CHAPTER Vn. 
WE AEUIVE AT HONG-KONG, AND FIND MORE REPAIRS WANTED — COMMANDER 
RINGGOLD RETURNS TO THE UNITED STATES IN BAD HEALTH, AND LIEUTE- 
NANT-COMMANDING JOHN RODGERS TAKES THE COMMAND OF THE EXPEDITION 
SOMETHING ABOUT HUMAN LIFE AND DUCKS IN CHINA, AND HOW WE WERE 
LIBERALLY ENTERTAINED BY THE FOREIGN MERCHANTS OF CANTON. 
Our nocturnal arrival once more effected a reunion of 
the squadron. We found familiar hulls all around us 
when we went on deck the next morning, and that first 
day in port” was devoted to climbing their sca-rusted 
sides and talking over the events of the last few months. 
On board of the Vincennes we were shown a huge snake, 
a boa-constrictor, that had been brought from Batavia by 
the Kennedy, and which was now confined in a strong 
bamboo cage on the quarter-deck. As we advanced 
toward him they were about giving him his breakfast, 
which consisted of quite a tough-looking old rooster, who 
struggled violently as they forced him in between two of 
the slats. Upon being let go be immediately occupied 
the opposite corner of the cage, and lifted his neck- 
feathers as roosters do when acknowledging their defeat. 
There he stood, — feathers, spurs, and all ; and I watched 
curiously for the result. The snake began by fixing a set- 
tled glare upon his victim, working his coiled length slowly 
back and forth, and apparently preparing for a spring. 
Suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye, he threw two of 
those working folds over the frightened bird and drew 
8 113 
