Cuar. XXI.] CHINESE COWARDICE. 391 
their ransom; and that they would not think it 
worth their while to lay hold of a man in rags. 
I was surrounded by several of the crew, who 
might well be called “Job’s comforters,’ some 
suggesting one thing, and some another; and 
many proposed that we should bring the junk 
round and run back to the Min. The nearest pirate 
was now within 200 or 300 yards of us, and, 
putting her helm down, gave us a broadside from 
her guns. All was now dismay and consternation 
on board our junk, and every man ran below 
except two who were at the helm. I expected 
every moment that these also would leave their 
post; and then we should have been an easy prey 
to the pirates. “ My gun is nearer you than those 
of the Jan-dous,”’ said I to the two men; “and 
if you move from the helm, depend upon it I will 
shoot you.” The poor fellows looked very un- 
comfortable, but I suppose thought they had better 
stand the fire of the pirates than mine, and kept 
at their post. Large boards, heaps of old clothes, 
mats, and things of that sort which were at hand, 
were thrown up to protect us from the shot; and 
as we had every stitch of sail set, and a fair wind, 
we were going through the water at the rate of 
seven or eight miles an hour. 
The shot from the pirates fell considerably short 
of us, and I was therefore enabled to form an 
opinion of the range and power of their guns, 
which was of some use to me. Assistance from 
our cowardly crew was quite out of the question, 
Cu 48 
