sailed up a narrow river, and
anchored at night within two miles of a town called Little Whampoa. In
front of it was a small fort, and several mandarine vessels lying in the
harbor. The chief sent the interpreter to me, saying I must order my men
to make cartridges and clean their muskets, ready to go on shore in the
morning. I assured the interpreter I should give the men no such
orders, that they must please themselves. Soon after the chief came on
board, threatening to put us all to a cruel death if we refused to obey
his orders. For my own part I remained determined, and advised the men
not to comply, as I thought by making ourselves useful we should be
accounted too valuable.

A few hours afterwards he sent to me again, saying, that if myself and
the quartermaster would assist them at the great guns, that if also the
rest of the men went on shore and succeeded in taking the place, he
would then take the money offered for our ransom, and give them twenty
dollars for every Chinaman's head they cut off. To these proposals we
cheerfully acceded, in hopes of facilitating our deliverance.

Early in the morning the forces intended for landing were assembled in
rowboats, amounting in the whole to three or four thousand men. The
largest vessels weighed, and hauled in shore, to cover the landing of
the forces, and attack the fort and mandarine vessels. About nine
o'clock the action commenced, and continued with great spirit for nearly
an hour, when the walls of the fort gave way, and the men retreated in
the greatest confusion.

The mandarine vessels still continued firing, having blocked up the
entrance of the harbor to prevent the Ladrone boats entering. At this
the Ladrones were much exasperated, and about three hundred of them
swam on shore, with a short sword lashed close under each arm; they then
ran along the banks of the river 'till they came abreast of the vessels,
and then swam off again and boarded them. The Chinese thus attacked,
leaped overboard, and endeavored to reach the opposite shore; the
Ladrones followed, and cut the greater number of them to pieces in the
water. They next towed the vessels out of the harbor, and attacked the
town with increased fury. The inhabitants fought about a quarter of an
hour, and then retreated to an adjacent hill, from which they were soon
driven with great slaughter.

After this the Ladrones returned, and plundered the town, every boat
leaving it when laden. The Chinese on