Chap. XIII. 
DESCRIPTION OF A TYPHOON. 
215 
Luckily, in the first instance, we were able to run into a 
deep bay, and with three anchors down rode out the 
gale in perfect safety. The other occurred on the 21st 
and 22nd of August, 1 844, when I was at Ning-po. I 
observed the Chinese running about in great consterna- 
tion, and calling to each other that the " great wind" was 
coming, and to make preparations for it. Mats and 
rattan-work, which had been placed over the doors and 
windows to afford shade from the sun, were hastily 
removed, and many of the houses, which were known 
to be in a weak state, were, in a rapid way, propped up 
and strengthened. Nor were the husbandmen less busy 
in the fields. The heads of the tall millet, being nearly 
ripe, were quickly cut, and the long stalks left to be 
reaped at another time. Millet is so heavy when nearly 
ripe, that had it been left exposed to the wind it must 
have been dashed to pieces, and the crop entirely lost. 
Crops on the sides of the rivers and canals were removed 
where it was possible to do so ; otherwise, they would 
have been blown into the water, and carried away far 
beyond the reach of their owners. All the fruit which 
was nearly ripe was hastily gathered from the trees, 
unnecessary branches were cut away, and others tied up 
and supported. 
The gale gradually increased in force until daylight 
on the morning of the 22nd, when it seemed to be at its 
height. In Mr. IVIackenzie's house, where I was staying 
at the time, we passed a fearful night. The wind howled 
and whistled round the roof, every blast seemingly more 
fierce than that which preceded it, until I really thought 
we should have the building down upon us and be buried 
