he middle of the
stream. There was a passage on each side, but so narrow that two boats
could not pass abreast. Above it appeared a fleet of junks. Again the
shot came rattling furiously among them. Several boats were struck.
Many fine fellows, officers and men, were killed. The commodore's boat
sank under him, and barely had he time with his crew to leap out of her,
than away she drifted with the body of his coxswain, who had been
killed, and a favourite dog who would come with him towards the enemy.
Several times was the passage attempted, till at length the boats
retreated. Their gongs began to sound, and trumpets to bray forth notes
of victory; but the Chinese braves were rather premature in their
rejoicings. The boats' crews went to dinner, and while thus pleasantly
engaged, notice was given that the enemy's junks were getting afloat.
The crews sprang to their oars. "On, lads, on!" shouted their gallant
leader. Fierce was the fire they had to pass through, more men were
killed, and another boat sank. Still enough remained with which to
follow the enemy. The narrow passage was passed, and away in hot
pursuit after the still flying junks, manned by a hundred rowers, they
go. The junks move swiftly, but the shot and shell go faster. One
after the other the junks were deserted, but five were still seen ahead.
"We must have them all, lads," shouted the commodore. On they went.
Suddenly they found themselves with the junks ahead in the centre of a
large town with a vast population. "We must get the junks," again
shouted the commodore. The crews cheered in response to his appeal.
Their shot find out the junks, and they follow. The wise Chinamen leap
overboard and swim on to shore. There were plenty of spectators, many
thousands looking out of windows, and doors, and balconies, and thinking
that those outer barbarians had become rather bold and impudent. But
there was a general in the city, and for his military credit he turned
out his army to annihilate the invaders. Seeing this, the commodore
landed his marines, whose steady fire on the braves sent them to the
right about, and made them march back again in double-quick time. The
five junks were then taken in tow, and, very much to the enlightenment
of the minds of the citizens, were carried away in triumph down the
river. Altogether, upwards of eighty war-junks were destroyed or
captured, though for each junk thus disposed of the British lost a man
k