306 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap, XVIII. 
almost a tenth part of the distance, and a stranger who 
had not seen these gentry before would have supposed 
them very brave indeed. Fortunately the pirates did 
not think proper to accept the challenge. 
With the captain, pilot, crew, and passengers, I was 
now one of the greatest and best of men. 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 way, 
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 con- 
sisted 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 night was fine, and, as it was nearly full moon, 
it was almost as light as day. The tide too was just 
turning in our favour ; and as I was most anxious to 
proceed on our voyage, I did everything in my power to 
induce them to go on. It was of no use, however ; for 
as soon as we reached the anchorage, and found a large 
fleet of junks, the anchor was dropped and they deter- 
