334 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[May, 
The Potomac approached the stranger in a gallant and cour- 
teous style, and the customary salutations were mutually inter- 
changed. She was a fine, fast-sailing bark, built in Calcutta, and 
expressly intended to encounter the contrary currents and mon- 
soons of these seas. Again were the sails of the Potomac filled 
by the freshening breeze, and as she waved a graceful adieu, her 
band on deck saluted the stranger with " God save the King," 
This passing compliment was received with an enthusiastic burst 
of feeling. In an instant the bark's numerous passengers swarmed 
upon deck — every hat was off — her topsails were lowered, as a 
mark of reciprocal courtesy — as the stars and stripes waved 
closely past her, the music ceased, and three hearty cheers from 
the stranger were as cordially reciprocated from the American 
frigate. 
These little incidents and nautical civilities, though trifling in 
themselves, are not unimportant in their effects ; as they tend to 
smooth down the rough edges of national prejudice. In addition 
to this, the excitement was highly pleasing, and a great relief to 
that apathy of feeling which was so generally experienced by all 
on board the Potomac. 
The breeze continued faithful, so that on Wednesday, the six- 
teenth, the Potomac was in latitude 19° 3' north, longitude 115° 
east. As the sun's north decHnation was also this day 19° 3', at 
twelve meridian, the Potomac was under a vertical sun. On the 
following day she made that point of land which is generally the 
first seen on a passage to Canton, known by the name of the 
Ass's Ears ; it derives that appellation from two peaks rising from 
a small island, which, seen at a distance, bear a strong resem- 
blance to the ears of a donkey. 
On Friday, the eighteenth, the Potomac passed near the La- 
drone Islands, in front of Canton Bay, that celebrated haunt of 
robbers and pirates, so long the dread of merchant vessels bound 
to Canton. Soon after, a boat came alongside with a Chinese 
pilot, to whose professional guidance the charge of the ship was 
partially given up. He could speak English, and called his name 
Jemmy Thompson. 
The entrance into Macao Roads is neither dangerous nor difii- 
cult. As the frigate advanced, numerous islands opened to view, 
not elevated, and mostly barren, with only here and there a few 
