296 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. Chap. XVIII. 
ceremonie," get on board whether they consented or not. 
I was therefore agreeably surprised when, on sending 
my servant to make inquiries as to the time when they 
were likely to sail, he returned bringing with him the 
captain and some of the sailors, who were all not only 
willing but most anxious that I should go with them. 
The principal part of the cargo carried by the Ning- 
po and Chapoo junks is wood. This is stowed on deck, 
and also lashed firmly to the gunwales and sides with 
large ropes of bamboo which are of great strength. Se- 
veral hundreds of these vessels may be seen loading at the 
port of Foo-chow-foo, particularly in the summer season, 
when the monsoon is fair for their voyage home. The 
mandarins are extremely jealous of so large a fleet, 
and will not allow them to carry guns, even for their 
own defence ; evidently fearing that some day or other 
these might be turned against the government. The 
consequence of this regulation is, that these poor sailors, 
and all they possess on board, often fall an easy prey to 
the pirates who abound all along this coast. 
When the cargo was completed the captain of the 
junk came to inform me that he was ready to start, and 
requested me to come on board. Whilst I was packing 
up my luggage, he began to examine my fire-arms very 
minutely, and said to me, " I hope your gun is a good 
one, and that you have plenty of powder and shot ? 
" What is your reason for putting this question ? " said 
I : " I am sure we shall have nothing to shoot in our 
voyage up the coast." " Oh yes, you will," answered he ; 
" we are very likely to be attacked by the Jan-dous 
who swarm outside amongst the islands." " Who are 
