396 GRATITUDE OF THE CREW. ([Cuar. XXI. 
pirates had done before, and, in derision, calling 
on them to come back and renew the fight. The 
stones, too, were now boldly seized and thrown 
after the retreating junks, reaching to almost a 
tenth part of the distance; and a stranger who had 
not seen these gentry before would have supposed 
them the bravest men in existence. Fortunately ~ 
the pirates did not think proper to accept the chal- 
lenge. 
With the captain, pilot, crew, and passengers, 
I was now one of the greatest and best of men in 
existence. They actually came and knelt before 
me, as to some superior being, and expressed their 
deep and lasting gratitude, which, however, did 
not last long. The sun was now setting, in all his 
glory, behind the hills of Fokien, and many of the 
more devout amongst the passengers and crew did 
not fail to bow low in adoration and thankfulness 
to this supposed deity for their escape out of the 
hands of the pirates. Shortly after nightfall we 
arrived at one of the safe anchorages, where the 
mandarins are too strong for the lawless bands 
which infest the other parts of the coast. 
On the following morning we again got under 
weigh, and proceeded the whole day without 
molestation. In the evening we arrived at another 
safe anchorage, or place of rendezvous; but the 
security at this place consisted in the number and 
strength of the junks actually at anchor there, and 
not in the fear which the pirates entertained for 
the government. When we reached this place the 
