358 RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES. (Cuar. XX. 
sailors were really uneasy about the voyage, and 
would have been very glad of another gale to 
afford a pretext for deferring it a little longer. 
They had, however, no further excuse for delay, 
and it was settled that the whole fleet should sail 
early the next day. 
The Chinese sailor never goes to sea without 
first presenting an offering to the gods to propitiate 
them, in order that the voyage may be a speedy 
and successful one. Accordingly, on this day the 
cabin of our junk was set in order, and the tables 
covered with dishes of pork, mutton, fruits, and ve- 
getables. Candles and incense were burned upon 
the tables for a short time, and the whole business 
had something solemn and imposing about it. The 
cook, who seemed to be the high priest, conducted 
all the ceremonies. On other days, as well as this, 
it was part of his duty to light the candles in the 
little temple where the gods were kept, as well as to 
burn incense and prostrate himself before them. 
Early on the following morning, the whole fleet 
was in motion, starting altogether for the sake of 
mutual protection. The wind and tide were both 
fair, and we proceeded along the coast with great 
rapidity, and were soon out of sight of the Min and 
its beautiful and romantic scenery. The plan of 
mutual protection soon seemed to be abandoned, 
and the vessels separated into threes and fours, 
each getting on as well and as fast as it could. 
About four o’clock in the afternoon, and when we 
were some fifty or sixty miles from the Min, the 
