MOKE CRUISING AFTER PIRATES. 335 



the Canton river; for notwithstanding the numerous 

 good anchorages that existed, it was ticklish work occa- 

 sionally during the typhoon months, which were nearly 

 half the year, or from June to October. 



These disagreeable visitors had always, during this 

 season, to be considered. Luckily, with a good baro- 

 meter, their approach could generally be foretold by 

 twenty-four hours, and sometimes by double that 

 time. In June 1875, for instance, I knew that a 

 typhoon was brewing up, and in consequence got into 

 a snug anchorage beforehand. The place I was in was 

 perfectly safe ; being land-locked on all sides, no swell 

 could even enter, and I knew that the wind alone was 

 what I need think of. 



Towards evening it was blowing very hard from the 

 eastward, and still increasing ; by midnight the force of 

 the wind during the gusts was simply terrific. I had 

 everything well secured long before it commenced ; the 

 boats were lashed and relashed, so that they might be 

 blown to pieces, but they could not possibly be entirely 

 taken away. Soon afterwards I went to get some rest 

 and shelter in my cabin, leaving the boatswain in 

 charge on deck. At one in the morning he called me, 

 and reported the gun-boat to be drifting on the rocks, 

 adding — 



