n to haul the vessels up to
their anchors. For a few seconds the clatter subsided as the strain of
"breaking out" the anchors came upon the cables, then it started again
with a rush; and presently the dripping, mud-bedaubed anchors made their
appearance under the bows, and were catted and promptly stowed.

Then, slowly at first, but with gradually increasing speed, the
_Hat-yen's_ screws revolved, the decks quivered, and the ship began to
slide through the water, her bows turning toward the entrance of the bay
as she did so. The other cruiser fell into line astern of the flagship,
and, with the gunboat bringing up the rear, the squadron headed for the
open sea in line-ahead formation, sped upon its way by the salutes of
the fort and the remaining gunboat, to which the _Hai-yen's_ guns
replied.

Wei-hai-wei is only a matter of some two hundred miles from Asan; and at
midnight the squadron found itself entering the Chinese harbour, where a
number of twinkling lights betrayed the presence of other ships
belonging to the Navy. The anchors were let go just opposite the fort,
and both Frobisher and the admiral went below to enjoy a well-earned
rest and refresh themselves in readiness for the duties that awaited
them on the following day.

CHAPTER NINE.

ON THE ROCKS.

Bright and early the next morning Frobisher met Wong-lih on the
quarter-deck of the _Hai-yen_, and the admiral announced his plans with
regard to both his own affairs and those of the Englishman. He
mentioned that he would be detained for some days at Wei-hai-wei making
arrangements for the repair of the ships--each of which had been more or
less damaged by the rebel fire during the fight in Prince Jerome Bay--
and getting a new ten-inch gun mounted in the _Mai-yen's_ forward
turret, to replace the one which had been dismounted on the same
occasion. This, he estimated, would occupy about a week; and, when this
work had been put in hand, there were several minor duties in the
dockyard which he reckoned would occupy him for another week, making
about a fortnight before he would be able to get away to Tien-tsin to
make his report in person.

It would therefore be necessary for him to send a messenger with
dispatches to the Council, giving an outline of what had taken place;
and he gave Frobisher the choice of accompanying the flag-lieutenant who
was to carry the dispatches to Tien-tsin--with a letter from himself to
the Council recommending his app