160 
WE PREPARE FOR WAR. 
There seemed to be no doubt as to the truth of the 
rumour. Still, we found it difficult to give up our con- 
fidence in her as a sea-boat, or in her officers as skilful 
and able men. We remained in a painful state of sus- 
pense for months, 
Wc now found it necessary to put the Hancock into 
dock before we could- ascertain what affected the pro- 
peller, and by the time she got out again the month of 
December was passed and we found ourselves commenc- 
ing the year of 1855. We were no sooner ready for sea 
than a report reached Shanghae that an English opium- 
clipper was blockaded by pirates in the Wan-chew River; 
and, as it was only slightly out of our route to the island 
of Formosa, the captain readily complied with the wish 
of the merchants that we should touch there on our way 
and rescue her from their clutches. We consequently 
hurried our departure, and, after fighting many imagi- 
nary battles to get our hands in for “deeds of blood and 
valour,” we arrived at the spot and found that the pirates 
had retired and that the schooner had gone to sea some 
days since. We now mvorked our way through the 
numerous sand-banks that guard the mouth of that 
rarely-visited river, and shaped a course for Keilung, a 
harbour in the northern end of the unknown island of 
Formosa. But, before I leave Wan-chew, let me say a 
w'ord in regard to the “sensation” which the “Old 
John” created among the crowds of astonished Chinese 
wffio lined the banks of that river to see a vessel sailing 
head to wind and current without any apparent motive- 
power. 
Persons who are in the daily habit of seeing a balloon 
