A CRUISE UP THE YANGSTZE IN 1858-59. 207 



just grounds for the Taepings to doubt our pacific 

 intentions. The heavy -looking batteries on a place 

 known as Theodolite Point took no notice of the 

 gunboat, and allowed her to pass without either 

 waving to her to stop, or even hoisting their colours 

 indeed, all the works appeared silent, and without 

 any of those displays of banners so common in 

 Chinese military posts. We began, therefore, to 

 fancy that the Taepings had wisely determined we 

 should go where we pleased, provided we did not 

 meddle with them ; but we were quickly undeceived, 

 when the rascals had got the Lee fairly within the 

 fire of all their heavy guns, and, as they doubtless 

 fancied, at their mercy, one gun was fired, and a red 

 flag was run up ; and thereupon, in spite of a flag 

 of truce of immense size for it was an Admiralty 

 table-cloth shot after shot was fired upon her with 

 an accuracy only foiled by the gallant Commander 

 Jones moving his craft so as to disconcert their aim. 

 The sun was just touching the western horizon, 

 twilight was now short, but as the squadron was well 

 in hand and the steam well up, Captain Barker 

 threw out the signal to engage the enemy ; and we 

 dashed up to the works at a pace which must have 

 astonished the " long-haired ones," whilst the Lee 

 and Dove gunboats went to work in a manner 

 peculiar to those sweet little craft, and which we 

 have never witnessed without expressing a prayer, 

 that our good countrymen who live in England's 



