te: Apologies.]

_November 22nd._--Last night a letter came off from our 'humble
younger brother' (the Rebel chief), praying us to join them in
annihilating the 'demons' (Imperialists). I sent them in reply a sort
of proclamation which I had prepared in the morning, intimating that
we had come up the river pacifically; had punished the Nankin forts
for having insulted us, from which persons repeating the experiment
would learn what they had to expect. Later at night a present of
twelve fowls and two pieces of red bunting came to the river bank,
from some villagers, I believe. When Captain Ward was on shore
surveying, two Chinamen came to him, stating that an express had come
from Nankin to say that the attack on us was a mistake, and we were
taken for Imperialists, &c. &c. I hope, therefore, that we shall have
no more trouble of this description.

[Sidenote: Woohoo.]

_November 23rd.--Six P.M._--Arrived off Woohoo at about 3 P.M. We
passed the town, and anchored just above it. It is in the hands of the
Rebels, but no hostility was shown to us. Wade has been on shore to
communicate with the chiefs, who are very civil, but apparently a low
set of Cantonese. The place where he landed is a kind of entrenched
camp; the town about three miles distant. An Imperialist fleet is
moored a few miles up the river. I sent Lay to communicate with the
commanding officer, and he recommends the 'Retribution' to go a little
farther on to a place in the possession of the Imperialists.

[Sidenote: Rebel warfare.]

_November 24th.--Ten A.M._--We set off this morning at about 6 A.M. In
passing the fleet we begged from the commander the loan of a pilot. He
proves to be a Cantonese, so that the active spirits on both sides
seem to come from that quarter. We asked him why the Imperialists do
not take Woohoo. He says they have no guns of a sufficient size to do
anything against the forts, but that about twice a month they have a
fight on shore. They cut off the heads of Rebels, and _vice versa_,
when they catch each other, which does not seem to happen very often.
The war, in short, seems to be carried on in a very soft manner, but
it must do a great deal of mischief to the country. While I was
dressing I was called out of my cabin to see a fight going on, on the
right bank of the river. The Rebels occupied s