the ship,
and not a foot more. This very clever feat we performed with the help
of an anchor dropped from the stern, and are now in the main river....
_Two P.M._--We have anchored below Kew-kiang, at the spot where we
anchored on November 30th. The 'Dove' met us an hour ago with the
ominous signal, 'Afraid there is no passage.' _Six P.M._--Captain
Osborn has returned from an exploration, which will be continued to-
morrow. It would be very sad if the 'Furious' had to be left behind.
Meanwhile I landed and took a walk. It is a pretty country, on the
right bank, consisting of wooded hillocks with patches of cultivated
valley, and sometimes lakes of considerable size. Cosy little hamlets
nestle in most of the valleys; the houses built of sun-dried bricks,
and much more substantial than those we saw yesterday, &c., where the
walls generally were made of matting, probably because of the
inundations.

[Sidenote: Taking to the gunboats.]

_December 23rd.--Noon._--At about six Captain Osborn returned from an
exploration of the north channel, which he found rocky, and twelve
feet of water the utmost that could be found. Captain Bythesea was
disposed to try and lighten the 'Cruiser;' but I determined that I
would run no risk of the kind. As yet no harm has happened to any of
our ships, and the delay at this point of some of the squadron for
three months, is more an inconvenience to me than a disadvantage in
any other way. On public grounds it will even be attended with
benefit, as it will insure the Yangtze being kept open; for supplies
will be sent up to them from Shanghae, and they will have an
opportunity of examining the Poyang Lake besides. If any of the
vessels were lost or seriously injured, it would be a very different
matter. I have therefore resolved that we shall all pack into the
'Lee' (the 'Dove' being crammed already), and with the aid of two
junks for servants and baggage, make our way to the 'Retribution.' We
shall have to pass Nganching, but it is to be hoped that the Rebels
will not repeat the experiment they made when we were on our way up.
_Au reste, Dieu dispose._

_December 24th.--Noon._--On board the 'Lee.'_--We have just passed the
shallow behind which we were anchored for three days; but we have
passed it only by leaving our big ships behind us. At 10 A.M. I had