cely had he spoken, than they
discovered a strong body of soldiers drawn up between them and their
boats. Not a word was said; but as they advanced the troops opened fire
with their jingalls and darted their pronged spears at them.

"We must cut our way through the villains," cried Murray. "If we let
them press on us we are done for."

"I'm with you," exclaimed Adair. "Charge, lads."

With loud shouts the British seamen dashed on; but the Chinese
outnumbered them as twenty to one, besides being all armed with
jingalls, matchlocks, or spears. Even Murray more than once thought
that it was all up with them. He was slightly wounded, a ball had gone
through both of Adair's legs, and he was bleeding much, while four of
their men were killed, and two others so desperately hurt that they were
unable to walk without the aid of their companions. Every moment they
were growing weaker and weaker. Adair, too, was suffering dreadfully
from his wounds. "I can stand it no longer," he exclaimed, at last
sinking on the ground. "Go on, Alick. Leave me to my fate. If you
attempt to stop you will be cut to pieces. See, there are more of the
fellows gathering round us."

"Leave you, Terence? I hope not," cried Murray. "Come on, lads; we'll
soon put the villains to flight."

Lifting up their wounded companions, the seamen made another dash at the
enemy. The treatment which the dead bodies of their comrades met with
showed them that they had death alone to expect, unless they gained the
victory. The moment the bodies were left the Chinese rushed forward,
and cutting off their heads, stuck them on the ends of their spears,
shouting in triumph.

There is something particularly dreadful in seeing the head of a
comrade, who but a few short moments before was full of life, thus
exposed. Poor Adair looked up. "Will my head be soon thus placed?" he
said to himself. There seemed too much probability of it. Another man
was so desperately wounded that he could not walk. The party, thus
reduced in strength, could no longer push on towards the boats. When
they halted, the Chinamen became more daring. Back to back they stood,
forming a hollow square, like brave men, with their wounded comrades in
the centre, resolved to sell their lives dearly if they could not drive
back their assailants. Murray was again wounded. He felt himself
fainting through the loss of blood. Another man sank to the ground, and
several more were hit