CHAPTER X. 
WE HEAR A DISTRESSING RUMOUR AND ARE GREATLY DISPIRITED — WE ARE 
REQUESTED BY THE MERCHANTS OP SHANGHAB TO ATTACK A PIRATICAL 
SQUADRON, AND EVINCE A PRAISEWORTHY READINESS FOR ACTION THE 
OLD JOHN ASTONISHES THE CHINESE OF THE WAN-CHEW RIVER, AFTER 
WHICH SHE VISITS FORMOSA AND LIBERATES TWO CHINESE CONVICTS. 
"While we were Avorking our toilsome way up the 
Woo-sung River, a painful rumour spread itself around 
our decks and Aveighed us doAvn with a shapeless and 
horrid fear. It was said that the Porpoise was lost; hut 
how the news came, or Avho had spoken positively of it, 
no one could tell. A startled feeling of doubt, and sur- 
prise, and distressing uncei’tainty, per\mded eveiy heart. 
While in this gloomy state of mind, Ave Avere one day 
greatly relieved h^^ the arrival of the Cooper, AA'hom, it 
will be remembered, we had left in the Yellow Sea, exposed 
to the fury of a heavy gale and the dangers of a probable 
lee shore.. We had been so disheartened by the report 
of the loss of the Porpoise, that our fears for the safety 
of our little consort had been morbidly increased, and 
we were noAv pi’oportionately inspirited by her appear- 
ance. She anchored near us to see if she could be of 
any assistance, (Ave were aground,) but, finding us obliged 
to wait the rising of the tide, got under way again and 
stood on up the river. A fcAv days later Ave reached the 
city ourselves, when we received a visit from the consul, 
who confirmed our worst fears in regard to the Porpoise. 
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