MOKE CRUISING AFTER PIRATES. 333 



the purpose had no effect. Another, still nearer, was 

 equally unnoticed. In another minute the big guu 

 would not bear; the junk would have passed, might 

 rake the gun-boat as she lay helplessly in the mud, and 

 go flying away before the half gale with perfect impunity. 

 " Fire into her" was the order. But, fortunately for 

 the junk, before the trigger was pulled, down came his 

 great sail, and in less than five minutes she had rounded 

 to and anchored close to us. Almost at the same 

 moment the rising tide floated the gun-boat, and, drop- 

 ping into the deeper water, I went immediately on 

 board the junk, where I found no less than forty-three 

 men. In small parties they were sent to the gun-boat, 

 and secured for the night. Next day we arrived at the 

 nearest Mandarin station, and were by no means sorry 

 to hand junk and crew over to his tender mercies. 

 This was the very craft I was in search of, and, being 

 captured on the eve of departure, prevented mischief 

 being done during her intended cruise. She was armed 

 and strong enough to take any merchant ship that 

 might be met with during calm weather. The gun-boat 

 looked quite a diminutive affair when alongside of her, 

 and she had eight big guns on board, besides all kinds 

 and descriptions of small arms. After this I was not 

 sorry to return to Hong-Kong for a few days' rest. 



