regiments going to Pekin. Not being over troubled with honesty, the men
took every opportunity of escaping as soon as they had received an
advance, intending in many instances again to enlist.

On returning to the ship, Charley Roy told them of an incident, which
had occurred just before. A number of coolies had been embarked on
board a troop-ship, when one of them, who had purchased a quantity of
pepper, started up and threw it into the eyes of the sentry placed over
him, then dashing past the guard, leaped overboard, swam to a boat which
was in waiting, and succeeded in making his escape.

While the midshipmen were at Hong-kong the great Chinese festival was
going on; and as they had leave to go on shore, they had an opportunity
of witnessing the proceedings.

One day they met a procession, consisting of some 3000 or 4000 people,
many of them merchants and tradesmen, dressed in their gaudiest attire,
extending upwards of a mile in length. There were bands of music and
groups of figures, either carried on men's shoulders or wheeled along on
platforms, representing various somewhat incomprehensible characters,
but the chief attractions were three enormous dragons, each a hundred
feet in length, which required thirty men to carry them.

In the evening an entertainment was given, open to all, without charge.
It was in an enormous building erected for the purpose, composed of
bamboo frame-work covered with matting. The interior was elegantly
fitted up, and lighted by large numbers of glass chandeliers; the sides
were richly decorated, and here were soon altars overhung with gorgeous
drapery, and conservatories full of flowering plants, while concerts of
vocal and instrumental music were going on in several parts of the
building. There were also rooms where light refreshments, such as tea,
coffee, and fruit, could be obtained without charge. Those who required
more substantial fare could procure it at booths outside the large
building, on very moderate payment. The midshipmen enjoyed themselves,
and voted the Chinese very amusing, hospitable fellows.

At length the ships of war were ordered to the northward. The _Empress_
was to call at Shanghai, at the southern entrance of the great river
Yang-tse-kiang. Shanghai consists of a large English settlement and a
Chinese city of considerable size. Soon after the _Empress_ had come to
anchor, a shore boat, pulled by Chinese, was seen approaching.

"She has English