IN THE LAST CHINA WAK. 355 



self of his dagger. The unfortunate man was shot 

 through the thigh, and going back to the gate, 1 had 

 him brought in and his wound dressed. The coolest of 

 all the Chinese officials now actually walked up from 

 their side of the ridge and stood clear on the top, 

 perfectly unconcerned, shading his head with a large 

 umbrella. My men lyiug behind the rocks fired away 

 at him, but without any effect. I never saw an indi- 

 vidual so indifferent to bullets whizzing about his ears. 

 At last one touched him on his leg, which seemed to 

 remind him that he might just as well get behind the 

 ridge once more. 



From my elevated position I could see everything 

 that went on in the fort below, as well as miles away 

 down the plain. I noticed a party of officers walking 

 round the battery examining the guns, most of which 

 were very large, and coming on one not yet spiked, I 

 saw my own captain put something in the vent (a nail), 

 pick up one of the shot lying by the gun, and standing 

 on the step of the carriage, began to drive the nail down 

 the vent with the shot. Off went the gun, recoiling 

 several feet, and tumbling the gallant captain head over 

 heels, fortunately without hurting him much. The 

 shot, a twelve-inch one, went booming along and struck 

 the water right under the Hornets stern. A few feet 



