The guns are well secured for the deep-
water sea, the watch is set, and all hands proceed to
enjoy a well-earned breakfast.

CHAPTER XVIIL
WE SAIL POR NAGASAKI AND LAND OUR PASSENGERS
IN THE DARK.
The sun has little more than crossed the meridian
when we emerge from the channel out into the open
sea. A course is then set that will take us to the
entrance of Nagasaki, and as the wind is slightly free,
a topmast and lower studding sail are clapped on to the
Eamont to further increase her speed.
The wind is from the northward, and our course is
nearly E. by N., so that every rag on the Eamont has
a chance of pulling to its utmost. There is more sea on
out here than there was inside of the islands, and,
although it is very grand and exhilarating to be
dashing over the high-crested waves at the rate of
fifteen knots an hour, still it is anything but a dry and
comfortable position for those who have the watch on
deck. You might almost say you were under water all the

WE SAIL FOR NAGASAKI. 123
time of your watch on deck, for she went along so fast
that she left no interval between the succeeding waves
wherein you could draw your breath.
The canvas was on her, and she had to bear it, but
there was one good thing in our favour, everything
about the gear and sails was of the very best, and there
was not the slightest danger of capsizing her, for the
iron kentledge in her bottom hold was secured as
firmly as any rock.
For nearly three days was the Eamont driven along
in the foregoing style, without anything happening to
interfere with our run across the Yellow Sea, then, as
we neared the coast of Japan, the wind gradually sub
sided till we were left with little more than a five-knot
breeze. At noon on the third day out from Woosung,
we were but ten miles off the entrance to the harbour
of Nagasaki, and as it was not deemed prudent to enter
the harbour in the dayUght, for certain reasons that
appertained principally to our Japanese passengers and
Mr. Careero, the Eamont was hove to with her head
off shore to await the setting of the sun.
As we lay dodging with our head off shore, the
opportunity of having a few hours' gun-drill is acted
upon by our commander, so as to have all our fighting-
gear in proper order should the inhabitants prove
hostile to our proceedings.

T2 4 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
The sun having gone to his rest in the west (as poets
are so fond of saying), the Eamont was again turned,
with her head in the direction of the harbour.
We had need of all our canvas, for, as the daylight
vanished and the darkness took its place, the wind
nearly died out altogether, so much so, that it was
nearly midnight when we were within the headlands
that formed the entrance into this magnificent and
most capacious harbour.
Within the headlands there was not the faintest
breath of wind, nothing but a dead calm stillness, and
the surface of the waters forming this lake-like har
bour shone so resplendently in the clear darkness ofthe
moonless night that the Eamont and her surroundings
could be seen on either side reflected as in a looking-
glass. The saUs having thus lost their power of propulsion
the sweeps are runout ofthe gun-ports, and, while one
watch takes in aud furls aU the sails, the other watch
quietly pulls the Eamont ^ow^ to the desired anchorage
pointed out by one of our Japanese passengers.
We do not let the anchor go with a rush, as is usual,
but quietly walk back the capstan till sufficient chain
is out for the Eamont to ride in safety.
The Eamont having been thus quietly brought to
anchor, the crew are dismissed to their quarters.

WE SAIL FOR NAGASAKI 125
sufficient men being left on deck for harbour watch, as
well as to man the gig if necessary.
As soon as our duties permit, Mr. Jule, Nealance,
and I are requested to join the captain in the saloon.
Here we find Mr. Careero and the two Japs in con
sultation with the captain, the subject being their
conveyance to the shore without attracting the
observation of any of the inhabitants.
"Look here, Nealance," says the captain, "I want
you and Anderson to take the small dingey and puU
quietly to the shore, then land and take a look up and
down, near that house you will see standing by itself, to
the right of the lower portion of the town. If there is
no one about, come back and let us know, and we will
be ready to accompany you back in the gig."
" Yery good, sir," replies Nealance ; but before we go
on deck he returns and asks, " Shall we go armed ? "
" Yes, of course," replies the captain ; " but mind, no
shooting, unless for your own protection."
With the aid of the gig's crew, who are waiting on
deck, we soon have the light dingey in the water,
without making as much noise as would startle the
gentlest of sleepers. We take a paddle each, and in
silence paddle our way to the beach. It is only about a
quarter of a mile from the Eamont to the beach, and
we do not require a great many strokes of our paddles.

126 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
before the keel of the dingey is rubbing on the
shingle. As soon as the dingey is as far up the beach as she
can be got with the aid of the paddles, we both take to
the water, and seizing hold of the dingey's gunwale,
we pull her still higher up the beach, so that she may
lie there in safety till we return.
We then proceed in the direction of the house in
dicated by the captain, and walk round the walls by
which it is enclosed ; then we walk about one hundred
yards to the right and left, and finding no obstruction
or any signs of human or animal life, we return to our
dingey and find our way back on board the Eamont,
When we arrive back on board and deliver our very
satisfactory report, we receive instructions from the
captain to place the gig in the water in the same
noiseless manner as we had done with the dingey.
In a very few^minutes the gig is at the accommoda
tion ladder, in readiness for those who are bound for the
shore. The oars are well muffled with flannel, and
the men are cautioned about silentlj- dipping their oars
in the water.
Two or three portmanteaus are passed into the gig,
as well as several small cases and dispatch-boxes, then
Mr. Careero and the two Japanese take their places
with^Nealance and I in the stern sheets, and as soon as

WE SAIL FOR NAGASAKI. 127
all are seated, we cast off and proceed for the shore.
This time we pull right in the direction of the farthest
end of the house by the direction of one of the Japs, and
both Nealance and I are rather taken aback when we
find that he safely pilots the gig up some narrow channel
to within a few yards of the back wall of the house.
As there is nothing or no one to disturb us in our
night's work, the boat is left in charge of the coxswain,
after each one of us, passengers, officers and crew, have
possessed ourselves of some portion of the baggage to
carry up to the residence. We do not proceed to the
front entrance of the mansion to find an entrance, one
of the Japs having guided us to a side entrance, in
the eastern wall, of which he likewise possessed the key.
As soon as we are all within the enclosure, the gate
is securely fastened, and we are then led by the
Japanese to the back entrance into this mansion, which
is seemingly a well-known habitation to our passengers.
When we enter the house all the baggage is taken and
stored into a room by itself; then we are led into
another room at the back of the house, the window of
which looks out upon the waters, and therefore safe
from the observation of any one in the city. A lamp
is ready on the table, and as soon as I have found a
match, one of the Japs requests me to light up our
surroundings.

128 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
While we have been busy lighting up this room and
stowing away the baggage, one of our Japanese has
been on a tour through the other parts of the building,
and we are no little surprised to see him enter the
room, bringing two more of his countrymen with him.
They had evidently been sleeping on the premises, but
we had done our work so silently as never to disturb
them, and they seemed to be scarcely awake from their
astonishment yet.
Many salaams are gone through, and our good
wishes are interpreted to them by Careero. One of
them departs for a minute or two, and returns with an
elegant tray, on which are glasses and bottles, the
distinctive marks on the bottles proclaiming them to
be something other than Japanese production.
The gig's crew are given a dollar and glass of Three
Star brandy each, then dismissed to the boat. Nealance
and I have perforce to drink to the health and safety
of each of our passengers and their friends, then, as a
parting glass, we all hobnob, with our glasses full of
sparkling Moselle, and drink to the success of the great
work in hand, the opening-up of Japan to European
trade and commerce !
Salaams and good-nights having been said and done
in elegant style, Nealance and I take our departure,
and proceed to the gig, escorted by the Japanese

WE SAIL FOR NAGASAKI, 129
passenger, who seemed to know the most of the present
surroundings. Arriving on board the Eamont, we narrate to the
captain and Mr. Jule an account of our proceedings,
especiaUy the more than kind manner of the Japs
towards us ; then, as soon as the gig is again in its
place, we wish each other good-night and retire to our
cabins.

CHAPTER XIX.
THE JAPANESE ATTEMPT TO PUT US OUT OF THE
'' HARBOUR.
As I look on the Japanese of to-day, and the wonder
ful advance they have made in most everything
appertaining to European manners, customs, trades
and professions, I can scarcely credit that they are
the same race of people with whom we had to deal no
farther back than thirty-two years ago.
They have now a magnificent fleet of war-vessels,
and a fast increasing mercantile marine, manned and
sailed exclusively by people of their own nation.
The reader who sees them as they are now, wiU
scarcely be able to accept as a fact my relation of the
scene that met our gaze shortly after daylight on the
first morning of our arrival in the harbour of
Nagasaki. Mr. Jule, as was usual, had kept the morning watch,
so that he could see to the proper carrying out of the
morning's work; cleaning and polishing the decks,

ATTEMPT TO PUT US OUT OF HARBOUR, 131
bulwarks and guns, being always a duty of paramount
importance, and always carried on under the direct
personal supervision of either a first-lieutenant or a
chief officer, who is in love with his ship, and wishes to
please his superior officers.
Shortly after six o'clock in this morning watch, Mr. "^
Jule sends a quartermaster to call Nealance and^ and
requesting our presence on the deck.
Anxious to know his reason for calling us, and
whether any danger is at hand, we soon getj inside
of our clothing and reach the deck ; where we find the
captain, Mr. Jule, and, I suppose, the whole ship's
company having a serious time of it ; for one and all
of them are nearly ready to burst in their endeavour
to suppress their laughter, so as not to offend the
susceptibilities of the Japanese, who are at present
carrying out some important operation under our
bows. As both Nealance and I look at the captain and Mr.
Jule with questioning eyes, the captain says to us, " Go
forward, and look over the bows yourselves."
We pass along forward to the bows, then take a
look over, and, like the others, we cannot help smiling
at the child-like ignorance that is being displayed
before our amused gaze.
The Eamont is riding with her port bower anchor
K 2

132 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
and about thirty fathoms of cable chain, yet here, as
we look over the bows of the Eamont we see nearly
one hundred and fifty small boats pulling lustily aw ay,
all fastened to a rope which is attached to the bobstay
of the Eamont, and their endeavour is, presumably, to
tow us out to sea.
When we have had a look at them, we walk aft and
join the captain and Mr. Jule, who have now subsided,
into a quiet smiling watchfulness of the proceedings of
these somewhat peculiar people.
"Boatswain," calls out Mr. Jule, '"call your hands
from forward, and proceed with your cleaning."
" Ay, ay, sir ! " repUes the boatswain ; and soon the
fore end of the Eamont is entirely deserted, the men
having been purposely placed as far from the bows as
possible. " Do you think they will be able to move our anchor ? "
asks Mr. Jule of the captain.
" I don't think so," replies the captain. " StiU, you
may let a quartermaster drop his lead over and
watch." The lead is accordingly dropped over the side aft, tiU
it reaches the bottom, but it shows no sign that they
are at all able, with the power they have at hand, to move
the Eamont from her position. After watching them
towing away for some considerable time, our captain

ATTEMPT TO PUT US OUT OF HARBOUR. 133
begins to have some feeling akin to compassion on the
people so uselessly and ignorantly employed.
" Anderson," says the captain, addressing me, " step
down to the after cabin, and bring Ah Cheong and one
of the schroffs on deck, and we will see if he can talk
to them."
In a few minutes I return to the deck, accompanied
by Ah Cheong and a schroff, to whom the captain
explains what he wishes them to do. We then proceed
forward, and Ah Cheong beckons in a significant
manner to an official of rank in one of the nearest
boats, and intimates to him our desire to have a
parley. This official, after taking counsel with several of
his colleagues, comes close under the bow with his
boat, then Ah Cheong, at the instigation of the
captain, explains to him the utter futility of at
tempting to move the Eamont while she is held fast
to the surface of the earth by so powerful a chain as is
pointed out to him by Ah Cheong, as it hangs from
the hawsepipe downwards, but now, that close to the
vessel's planking that any one ignorant of shipping
might easily be excused for not knowing that the
vessel was being held in her position by that curious
piece of wrought iron.
As soon as Ah Cheong has succeeded in making this

134 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
official understand the nature of the case, the rowers in
the boats are ordered to desist, and after another parley
with his colleagues, the boats are called off, and
ordered away from the scene of their ludicrous
operations. Five boats remain near the Eamont after the order
has been given to cast off; four of these boats being
stationed at advantageous positions, not far from the
Eamont, by this official who seemed to be in charge of
the undertaking.
One boat was placed on each quarter and on each
bow, at a distance of four fathoms from the Eamont,
then, after he had thus placed an effectual watch on our
proceedings, this official of rank took his departure for
the shore.
The effect of this startling, though ludicrous incident,
having at length subsided, we are now able with our
telescopes to survey the magnificent scene around us.
The morning is beautiful, and the air is full of the
balmy ozone that is found to prevail in the vicinity of
the orange-grove.
We are encompassed by high hills on every side ; the
city itself, which we can plainly see at the head of this
huge basin of lake-like water, is built in terraces, one
above another, and reaches to some considerable extent
up the hill on which it is so picturesquely situated.

ATTEMPT TO PUT US OUT OF HARBOUR. 135
From what we can see of the city we take it to be
of some considerable size and importance. The houses
seem fairly well and regularly built, and the roads as
well as the streets seem to have been formed after some
symmetrical plan, as they rose one above another, that
would really have done honour to the architects of any
of our show cities in Europe.
The enormous basin of water which formed this
land-locked harbour was not unlike a miniature Milford
Haven or a Lossin, and it was capable of holding
within its natural surroundings the combiijed fleets of
many maritime nations.
At the northern extremity of the harbour, and close
in under the city at its western extremity, we can see,
much to our surprise, a man-of-war looking vessel,
somewhat similar to the dispatch-boats of those days,
which were often a cross between a gunboat and a
sloop of war. She was barque-rigged, or rather a jack
ass barque, for her topmast and topgallant masts were
all in one piece, and as she had a funnel, we were left
to suppose that she had steam-engines within her for
her propulsion.
She was flying the Japanese national ensign at her
gaff end ; the round globe in it was probably an emblem
of the idea, which was held so long in that country,
that they were the only nation on this habitable globe.

136 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT
One or two junks are lying not far off from this man-
of-war, and, with ourselves, the imposing array of the
mercantile fleet in the harbour of Nagasaki is com
plete. In little more than one generation, taking from
infancy to manhood as our standard, the whole scene
has changed, as if it were by the magician's wand, so
rapid has been the progress of this wonderful nation.
On the bosom of this gigantic harbour j'ou wiU now
find a multitude of steamers and other vessels, bearing
the flags of all nations, carrying on a trade with this
lately new-born nation that would do credit to any of
our great trade emporiums in Europe, and place several
of our once foremost nations and their commercial
trading cities, far far away in the background of the
world's general commercial work.
" Not a bad-looking place," observes the captain to
us, as we stand around him on the quarter-deck,
admiring the scene.
" The way the city is built on that hiU to the left,"
says Mr. Jule, " reminds me very much of what I have
read of the hanging gardens of Babylon. They just
look like one terrace over another, and on that hiU to
the right the same formation has been carried out by
the designers."
"That steamer inside there has very much the

ATTEMPT TO PUT US OUT OF HARBOUR. 137
appearance of a man-of-war," says the captain, " and
I am rather surprised they did not send her to tow us
out of the harbour, instead of attempting it with these
rowing-boats." " She would be rather a tough nut for us to crack if
she were to show fight," observes the captain ; " and I
suppose when our Japanese friend anchored us here, it
was to keep us as far away from each other as
possible." " Eight bells, sir," reports the quartermaster to Mr.
Jule. " Strike the bell and break your flags," says Mr.
Jule to the quartermaster ; and in a moment the
Eamont is gaily decorated with bunting from stem to
stern, in order to do honour to those in authority as
well as to propitiate them in our favour.
" Now to breakfast, gentlemen," says the captain,
" and we wiU discuss the best way of getting communi
cation with the shore."

CHAPTER XX.
THE JAPANESE OFFICIALS IN THE BOATS COME ON BOARD
TO LUNCHEON.
After assembUng at the breakfast-table, the first
quarter of an hour passes off in the usual conversation-
less manner, each one being seemingly bent on
satisfying the cravings of the inward man, previous to
starting any topic that would necessitate the employ
ment of his brain power.
After the first and second courses have been disposed
of, the captain at length begins the discussion of our
present situation.
" The Japs don't seem to want anything to do with
us," says the captain, taking aU three officers in at a
glance. Mr. Jule as chief officer having the priority of reply,
assents in an affirmative manner to this observation of
the captain.
"These Japs," again says the captain, "from what
we have seen of them this morning, don't seem to

THE JAPANESE COME TO LUNCHEON, 139
know much about ships, and it is- possible they are as
little acquainted with the manj' tactics that are
employed in working the commercial world that lies
outside of their dominion. My instructions from head
quarters are, to facilitate the endeavours of Careero
and the Japanese who are in league with him, to get
an open trade with the country."
"If they watch us," says Nealance, "as they
are doing now, how are we to get on shore and do
anything ? "
" We have not spent many hours here yet," replies
the captain, " and it is for us to find out some method
of satisfying them that we don't intend to interfere
with the statute-laws of the country."
As I had taken no part in the conversation except
that of listener, leaving my superiors to reply, the
captain turns his glance towards me, and asks, "What
do you think of the situation, Anderson ? "
" I should like to know," I reply, " where they got
that three-masted, barque-rigged steam-gunboat from,
if they are a new people, and have had no dealings
with European nations ? "
" You have not been reading history lately, Mr.
Anderson," replies the captain, " or you would know that
the Dutch have had some kind of a landiug here for
trading purposes, but they have never gotjoeyond that;

140 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
and I may as well tell you that that gunboat-looking
vessel in there is a present from them to the powers
that be ; but, fortunately for us, and, perhaps, for the
Dutchmen too, there are no people here capable of
working her."
This slice of information from the captain about the
man-of-war brought forth a rather choking sensation of
laughter from us, his officers, for we had no idea till
then that he had been posted up with all the various
wrinkles that were vitally necessary for the accom
plishment of the purpose then in view.
"No offence, gentlemen," says the captain, as we
look rather apologetically after our burst of laughter
at his admission about the gunboat ; " but you know I
cannot really tell you everything, for some of it may
never come to pass."
" Is Careero all right where he is ? " asks Nealance.
" The devil a fear of him," replies the captain, " he
always turns up right-side uppermost. He wUl swim
where any of us would sink ; but all the same, some of
you three will have to meet him to-night if we don't
hear from him during the day."
" Can you swim, Anderson ? " asks the captain.
" Yes, sir," I reply.
" Good swimmer ? " again queries the captain.
" I have often swum from Kowlon to Hong Kong,

THE JAPANESE COME TO LUNCHEON. 141
with my clothes towing from my neck ; dressed on the
beach, witnessed the drilling of the troops, and then
swum back again," I reply.
" You will do ; and Nealance, I know, is like a fish in
the water," is the comment of the captain, as we rise
from the breakfast-table ; then he adds, as we go up the
companion, " perhaps you will get a chance of a bath
to-night yet."
After we have had another studied gaze at our
surroundings, the captain finding we are severely left
alone, instructs Mr. Jule to make a general quarter-
day of it, for the amusement of the Japanese who are
so carefully watching us in their boats.
The hands are piped to quarters, a certain amount
of big-gun drill is carried out, then we have some
singlestick practice, and wind up with some revolver-
firing at targets fixed on the taffrail. The Japanese in
the boats look on at our practice with undisguised
wonder and astonishment, but make no attempt to
leave the position that had been aUotted to them
by the official who had placed them there in the
morning. When our people have been dismissed from drill, the
captain requests Ah Cheong to come on deck.
" Lookee here. Ah Cheong," says the captain, when
that worthy had come within speaking distance, " I

142 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
wantee some of these Japanese officers in the boats to
come on board here and have a look, see ? We'U givee
some chow-chow, some winee, some beer, and havee a
littee talkee-talkee."
Ah Cheong smiles an assenting reply to the captain,
and proceeds to carry out the foregoing suggestions
by getting into conversation with the officials in the
boat on the starboard quarter, which is the one nearest
to him.
After ten minutes of Ah Cheong's persuasive elo
quence, the officials in this boat get their men to haul
in the anchor ; then as soon as they have let go of the
bottom, they pull round to each of the other boats and
hold a short parley with them. This conference having
been favourably decided, they come alongside our
accommodation-ladder, where Ah Cheong and the
captain are in waiting to receive them on board.
The two officials, after instructing their boatmen to
take up their former position at anchor, come up the
ladder, and are received on deck in a style befitting
officials of the highest rank.
A table is soon improvised by the stewards on the
skylight, and an elaborate luncheon speedily finds its
place on the snow-white tablecloth.
Ah Cheong proves himself an apt interpreter as well
as a master of ceremonies, and in a very short time we

THE JAPANESE COME TO LUNCHEON. 143
have the whole of the officials from the four boats
sitting at the table.
The Japanese of to-day are to be seen in various
cities of the world, generally attired in the prevailing
fashions which are for the time being the costume of
the period.
These officials were not so attired, but wore the
clothing that had been in use amongst them for a
period of time possibly extending back to their first
progenitors. All of them were similarly attired in a
grey cloth robe, not unlike the modern dressing-gown
ofthe aesthetic in our own land, only without its very
much embroidering.
Their heads were partially shaved in the front of
the forehead, as if they wished to show some inteUec-
tuaUty by producing a kind of high and noble forehead,
which even in our own land is considered somewhat of
a recommendation to certain offices, as witness the
many baldheaded deacons, churchwardens and vestry
men. The hair on the back and sides of the head was
aUowed to grow to some length, the whole being
gathered at the end into a kind of queue, that laid over
the shaved portion of the cranium.
A strong belt or girdle round the waist confined the
robe closely to the person, while, suspended from this
waistbelt, each official carried two swords, one on each

144 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
side, which were made of splendid steel, equal in quality
to the finest Damascus.
Ah Cheong having persuaded them to accept of our
hospitality, we were soon all seated at the luncheon-
table. They ate sparingly of our food, whether from want
of appetite or suspiciousness of its quality was difficult
to determine ; but there was little doubt of their
appreciation of the Uquids, as they held up their
empty wineglasses to be replenished with sparkling
MoseUe. A sort of desultory conversation was kept up during
luncheon by the aid of Ah Cheong, but all that we
could make out of it was, that certain of their country
men were very much against our being allowed to land
on their territory. As to our present guests, before
they left our hospitable table they expressed, through
Ah Cheong, their great desire to see us established in
their midst for ever.
A good deal of time was spent over this luncheon,
probably to good purpose, for before the officials again
took their places in their boats, we had become
sufficiently friendly to be allowed to handle their
swords, as well as to test them with the peculiar test
of cutting through a doubled-up silk handkerchief.
When the boats came alongside to receive these

THE JAPANESE COME TO LUNCHEON. 145
officials after luncheon, a large quantity of biscuits
and beef was passed into each boat, for the refection
of the boatsmen, a benefaction which was very much
appreciated by them, to iudge by their manner of
receiving it.

CHAPTER XXI.
NEALANCE AND I VISIT THE SHORE AFTER DARK BY
SWIMMING.
Our official guests having taken up their various
positions of observation around the Eamont, we Ukewise
proceed about our various duties incident to Ufe on
board ship.
Nothing transpires in the course of the afternoon to
disturb our enforced calm tranquUUty. From what Ah
Cheong was able to discover of the intentions of those
set to watch us, we were not to be permitted to land
anywhere in the harbour, tiU such time as the Governor
or Chief Officer of State had given his sanction ; and
even this great condescension was very doubtful of
attainment. During the course of the afternoon, the captain
invites Mr. Jule, Nealance and I to a conference in
the saloon, to discuss and arrange for some means of
placing ourselves in communication with Mr. Careero.
The captain having told us of his anxiety to know

NEALANCE AND I VISIT THE SHORE. 147
how Careero was getting on, Mr. Jule asks : " Don't
you think we could land at Careero's without being
seen from the town ? and I daresay a dollar or two to
these officials in the boats would make them blind to
what we were doing."
" As far as landing is concerned," replies the captain,
" we could very soon do that, as we have plenty of
force to protect ourselves ; but landing without their
permission might bring on such a fanatical furore as
to necessitate the giving up of this business altogether.
As for doUars, they could have them and welcome, but
I doubt very much if you could get any of them to
accept a single coin from you. They are strictly for
bidden to exchange money or have any dealings with
us, so it would be a question of life and death to any
one of them found in possession of a Mexican dollar."
"As we cannot use the boats," strikes in Nealance,
" the only other thing I can see is to use the water
without the boats. As soon as it is dark enough I
don't mind trying to fetch Careero ; it is not much of
a swdm ; the getting into the house, if it happens to be
watched, will be the worst part of the difficulty."
" And as you might need some help," I suggest, " I
will go along with you."
The captain seemed much pleased at our offer, and
as no other method more feasible could be thought of,
L 2

148 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
it was finally decided to adopt Mr. Nealance's plan of
opening up communication with our friends.
It was springtime, and although the water was not
so genial perhaps as it was in summer, still it was not
much colder than our own sea-coast water in the bathing
season. A light suit of clothing done up in a smaU
parcel, and covered with a piece of oiled silk from the
medicine-chest, is soon ready for each of us, then we
wait and watch for the coming darkness and a favour
able opportunity, when the watchers in the boats may
be off their guard.
After eight bells has been struck and the usual stir
of relieving the watch has again subsided, we take a
searching look at the watchers in the boats, and finding
that they have made themselves comfortable for the
night by stretching themselves oijt in the bottoms of
their boats, we proceed to carry out our expedition to
the shore.
A boat's ladder is lowered down from the taffrail to
the water's edge, then, as soon as we have stripped we
secure our light parcels on the back of our necks, bid
good-night to the captain and Mr. Jule, and quietly slip
down the rope ladder, dropping into the water as noise
less as any denizens of the deep.
We strike out slowly and cautiously till we get some
little way from the ship, so as to float as deep as possible

NEALANCE AND I VISIT THE SHORE. 149
and not attract any attention from the guard-boats.
When we have got a safe distance from the Eamont
and her guardians we strike out boldly in the direction
of the mansion, endeavouring, if possible, to follow the
route the Japanese had taken on the previous night.
We do not speak much to each other, but reserve our
wind to aid our exertions in cutting our way through the
water. We are not successful in finding the channel,
for in about twenty minutes' time from leaving the
ship, Nealance comes to a standstill, saying, " We are
in shallow water." There was no doubt about that ;
for as I let my feet sink from their horizontal position
on hearing him speak, they come to the ground with
astonishing quickness, and I find there are scarcely
three feet of water on this portion of the beach.
" Don't rise up, Anderson, for a minute," says Nea
lance, " till we have a look at our surroundings, for I
fancy I saw something like a man moving along the
shore there."
"A man! Where?" I ask.
" There, don't you see him now ? " says Nealance.
" Yes, I can see him plain enough, confound him,
and he is right in our path to the house," I reply.
" Keep low, and we will soon see if he is on watch
or not," says Nealance.
For several minutes we remain in our crouching

I50 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
attitude in the water, watching the proceedings of this
personage who has arrested our career so unex
pectedly. " He seems as if he were stationed there for some
purpose," says Nealance.
" No doubt of it ; he has not moved half a
dozen paces from where we first spotted him," I
remark. " What do you think ? Shall we go back or swim
out a bit, and land farther to the eastward ? " asks
Nealance. " We can't go back without a harder try, so let us
start off, for I am getting slightly cramped in this
position," I reply.
" Off we go then," says Nealance ; and we started
swimming out into deep water again ; then, as soon as
we had got out of our depth, we headed along ashore
t o the eastward. We keep right on in this direction
for nearly half an hour, or, at any rate, tUl we get a
quarter of a mile to the right of the residence wherein
our friends are located.
We then draw in towards the shore, and seeing no
signs of any one to interfere with us, we make our way
out ofthe water as soon as we touch bottom.
About ten or fifteen yards from the water's edge we
perceive some few clusters of brushwood, and as soon

NEALANCE AND I VISIT THE SHORE. 151
¦
as we gain their cover we proceed to attire ourselves in
the garments we had brought with us.
While proceeding with our open-air toilet we keep a
sharp look-out towards Careero's mansion, in order to
discover if there are any persons on watch this side of it.
As soon as our attire is completed, we proceed to
wards the house, keeping amongst the brushwood
wherever possible, so as to hide our proceedings from
any watchers that may be on the look-out.
Evidently the watchers have been placed on that
side of the mansion which lies next to the Eamont, for
we arrive at the side gate without meeting with any
hindrance. We have found the gate, which is securely fastened,
and we have no key. How to get in without making
a noise is the next question we have to solve, so after
looking round and surveying the position from the side
we were on, not deeming it prudent to show ourselves
out from the shelter and cover of this side wall, we
came to the conclusion that there was nothing for it,
but scaling the wall just where we were.
"You are the lightest, Anderson," says Nealance,
" so get on my shoulders, and I will give you a hoist up."
"What about yourself? " I ask.
" I'll be all right here till you get some one to open
the gate," replies Nealance'; " at any rate, as soon as

152 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
you are over I wiU lie flat down, out of sight, and if
you find no one there, you will surely find some way of
getting back."
" All right, then, here goes," I say, as I cUmb up on
to Nealance's shoulders. When he has stretched him
self to his full length, I fail to reach the top of the
wall by six inches.
" I want six inches more," I tell him, and ask, " Can
you give me a jerk up ? "
" Look out then," he replies, " but don't miss your
hold and come down on the top of me, for it won't do
to cripple either of us."
" Is there any broken glass on it ? " asks Nealance,
before he proceeds with my jerk.
" Glass ? no ! these people are not civilized enough
for that yet," I reply.
"Very good. Now then, look out," says Nealance,
as he heaves himself up with a jerk that sends me
more than the required inches above the wall-top. I
am able to make good my hold on the top of the waU,
and after a few wriggles, I succeed in working my body
upwards, and after a short glance over the wall to see
where I will drop, I land myself at the other side, per
fectly sound in wind and limb.
I soon find the door by which we entered the
mansion the previous night, and, finding it open, I take

NEALANCE AND I VISIT THE SHORE, 153
the Uberty of entering the vestibule, and|there making a
slight demonstration, which has the desired effect, for
in a moment Mr. Careero and several Japanese appear
upon the scene.
" Where have you sprung from ? " asks Careero in
great astonishment.
" From the Eamont, and Nealance is at the gate
waiting to come in," I reply. Careero explains to the
Japs the position of Nealance, and in a very short
space of time he is released from his anxious position,
and brought in to the mansion. We are conducted by
Careero to his own room, where Nealance fully details
the whole occurrences that have transpired on board the
Eamont in the course of the day.
" How have you two managed to get here if they
won't aUow a boat to come on shore?" queries
Careero. '' We swam ashore, and then dressed on the beach
about a quarter of a mile from here," replies Neal
ance. " Rather risky, is it not ? " says Careero, " for there
are some Japs watching the Eamont between here and
the settlement."
" We did not come that side," replies Nealance,
" for as soon as we saw the fellows on watch we made
tracks to the eastward."

154 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
" You are not afraid of sharks, seemingly ? " says
Careero. "I don't think there can be any here," replies
Nealance ; " they don't generally come into land
locked waters."
" Do you intend swimming back again ? " queries
Careero. "Yes, sir," replies Nealance. "We promised to be
back before one o'clock in the moming, and if we are
not there, the captain will be coming on shore with an
armed party to look for us."
"You will have to go then," says Careero, " for we
cannot risk having any disturbance as yet."
" Help yourselves to something to drink, while I go
and have a talk with the Japs," says Careero, as he
leaves the room.
" Seems as if there were some negotiations going on
at which we are not to be present," says Nealance, as
soon as we are left alone.
" Rather ! " I ejaculate in reply ; " and it seems to me
there are a good many more Japs here to-night than
there were last night."
" I hope we shall be allowed to land, and have a look
at their city before we leave," says Nealance.
" So do I," I reply ; and musingly add to that reply,
" If you are game, I don't see why we could not act the

NEALANCE AND I VISIT THE SHORE. 155
Japanese for a night, and have a walk round their
important township."
"Agreed ! " says Nealance, adding, "I don't imagine
Careero would leave us in the lurch, even if we did get
into a hobble."
" No ! I am sure not, for I rather think we are use
ful to him, and he seems to be deeply interested in
getting this country opened out," I reply.
Our conversation comes to a close by the entrance
of the gentleman we have been discussing; the very,
very old adage about absent personages again proving
true in this instance.
"I hope you have enjoyed yourselves during my
absence," says Careero, " but the fact of the matter is,
I have got some of the friendly Japs here to-night, as
well as some of those who are fanatically dead against
us, and these I suppose will want their price ; however,
I have got permission for the captain to come on shore,
and visit me here to-morrow, on the ground of my ill-
health. Don't laugh, for I have told them we have no
other doctor but the captain. I have explained all in
this letter," he goes on to say to us, " and I suppose
you will be able to carry it off to the captain without
letting the sharks get a hold of it. Have another
drop of brandy to keep the cold out, and I will see you
out ofthe gate."

156 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
Three half-glasses of good pale brandy are soon put
out of sight, then following our leader, in a very short
space of time we find ourselves ou the outer side of the
walls that enclose this solitary mansion.

CHAPTER XXII.
WE MAKE A DAYLIGHT- VISIT TO THE SHORE.
" GooD-NiGHT, Nealance ; good-night, Anderson. Try
and keep my letter dry, and be careful how you get
back on board ; if you have any bother come back here
immediately, and I will stand the racket." So says
Careero, as we shake his hand, and take our way back
to the brushwood to undress, and prepare for our
watery travel back to the Eamont.
The first clump of bushes we come across, are
utilized as a dressing-room for the purpose of disrob
ing ourselves. As soon as we have got our suit of
clothes tied up in the piece of oil-cloth, we leave the
cover of the brushwood and betake ourselves to the
water like a pair of veritable water-dogs.
The pair of us being as much at home in the water
as on land, we were not long in fetching the Eamont
after we had got awaj^ from the beach.
There were no sharks in the harbour that night ;
neither were there on watch any emissaries of the old

I'i,'?, AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
aristocracy of this country, who were the enemies
of progress, or else they could easily have made
short work of us had they been so minded, or been
imbued with the crafty intelligence that obtains
amongst the monarchical aristocracy of Christian
nations. Swimming noiselessly up to the rope-ladder hanging
over the taffrail of the Eamont, and then cUmbing up
in the same noiseless manner, we are eagerly welcomed
back by the captain and Mr. Jule, who have been
waiting anxiously for our return.
"Not a word," quietly ejaculates the captain, "tUl
you have rubbed yourselves dry, and got inside of
another suit of clothes ; " forgetting for the moment
that we were attired in Adam's suit.
" Couldn't have a better suit on than we have for
the night's work," says Nealance with a laugh, which is
fully endorsed by the captain and Mr. Jule.
Although the suit approved by Nealance is probably
the best for an aquatic journey, neither of us were very
loth to go to our cabins, and put in practice the in
junctions of the captain regarding our apparel
Before proceeding to his cabin, Nealance opens his'
oil-silk covered parcel, and delivers to the captain Mr.
Careero's important letter.
Having got inside of another suit of clothing, we

WE MAKE A VISIT TO THE SHORE. 159
take our way to the saloon, where the captain and Mr.
Jule are waiting to hear an account of our night's
work. Nealance relates to. them all our proceedings,
and then the captain tells us somewhat of the contents
of the communication we had brought him from Mr.
Careero, which amounts to little more than permission
for him to proceed on shore in the character of a
medico. Our conference is short, the good-night cup
is swallowed, and we are all glad to retire to our
cabins and court the repose that is necessary to restore
the energies of our craniums to their proper equi
librium. After the usual morning's work of cleaning, polish
ing and brightening comes to a close, the Eamont, as
on the previous day, is gaily arrayed with bunting from
stem to stern.
The four Japanese boats are still lying at anchor on
our quarters and bows, carefully watching all our pro
ceedings. The one high official who seemed to be in
authority over them on the previous day had shortly
after sunrise come off and made a tour of inspection,
as well as spent some little time in conversation with
the officials in the boats.
Ah Cheong, at the request of the captain, tries his
persuasive powers of oratory on this high official in
order to induce him to come on board, but all his

i6o AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
eflbrts are in vain ; he is not to be seduced from his
fealty to the party whose interests he is commissioned
to look after.
As soon as breakfast Is over, one of our cutters Is put
in the water, and brought to the gangway ladder. A
picked crew of ten of our best men, armed with re
volvers, are chosen to man the cutter ; Nealance
taking the place of coxswain, and I the position of bow
man. The captain. Ah Cheong and one of the schroffs
having taken their places in the stern sheets, we shove
off from the side of the Eamont, and pull away in the
direction of Mr. Careero's residence.
The officials in the guard-boats take no notice o'f us,
and we reach the shore without interference on their
part ; but as soon as we get to the landing we are con
fronted by several Japs, dressed and armed in a similar
maimer to the officials in the watching-boats, who
intimate to the captain, through our interpreter Ah
Cheong, that only four persons are to be aUowed to
land. "Very good," says the captain, in reply to Ah
Cheong's interpreted communication; " Nealance, you
remain in charge of the boat, and Anderson will come
along with me and Ah Cheong and the schroff."
Having some knowledge of the house and its sur
roundings, I accordingly lead the way, as soon as we

WE MAKE A VISIT TO THE SHORE. i6i
have passed from the cutter to terra firma, and, acting
on the captain's Instructions, instead of leading our
party to the side gate, where I had previously found
ingress, I take the way round to the front entrance.
The residents in the mansion had no doubt been
well aware of our approach, for when we arrive at the
principal entrance we are met on the threshold by
Careero, our two Japanese passengers, and several
other distinguished and imposing-looking Japanese.
Salaams and genuflexions innumerable are per
formed as the captain is Introduced all round : much
the same performance having to be gone through over
the introduction of Ah Cheong, ¦while a lesser degree of
courtesy is extended towards the schroff and I, who
bring up the rear.
Entering the mansion, the captain and Ah Cheong
are conducted to the private apartments occupied by
Careero, where his state of health Is no doubt adequately
diagnosed, while at the same time some more im
portant matters are discussed. The schroff and I are
left on duty in an ante-room adjoining, there to await
the orders of our superiors.
Careero's conference wdth the captain and Ah Cheong
having been concluded, they take their way to
another apartment, wherein the Japanese are assem
bled. A lengthy conference is carried on here, and my
M

1 62 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
companion the schroff is called In, no doubt to act as
secretary or otherwise.
The sun has crossed the fore-yard before the confer
ence comes to a close, and we are ready to take our
departure. Before taking our departure, the captain and Careero
urgently endeavour to persuade some of the principal
Japs to go off and lunch on board the Eamont, but
to no purpose. Seemingly, they all have a dread of
being seen in our company outside the stone walls of
the mansion. Unsuccessful in getting any ofthe Japs
to accompany us on board, the captain takes his leave
in much the same formal manner as when he entered
the mansion, and then, accompanied by the schroff and
I, takes his way to the boat, leaving Ah Cheong to
assist Careero In the work he has in hand.

CHAPTER XXIII.
THE CAPTAIN SUGGESTS A VISIT TO NAGASAKI.
We arrive back on board the Eamont without being
Interfered with in the slightest degree, so that the
opposition to our landing, and having free Intercourse
with the people, cannot be of a very aggressive
nature. When the captain reaches the deck, I hear him say
to Mr. Jule : " Don't hoist the boat up ; let her lie at
the boom till after lunch."
As soon as we are seated at the luncheon-table, and
the first pangs of the inward man satisfied, the captain
proceeds to narrate for our delectation the substance
of the forenoon's conference with the Japs and
Careero. " As far as I can make out," says the captain, after
his narration of the conference has come to a close,
" we will simply have to make an effort ourselves by
going on shore on some errand, and see whether they
will allow us into their city or not, for these fellows
might keep on talking for ever. Now," again says
M 2

1 64 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
the captain, " I have told Careero that we are in
need of fresh beef, and he and I have come to the
conclusion that it will be a very good opportunity
to go on shore and buy some beef, or, failing that,
a live bullock, which can soon be made into beef
when we get him on board. What do you think of
the plan," asks the captain.
" Very good indeed," is our assenting reply.
" Well, then," resumes the captain, " Mr. Nealance,
you and Anderson will go on shore with the same
armed boat's crew and land at the main landing, which
I will point out to you when we go on deck, and
then you will take half the boat's crew up the town
with you, leaving the coxswain in charge of the boat,
to wait some distance off' the landing tlU you return.
When you have landed in the city you must just look
around till you come across a butcher's shop or a live
animal that will make beef. Don't do anything to
hurt the feelings of the inhabitants; and pay well for
anything you take. I will give you plenty of dollars,
and if they won't take the money, lay It down close to
where you have taken your goods from."
" If the natives object to our proceedings, we are to
take what we can lay our hands on whether or not, I
presume?" says Nealance with a laugh as he winks at me.
"That will depend upon the amount of force they

SUGGESTED VISIT TO NAGASAKI. 165
bring to bear upon you to enforce their objections,''
says the captain ; adding, " I will leave you to judge
of that for yourselves ; but I may as well tell you, you
are not to quarrel with them willingly, but rather to
sheer off If there should be any organized force brought
to bear against you by any official-looking personages
like those fellows In the boats."
" How are we going to explain to them what we
require ? " asks Nealance.
" The schroff will go with you, and although he
don't understand much of their language, still his
Chinee may be nearer the mark of their understanding
than your English," replies the captain. " You see,"
again says the captain, " those Japs that Careero
is in tow with keep on telling him that we will
not be allowed to enter the city for the purpose of
trading, and also that the people are dead against us,
and will neither take our money nor will they supply
us with anything. So to test the truth of their allega
tions, you are going to try and purchase some article
we are very much in need of, as I take it none of you
are too fond of salt provisions."
" All right, sir," says Nealance. " I think we will
manage to palaver them into supplying us with the
necessary article If we have plenty of dollars, for I
have never seen the genus homo yet whose eyes would

1 66 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
not glisten, or his mouth water, over a pile of Mexicans,
especiaUy In Eastern lands."
" That is no doubt all very well with Indians and
Chinamen," says the captain, " but these people seem
to be a different race altogether from any we have had
deaUngs with before ; so be very wary and polite, for
their swords are sharp, and as each man carries two of
these weapons he is like a double-armed man, but
whether they are clever in the use of their weapons or
not I don't know yet."
The captain having thus carefully put us on our
guard regarding our duty to the inhabitants, ordered
the schroff to take with him one hundred of the newest
and brightest Mexican doUars he had in his possession,
and accompany us into the boat.
As soon as Nealance and I have got our fighting
harness on, and supplied ourselves- with a goodly
amount of revolver ammunition, we take our way on
deck, and instruct the boatswain to pipe the cutter to
the gangway with the same armed boat's crew to man
her as were In her during -our forenoon visit to the
shore. While the boat is being got ready, the captain comes
on deck and points out the particular place where we
are to land, which is near the eastern end of the bight,
which forms a kind of inner harbour, at the northern

SUGGESTED VISIT TO NAGASAKI 167
end of this large and capacious roadstead or inner gulf.
" Be wary,''' is the last Injunction we receive from
the captain, as we go over the side and take our places
in the boat where the cashier or schroff is already
seated, looking as miserable as if he were going to
an execution.
Nealance and I, as well as our boat's crew, are still
in the rosy realms of bright and hopeful youth, and as
far as our faces can be read, as a token of what may be
passing within, you would imagine we were bound away
on some pleasant picnicing expedition, instead of bein g
about to land as unwelcome intruders amongst a people
who had succeeded, I may say since the world began,
in keeping themselves secluded from the whole world
around them, always excepting the one or two favoured
Hollanders who, however, had never got any farther
than a mere look at the city, not having been endowed
with the persevering and encroaching intelligence that
generally accompanies ihe landing of a British subject
on any portion of the terra firma that constitutes the
world. Had any of our countrymen been on such a friendly
footing with the Japs as to be able to get them to
accept of a present of a yacht, that country would have
been as much Anglicized at the time I am writing of
as it is now, for they have proved themselves a very

i6?, AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
apt nation in the adoption of all the benefits that
accrue from advanced civilization.
Whether they are a happier people for discarding
the ignorance and innocence which obtained amongst
them when we forced ourselves upon them, is a question
they can best answer for themselves, but there is this
to besaid for them, as a nation they have rapidly, and
for the most part wiUingly, adopted the manners and
customs of the dominant races, and thus, unlike other
aboriginal races, they have not been improved from off
the face of the earth, to make way for those whom our
philosophers term the fittest, and who alone have the
right to survive.
Only a few days ago, in this year one thousand
eight hundred and ninety-one of the Christian era,
I was taking a ramble round the docks of this the
greatest maritime city In the world, when, to my great
wonderment, I came across a large number of Japanese
seamen who had just been landed from one of the
many steamers that regularly ply between that fast-
advancing nation and this country.
Officers and men were aU dressed in the most
approved style of naval uniform, similar to that which
is worn In our own Royal Navy, with very slight excep
tion, and which would be quite unnoticeable to the eyes
of any landsman.

SUGGESTED VISIT TO NAGASAKI. 169
Their dress and appearance, and possibly their intel
ligence, gave them the look of man-of-war's men, but it
seemed to me, as I stood and watched them for a few
minutes, that there was a great want of the stamina
and robustness that usually distinguishes our own naval
men ; and the thought readily suggested itself to me,
that possibly the Japanese authorities sent all their most
diminutive people to sea, and kept thoseof larger stature,
such as I had often seen in the days I am wiitliig of,
to protect, as soldiers, their now much more important
nation.

CHAPTER XXIV.

WE VISIT NAGASAKI TOWN.

"Be wary," is the last injunction that proceeds from
the lips of our comuTander, as we shove off from the
side of the Eamont, and take our way for the first
¦ time towards the principal landing-place in the harbour
of Nagasaki.
Ten minutes' smart puUing and our cutter is run
alongside the bottom step of the landing in the most
approved style that obtains amongst weU-trained cox
swains. The landing is a fairly well-built structure of
hard stone, having some twelve or fourteen steps, some
where about fifteen feet lengthways by nine inches in
depth and one foot in breadth, leading up to a gate
like archway, through which we have to pass in order
to enter the city.
When we arrive at this landing we find it well
guarded with stout-looking, formidable Japs, arrayed
in a similar garb to that of the officials who had been

WE VISIT NA GASAKI TO WN. 1 7 1
so carefully watching us from their guard boats since
our arrival in the harbour.
Those officials on duty at the landing were armed
with two swords, in like manner to those already
mentioned, and here, as also in the guard boats, firearms
of any sort were either still unknown to them or
under prohibition, for none were visible to our keen and
searching gaze.
We do not linger to gaze upon these sturdy-looking
warriors, but taking in the situation at a glance,
Nealance and I, foUowed up by four of our men, jump
from the cutter to the landing and take our way up
the steps, the boat at the same time pushing off from
the landing and taking up a position some few yards
off. Nealance and I, taking the lead, walk up the
steps foUowed by our men, passing through the ranks
of these soldiers, if such they were, In a most solemn
and determined manner.
I think we are rather surprised when we meet with
no hindrance to our proceedings, but are only looked
at by these guardians of the landing, in a curiously-
blended inspection of sternness and stoical indiffer
ence. We raise our caps to two of the officials at the arch
way, who are by their appearance and richness of
attire of ^ome higher rank than the others, but they

1^2 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
take no notice of our salute, and only give us a stare of
austere indifference.
Their looks don't hurt us much, and we are not
prevented from proceeding on our errand by the
austerity of their manner In receiving strangers.
Up through the city lanes and streets we take our
way ; no one interferes with us, neither do any of the
Inhabitants take much more interest in us than a
momentary stare of very slightest wonderment.
Their habitations are for the most part built of stone,
and as window glass is seemingly unknown to them (or
perhaps highly taxed, as it once was in our own land)
we are able to see the interior of their dweUings,
almost whether we will or not.
After wandering through the streets for some time,
we come across a shop, where we see cigars exposed for
sale, and attempt to make a purchase. We had left
the schroff behind in the boat with the bag of doUars
till such time as we could spot what we were in search
of, therefore we had some difficulty in getting this
Japanese cigar merchant to understand us.
I have often observed that our British seamen, when
on any foreign station throughout the civiUzed world
or the uncivilized, have but one appellation for any of
the fjenui^ homo whom they may come In contact with,
so, my dear reader, you will not be astonished when T tell

WE VISIT NAGASAKI TOWN. 173
you that Mr. Nealance began his first conversation in
Japan by addressing this shopman by the universal
titleof" Johnnie."
" Johnnie," says Nealance, addressing this Japanese
shopman, and at the same time holding up before his
gaze a couple of shining Mexican doUars, "me
wantchee cigaree for smokee," and as he finishes his
request, he points to the article required.
The Japanese shopman shakes his head in the
negative, and waves the open palm of his hand across
his chest In that pecuUar style mankind In general
adopt when they wish to be rid of anyone, or to close
any conversation.
Nealance won't understand him, however, and there
fore doubles the amount of dollars, but all to no purpose,
he still shakes his head and hands, as if he would like
to be rid of us. Passing on to a street higher up, we
come across another dealer in'the fragrant weed, with
whom we endeavour to make a trade.
"You try him this time, Anderson ? " saj's Nealance.
" Johnnie," says I In mj' suavest tone of voice, while
at the same time I also hold up a couple of Mexican
dollars, " wantchee smokee ; " then I imitate with my
hand and mouth the motions we perform as we Inhale
the inspiration of the fragrant weed.
This shopman has an eye to business, and is seem-

i-j^ AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT
ingly Inclined to trade. He takes the dollars out of
my hand to look at them, and as he does so, I lift the
box of cigars from the stand in the glass-less window.
While this Japanese shopman is satisfying himself as
to the genuineness of the Mexican dollars, Nealance
takes up another box and lays down two dollars also,
which are taken up by the shopman.
As he is in the act of placing his four dollars into his
purse, two Japanese official-looking personages are
noticed coming along the street, both armed in the usual
two-sworded manner. As soon as this shopman spies
these officials of the two swords coming in our direction,
he pushes the four dollars back into my hand, and
motions for us to take our departure from his door.
He will not allow us to return the cigars, and as he is
seemingly in great trepidation at the advent on the
scene of these two officials, we take our departure along
the street, much to his evident relief.
These two officials pass us by with the same In
different stare as all the others have done, and we see
them stand and question the shopman anent his deal
ings with us. There is no chance of us getting back
to remunerate the shopman, for they take their stand
close to his premises, and we are perforce compeUed to
walk away in some other direction.
Aswe walk along the streets we cometo what seems

WE VISIT NAGASAKI TOWN. 175
a hall or public building, with many openings in its
walls in the shape of windows, and Uke all the other
buildings an entire absence of glass or any kind of
screen. Our visit being one of exploration, we do not hesitate
to avail ourselves of a look within the interior of this
public building, from out of and into which we observe
numerous inhabitants of both sexes coming and going,
and all alike arrayed in the scantiest of attire. Look
ing through the screenless windows into the interior of
this building we find, to our amazement, that it Is the
public bathing-place of the inhabitants ; and here, before
our very eyes, we see men and women in their nudest
innocence, disporting themselves in this miniature lake
of water, with all the joyousness borne of paradisiacal
innocence !
The bathers took but little notice of us, and were in
no way abashed at our wondering stare of absorbment.
The scene had come across our vision so unexpectedly,
and was withal so much different from our close
separation of the sexes under such circumstances, that
we may be excused for the rapt absorbment of our first
gaze. When we come to our senses after our astonished
gaze on such a primeval scene, we turn away blushing
as if we had been caught stealing a gUmpse at the

i^b AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
veritable three Graces, when adorning themselves to join
in the escort ofthe mythical Bacchus.
"Did you ever see anything like that?" queries
Nealance. " Never," I reply ; " I have read of some such scenes
In books, but, in all my wanderings, this is the first
time I have seen such an exquisite scene of primitive
innocence." " Some of the women are as fair as our own country
women," saj's Nealance, " and none of them are really
darker than the maidens of Italy or Andalusia."
" What a scene for a painter to put upon his canvas ! "
I remark ; " especially to lay before that portion of our
civilized Europe who cynically believe and hold forth
to their fellows that the finality of innocence came to
an end in the Garden of Eden."
We do not proceed any further into the city, but
take our way leisurely back in the direction of the
landing-place, all the time keeping a sharp look-out
for anything in the shape of butcher-meat. When we
get about half-way back to the landing, we are
rewarded by the sight of a nice young bullock, stand
ing in the courtyard of what might be a dairy, so much
has it the resemblance of one of those milk caravan
saries that are to be found in our own large cities.
Wc walk up the courtyard and have a good survey-

WE VISIT NA GASAKI TO WN. 1 7 7
of the bullock, and find he is just the very animal we
have been looking for all the afternoon.
We halloo a good deal, and make as much noise as
we decently can, in order to bring some one out of the
mansion, in the courtyard of which we have found our
animal, but all to no purpose ; no one ventures forth
that we can bargain with for the purchase of the
animal, so Nealance turns to me and says, " Anderson,
if you will take a couple of hands down to the boat
and bring that schroff and the money up here, I will
watch here and see that no one removes the bullock till
you come back."
" All right," I reply, as I set off with my men to the
landing-place. We have no difficulty In finding It,
for here, at any rate, the streets and lanes are mostly
in straight lines and parallels.
The guards take no heed of me as I walk to the
bottom of the steps, and after getting into the boat
induce the schroff, by means of some forcible eloquence,
to adjourn to the shore and bring the bag of doUars
with him.
However unwUling the schroff may have been to
pass through the lines of guards at the landing-place,
I had no sooner got him through the archway and
rejoined my two men than all the ancient bravery of
his race returned to him, and he was now quite
N

178 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
capable of encountering the direst enemy of the human
race. When we got back to the courtyard where I had left
Nealance, we found him and his two men still watching
by the animal.
" Have you seen anyone yet ? " I ask of Nealance.
" Not a living creature," is the reply of Nealance.
Then he says to the schroff, " Here, Mr. Schroff, see if
you can't talkee talkee some Japanee in that decree,
so can bring man out, sell bullock."
The schroff walks up to the door and makes some
talk In Japanese, mixed with pigeon English and
Chinee, but his efforts, like ours, are in vain, no one
comes forth to sell the buUock, or in any manner
interest themselves In our proceedings.
" How much do you think the animal is worth,
Anderson ? " asks Nealance.
'' Five, ten, or fifteen dollars, over in China," I reply ;
" but what it is worth here, in this new countrj', where
they will not take money, nor buy, nor sell, I don't
know." " Well, we are going to take him on board, at any
rate, to make him into fresh beef ; and If I leave five-
and-twenty dollars in the yard for him, he will be well
paid for ; " so said Mr. Nealance, and of course I
entirely concurred with this arrangement.

HE VISIT NAGASAKI TOWN. 179
" Cast him adrift from the wall, and lead him away
to the boat," says Nealance to our men, while at the
same time he places the sum of twenty-five dollars. In
bright new Mexicans, on the ground close to whei'e the
bullock was tied to the wall.
As soon as we proceed to lead our captive away out of
the yard, the first approach to human life in the mansion
makes its appearance in the doorway, in the shape of
a young and lovely maiden, fair to look upon as a
summer's dream, and possibly verging on the teen that
poets have so often dubbed as sweet.
She was dressed In the mantle our first mother wore
in the Garden of Eden, if we are to believe the many
artists who have delineated on their canvas, through
all the ages, tbe slender raiment that was necessary for
the female adornment in those antediluvian days.
This young lady of Japan looked on at our pro
ceedings without showing by her countenance the
least sign of astonishment, and as Nealance and I
turned out of the courtyard In rear of our men, we
raised our hats and salaamed In our most gracious
style, but this fair maid of Japan made no responsive
obeisance to our polite attentions.
Down through the streets of Nagasaki we proceeded
with our bullock in tow, most of the inhabitants as we
passed along took just sufficient time for a look, then
n2

i8o AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
passed on as unconcerned as possible ; and so, without
any hindrance, we arrived at the landing-place,
where we walked the buUock down the steps and
into the water.
When the boat came alongside, the bullock was made
fast to the stern ring-bolt, then we all took our places
in the boat and put off for the Eamont, the soldiers on
guard looking on all the time, but saying nothing,
only just leaving us very, very severely alone.
A quarter-of-an-hour brings us back on board the
Eamont ; the bullock is hoisted on board, and in half-
an-hour's time legs and shoulders of prime fresh beef
are seen hanging to the rack of the galley. The boat
Is hoisted in, and as it Is close on dinner-time when we
get back, the captain reserves the relation of our
adventures till we are seated at the dinner-table.

CHAPTER XXV.
ANOTHER VISIT AFTER DARK TO CAREERo's.
" Now then, gentlemen," says the captain, addressing
Nealance and I at the dinner-table, after the second
course had been disposed of, "let us hear an account
of your afternoon proceedings."
I allow Nealance the right of precedence, and
accordingly he fires away in his most logical and
graphic style. Coming to the episode of the cigars,
Mr. Jule remarks, " It's a grand country this, and a
fine place for bargains, especially when they won't take
your money from you."
" Well, you can have a trip on shore to-morrow, to
accustom the inhabitants to our visits," says the captain
to Mr. Jule, " and while you are there, you can bring
back the twenty-five dollars left on the ground for
the bullock, if you can find them."
"I am afraid there will be little chance of the
dollars," I remark, " for I expect that fair young

i82 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
damsel was not long In picking them up when our
backs were fairly turned."
" Not a doubt of it," says the captain, " and I'U
warrant, in less than three months they will be as
keen after the dollars as any Chinaman."
When Nealance comes to describe the scene we
beheld at the place we took to be the public baths, the
captain looks at Mr. Jule to see If he Is taking In our
tale, then, with an Incredulous wink at Nealance and I,
he says, " There, that will do now, Nealance ; I know
you can stretch a bit on occasions, but I did not
think you could imagine either Mr. Jule or your
commander Is going to take that in."
Nealance and I stick to the truth of our assertions,
which has the effect of making the captain ask of us if
the Mikado had not been treating us to some delusive
wine. " Now, Anderson," says the captain, addressing me,
" is not Nealance trying to draw on our imagination
when he tells us of men and women, fair as Italians or
Spaniards, all swimming about in a bath together ? "
" No, sir," I reply, " it is bona fide truth ; and you
can easily prove it by going and seeing for yourself.
The people don't seem to care anything about you
looking at them, for the}^ took no notice of us ; and
then, besides that, you can't help seeing them In their

ANOTHER VISIT TO CAREERO'S. 183
houses in the same fashionable attire unless you keep
your eyes shut as you go along."
" How is that ? " queries the captain.
" They have not yet learned what Eve discovered
when she ate the forbidden fruit ; therefore they have
no need of window glass or screens to hide themselves,"
replies Nealance.
" I suppose we must believe you," says the captain ;
" but, Mr. Jule, you and I will have to get on shore,
and have a glimpse of this primeval innocence, before
the light of civilization comes to them, and they get
their eyes opened to the knowledge that came to the
human race by eating of the tree of knowledge."
" I should like very much to see their ways of
living," says Mr. Jule, "for they seem different from
any of the new peoples I have come across. If we could
onlv talk to them we might find out that they were
more civilized, in a better sense than we are, having
only the knowledge of the good that was in the
tree." " Only got half of it, you mean," laughingly suggests
the captain ; " well, they wUl soon get the other half
now, if this treaty they are making with the outside
world comes to be an accomplished fact."
" Is the dingy handy, Mr. Jule ? " asks the
captain.

1 84 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
" Can have her at the gangway in five minutes,"
replies Mr. Jule.
¦' Let her be brought there as quietly as possible,"
says the captain, " and Nealance and Anderson will
pull me ashore to Careero's."
Mr. Jule takes his departure to the deck, and Nealance
and I proceed to our cabin to make ready for the shore.
When we reach the deck the dingy is at the ladder,
and we step down and take the places of the two men
who have brought her there.
As soon as the captain has taken his place In the
stern-sheets we shove off, and pull easily away in the
direction of Careero's, watching the while for any
action that might be taken by any of the boats that are
so carefully watching the Eamont.
The same indifference to our proceedings is observed
by the officials in the boats as was shown to us by all
the officials we met during our visit to the citj- in the
afternoon — we are left severely alone ; and so arrive at
the Careero mansion without anj' Interference from
watchers on the sea or on the land.
We secure the dingy to some brushwood, and then
follow the captain, at his request, to the mansion.
We are received at the vestibule by Careero and
several Japs, who have evidently been on the look
out for our coming.

ANOTHER VISIT TO CAREERO'S. 185
After many salaams, we all take our way to
the inner room, and Nealance has again to describe
the proceedings of our afternoon's visit to the shore,
which is duly interpreted to the Japs by Ah Cheong
and Careero.
" I thought as much," I hear Careero say to the
captain ; " the men who have a stake in the country are
about equally divided for throwing it open, in fact the
throwing-open party are In the majority, I believe, and,
of course, all the officials take their cue from the party
they expect to predominate."
" I suppose there is no reason why I should not
make a visit to the city, and see for myself some of
the wondrous institutions of this new country ? '' says
the captain, by way of a feeler to Careero.
" None that I am aware of," replies Careero ; " and
I would willingly go with you only I have so much to
do, teaching the obstinate party, or, at any rate, the
members who influence that section of the Inhabitants
who are brought here, about all the great advantages
that will come to them in opening up their country to
outside trade, especially the British."
"' Have you ever been in the city, Careero ? " asks
the captain.
"I have been farther than the city," laughingly
replies Careero, "but I was so like a Jap at the time.

i86 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
no one took the slightest notice of me, except my own
especial friends. I suppose you are all ready for sea?"
asks Careero of the captain.
"At any moment you like," replies the captain.
" How long will it take you to run over to Shanghai
or Ningpo and be back here again, stopping possibly
a couple of days at either place ? " asks Careero.
" Ten days," replies the captain, after thinking the
subject over for five minutes.
"Very good," says Careero. "NowIwiUhave a
talk with the Japs, and I will be able to teU you when
you will sail."
Careero, Ah Cheong and the Japs now resolve
themselves Into a committee of discussion. In a
language that is quite unintelligible to us sea
rovers, although, by the frequent looks that are
extended towards the captain, Nealance and I, we are
seemingly forming a part of their interesting disquisi
tion. Not being able to assist in the deliberations through
our ignorance of their language, we console ourselves
for this grievous loss of utility by endeavouring to kill
the time in the agreeable enjoyment of special
Havanas and sparkling ]\loselle, which the captain
orders for our special behoof
Ivike all deliberations, this also graduaUy drew to an

ANOTHER VISIT TO CAREERO'S. 187
end, and, as the speakers finished what they had to
say, they, like other great and mighty speakers, felt a
dryness in their throats that drew them towards our
side table, as a needle is drawn towards the attracting
magnet. As soon as the discussion Is closed, Careero takes his
place beside the captain, and I hear him say, —
" Well, captain, I think you had better leave to
morrow night, after dark, as you will have to take two
Japs back with you who don't wish to be seen leaving
the country."
" All right," replies the captain ; " dark or daylight
is all the same to us. When will the Japs be ready to
be smuggled on board ? " asks the captain.
" Nine or ten o'clock to-morrow night," replies
Careero. " Then we will say good-night, and be off to our
quarters to put in some sleep for the coming night,"
saj's the captain, as we rise from the table.
Careero comes to the door with us after we have
salaamed to the Japs, and before he says good-night,
he says to the captain, "Are you still of the same
mind about going on shore ? "
"Oh, yes," replies the captain; "I must really go
and have a look at this earthly paradise these two
officers of mine have been teUing me about."

1 88 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
" WeU, captain," says Careero, " don't ridicule them
too much to let them see it ; and beware of the ladies
with black teeth, for these are already appropriated
for life, and a Japanese sword is a sharp weapon.
Good-night, captain, good-night, all ; mind how you get
back, and have a boat here at eight to-morrow night,
please." With this parting admonition, we take our
departure for the boat, and Careero retires within the
mansion to rejoin his diplomatic coadjutors.

CHAPTER XXVI.
A SECOND VISIT TO NAGASAKI, WHERE WE FIND
ANOTHER BULLOCK.
The captain, Nealance, and I found our w&j to the
dingy with very little trouble, and as the night was
moonless and dark we succeeded In reaching the
Eamont without being disturbed by any night watchers.
Mr. Jule received us at the gangway, and one of our
sentries quietly moved the dingy astern for the night.
After the captain had issued his Instructions for the
coming day to Mr. Jule, he wished us all good-night
and retired to his cabin ; then, as soon as we had
related to our brother officer the proceedings that had
transpired on shore, we also took our way to our cabins
and retired to rest.
At breakfast the following morning the captain
intimates to Mr. Jule and me his desire for us to ac
company him on his visit to the shore ; therefore, as
soon as our morning meal Is dispatched, Mr. Jule
passes over his executive duties Into the hands of Mr*

lyo A MONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
Nealance, and then proceeds to array himself in suitable
shore-going attire.
The same cutter and crew as yesterday is brought
to the gangway, into which the captain, Mr. Jule, and
I take our places, and, pulling with a real admiral-
like stroke, take our way towards the principal landing-
place of the port.
The landing is guarded as on the previous day, but
no attempt is made to stop us as we leave the boat and
pass through the lines of guards followed by four of
the boat's crew.
We raise our hats to the officers of the guard in the
archway in the usual saluting style as we pass them,
but receive no response of acknowledgment farther than
a fixed stoical kind of stare. The courteous maiyiers of
Western civilization had seemingly not yet been
imported into this far Eastern land.
With my experience of the previous day still tresh
In my mind, I was of course appointed leader of our
party by Captain Gullivar, and told by him to take a
similar route to that of yesterday, in order to see if
there were another bullock to be had, or give Mr. Jule
a chance to pick up the dollars we left in the courtyard
as the price of our animal.
We found the courtyard in due course as we pro-

A SECOND VISIT TO NAGASAKI. 191
ceeded through the city, but there were neither bullocks
nor dollars to be seen anywhere about.
" Never mind now," says the captain to me when I
return to the gate of the courtyard and report my
fruitless quest, " but look out for this place as we come
down to the boat, for we have perhaps called at the
wrong time of day."
We accordingly wend our way farther into the city,
and experience the same kind of stoical, nonchalant
treatment as on the previous day.
No one interferes with us, and we are allowed to look
and gaze, if so inclined, on all the peculiarities of life
as it is to be found in this hitherto unknown land.
We do not endeavour to make any purchases, for we
have a disagreeable feeling that we are being carefully
watched by the two-sworded officials, although they
contrive to keep at a respectable distance. We have a
look at the baths in order to appease the incredulity of
the captain and Mr. Jule, who turn away with the
blushing faces of Western innocence.
At the door of a Buddhist-like temple we remain
for a few minutes, but the priests in their yellow robes
look upon us with such forbidding aspect that we are
fain to take our departure from the precincts of their
sacred edifice.
Here and there as we passed through the streets we

192 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
could observe numbers of the fair sex, whose teeth were
stained to a beautiful brownish black, and as most of
these ladies had grown out of their teens, we took this
to be the symbol of wedlock that obtained in this
country. I had taken little notice of this peculiarity on the
previous day, for I had seen so many fe males in India
whose teeth were stained a reddish- brown, consequent
on chewing a betel-nut, that it seemed a matter of
course that these ladies should likewise be fond of that
dainty pastime.
The remarks of Mr. Careero anent the ladies with
black teeth had stimulated me to take a somewhat
closer look at this peculiarity in feminine adornment,
and I could easily discern that this beautiful brown-
black stain was produced by something superior to
betel-nut or the mastication of any root I had ever
seen In use amongst the natives of India.
There was no danger of mistaking another man's
wife here, or even a lady who was engaged, as we were
given to understand that the process of teeth japanning
commenced as soon as they were engaged to the man of
their choice.
This custom of japanning the betrothed one's teeth
might well have been copied by many nations of the
West, for no doubt it would be the means of saving

A SECOND VISIT TO NAGASAKI 193
many a heart-break, as well as preventing many
scandals, which have of necessity broken up the homes
and families of many who, in a time of passionate
forgetfulness, have forgotten for the moment to whom
they really belonged, and to whom this conspicuous
sign or symbol might have been soul's salvation.
A walk through the streets of two hours' duration is
as much as the captain can stand, so we retrace our
steps towards the landing, on being refused admission
to the temple.
As we pass the courtyard where we took the buUoek
from on the preceding day, we are rather agreeably
surprised to find a somewhat similar animal secured to
the wall, in the like manner as on the previous after
noon. " How many dollars have you got, Mr. Jule ? " are
the first words of the captain, as soon as he spies the
buUock. " Twelve," replies Mr. Jule.
" And you, Anderson ? " asks the captain of me.
"Ten, sir," I reply.
" AU right, then," says the captain, " here are another
ten from me, that makes thirty-two. Now, Anderson,
let us see how you buy cattle in this country."
I accordingly call up two of our men, and desire
them to cast the animal adrift ; then I lay down the
0

194 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT
thirty-two dollars, and give a shout through the
aperture in the wall of the house, to apprise those
within of our impudent robbery.
The bullock is taken down to the boat in charge of
our men ; but, although the captain, Mr. Jule, and I
remain at the entrance of the courtyard some fifteen or
twenty minutes, no one comes from within to lift the
money, or make any sign that they are cognisant of
what is taking place. We are therefore reluctantly
compelled to take our way down to the boat, somewhat
dissatisfied with the non-completion of the Arcadian
picture that had been vouchsafed for the gaze of
Nealance and I on the preceding day.
Walking briskly down to the landing, we come up
with our men at the Archway, in time to pass them
and the buUock through the two lines of guardians,
who watch our proceedings with stoical indifference.
As soon as we get our captive secured to the stern
ring-bolt, we push off from the landing, and in a few
brisk strokes of the oars we are once more alongside
the Eamont.
The bullock is hoisted on board ; the boat is passed
out to the boom end, the hands are piped to dinner,
and we of the after-guard proceed to divest ourselves
of our shore-going apparel before sitting down to
lunch.

A SECOND VISIT TO NAGASAKI 195
While lunch is being prepared, the captain calls two
of the schroffs on deck, and intimates to them his
desire for the company of the officials in the watching
boats at luncheon.
The scroffs accordingly enter into conversation with
the officials in the boats, and tell them of the captain's
polite request, whereupon one of the boats lifts her
moorings, and makes the round of the other boats,
holding a short parley with each, which ends in their
acceptance of the captain's invitation.
One by one the boats come alongside, and deposit
the officials on board, then take up their places as
before, to maintain their careful watch.
" Is there anything necessary on hand this after
noon, Mr. Jule ? " asks the captain.
" No, sir," replies the chief officer, " we are ready
for sea at a moment's notice."
" Very well," says the captain, " then let the hands
have this afternoon below, as soon as they have turned
that bullock into beef, for we shaU want them the most
part of the night."
" Ay ! ay ! sir," replies Mr. Jule, as he proceeds
forward to acquaint the boatswain with the captain's
instructions. We spend fully two hours over this
exciting lunch, and before the Japs return to their
boats we have cordially fraternized as weU as sworn
o2

196 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
life-long brotherhood, if not in very inteUigible
language, at any rate it has been well emphasized, by
signs and hobnobbings that ought to bring it home to
the very densest of human Arcadians. As each boat
comes alongside at the close of the repast to receive the
officials, a goodly quantity of provisions is deposited in
each, for the behoof of the boat's crew of rowers ; a
bottle or two of the arpise. viUe of Holland being added
thereto, to give zest to their appetites.
An armed watch is then set on board the Eamont, so
that those who are in need of repose, to prepare for the
night's work, may retire to their cabins and court the
fair restorer of the mind and brain, sweet and balmy
sleep.

CHAPTER XXVII.
MAKING woo AH CHEONG PAY UP.
" Three bells, sir," I hear the quarter-master say at
my door, on which I jump up, and make known to him
that I am again in the realms of wakeful consciousness.
We do not take the proverbial half hour to dress for
dinner in these days, although our dinners are well
worth the preparation of a table-d'hote toilet. We lived
in such exciting times then, every day of our lives
bringing some new and sharp surprises, that it was
necessary for us to keep up the sharpest disciplinary
vigilance of mind and body, in order to keep pace with
our surroundings, and never be seen to lag.
In less than ten minutes, Mr. Jule, Nealance and I
are on deck, our toilets complete for dinner ; or for
service, whichever it might be. We are soon joined
by the captain, who instructs Nealance to select a boat's
crew for the evening's enterprise, and then consults
with Mr. Jule the best way of slipping out of the
harbour, without drawing the attention of the watch-

198 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
ing boats, so that they may imagine in the morning
that we have been spirited away by some unknown
development. The coming night's work having been carefuUy
planned out, we then sit down to dinner to fortify the
inward man, which is sometimes a very necessary pro
ceeding, the neglect of which has often entailed the
non-success of many well-planned enterprises.
"Nealance," says the captain, when the third course
has made its appearance, " do you think j'ou and
Anderson can bring these Japs off in the dingy ? "
" Yes, sir," replies Nealance, " if they don't have too
much luggage."
"Bring them without their luggage," says the
captain, " or at any rate, with as little as they can do
with, for a matter of ten or eleven days."
" Is Ah Cheong coming back ? " asks Nealance.
"No fear," replies the captain with a smile, "not
for a year or two." Then he asks, looking at Nealance
and I, " But what do you want to know for ; has he
not redeemed his promise, for getting him out of
Shanghai ? "
"Never a bit, sir," replies Nealance, speaking for us
both. " Well, in that case you had better fix him to-night,"
says the captain, " if you can."

MAKING WOO AH CHEONG PAY UP. 199
"We'll fix him right enough," says Nealance,
" now that we have got your permission."
The night is dark and gloomy ; the wind is moderate
and in the most favourable direction that could be
desired for the success of the evening's enterprise.
Punctually at eight p.m. Nealance and I arrive at the
residence of Mr. Careero in the dingy.
" Quite up to time," says Careero, as he comes to
the door to receive us, "ahd we are all ready for you."
" One moment, please," says Nealance to Careero, " I
would like a word with you in private."
" This way then, please," says Careero as he leads us
towards an ante-room.
As soon as we are safe within the room, and clear
of Ah Cheong's intrusion, Nealance explains, for the
benefit of Careero, our intentions regarding Woo Ah
Cheong, in order to get him to prove his gratitude in
some more solid manner than empty forms and
phrases of eternal friendship.
Careero is scarcely able to restrain his laughter as
Nealance propounds his scheme, but being of a liberal
turn of mind himself, as was well known not only to us
but to many of our countrymen, who were then located
in the far East, in quest of that article which is found
so necessary to make up the happiness of human life —
money.

200 Al/ONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
" I suppose you will want my assistance ? " queries
Careero. " If you please," answers Nealance, " you can help
us by only appearing helpless In the matter."
" Very good," says Careero; "now I will send for
him, and I daresay you will get from his fears what
you would never get out of him through anj'' feeling of
gratitude, for he dearly loves the dollars."
In the course of a few minutes. Ah Cheong is
ushered into the room, and when he recognizes who we
are that are waiting specially for him, he comes
forward in his usual bland and child- like manner to
greet us.
Nealance, whom I allow to take the lead, receives the
advances of Ah Cheong in his most dignified and
solemn style, which has the effect of bringing our
Chinese friend to a halt, as it were, and causes him to
look with an expression of inquiry Into the faces of
Careero and myself, as if in search of an answer to the
peculiar form of his reception by Nealance.
He has scarcely time for more than a look at our
solemn visages, when Nealance opens the baU by
saying : " I have the captain's instructions to bring you
back on board the Eamont, Ah Cheong, so the sooner
you pack up your traps and come along, the sooner we
will be able to leave the harbour."

MAKING WOO AH CHEONG PA Y UP. 201
" Me go hackee Shanghai ? " says Ah Cheong, in
evident consternation, his countenance having at the
same time changed from its usual yellow to a pale and
almost deathlike hue ; " my no wantchee go back. Me
stopee here with Messee Careero ; " and he looks at
Careero, as if he wished him to back up his assertion,
but no reassuring glance is seen on the calm, stolid
face of Careero.
" It is of no use appealing to Careero," says Nea
lance, " he cannot help you, and let me tell you, if you
are not ready in half-an-hour, I will bring the men up
from the boat and carry you down. I have the
captain's instructions to fetch you, and you know our
style of doing business well enough."
" What for captain wantchee me go back ? " queries
Ah Cheong, in almost tearful tone.
" The captain very much afraid," replies Nealance,
"he get plenty trouble with the Tootai of Shanghai
for taking you away ; so he wantchee takee you back
to the Tootai, suppose have too much bother."
" Messee Careero, you no can helpee me ? " queries
Ah Cheong, with his most appealing glance, and very
despairing tone.
" I can't do anything," replies Careero ; then in an
aside to Ah Cheong, he whispers in his ear : " Try some
doUars, perhaps the captain like dollars, all same you."

202 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
Ah Cheong's face clears a little at this, but not much,
the loss of his dollars is seemingly a very sore point
with him ; however, he bows to the inevitable after a
minute of deep thought, and then asks Nealance,
"Suppose I give captain some dollars, he no wantee
takee me back ? "
" Perhaps not, suppose you give plenty to make good
cumsha for the Tootai," repUes Nealance.
" How muchee you thinkee captain would like ? "
asks Ah Cheong.
"I daresay the matter of five thousand dollars,"
replies Nealance ; "would settle the whole affair."
" Fi' thousand doUars ! " ejaculates Ah Cheong in
heart-rending tones, " me no got fi' thousand dollars, all
one piece."
Nealance shrugs his shoulders and smiles incredu
lously as he says, " Come ! come ! now. Ah Cheong, we
all know a little better than that, and if your head is
not worth more than five thousand doUars to you. It is
worth a good deal more than that to the Tootai, so
make up your mind at once, for there is no time to
lose. "Anderson," says Nealance, when he finishes the
last argument ; " go down and call the men up from the
boat." " No ! no ! " suDuts Ah Cheong, as he clutches hold

MAKING WOO AH CHEONG PA Y UP. 203
of my arm ; " I givee the dollars you letee me speakee
Messee Careero one littee minute."
" All right," says Nealance, " only be sharp."
Ah Cheong and Careero hold a whispered conversa
tion in the farthest corner of the room, for some five or
ten minutes, and as far as we can make out by their
facial expression and gestures. Ah Cheong is endeavour
ing to inveigle Careero into paying the money for his
release ; Careero proves more obdurate than Ah Cheong
has bargained for, and he reluctantly comes back to
Nealance, to see if he cannot again palaver him over
with some slippery promise.
Ah Cheong's face has again changed its expression,
and he now puts on an appearance of sweet and innocent
blandness, as he asks Nealance, " Captain takee bill on
chop at Shanghai ? "
" No ! no bill ! " replies Nealance ; " hard dollars, so
be quick, for we know well enough you have plenty of
them." Nealance now takes his watch from his pocket, and,
laying it on the table, says to Ah Cheong, " You see
the time there, eight twenty-five ; if the dollars are not
here in five minutes, Anderson calls them up to do their
duty 1 "
Seeing no hope of any help coming from Careero,
Ah Cheong leaves the room in a very dejected manner.

204 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
and soon after returns with one of the many boxes of
specie which we had landed for him since our arrival.
Cast-down and woe-begone, can scarcely denote the
abject condition of our rich, miserly, and somewhat
slippery acquaintance ; so much so, that I can scarcely
restrain myself from bursting out into a fit of un
controllable laughter.
" How much is in the box ? " asks Nealance.
" Fi' thousand dollars," whines Ah Cheong with
quivering lips.
" We must get the lid off it, and have a look at
them," says Nealance, although he knows weU enough
by the look of the box that it is aU right.
The lid is soon taken off, and the difi'erent piles
counted, then Nealance, assuming a gracious and
benevolent manner, looks first at me, then at Ah
Cheong, and says, " Well, Ah Cheong, as you have been
pretty generous, considering what kind of a man you
are, you shall have half the box back again, and I will
try and make it all right with the captain."
Ah Cheong does not look so much relieved at this
offer of Nealance's as one would have supposed, for he
shakes his head and says, " Me no caree, suppose you
makee aU right with the Tootai at Shanghai ! "
" All right," says Nealance, as he empties the box
of half its contents on to the table, and turning to me

MAKING WOO AH CHEONG PA Y UP. 205
says : " Carry that lot down to the boat, Anderson ;
there is enough there for you and me, and Mr. Jule."
I acquiesce in the arrangements made by Nealance
on our behalf, and carry the box down to the boat ;
then having safely deposited it in the stern sheets, I
betake myself back to the mansion.
Meeting Ah Cheong in the vestibule, I am pleased
to see that he is now in the best of humour, and
apparently in a more friendly mood than he has been
since leaving Shanghai. The revulsion of feeling, from
that of great dread at the idea of being taken to
Shanghai, to the now satisfactory assurance of perfect
safety, had indeed proved a wonderful necromancer,
for his generosity now was seemingly unbounded, no
thing would please him but that I should accept five
hundred of the doUars returned him, as a proof of his
great regard for me.
I had perforce to accept of them, or else explain the
whole of our proceedings, so out of this curious
dilemma I chose the course most approved of by the
world in general. He had been no less generous with
Nealance, who had felt himself in a fix, whether to
accept of his now generous offer or not, till Careero put
his word in by saying, " Take it, Mr. Nealance, he will
never miss it, and by the time you come back he will
have got over it."

2o6 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT
This little business with Ah Cheong having been
thus satisfactorily concluded, the real business of the
night was forthwith proceeded with.
Nealance and I conveyed the luggage of the Japanese
down to the dingy, and stowed it away, so as to make
carrying-room for our two passengers ; then we
returned for the despatch bags and took our leave of
Careero, Ah Cheong, and the other inmates of the
mansion. The two Japs who were to accompany us having
likewise got through their parting salaams, take their
departure with us ; and in a quarter of an hour we have
landed them on board the Eamont, without being
observed by any of their countrymen who have been
keeping such a strict watch on our proceedings.

CHAPTER XXVIII.
FROM NAGASAKI TO WOOSUNG  MORE PIRATE.S.
The Japs and their baggage having been got on board,
the dingy is quietly passed along and hoisted on board
in a very noiseless manner. AU hands are called on
deck in the same silent mode, aud the work of unmoor
ing ship Is carefully proceeded with.
We do not lift our anchor, but having unshackled the
cable at the forty-five, the chain is noiselessly walked
back on the capstan till the rope that is attached to the
unshackled end is in the hawse-pipe. A buoy rope is
then attached to the end link, just long enough to keep
the buoy about one fathom under the surface of the
water when the end of the cable is at the bottom. The
buoy is lowered into the water, and then the end of the
cable is lowered to the bottom just as the Eamont
begins to forge ahead under the pressure of a small
awning which had purposely been left hanging up to
dry. With our night-glasses we in vain search for any

2o8 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
signs of life or movement in the watching boats; but
as far as we can make out, they are all evidently fast
asleep. The end of the Une attached to the cable slips
out of the hawse-pipe with prearranged noiselessness,
the end being lowered into the water by means of a
piece of marline.
Slowly and silently we take our way out of the
harbour, in order to surprise the inhabitants, who had
made such a desperate effort to force us out of the
place on the first morning of our appearance there.
A quarter of a mile away from the anchorage we
have left, and the topsail is set ; then, as we gradually
increase our distance from the port, sail after saU is
spread upon the Eamont, till she is once more clad in
her usual full plain saU.
By midnight we are clear of the harbour, and
gradually drawing out from the land into the strength
ofthe monsoon; the watches are set, and those whose
turn it is to seek repose retire below, and leave the
Eamont in the care of Mr. Nealance and his watch.
When duty again calls me to the deck, I find the
Eamont in her usual wet and treacherous mood ; that
is, if one had a care to keep himself dry and com
fortable. We are now in the full strength of the monsoon, the
wind is a point abaft the beam, and we have as much

FROM NAGASAKI TO WOOSUNG. 209
of it as she can sit in the water with, carrying all plain
sail, as well as topmast and lower studding sails.
She Is dancing over the white crested waves like a
very thing of life and beauty, but you have to watch
the ever- spattering showers of spray, for the Eamont is
no respecter of places or persons, and keeps on slinging
the water about in every conceivable direction, the
quarterdeck receiving as goodly a share as the fore
castle or the waist.
Passing lightly over the small annoyance of an
occasional ducking from the silvery spray, there is
nothing in this life more enjoyable or exhilarating to
the senses than to have the pleasure of bounding over
and through the ever-glistening waves, on board a fast
and well-found craft that is propelled by sails alone ;
for in a craft propelled by mechanical agency none of
these feelings can be engendered.
We carry this breeze for nearly forty-eight hours,
then, as we near the coast of China, the breeze gradually
abates, till our speed is reduced from fourteen and
fifteen knots an hour to that of eight, nine, or ten at
the most, and the latter only when it hauled somewhat
more towards the beam.
We take a more southerly channel than usual when
we approach towards Woosung, in order to avoid, if
possible, coming Into conflict with any of the piratical

2IO AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
junks, who infest the environs of the Saddle
Islands. Our precautions are, however, of little avail, for some
of the piratical fraternity have, for some reason or
other, seen fit to change their cruising ground, and
when we are within a possible six hours of completing
our passage, we are met by three large and powerful-
looking junks, evidently, from their movements, bent
upon our capture or destruction.
It is early in the forenoon of the fourth day since
leaving Japan, that we descry on our weatherbow these
three hostile junks. When we first observe them
theyare heading in a north-west direction, close-hauled
on the starboard tack, and seemingly working their
way to the northward.
The breeze has freshened considerably as the daj'
advanced, and at the time when we sight the junks
we are going along at the rate of twelve knots an hour.
We of course keep on our course, not knowing the
character of the junks when they first come into the
range of our vision ; but in less than a quarter of an
hour we are soon made aware of their hostUe intentions
by seeing them put their helms up and wear round tUl
they bring the wind on their port quarters, then
running on a course at a right angle to that which we
are steadily pursuing. '

FROM NAGASAKI TO WOOSUNG. 211
All hands are piped to quarters on board the Eamont,
the guns which had been carefully sponged and re
loaded the previous afternoon are cast loose, and
prepared for action ; the magazine is opened, and the
small arms are stacked in the racks for instant use ;
while at the same time each man is supplied with a
good amount of rifle and revolver ammunition.
A short and stirring address Is made by the captain
to the assembled ship's company, who are afterwards
regaled with a glass of their favourite beverage, and
dismissed to their stations.
" Mr. Nealance," calls out the captain after he has
watched the manoeuvring of the junks for some little
time, " get that dragsail laid across the taffrail as soon
as you can, and have it ready to drop over."
" Aye ! aye ! sir," replies Nealance as he dives below,
with half-a-dozen of his men, to fetch that most impor
tant piece of canvas on deck.
In five minutes' time Nealance has got the dragsail
in readiness, and only awaits the orders of the captain
to let it fall into the water, and bring the Eamont to a
standstill. I am on the forecastle-head standing by my long
eighteen-pound carronade, waiting In readiness for the
order to fire, but the captain makes no sign, although
we are fast approaching the hostile junks.
p 2

2 12 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
The junks are carrying on all the canvas they can
press, and are keeping at right angles to our course, as
if they were afraid we might slip past them.
" Reserve your fire," the captain shouts, " till the
junks are on the port bow, then slap it into them fast
and hot."
Mr. Jule and I train our guns to port, and the men
at the port broadside guns stand with trigger-line in
hand, waiting for the coming moment.
" Let go your dragsail," I hear the captain shout to
Nealance, when the three junks are almost within two
hundred yards of us.
" Brace sharp up and flatten in all," is the next
order, which is executed ere the sound has died out of
his voice.
" Cut away j^our dragsail," shouts the captain, "both
sides of it, and let it go."
" Keep her close to the wind, my man," saj's the
captain to the man at the wheel, "but clean full, don't
shake her,"
" Fire away, now, my lads, let them have it hot and
strong," shouts the captain in loud stentorian tones.
The whole three junks are on our port bow, they
having carried on, calculating on the rate of speed we
were travelUng at, and of course not knowing or
imagining that the Eamont had almost stood stiU for

FIRING ON THE PIRATE JUNKS.

FROM NAGASAKI TO WOOSUNG. 213
nearly ten minutes. Fire away we did, and with toler
ably good result, if one could take the yells and screams
of rage that came from the baffled enemy, who had
never been able to get a shot to bear upon us, so eager
had they been to get to close quarters, and throw some
of their suffocating stink-pots on board.
Not only the screams of rage and pain, but in the
dismasting of two of the junks, there was good evidence
that our shot had not been wasted, although three
shots from each gun were all that we had time for, so
fast was the Eamont careering away to the north-west
under the altered conditions. ,
'' Well done, my lads," I hear the captain shout from
the quarter-deck, " now cease firing, run in your guns
and make all secure again," he continues, when the
Eamont has passed out of the range of her antagonists.
As soon as the guns are secured, Mr. Jule, Nealance,
and I lead all hands aft to the mainmast, and we give
three times three as lusty cheers for the captain as
ever rang across the ocean, for to him and his dragsail
manoeuvre our success in the encounter was mainly
due. " Beautifully done, wasn't it, Bill ? " I hear the men
saying one to the other.
" How pretty he walked the Eamont into wind'ard
of them," says another; and many more were the

214 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
eulogistic expressions that fell from the lips of our
crew ere the sun set on that eventful day.
" Pipe the hands to grog, Mr. Jule," says the
captain, " and then set the watch, for I think we wiU
fetch Woosung now without any more bother."
The captain's health Is drunk, and the men are
dismissed to their quarters. The Eamont is again kept
on her course for her destination, and the yards well
trimmed to the breeze. The junks are nearly out of
sight astern, making the best of their temerity, and no
doubt storing up much vengeance in their hearts, to
spend upon us the next time we foregather on the
ocean. Our Japanese passengers are very profuse in their
acknowledgment of our prowess; for possibly they
had never seen such a sight before, and it would be
grand news for them to relate amongst their friends
when they returned.
At five o'clock that afternoon we cross the bar at
Woosung, and ere the sun has sunk behind the
western hills the Eamont Is once more at anchor, under
the powerful battery of our receiving ship.
The sails are furled, the booms swung out, and the
boarding nettings triced up, the better to keep off the
many thieves and others who infest the different ports
of the Celestial Empire.

FROM NAGASAKI TO WOOSUNG. 215
The captain's gig is put in the water, and he takes
his departure for the receiving ship ; after which, Mr.
Jule, Nealance and I, with our two Japs, sit down and
enjoy once more a comfortable dinner ; for, when the
Eamont was driving through the foam-crested waters,
it took you all your time to hold on to the dish in hand,
without paying too much attention to those adjuncts of
civilized life, forks, knives and spoors.

CHAPTER XXIX.
TO NINGPO THROUGH THE BATTLE OF CHINHAE.
"What did you think of our skirmish to-day?" asks
Mr. Jule of Nealance and me/as we sit at dinner.
" Splendid," says Nealance, " that water-saU just took
in all their calculations. They were right across our
bow before they knew where they were, and then as
the fools wore round to bring them in line with us,
they gave us a nice chance to rake them fore and aft."
" Ours was a splendid bit of seamanship," I remark,
" and theirs was a huge blunder ; but I wonder the
captain did not stop and sink them, especially after
two of them were dismasted."
" Against orders," says Mr. Jule, " we are only
allowed to protect ourselves ; and we are not supposed
to do the work of the Royal and Imperial navies.''
"Time is another thing the captain has to consider,"
remarks Nealance, " ag well as « hat might happen to
us, should a stray shot knock some of our spars
away. There would be no quarter for any of us.

TO NINGPO. 217
should we get disabled and fall into their clutches ; so it
is just as well to keep them out of range."
" We destroyed those other junks on our way up to
Nieunchwang," I remark, in support of my suggestion
for the destruction of the junks.
" True enough," says Nealance, " but I don't think
we would have boarded them had the captain not been
sure that they were deserted. He may have had per
mission to tackle them ; or he may have expected- a
richer prize than they turned out to be.
" Wheels within wheels," I remark, at which we all
burst out laughing, much to the amusement of the Japs
who are dining with us, aud taking lessons in the
etiquette of the western dinner-table.
" By-the-bye," says Mr. Jule, " neither of you have
told me how you managed to get Ah Cheong to dis
gorge." " Simple enough,'" replies Nealance, " I threatened to
bring him on board to the captain, so that he should
be delivered up to the Tootai of Shanghai, to clear us
from having any hand In assisting him to escape."
" Was he much frightened ? " asks Mr. Jule.
" Rather," replies Nealance, " especially when I told
him what an awful pity it would be to see that noble-
looking head of his stuck up in a box on the city waUs.
I think the picture I drew in imagination, about his

2i8 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
head being cut off to decorate the city waUs, made him
think his head of more value to his body than the
possession of a few paltry dollars."
"That was the lecture I gave him," again says
Nealance, " when you went down to the boat with the
box half-fuU of doUars, Anderson, and that brought us
in another thousand, when he came to understand the
great dangers we had saved him from."
"You are a cool hand, Nealance," says Mr. Jule,
"at getting round a Chinaman."
"I don't know so much about that," remarks
Nealance. "I have generally come off second best,
when I have been doing a trade wdth them ; and this
Uft from Ah Cheong wUl not make up for the half I
have lost in deaUng with his countrymen."
"What do you say about it, Anderson?" asks
Nealance. " Like yourself," I reply, " I have been bit several
times with them, for they are very cute at a bargain.
On the other hand, I have met some of them who were
as honourable as any white man ; but then they were
Chinamen who had left the Celestial Empire, and been
brought up under the influence of Western barbarians,
and generally prided themselves on their European
style of mannerism."
" It Is not much loss to Ah Cheong," remarks

TO NINGPO, 219
Nealance, " and he wiU have it out of the first barbarian
he comes across, or out of those simple Japanese, as he
teaches them how to finance and trade on the new
model." We are on the point of rising from the table, when
our actions are accelerated by hearing the quarter
master on watch call down the companion, "The
captain wUl be at the gangway in a minute, Mr. Jule."
As we had not expected him back till the morning,
we hurriedly make our way on deck, and are only just
in time to meet the captain as he lands on the deck.
" Had your dinners, gentlemen ? ¦" asks the captain.
"Yes, sir," replies Mr. Jule.
" And the men have finished their suppers too, I
suppose ? " queries the captain of Mr. Jule.
" Yes, sir," replies our chief officer.
" Hoist the gig up and heave short, while I go and
have a snack ; " and away goes the captain to the saloon,
leaving us aU wondering what next we are to be up to,
for we had all been so sure of getting to Shanghai on
the morrow, before the middle of the day.
Nealance attends to the hoisting in of the captain's
gig, and Mr. Jule and I look after the heaving va. of
the cable.
" Pawl the capstan," says Mr. Jule, when sufficient
cable has been hove in ; then he wends his way aft to

220 A IIONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
report to the captain, who has made his appearance on
the quarter-deck, having finished his snack of inward
nourishment, Nealance and I are now beckoned aft to the quarter
deck, where the captain Informs us that the rebels are
threatening the city of Ningpo, and orders have come
down from Shanghai for us to go and assist any of the
citizens who are wishful to leave the beleaguered city.
" Now we will get under weigh," says the captain,
after he has given us the foregoing information, " and
if we have anything of a clear night at all, we should
get to Chinhae by daylight."
The work of getting under weigh goes rapidly on,
and in a quarter of an hour's time we are carefuUy taking
our way over the bar again.
The night is dark but clear, and on the whole it is
a good night for making out any distant objects,
therefore the captain elects to proceed by way of the
inner route, as it, being so much the shortest, wiU save a
good manjr hours'' sailing. Getting safely over the bar,
a course is shaped to take us inside of Tuang So Island,
the Eamont is allowed to go at an easy pace, so that
we can pick our way in safetj', and hands with sharp-
set eyes are planted on the look-out, to watch for
dangers seen or unseen, and more especially for junks
that might attempt to bar our waj\

TO NINGPO, 22 1
Two officers remain on watch at a time during the
night, and the utmost vigUance is practised, so that
we may thread our way through this most Intricate
passage without coming to grief.
Nothing of any moment happens during the course
of the night, more than the trimming of the yards and
the altering of the course, as we wend our way through
between Woosung and Chinhae.
When the night gives place to welcome day, the
entrance to Chinhae can be plainly seen, some twelve
or fourteen miles away, bearing about two points on
our starboard bow.
The Eamont, under the orders of the captain. Is kept
dead away for the entrance. All her flying kites are
set, and every yard, brace and sheet. Is trimmed down
to catch, and make the most of, the favourable and
refreshing breeze.
An early breakfast is dispatched fore and aft, then
all hands are piped to stations, as we approach the
entrance to Ningpo River.
Guns are run in and carefully examined to see that
all are in fighting order. Ammunition Is distributed,
and the small-arms stacked In readiness around the
mainmasts. More than usual care is taken to have everything in
readiness, the captain having been warned that the

222 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
rebels might try and oppose our passage up the
river. As we draw in towards Chinhae, the sound of can
nonading can be distinctly heard, and as we get nearer,
the crack, crack of musketry skirmishing can likewise
be made out.
Before we enter the narrows, Nealance and I, by
order of the captain, pass round the deck and place a
rifle for each man within easy reach of his arm, whUe
at the same time he attends to the working of his gun.
That a battle is going on in the vicinity of Chinhae
is only but too evident, for as we approach the city
volley firing and cannonading sound in our ears with a
very real distinctness.
" Anderson," says the captain to me, " you are well
acquainted with the river, are you not ? "
" Tolerably well, sir," I reply.
" You had better remain aft here, then," says the cap
tain, " and attend to the steering. Nealance, you can give
an ej'e to that forward gun, should we get into action."
" Ay, ay, sir," replies Nealance, " I don't think
there is much danger of that gun being well served, for
that fellow Bounden, that is captain of it, is every inch
a gunner." " Are you acquainted with any of the army standards,
Anderson ? " queries the captain of me.

TO NINGPO. 223
"Yes, sir," I reply, "I know the Imperial well
enough, but I am not sure about the rebels."
" Keep a look out, then, for the Imperials, and we
will keep towards their side of the river if possible,"
says the captain.
As we get within gunshot of the city, we run the
largest British ensign we have on board up at the
main-topmast head, and another, somewhat less in size,
is floated from the main-gaff end.
The breeze has freshened with the rising sun, and
we have now, as we pass the city of Chinhae, a
slashing twelve-knot breeze, somewhere about four
points on the port quarter.
The river is narrow here, and both sides can be seen,
with ease, without the aid of glasses.
On the left bank of the river I can make out the
long, narrow, yellow standard of the Imperialists, with
its long winding dragon, therefore we haul the Eamont
over towards that side of the river.
As the flood-tide is with us, we fly past the town of
Chinhae like a flash of lightning ; then, as we enter the
narrow portion of the river, we are treated with a
fusillade from the right bank, the sound of which is
deafening, but its effect on our progress is invisible.
Their shot falls far short of us, and the one or two
heavy guns they have in position, must have been

2 24 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
sighted for a shot at some celestial object, for the balls
go whistling over our mast-heads, and find their way
into the camp of the Imperialists.
Our starboard guns are discharged right into the
rebel camp, for such we take them to be, that have
dared to fire upon the British ensign, but with what
result we cannot make out, as the Eamont flies past
at such rapid pace, that new batteries and platoons
of fighting men keep opening into view at every
moment. We have a still narrower portion of the river to run
the gauntlet of, so for the most part we reserve our fire
till we come to this particular place ; then, as we get
into this channel, we give it to them on the right bank
of the river hot and strong.
Here the rebels are attempting to force the passage
of the river by means of rafts, boats and aU manner of
things floatable.
The scene through which we now pass defies descrip
tion, and the rebels are so intent on forcing their way
across, that v^ only receive from them the passing
consideration of the balls that are fired into the
Imperial camp.
The butchery that was going on around us, as we
passed through this narrowest portion of the river, was
something awful ; here were a few rebels on a eata-

TO NINGPO. 225
maran, of hasty and indifferent construction, another
few of them in sampans and other water vehicles, and
all attempting to gain a footing on the left bank of the
river. Spears and knives seemed to be the principal
weapons in use amongst the rebels, only a few of the
officers having anything in the shape of firearms.
The Imperialists were mowing them down with a
galling musketry-fire at less than a hundred paces,
while at the same time, down at the water's edge, and
even in the water itself, desperate hand-to-hand
encounters were plainly visible to us as we raced
through the channel. Drowning men were stabbing
drowning men, in their ferocious endeavours to anni
hilate each other, aud it is beside the mark when I say,
that they were the most ferocious specimens of the
human form divine it had ever been my lot to witness
engaged in sanguinary warfare.
It has often been remarked in my hearing, by some
of those engaged on the Imperial side, that this day's
battle was one of the bloodiest in the annals of the
Taeping rebellion'.
We pass unscathed through this mad scene of
butchery, except for a few spent shot that have landed
against our sides and bulwarks, and left their mark
behind ; then, as we steadily pursue our way up the
Q

2 26 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
river towards Ningpo, the cannonading and noise of
battle graduaUy decrease, till distance shuts out the
very sound and sight of the battle, and the upper
reaches look so pleasurable and inviting in their garb
of fragrant foliage, that one could almost imagine the
last hour that has passed to be but a phantasm,
emanating out of a fever-maddened brain.
" Did you ever see such infernal devils ? " says the
captain to me, as we glide past the infuriated savages,
and witness them plunging their daggers up to the
hilt in their antagonists' throats, their chests, or their
sides, anywhere at all where they can strike home,
with their right hand, while with their left hand they
either clutch their enemy and endeavour to force him
under the water, or else endeavour to ward off the fatal
stab from their own body.
" No quarter given or taken there, sir," I reply.
" Yery Uttle of that," says the captain, with a grim
smile, " for prisoners are considered a nuisance, and are
generally got rid of in a summary manner."
" I hope the Imperialists wUl gain the day," I
remark. " How so ? " queries the captain.
"Well, if the rebels succeed in capturing Chinhae,
they will be able to block the entrance, and we 'will
have a tight job of it to get out again," I reply.

TO NINGPO. 227
" Can't help it," says the captain, " we wUl have to
get out of it somehow, and my orders are to return
immediately, or at least as soon as we have succeeded
in getting those people out of the city that we have
come to assist."
" Has there been any other craft sent round here ? "
I ask. " Yes," replies the captain ; " I expect to meet the
Zephyr coming down every minute, and you may be
sure there will be a lot of lorchas making as many
dollars as they can, assisting the inhabitants to clear
out, but very likely they are waiting the result of this
morning's battle."
" I think we are pretty well out of the melee, now,"
says the captain, about half-an-hour after we have
passed through the opposing armies ; " tell Mr. Jule
I wish to see him."
"Mr. Jule," says the captain, " you can pipe to grog,
and then let the men retire from stations, but keep
them handy In case of any surprise."
" Very good, sir," replies the chief officer ; then, ere
he proceeds to carry out the captain's orders, he cannot
forbear saying, " An awful^waste of human life down
there, sir," pointing over the stern of the Eamont.
" Yes, Mr. Jule," says the captain with a smile ;
"much like what we read about of the old bare-
Q 2

228 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
legged savages in ancient Briton, in the good old
days." The men are piped to grog, and released^from the
tension that holds one in a kind of fixture when at
stations ; the welcome time of relaxation is further
enhanced by the permission to enjoy the solace of
that ever-fragrant and mind-clearing weed, tobacco.

CHAPTER XXX.
RESCUING FUGITIVE CELESTIALS PROM NINGPO.
We arrive off the city of Ningpo somewhere about two
In the afternoon, and we are scarcely come to an anchor
before we are surrounded with sampans which are
all crammed with men, women and children, who are
wildly clamouring for permission to come on board.
We run the boarding nettings up, and are also careful
to leave no ropes over the side, whereby any of them
can come up the side till such time as we have made
some arrangements for the accommodation of such a vast
number of people.
The Zephyr is lying not far off, and she is apparently
crowded with people, as are also a goodly number of
lorchas that are lying between us and the city walls .
Captain Hawser of the Zephyr pays us a visit as soon
as we have come to anchor, and a consultation is held
between him and our captain, as to the advisabilitj^ of
our sailing in convoy, an arrangement that meets with
the cordial approval of our commander.

230 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
The two captains having settled upon their plan of
action, our captain instructs Nealance and me to get
ready to accompany him on shore.
A cutter is placed in the water and manned with an
armed crew of our hardiest men. Nealance and I take
our places in the stern sheets, where we are soon joined
by our captain and Captain Hawser, then, putting off
from the Eamont, we puU quickly for the shore, as near
to the main entrance gate as we can conveniently
land. Half the boat's crew remain In charge of the boat,
and the other half follow us up into the city, to make
as respectable a show of force as we can under the
circumstances. One of our schroffs has likewise
accompanied us, and as he knows the city better than
any of us, he pilots us through the many intricate
streets till we arrive at the Tootai's, or governor of the
city for the time being.
The city looks depopidated of all its trading com
munity, and there are none of its usual bustling and
thrivlng-looking mercantile people to be seen.
The city walls are crowded with Imperialist troops of
some kind or another, and the gates are weU guarded by
a curious motley crowd of nondescript Celestials in the
garb of fighting men. Some are armed with old muskets,
a few have minie rifles, a few more are in possession of

RESCUING FUGITIVE CELESTIALS. 231
gingals lashed on to bamboos, and requiring the aid of
half-a-dozen men to work them ; but the most part of
them are only armed with the ugly knives, daggers
and short swords that are so common in the far East.
The two captains are granted an inter'view with the
Tootai, the schroff accompanying them as interpreter,
Nealance and I remaining in the vestibule of the
Tootai's mansion with our men, to guard against any
surprise. The interview lasts about half-an-hour, then we are
rejoined by the captains and the schroffs, and betake
ourselves back to the boat.
On the way down to the boat. Captain Gullivar ex
plains to Nealance and /tlie result of the interview,
as well as the necessity there is for holding any inter
course with the Tootai at all, when the people have left
the city and are clamouring to get on board the
Eamont for protection. " The fact of the matter is,"
the captain says to Nealance and I, " the Tootai had
refused to allow Quong Ly (one of the head chops in
the city, and I daresay the richest) to leave the city, and
I had instructions to threaten him with the bombard"
ment of his city walls, either by us or the British fleet,
if he did not restore him to liberty, and allow him to
proceed to Shanghai, either in the Eamont or in any of
his own lorchas."

232 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
"Howls It settled? " asks Nealance.
"If he is not alongside the Eamont by five o'clock,
we wUl waken them up and make a hole in their walls
for the rebels to get in," replies the captain ; " but I
rather think he will be off by that time, for the Tootai
seems a bit of a muff, and I should not be surprised to
hear of him running out of one end of the city as the
rebels come in at the other."
Leaving the landing, we pull off to the Zephyr in
order to put her commander on board, and as time is
pressing we hurry back to the Eamont to arrange about
taking as many of the fugitive inhabitants on board as
possible. The Zephyr we could see was crowded with
them fore and aft, but whether she had any under deck
we could not make out.
We have some difficulty in making our way to the
ladder, through the numerous sampans that are await
ing permission to land the fugitives on board.
When we have got on board, the boat is hoisted in
out of the way ; then the captain holds a parley with
us officers about the number we are to allow on board,
it being simply an impossibility to provide room for
half the number who are clamouring alongside.
A strong guard Is stationed at the gangway, the
hatches are taken off, and a roughly-constructedpassage-
way made down on to the platform or floor of the hold.

RESCUING FUGITIVE CELESTIALS. 233
Everything being in order, a sampan is allowed
alongside to deposit its passengers, one at a time, upon
the accommodation ladder.
Mr. Jule takes his station at the bottom of the ladder
and receives or rejects the Intending fugitive, accord
ing to the amount of silver he is able to produce, either
in bars or Mexican dollars.
A good many are rejected in the first half-hour, but
as our accommodation gets smaller, and the price of
admission, if I may so term it, gets much larger, very
few of them are found to reject the terms of the chief
officer. The captain, who has been watching the filling up of
the hold and other available spaces, at length orders a
stop to the proceedings. The ladder is hoisted up, and
the boarding nettings triced down to the rail, so as
not to allow of any more coming on board. We have
scarcely moving-room as it is, and we will have some
trouble in working ship, when we start on our return
to Shanghai.
The clamouring of the fugitives In the sampans,
whom we are unable to accommodate, is something
terrible to look at. Despair seems to have taken hold
on many of them, and they can scarcely be restrained
from attempting to climb up the sides, on the poles and
oars belonging to the boats.

234 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
Some hold out bags of dollars, and others attempt
to induce the captain to relent by offering bars of pure
white silver.
Poor, frightened, spiritless beings, they cannot be
made to see that it is impossible for us to pack any
more into the space we have at command, without
endangering the lives of those we have already taken
on board.
The captain stations the schroffs at each side, to
communicate to the hapless wretches the reason of our
inabiUty to succour any more, and at the same time to
advise them to seek for shelter on board the junks or
lorchas, but they seem to have as great a dread of the
lorchas as of the expected rebels.
In the midst of this clamour, Quong Ly and his
family arrive alongside, and are speedily brought on
board. A signal is made to the Zephyr, and then we
begin to heave away on the capstan ; the captain's
Intention being to endeavour to pass out of the river
under cloud of the darkness of this moonless night, as
already arranged between him and the captain of the
Zephyr. The tide is just on the turn from flood to ebb, and
if the wind only holds so that we can lead down the
river without much tacking, we may get past Chinhae
before we meet the next turn of the tide. When

RESCUING FUGITIVE CELESTIALS. 235
discussing the matter with us, his officers, the captain,
after telling us of the arrangement with the captain of
the Zephyr, remarks, " It is a big risk, but there is no
help for it. We must keep a bright look-out, so that
we don't take the ground anywhere near the opposing
armies, if they are still in the same position. Anyhow,
I believe myself, both sides will be that much cut up
with their day's work that they will be too lazy to get
up and look at us, so that if we can only keep afloat,
and this good working breeze hangs on, we will be
well out of it before midnight."
" What do you think, gentlemen ? " asks the
captain, when he has finished his explanation.
" It is the best plan, I think," replies Mr. Jule.
" First class," says Nealance ; in reply to which I
add " ditto."
"Pipe the hands to grog, Mr. Jule," says the
captain, " as for us, we will take a snack when we can
get it, for we will all have to remain on deck till we
have passed the rublcon, which for us is to-night the
town or village of Chinhae."
While the Zephyr, which is going to take the lead,
is getting under weigh, we get as many of our fugitive
Celestials put below in the hold as we consider
necessary for the working of the vessel, till we get out
of the river ; then we station sufficient of our men

236 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
on guard at the hatchways, to keep them in
order. Everything being now somewhat shipshape, and the
Zephyr under weigh, our anchor is tripped, and we
sail on in the wake of our consort, followed by the
unavailing clamouring shouts of those who are left
behind. The night is all that could be desired for our purpose,
for it is opaquely dark ; that is, it is very dark for
landsmen, but to a trained seaman it is what is termed
a good night for distinguishing objects that have no
apparent background ; such as the sails of a ship, or a
balloon, therefore we are able to distinguish our
consort's every movement, by keeping our glasses bear
ing upon her snow-white sails.
By ten o'clock we have fetched down close to the
narrow channel where the fighting was so brisk in
the forenoon, having only had to make two short
tacks. No lights are allowed on either vessel, excepting the
one covered light in the binnacle ; keenest eyesight Is
the best light for such a night, and for such an enter
prise. Before entering the narrows, we see the Zephyr
make a short tack to windward, in order that she may
not be hampered with a shy wind In the most critical

RESCUING FUGITIVE CELESTIALS. 237
part of the passage ; so therefore, as soon as we attain
the same position, we also make a board to windward,
to keep the Eamont well in hand as we glide silently
through the narrows.
As soon as we see the Zephyr away on the original
tack, we prepare to follow suit, and very soon the
Eamont is following on the heels of her consort,
at a pace that would gladden a yachtsman's heart,
and in such a noiseless manner that the rustling
of a silk handkerchief might be easily heard.
Wind and tide in our favour, we rush through this
narrow channel with accelerated speed, and It would
take a smart marksman indeed to hit us, unless by the
merest haphazard chance.
We observe several watchfires on both banks of the
river, but we are unable to distinguish anything in the
shape of the human form divine, either on sentry, or
watching by the bivouac fire.
Safely through the narrows without arousing the
attention of either army to our proceedings, we sail
rapidly on till we again see our consort heave In stays,
about a mile above Chinhae. We again follow suit
and fetch over to the weather-shore, this time for our
last tack to windward ; for when we are once more
round on the original tack, we are able to give her a
point, and keep out of range of any guns that may be

238 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT
in position at Chinhae, whether In the hands of friends
or foes.
The town as we pass it is buried in darkness, there
is not the faintest show of a light to be distinguished.
After passing Chinhae we are dismissed from stations,
the watch is set, and the high-strung tension of silent
expectation, which we have been under for the last
six hours, drops away from our brain with evident
relief to our minds and bodies.
The wind is in such a direction as to enable us to
lay a straight course for Woosung bar. It is not
fresh, but quite enough to force the Eamont through
the water at the rate of ten and eleven knots an hour,
although on a taught bowline. We are sheltered some
what by the numerous islands lying to windward of
our track, which keeps the water as smooth almost as
a sheet of glass.
The Zephyr has somehow the heels of us, for, do
what we can, we are never able to come up with her,
and before daylight beams upon the waters we are very
near losing sight of her altogether.
Our Eamont was no doubt as finely lined and
modelled as the Zephyr, but being of somewhat
stronger buUd, it was in real heavy weather that she
brought out her sailing powers to most advantage.
The Eamont was built in the Isle of Wight, by

RESCUING FUGITIVE CELESTIALS. 239
those celebrated yacht-builders, Messrs White, who
are still carrying on the business, and with great
success. No expense had been spared in her construction,
therefore as good a craft as teak wood and mahogany
could be formed and modelled into by the most ex
cellent designers, had been turned out from the yard
of that long-standing yacht-building firm, whose name
is known the world over, for the speed and excel
lence of the many yachts and other vessels that have
been constructed by them.
The Zephyr had been built in Baltimore, U.S.A.,
and had been originally intended for a slaver. She
was built of American oak and elm, and beautiful in
construction ; but her timbers being of a somewhat
more supple kind of wood than the mahogany frames
of the Eamont, she was able to walk away from us
when the weather approached anywhere towards the
moderate, and the sea was smooth ; as soon, however,
as the wind increased to a gale, with a corresponding
rising of the sea, then would the Eamont show her
staying powers, and I have seen her under such circum
stances, sail right dead to windward of the Zephyr, and
leave her out of sight astern in a matter of twelve
hours. When daylight at length makes its appearance on

240 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT'
the surrounding scene, the Zephyr is seen to be nearly
eight miles ahead of us, close-hauled like ourselves
and carrying on every stitch of canvas that can be
brought to bear upon^her.

CHAPTER XXXL
SHANGHAI AGAIN AND BOB ALLEN.
Mr. Jule and I have the morning watch, the rather
intricate navigation of this inner passage necessitating
the presence on deck of two officers in each watch.
As soon as we have distinctly made out the distance
between us and the Zephyr, I am sent below to Inform
the captain of the present position of the two vessels.
" Eight miles ahead, did you say, Anderson ? "
queries the captain, when I make my report to him.
"About that, sir, or more," I reply.
"That will never do, you know," exclaims the
captain, "just tell Mr. Jule to put every stitch of our
canvas in soak. Let the other work stand over for a
bit, and be sharp about getting the canvas soaked."
" Ay ! ay ! sir," I reply, as I take my way up to
the quarter-deck, and make my report to the chief
officer. The force-pump is manned, and the hose led up to

242 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
the main cross-trees ; then a perfect deluge of water is
showered upon the gaff-topsail and mainsail.
A couple of gantlines are rove through tail blocks,
made fast on the top-gallant yard, and bucket after
bucket of water finds its way aloft, wherewith to deluge
the canvas on the fore part of the vessel.
The captain makes his appearance on the quarter
deck to take a look at the Zephyr, and see If he cannot
do something to improve our speed.
" We are too much by the head," says the captain
to Mr. Jule, " send two or three hands down below to
move our passengers as far aft as they can be got."
The deck passengers are likewise conducted aft, and
made to squat down on the quarter-deck, on the
weather side, so as to be clear of the falling water.
The water is kept in a continual pour upon the sails,
and after an hour has passed under this new order of
things, we note with satisfaction that we are graduaUy
and surely decreasing the distance between us and our
consort. We cross the bar within a quarter of an hour of the
Zephyr, and are little more than half-a-mile astern of
her when we arrive off the receiving ship.
The Zephyr keeps on up the river without stopping ;
but we having left our two Japanese passengers on
board the receiving ship, lie to and send a boat to

SHANGHAI AGAIN AND BOB ALLEN. 243
bring them on board. Half-an-hour is nearly lost
over this proceeding, so as soon as we have filled away
again, the water is again brought into requisition as a
means of accelerating our speed, until we get within a
mile or two of Shanghai.
We are not long in arriving after the Zephyr, con
sidering the start she had of us, and the long wait we
had at the receiving ship ; for they have scarcely
finished furling their sails when we drop our anchor a
little way astern of them.
Both vessels are immediately surrounded with a
clamouring crowd of sampans, which have been
waiting to disembark our fugitive Celestials from
Ningpo. Sampans and lighters of every description are freely
allowed to come alongside, for we are glad to be eased
of the responsibility of looking after the heterogeneous
mass of human beings we have brought round from the
beleaguered city.
Two hours are nearly consumed over their dis
embarkation, then all hands are turned to, to wash and
cleanse the hold, and remove all the stains and filth
that are the usual concomitants of this style of pas
sengers. Before the sun goes down the Eamont is once more
like herself, and, having been well disinfected, we are
R 2

244 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
able to breathe with confidence the air that now
pervades her interior, both forward and aft.
Boarding nettings are triced up as is usual in port, the
booms are swung out, and after Mr. Jule is satisfied
with the general appearance of the Eamont, within and
without, one watch is allowed on shore on leave, and a
sufficiency of bright Mexican dollars aUowed them
wherewith to enjoy themselves in the manner most
fitting to themselves. The captain and the Japs went
on shore almost as soon as we came to anchor, and as
he left word that he would stay on shore for the night,
Mr. Jule, Nealance, and I adjourn to dinner when the
hands have been dismissed and an armed watch set.
During the evening we are visited by some of the
officers of the Zephyr, and a pleasant evening soon
passes away, as we recount our various adventures.
One of these officers hailed from the Land o' Cakes,
so that we had many pleasant reminiscences to talk
over as we smoked and paraded the quarter-deck.
Curiously enough, the exigencies of the service
precluded me from again meeting this brither Scot in
the far East ; yet, so small a place is this world after
all, that I had the pleasure one day, only a few years
ago, of knocking up against this countryman of mine,
when in command of a large new steamer going out to
India.

SHANGHAI AGAIN AND BOB ALLEN. 245
On the third day after our arrival at Shanghai, the
captain, who has been staying on shore the most of the
time, sends off word to Mr. Jule to get the Eamont
ready for sea the following day at noon.
In a manner, as far as the vessel and her equipment
is concerned, we are always ready for sea ; our maga
zine is always kept well stocked with fighting material,
and it is generally the larder only that requires re
plenishing, when the order comes to proceed to sea.
Makenzie's store receives a visit that afternoon, as
also various Chinese chops that deal in eatables ; and
Mr. Eobert Allen's boarding-house is not forgotten, for
we also call upon him, and prevail upon him not to
detain any of our now well-trained crew.
Bob is all smiles and gaiety when we make our
descent upon his quarters at the other side of the
river, and nothing will please him but standing drinks
all round.
Nealance and I spend an hour or two listening to
Bob as he recounts to us many of his adventures on the
river in pursuit of his necessary, though perhaps
nefarious trade.
In those days there ^were so many inducements to
young seamen, of a roving disposition, to quit their
half-starved, deep-water vessels, and try their luck on
the lorchas that traded up the river, that captains of

246 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
vessels were of necessity forced to recognize and be
civil to Bob Allen, or else go to sea with a half-manned
vesseL Bob may have been the genius that introduced Shang-
halings, still there is this to be said for him, he was
liberal in his treatment of his boarders, both In their
food and money matters, and he was no less honourable
in his transactions with captains, who acted in a like
honourable manner towards himself ; and, if once he
promised to find a crew for any vessel, you may be sure
that a crew would arrive on board that vessel at the
stated time, from whence brought was best known to
Bob and the men themselves.
" I suppose you will be coming back here again ? "
asks Bob of Nealance and me, when we rise to take our
leave. " Oh, yes," replies Nealance, " we'll be back in two
or three weeks."
'^ Come over and have a look at us when you come
back," says Bob, " for I have got a big order for arms
to run up the river, and as I cannot go myself, there
would be a good chance for you two to make a pile of
dollars." " Our time in port has been so short lately," I
remark, " that there is no time to make a run even if
we had leave."

SHANGHAI AGAIN AND BOB ALLEN. 247
" Look here,'' says Bob, " you two fellows, and one or
two yokels with little or no gumption that I can pick
up, could run a lorcha up and down in three days
easily ; and then look at the pile of dollars or bar silver
to be had for such a little job."
" We may have a fortnight or three weeks when we
come back," says Nealance, " I suppose it will all
depend on whether we finish this Japanese business
this trip or not."
" Well, good-night, both," says Bob, " and think over
my offer."
"All right," says Nealance, "and don't forget to
have all our liberty men off by eight to-morrow morn-
ing." " Never fear," says Bob, " but what they'll be there,
for your fellows are as good as gold to me, seeing they
spend most of their money here."
" Good-night, Bob," we finally say as we take our
leave, but Bob has taken such an interest in Nealance
and me, that he walks down to the boat with us, talking
all the way about this venture of his, running up the
river with a supply of arms and ammunition, most
probably for the rebel army, as the Taepings were
termed, but to many of us out there then it was very
difficult to define which was the rebel army and which
was the army of law and order.

248 AMONG TYPHOONS AND URATE CRAFT.
We manage to get away from Bob eventually
without committing ourselves to any distinct arrange
ment, although he tries his most persuasive powers to
get some sort of binding promise from us that we
would share in his speculation on our return.
We make our way back on board the Eamont, and,
after a smoke and a chat with Mr. Jule, to whom we
recount all our doings while we have been on shore, we
are glad to turn into our cabins and seek the solacing
rest that Is necessary to prepare us for the work of the
coming day.

CHAPTER XXXII.
SHANGHAI TO NAGASAKI WITH DISPATCHES.
Our liberty men punctually arrive on board at their
stated time, as also all our fresh supplies of larder
stores and other necessaries.
The work of preparing for sea goes forward, and
at ten o'clock in the forenoon I am dispatched with
the captain's gig, for the purpose of bringing off the
dispatches and mails, as also the captain himself and
our passengers, as soon as they have completed their
business on shore.
Seamen, as a rule, were always a source of anxiety to
a commander in those days; therefore, the captain's
first question to me, when I meet him on shore, is just
what I expected.
" Are all hands on board, Mr. Anderson ? " queries
the captain.
"Yes, sir," I reply with a smile, as I see his face
relieved of its anxious expression.
" I am glad of that," says the captain, " for I hear

250 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
numerous complaints of desertions, and was rather
afraid Bob Allen might have tried to seduce some of
our fellows, and sell them to a higher bidder ; such
fabulous sums are being offered for runs to England,
and any amount for men to man the lorchas, besides
the promises of plenty of loot."
" They have turned up all right enough this time,"
I say, " but if Bob had not been convinced by Nealance
and me that we were coming straight back, I doubt very
much If we would not have been minus a few of them
this morning. As it is. Bob is quite content to leave
them with us, so long as they spend the greater part of
their dollars in his house."
" I see," says the captain with a smile, " If I had
not allowed them a good share of liberty and plenty of
dollars. Bob would have found a way of getting money
out of them in some other manner."
" That's it, sir," I reply, " but as the men seem
pleased enough Vlth the conditions, and always turn
up at the proper time to relieve one another, we are
better off than always having a new crowd to lick into
shape." " Oh ! yes," says the captain, " I am perfectly satis
fied with the liberty granted by Mr. Jule, and although
our crew is comprised of a curious mixture of the
' devil-may-care ' sailor of all nations, they are, on the

SHANGHAI TO NAGASAKI 251
whole, not a bad lot now we have got them into some
kind of order."
" May I ask where we are bound this time, sir ? " I
say of the captain.
"Nagasaki, of course," replies the captain, " and this
time, we have the completed treaty, so that we will be
able to go where ^we like this time, as well as buy and
sell anything we have a mind to. We have also got
the American treaty dispatches, which are to be
delivered to the commodore in command of the
paddle-wheel sloop-of-war Mississippi,
"Bring a couple of hands to the consulate with you,"
says the captain, " and we will go and see if they have
got the dispatches ready."
Followed by our two men, we take our way to the
British consulate, where, after waiting some little time,
we are given the dispatch boxes, and various other
parcels to carry down to the boat, I myself accompany
ing such valuable articles to the boat, and remaining
there till joined by the commander.
The captain and the two Japs follow closely on our
heels, then we shove off and are soon landed on board
the Eamont,
" Heave short, Mr. Jule," says the captain after he
has saluted his officers, " while I go and get on my sea
going togs."

252 AMONG TYPHOdNS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
Round goes the capstan, and home come the topsail
sheets at the same time. Topgallant sheets next find
their way home on the topsail yard. The yards are
braced by, and as the captain appears on the quarter
deck in his hard-a-weather suit, he signals with his
hand to Mr. Jule to heave up ; so, again round goes
the capstan, which has been stopped at a short stay
peak, and as the anchor leaves Its bed in the bottom
of the river, the Eamont gracefull}^ swings round
under the influence of her backed headsalls, till she is
round with her head down the river, then all sail Is
rapidly spread upon her.
We exchange signals with the Zephyr on passing,
and lower our ensign to the one Chinese gunboat that
is lying here for the protection of the commercial
interests of this fast-increasing trading community.
This Chinese gunboat was a sight to behold, and as
for her utility, the many encounters we had with the
piratical lorchas, not far from Woosung, demonstrated
the uselessness of attempting to suppress the every-day
piracies that were then the rule, by such an obsolete
old paddle-wheel steamboat, that had been running on
some American river till she had become almost worth
less and unseaworthy.
Any of our schooners could have easily destroyed
her, and I doubt very much if the pirates whom she

SHANGHAI TO NAGASAKL 253
sometimes captured were not frightened into submission
by imbibing the idea that there was something of the
supernatural about her, as they witnessed her bearing
down upon them, and at the same time emitting from
her bowels vast volumes of smoke and flame, like a very
demon of the sea, and a sight they had not yet got to
know much about.
A smart breeze all the way down the river brings us
to an anchor before sunset in our usual anchoring
ground, under the guns of our receiving ship at
Woosung. The sails are furled and everything made safe for
the night, then we proceed to dinner, where we are
joined by the captain of the receiving ship, who again
informs our captain that he had better be upon his
guard, for he has heard that some of the lorchas are
bent on our extermination.
This warning makes no sensible effect on our spirits,
nor does It affect our appetites, to judge by the amount
6f good food and wine that is stowed away beneath our
vests. And although the main topic of conversation
that evening was reminiscences of various sea-fights,
I don't suppose any of us slept one whit less soundly
than at any other time.
At daylight the following morning, the cutter is put
in the water, and various trips take place between us

2^i, AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
and the receiving ship, as we transport to the Eamont
the various cases that go to make up our cargo.
Having got all our merchandise on board by ten
o'clock, we weigh our anchor and proceed to sea.
Trusting to the long-tried prowess of our commander,
and our own dogged, never-say-die disposition, we are
not troubled with any qualms as to the result should
we meet any of the lorchas spoken of by the captain of
the receiving ship.
Although the year has advanced a bit since we
sailed for Niewchwang, the monsoon has abated but
little, and we find quite a sufficiency of wind for a good
whole sail breeze.
We take a different track this time in order to av old
having any collision with the piratical lorchas, not
from any fear of them, however, but only because we
are carrying very important dispatches, which are ex
pected to be delivered without delay, and the chance of
losing a spar by a chance shot from a lorcha is, of all
things, to be avoided on this important passage.
After crossing the bar, the Eamont Is headed so as to
pass south of the Saddle Islands, a decision the captain
had come to on the assumption that, if the lorchas had
got any information, they would be on the watch for
us to the northward, they no doubt imagining that we
would take that weatherly route in order to keep as

SHANGHAI TO NAGASAKL 255
much to windward as we could, before starting to cross
the monsoon.
The assumption the captain based his decision on
proved to be perfectly correct, for when we are half
way between the bar and the South Saddle Islands, we
descry away on our port-quarter, a smaU fleet of
lorchas, making all the sail they can in a vain
endeavour to get between us and the channel ahead.
Steadily we pursue our course, neither altering tack
nor sheet, not even applying the water help to our
canvas, so sure are we that we can outstrip the lorchas
with ease, although some of them are getting up their
curious-shaped topsails, in their futile attempt to cut us
off The chase is kept up till we close in on the island,
but they never get within the range of our long guns,
and as we sweep round the island into the channel, we
shut our baffled pursuers from our gaze altogether.
The channel is clear and seemingly deserted, for we
neither see lorchas on the water nor anything human on
the land.
Swiftly and smoothly we glide through the channel,
the waters of which are as smooth as a sheet of Ice, but
as soon as we reach the eastern end, the Eamont once
more begins to show her agility in leaping the troubled
waters of the monsoon-disturbed sea, and as is her usual

256 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
style In heavy weather, when she cannot get over the
waves, she makes a graceful obeisance to Neptune, and
glides, or rather rushes under the crested wave to gain
its other side, while at the same time she rather un
mercifully causes huge volumes of the salt sea spray to
be showered upon her decks and all around, much to
the inconvenience of those who are only comfortable
when perfectly warm and dry.
We In the Eamont are accustomed to wetting, and
take but little heed of it, no more than having a good
shake at ourselves, somewhat after the fashion of a
retriever or Newfoundland dog, when he comes out of
the water.
When the course is set for Nagasaki, a good pull
is taken on all the weather braces, and a topmast
studding sail is set, the wind not allowing of any more
flying kites at present. The sea watch Is then set, and
we again return to our normal state of regular routine,
that obtains with us when at sea, which, in weather
such as we now experience, consists in solely attending
to the trimming of the sails, and making the most of
any favourable opportunity for pushing ahead that may
present itself When the wind has a tendency to lull,
we immediately lace the bonnets on to the sails, in
order to intercept every portion of wind force, and use
it to our advantage. Should the wind increase to any

SHANGHAI TO NAGASAKI. 2^1
great extent, the bonnets are taken off for the time,
and the watch on deck are set to stand by all halyards,
tacks and sheets ; for, although all our sails and gear
are of the stoutest and best that are manufactured, we
neglect no precaution that prudence may suggest to
save our spars.
Three days of a fresh, though somewhat unsteady
monsoon, brings us again within sight of the high land,
at the western extremity of Japan. We make the
land shortly after the sun has crossed the meridian,
and as the wind has taken off a good deal as we
approach the coast, darkness sets in ere we enter the
gulf which forms the harbour of Nagasaki.

CHAPTER XXXIIL
AEKIVE AT NAGASAKI AND AEE CAUGHT IN A TRAP.
Entering the gulf under cover of the night, we care
fully pilot our way up towards the inner harbour, and
endeavour to reach the anchorage without attracting
the attention of any of the inhabitants, in order to
surprise them with our reappearance.
Before we arrive at the anchorage we are enveloped
in a heavy squall of wind and rain, which effectuaUy
hides our arrival from any peering eyes that may be on
the watch, while at the same time the noise of the
wind and the pouring of the heav}' rain effectuaUy
drown any more than usual noise we make as we
round to, not far from the main landing, and let go our
anchor. Finding one anchor insufficient to bring her up
with such short scope, the second and best bower anchor
is also let go.
This second anchor succeeds in bringing the Eamont
up, causing her to swing round with her head to

ARRIVE AT NAGASAKI. 259
windward, and it is only then that we feel the full
force of the squall, which is fast increasing into a heavy
gale. Luckily most of our sails were furled as we leisurely
groped our way up the gulf, previous to the advent of
the squall, so that we are soon riding as snug as we can
under the circumstances.
" This Is no ordinary squall," I hear the captain
saying to Mr. Jule, " as it first appeared, but a down
right hard blow we are going to have."
" How is the glass, sir ? " queries Mr. Jule.
"Trending downwards if anything," replies the cap
tain, and then adds, " We will keep sea watch to-night,
so that we can give her cable at any time. It Is good
holding ground, I believe, so all we require is to let her
have plenty scope of cable, and she will ride like a
duck." AU that night and the following day the gale keeps
on with but little alteration in force or direction, until
it Is near the time of sunset, then a slight diminution
in the force of the wind is distinctly felt, and when the
sun has actually disappeared from our portion of the
heavens, the wind, although still blowing fresh, has
lost all its fierceness, and now quietly subsides into a
steady, moderate gale.
We have had no communication with the shore yet,
s 2

2 6o AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
for all our energies have been exerted in attending to
the Eamont throughout the gale; and, however
important our dispatches may be, the safety of the
vessel is of paramount consequence to our commander,
although he is no doubt exceedingly anxious to land,
and communicate with Careero.
When we regain the quarter-deck after dinner, the
weather seems inclined to improve still more, and the
captain, noting this, suggests to Mr. Nealance and me
the necessity of attempting to land our dispatches-
Having expressed our willingness to make the attempt,
the captain instructs Mr. Jule to get his gig put in
the water, and manned, then he requests Nealance and
me to attend him in his private cabin.
" Now, gentlemen," says the captain to us, when we
have entered his cabin, "I am going to entrust you
with some papers of great importance, which }'0u will
deliver to Mr. Careero, and to him onlJ^ If you find
It impossible to reach him to-night, I expect you to
return with the papers, and not run any unnecessary
risk, that might lead to their loss."
" Very good, sir," replies Nealance, speaking for us
both. " As you cannot land at Careero's house," says the
captain, "the only other place is the main landing
w here we landed when we visited the city ; now, are

ARRIVE AT NA GASAKI. 26 r
you quite sure you know the bearings of Careero's
house from there, and that you can find your way
there, after you have landed ? "
" Yes, I think so," replies Nealance, " all we have to
do, when we get through the gateway. Is to bear to
the right, and keep to the eastward, on the outskirts of
the Dutch settlement till we reach open ground, then
the rest of the way is quite plain."
" That is the very plan," smilingly assents the
captain, " but, look here, it Is just possible that some
emissaries of the party that are against the treaty may
be on the watch, to prevent you reaching Careero's,
in that case, you will return on board, and
we will think out some other plan of reaching
him." " We might have waited till to-morrow," continues
the captain, " only we are so much behind time already,
and it might prejudice the treaty considerably, were it
delaj'ed any longer."
" Will either of the two Japs accompany us ? " a-^ks
Nealance. " No, I am afraid not," replies the captain ; " you
see it is this way with them, they don't wish to be seen
in the business by any of the priestly party, till they
have succeeded in a final settlement of the negotiations,
and it is also possible, that, if they were to land with

262 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
you, they might be seized and carried off' into the
interior by some of their opponents."
" Secure that packet inside your vest," saj^s the
captain, holding a large blue envelope towards
Nealance, then turning towards me with another
similar packet, he says, " And here is one for you also,
Anderson." " Now, away you go, and good luck to you," says the
captain, when w^e have closely buttoned our jackets,
and are ready to depart, then adds as we leave his
cabin, "Don't forget your revolvers, and you had
better let the boat's crew carry side arms as well."
Ijeaving the captain in his cabin, we proceed to our
cabins and don our harness, carefully filling onr
cartridge pouch with ammunition, and reloading our
revolvers. When we reach the deck, we find that Mr. Jule has
got the gig ready, and that he has put an armed crew
Into her ; therefore, as soon as we arrive at the gang
way, we say good night to Mr. Jule, and then find our
way down into the boat.
" Shove off ! " shouts Nealance, as soon as we have
taken our seats, and in a trice we are bounding away
towards the landing, as fast as six powerful oarsmen
can propel, in our captain's favourite whale-boat-
fashioned gig. We have eight men in the gig with us.

ARRIVE AT NAG AK AST 263
so when we land at the steps, four of the crew follow
us on to the landing, and the other four push off from
the steps a little way and bring the boat to an anchor.
After Mr. Nealance has satisfied himself regard
ing the safety of our boat, we take our way, in
double file, up the steps towards the archway, through
which we have to pass, to gain the city, or any portion
of its environments.
As usual we find a goodly number of soldiers, or
what appear to be military, standing on both sides of
the gateway. They make no attempt to stop us as we
march on our way; but, after taking a severe, scru
tinizing look at us, the officer in command of this
guard tells off some half-dozen of his men to follow
on with us, not for our protection, if the look on his
face can be taken as an indication of his purpose, but
for the purpose of preventing our entrance into the city.
We have no desire to enter the city, our way Ues in
an opposite direction, but we have a great and over
whelming desire to be rid of our self-appointed escort.
" This will never do,''' says Nealance to me, when
we are well assured the guard intend to stick to us.
" No, that it won't," I reply, " but how are we to get
rid of them ? " I also ask of my comrade.
" We will have to do them, the first dark road we
come to," replies Nealance.

264 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
The streets or roads we were then walking along
were lit up with a kind of Chinese lantern, which,
although not giving much light except in their
Immediate vicinity, served the purpose of defining the
length of the streets ; but were useless, as we found to
our cost, in pointing out to the stranger for his
guidance anj' of the crossings from which he might
care to take a departure or shape a course.
We purposely avoid taking the road that leads to
Careero's, until we can get rid of our enforced escort.
Street after street we traverse, but find no way to
evade their company, and at length, quite unexpectedly
we find ourselves back at the boat-landing.
We come to a halt to consider our position, and
what next to do ; our escort at the same time taking
the opportunity of reporting to their officers, our,
possibly to them, peculiar proceedings.
" What do you say, Anderson," queries Nealance,
' if we strike out boldly along the road to Careero's ? "
" Best thing we can do," I reply, " if we mean to
get thete ; and if they follow us to the open, we may be
able to get rid of them amongst the brushwood without
too much noise, if they persist in escorting us thus far."
" Shoot them, do you mean ? " asks Nealance.
"Not unless thej' will consent to be bound and
gagged," I reply.

ARRIVE AT NAGASAKI. 265
" What will you gag them with ? " asks Nealance.
" Whatever comes to hand ; their own sashes, sword-
belts and cloaks ; but we will have to disarm them first,
and I am not sure if they will know enough about a
revolver to be frightened at it, so that we may have our
work set, if gunpowder be prohibited," I reply.
" Come along, then," says Nealance, and we take our
way this time along the road that leads round the out
skirts of the monopolist settlement, closely accom
panied by our Japanese escort.
It is a very great truth indeed, and ofttimes it is
exemplified in the affairs of human life, that the best
laid schemes that emanate from the human brain go
as often wrong as the small and petty schemes of the
most insignificant object endowed with animal life ;
just so was it with us that night for a single turning
to the left, which was gently forced upon us by our
escort, seemingly to protect us from the danger of
faUing into the water, the noise of which, breaking on
the beach, we could distinctly hear ; but we soon found
to our dismay, that our safety had in nowise disturbed
them, for all their doings were only part of a precon
certed plan.
The road they have edged us into is Uke the streets
in the settlement ; it is well hung with paper lanterns,
and looks of an interminable length, as we look to the

266 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
eastward between the glimmering lights, and we
console ourselves with the possibility that this long
straight road may lead to the very outskirts of the
place. With every confidence that we have found the right
track, we put on a spurt to accelerate our march, and,
if so be, leave our escort behind.
Our spurt, alas ! for us, comes to a very abrupt
termination, for without the slightest sign of any
interruption, or even a crossing, tra's'erslng this
lengthy-looking road ; first Nealance, then I, followed
by two of our men, who have not time to halt when
we vanish, are all precipitated Into a pit that is full of
all the most filthy slime and garbage which could
possibly be Imagined.
We cannot speak, being partially choked ; and it is
lucky for us that two of our men have escaped our
peril, and are able to assist us in clambering out of this
horrible pit.
When we manage to regain the road, we find our
escort has departed, and we are not allowed the
satisfaction of even having a shot at them, so suddenly
have they disappeared from our -sdew. We waste no
time standing near the scene of our discomfiture, but
as soon as we have all scrambled out, we take to our
heels and rush for the landing ; then, when we get

ARRIVE AT NAGASAKI. 267
there, we spring past the guards, and dive right into
the water, to clear ourselves of the abominable filth ;
the odour of which has for the time stopped our utter
ances, as well as disconcerted any immediate action on
our part.
Our two men who escaped falling into the mess, hail
the boat, which is speedily brought to the landing, and
after we have succeeded in cleansing ourselves, we take
our places in the boat and push off from the wharf to
consider on our next move.
" I suppose it won't do to take summary vengeance
on these fellows, although I would like to," says
Nealance, "for we might get shooting the wrong
parties, and then I suppose it would be good-bye to the
treaty, the blame being put on us."
" I suppose so," I remark, " although It does seem
hard to come away without doing something."
" How is that paper in your breast ? " asks Nealance
as he draws out his own from beneath his vest.
" Damp," I reply, "but not torn ; only wants drying,
like me, to be all right."
" Mine seems all right," says Nealance, " and as
the sea has gone down a bit, I move that we pull
right round to Careero's house, and chance landing
on the beach, for I never like to say that I am
beaten."

268 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT,
" Agreed," say I, " another ducking more or less
won't make much difference."
" Give way then, my lads," says Nealance, and then
adds to cheer us up a bit, " the sooner we get there, the
sooner we will be within the reach of something to
cheer our inward man."

CHAPTER XXXIV.
land in a gale AT CAREERo's.
Pulling out from the wharf in the direction of the
Eamont, till we are well to windward of the projecting
extremity of this the eastern portion of the inner
harbour, we then bear off along the beach till we are
abreast of Careero's mansion. As there Is still a good
bit of sea rolling on to the beach, Nealance unships the
rudder, and fixes a spare oar to the head of the stern
post, the better to steer the boat through the surf,
before we make the rush for the beach.
AU being in readiness for beaching, and every pre
caution taken to prevent our broaching to ; as also direc
tions given to the boat's crew as to their jumping out
as soon as we took the ground, and dragging the boat
well up the beach out of the surf; we then get the
boat round right before the sea, and when Nealance,
who is watching the waves as they pass, gives the
cheerful order of, " Give way my lads, give way, with

2 70 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
a will," the boat starts off on top of the crested wave,
at a pace that almost takes our breath away.
We do not fetch the beach on the first wave, nor on
the second, but as the third wave comes along, and we
feel ourselves rising out of the hollow between the
second and third, an extra spurt is put on by the men
at the oars, and before we have time to look round
again, we are landed on the beach. In a heavy shower
of glistening spray.
Springing out of the boat is but the work of a
moment, then each of us clutching hold of the gunwale,
await the advent of the next wave, and as soon as
we feel the boat begin to lift, we make a rush, and
before we come to a halt we land the boat well beyond
the reach of any danger from the surf.
After this exciting practice In boating, we take a
few minutes' pause to collect ourselves and restore our
equilibrium, then we make the best of our way towards
Careero's. Two men are left in charge of the boat, the other six
accompanying us, not so much for protection, as for
some much needed and well earned refreshment.
There is no one astir or on the watch, in the
environs of Careero's house, therefore we do not
trouble the side door, but boldly march up to the front
door and make known our presence by a knock that

LAND IN A GALE AT CAREERO'S. 271
we ourselves can very audibly hear resounding through
the interior of the dwelling.
We do not have long to wait on the outside, for
almost as soon as if someone had been waiting behind
the door for our coming, the door is thrown open, and
we are gladly welcomed into the house by Careero, Ah
Cheong, and several of their Japanese confederates.
" How do you do, Nealance ? How do you do,
Anderson ? " says Careero, as he shakes our hands,
and Ah Cheong looks as if he would like to perform
the accolade.
" Come inside to my room and give us all the new,s,"
says Careero, after the first burst of greeting is over.
" Just a moment please," says Nealance, addressing
Careero, " I have got some men outside who are in
need of some refreshment, for we have had rather a
rough time of it getting here."
" Bring them in by all means," says Careero, " and
we will see what we can do for them."
Our men are brought within and ushered into an
ante-room, where an ample supply of refreshments Is
quickly placed before them by order of Careero, and
no doubt they do good justice to the viands, and don't
forget to relieve their mates, who have been left in
charge of the gig, so that they too may have a share in
the good things that are going.

272 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
Nealance and I having thus seen to the comfort ot
our men, follow Mr. Careero to his own apartments,
where we also are regaled in a very sumptuous manner,
while at the same time we relate to him all that has
transpired with us since leaving the Eamont.
When we tell him of the trap we were led into, and
the direful result attending our fall therein, his indig
nation was highly inflamed, and he sent for Ah
Cheong and the Japanese who were in the house,
and commanded them to take a strict note of the
proceedings, so that those on guard at the landing
when we landed, there might be brought to a strict
account for their nefarious conduct, when the proper
time came.
The Japanese express much sympathy for us in
their own peculiar fashion, and through Careero and
Ah Cheong as interpreters they promise that we shaU
have the fullest satisfaction and good solatium in kind,
as soon as the treaty has been promulgated, and they
are free to act.
We of course express ourselves highly satisfied at
this arrangement, and intimate to them, or rather to
Careero, that we are quite prepared to do and suffer a
great deal more in their service, a sentiment which
seems to please them immoderately.
" You will excuse me for half-an-hour," says Careero

LAND IN A GALE AT CAREERO'S. 273
to Nealance and I, when our grievances have been
arranged foi;, " while I retire with my friends and see
what these despatches are that you have brought for
us." Careero and his confederates depart to another room,
and Nealance and I are left with an ample sufficiency
of good things wherewith to while away the half hour.
The wine, cigars, and other good things have such
a cheering effect upon us, that we are totally oblivious
of the fact that we have been twice ducked in the '
water since we left the Eamont ; but then w.e were so
accustomed to the water when at sea, that it took little
or no effect upon us.
" The captain will be wondering what has come to
us," I remark, when our friends retire from the room.
" I daresay he will," replies Nealance, " but I don't
think we could have been back yet, had we been able
to get here by the road."
" Pity we had not brought a rocket or some blue
lights with us," I remark, "then we could have
signalled them that we had got here all right."
" Yes ; we might have done that," assents Nealance,
" and the next time we are on an expedition like this, we
must arrange some kind of signal, if only for the benefit
of the captain and Mr. Jule themselves ; for if either of
them were to go on shore in search of us, and fall into

2 74 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
such a like trap as we did to-night, it would require a
good-sized derrick and tackle to get them out again."
" I should not Uke to be the one the captain fell
upon," I say with a smile, " for I doubt if such a one
would ever see daylight again ; and Mr. Jule himself is
no light weight, although he might be able to climb
a little better than the captain."
Although we laugh at the thought of our superiors
coming to grief In search of us, I can see that Nealance,
who has sailed with them a much longer time than I,
feels a little restless on the subject, and as If he would
like to be moving.
" I wish Careero would wind up his confab,"
ejaculates Nealance, " and let us be off. If It were not
for thinking the captain may be sending after us,
I could make myself comfortable enough here for an
hour or two yet. And then the sea wUl have gone
down considerably as well ; but there, we cannot help
it, it is a case of Kismet, or Che sara, sara ; so let us
make the best of our surroundings, and drive dull care
away," and as he concludes, he pours out two more
glasses of Careero's sparkling Moselle, in which we
pledge our host in his absence, then light another of
his Havanas, to while away the time with.
We do not forget to take a look Into the ante-room,
where our men are being regaled, and as we find them

LAND IN A GALE AT CAREERO'S. 275
acting with prudence in regard to the drinkables, we
leave them to enjoy themselves.
Careero and his coadjutors put in an appearance at
last, and we can see by their beaming countenances
that our dispatches have given them much pleasure.
" Here is a note for Captain Gullivar," says Careero,
" and I may as well tell you that you will be permitted
to land, and go where you like in the course of a few
days, and I have told the captain he can land with his
two passengers, when and where he likes to-morrow."
Then he adds, " I suppose you are eager to be off, and
it is no use me asking you to stay till morning, there
fore we will have the parting glass with our Japanese
friends, to initiate them into one of the important
functions of Western hospitality, which they have yet
to learn," Careero thus concludes, with a beaming smile
on the Japanese then present, who receive his compli
mentary notice, when it is explained to them by Ah
Cheong, with a bland and smiling decorum.
Good-nights are said all round, as we part from our
host at the door ; then we follow our men to the boat,
and, as the sea has subsided considerably, we are able
to launch our boat with little difficulty, and soon there
after we arrive on board the Eamont, just in time to
allay the anxiety of our commander, and save Mr. Jule
from an excursion to the shore. T 2

CHAPTER XXXV.
JAPAN OPENED AT LAST.
We relate our adventures of the night to the captain
and Mr. Jule, and are complimented on the successful
carrying out of our mission ; the captain vowing
deepest vengeance on the Japanese guards when the
proper time came ; and had it not been for the deUcate
position of the present state of the negotiations, I have
no doubt we should have been ordered on shore to
capture some of the guards and give them a taste of
British justice.
As It was then past midnight, it was thought better
to sleep upon it, rather than destroy the chance of
successfully carrying out the treaty, which was noW
so near its consummation.
Our captain, as a rule, was a man of prompt action,
and his forbearance to-night was, no doubt, a sore pill
for him to swallow. That he felt the indignity that
had been put upon us by the Japanese guards, is verj'
certain, aud he bitterly felt the trammels that tied his

JAPAN OPENED AT LAST. 277
hands, and prevented us exacting our due reparation
for their nefarious conduct.
Perhaps it was just as well for the trading world at
large, and Japan also, that our commander was this time
guided in his actions by the overwhelming importance
of Careero's negotiations ; for, had we gone on shore
that night and made retaliation on the Japanese, as it
was usually our custom to do in China, there would
possibly have been an uprising of the Japs who were
in opposition to the treaty, and the opening up of that
country to trade and commerce would no doubt have
been postponed for a considerable period.
Calmer judgment prevailed, and the captain came
to the conclusion that we should bide our time, so,
having come to this forbearing elucidation after much
anxious thought, we seek the aid of our couches, in the
hopes that balmy sleep may rub the rough edges from
off our at present excited mood.
The following morning dawns upon us in perfect
contrast to that of the preceding day ; for instead of
the rain and blustering wind of the previous day, we
have the prospect of a day that reminds one of the
bright and balmy days that are only to be found in
tropical latitudes.
As on our last visit to this place, we are again care
fuUy watched ; four boats having been placed on guard

278 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
In the same position as they occupied on the former
occasion. We take little heed of them, and the usual routine
of morning duty is proceeded with. At eight bells
we dress ship, and otherwise make the Eamont look as
importantly conspicuous as the occasion requires.
After breakfast the gig Is brought to the gangwaj^,
manned with eight of our most resolute seamen, who
are fully equipped for fighting, should that necessity
arise ; the captain having determined to put up with no
more insults, should the guards at the landing interfere
with us ; but to exact a just reparation on the spot.
Nealance and I In our full war costume accompany
the captain on his visit to the shore. When we arrive
at the landing, four men are left In charge of the boat,
and the other four follow on with us into the city.
We pass through the lines of guards, taking no heed
of them or their sulky looks. We do not salute them
as we always did on our previous visits; but pass
silently on, at the same time keeping a sharp and
watchful eye upon their every movement.
No attempt on the part of the guards is made to
follow us ; therefore, as soon as we pass through the
archway, we take the high road that leads round the
outskirts of the settlement, and make the best of our
way towards Careero's.

JAPAN OPENED AT LAST. 279
When we arrive there, we find the whole place in a
kind of jubilation. Many more Japanese inhabitants
are now assembled here than on any former occasion of
our visits. Some of them are decked out in raiments
of magnificent and gorgeous style, as if they were men
of high and mighty lineage, which no doubt they were,
as it was well known then that many of the most intel
ligent natives of the old regime were in favour of the
treaty, although the matter of their former circum
stances and connections forbade them taking any open
part in its furtherance.
We are graciously received by all the assembled
company, and as soon as the captain is made aware of
the circumstance that our two Japs on board the
Eamont can land at the main landing without let or
hindrance, I am dispatched to bring them on shore and
see to their safe conduct as far as Careero's.
Carrying a note written in Japanese characters for
the edification of our two Japs, I return with our men
to the boat and proceed on board the Eamont. The
two Japs are radiant with smiles when they have
digested the contents of the note, and It does not take
them very long to decorate and array their persons in
raiment suitable for the occasion.
While I am waiting the decorating of the two Japs,
Mr. Jule calls my attention to a vessel, apparently a

28o AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
large steamer, that is entering the harbour from the
sea. Nearer and nearer approaches this steamer, and
before I leave the Eamont for the shore, we are able to
make out the incoming vessel to be a paddle-wheeled
steamer, barque-rigged, and flying the United States
ensign. Knowing we have some important dispatches for the
United States commodore, which are in the dispatch
box taken to Careero's this morning, I make no delay
in proceeding to the shore as soon as I have got my
two Japanese seated In the boat.
My two Japs are severely scrutinized as we pass the
guards at the landing, but they march boldly past,
taking little heed of their countrymen or their
antagonistic looks.
Arriving at Careero's mansion, the two Japanese
receive a perfect ovation from their assembled
countrj'men, and I can see the accolade being per
formed In such like manner as obtains with our con
tinental brethren, when meeting after long absence, or
after the performance of some more than ordinary
heroic action.
The first salutations having subsided, I am enabled
to report to the captain the arrival in the harbour of
the American war vessel. The captain acquaints

JAPAN OPENED AT LAST. 281
Careero, who brings forth a long blue envelope with
the large seal of the United States in wax, which
contains the final instructions to the commodore, as
well as the completed treaty of commerce ; and I ara
thereupon requested to proceed on board the sloop of
war and deliver Into the hands of the senior command
ing officer these most important documents.
Again I take my way to the landing, followed by my
four men, and, in the shortest of time possible, I am
received on board the United States sloop of war
Mississippi; and deliver up to her commanding officer
the important paper I have been entrusted to deliver
into his hands.
When he has taken possession of the document, he
turns to one of his officers and says, " Take care of
this officer. Lieutenant Grace, till I read these des
patches." Lieutenant Grace salutes his commander, and replies
in the usual nasal style, which, though not at all
ungracious, is still a peculiarity that has not been
copied by any other of the Anglo-Saxon races.
" Will you kindly accompany me to the wardroom,
Mr, Anderson ? " says Lieutenant Grace, after we have
introduced ourselves to each other.
" With pleasure," I reply as I follow him below.
When we reach the wardroom, I am introduced to
u

282 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
aU the officers present, and after pledging them in a
glass of wine, that is old enough to have been the
property of some more ancient nation, I am requested to
relate what I have learned about the Japanese during
our intercourse with them.
Like our captain and Mr. Jule, they scarcely credit
my relation of the first visit Nealance and I made to
the cit}', and although they receive it as true for the
sake of politeness, I can see that they think I am having
a joke with them.
" Well, gentlemen," I say at the end of my narration,
"you will soon see for yourselves; for the despatches
I have brought on board are to sanction the opening
of this portion of the country. '
" Smart-looking craft, that schooner of yours," savs
one of the officers.
" Yes, she Is smart," I slowly reply, " and I have no
doubt we could sail round you when at your fullest
speed." " Say now, officer," says one of the other officers,
" how many knots can you knock out of her ? "
" Fifteen and sixteen," I reply, " If we have wind
enough. May I ask," I say, " how much you steam at
your best ? "
"Seven or eight," replies one of them, " but we can
sail faster under canvas with the wheels off."

JAPAN OPENED AT LAST. 283
I am taken round the main deck by Lieutenant
Grace, and shown all her fighting equipment, as well
as into the engine-room, and by the time I have had
a good look through the U.S. sloop of war, Mississippi,
the commodore has finished the reading of his des
patches, and with many thanks for my attention in
waiting for his convenience, I am commissioned to
carry a letter back to Careero's mansion.
The rest of the day is spent by Nealance and me in
attendance on our commander. We are not Invited to
the consultations that are being held, but our captain
gives us what little information he is able to make
out, through Careero or Ah Cheong,
Careero, Ah Cheong, and several of the Japanese
make a visit on board U.S. sloop of war Mississippi
during the afternoon, and hold a lengthy consultation
with her commander, the consequence of which is, that
early on the following day a large company of the
American officers, headed" by their commander, with a
numerous body of their men, amongst whom a brass
band is very conspicuous, take their way to the shore ;
and as the band strikes up " Hail, Columbia," the stars
and stripes are hoisted up on a pole attached to a
buUding placed at the disposal ofthe Americans.
The same day at Careero's we display the British
ensign, and, for lack of music wherewith to salute the

284 AMONG TYPHOONS AND PIRATE CRAFT.
flag, we fall back on the time-honoured three times
three and one over, and then moisten our parched
throats by drinking to the success of the Japanese
nation, which has this day opened its territory to a free
communion with the civilized world.
We remain a week longer in Nagasaki, and share
in all the festivities of that auspicious occasion. We
see much that astonishes us when we get nearer the
people, and, on the whole, we come to the conclusion
that the share we have had In throwing this nation
open to trade and commerce should take a little of the
stigma from off the doings of the opium clippers.

THE END.

Grr.BEKT AND BIVINGTON, LD., ST. .lOHN ^ HOUSE, CLEEKENWF.LL, l.C.

B^X.

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