162 
HIGH LIVING. 
that we could not get any higher up on account of 
sunken rocks, the captain having been anxious to anchor 
near the principal town. We could see from this village 
quite a large walled town which was between us and the 
larger city, and Hartman and Williams that evening 
climbed its wall and promenaded its streets, to the in- 
finite terror of the female and juvenile portions of the 
population. They described it as being very thinly in- 
habited, — evidently an old city that was being gradually 
deserted. The latitude of this river is about 28° N., and 
its longitude 120° 38' E. It will never probably be any 
thing more than a haunt for pirates. 
We had a fine run to Keilung, where we fell in with 
the Cooper, — she having sailed direct for that port, — and 
where we found quite a snug anchorage for one or two 
sail. We also found ducks, vegetables, and oranges 
quite plentiful, the latter being as fine as any I ever ate. 
We had also been told of the existence of coal a few 
miles in the interior; but, upon applying to the authori- 
ties, (such as they were.) they gave us, as usual, the most 
evasive answers. The captain was, however, determined 
to get some specimens; so he and one or two of the mess, 
with his Chinese steward as interpreter, started back into 
the country to discover the deposit. They were soon 
encountered by two men, who oftered to guide them to 
the spot, provided they might be allowed to go to Ilong- 
Kong in the ship ; and, as it seemed a simple case of buy- 
ing and selling, the captain consented. They told him 
that there was a law forbidding any one to show the way 
to the coal-mine, upon pain of death ; but, upon our 
arrival at Hong-Kong, we learned that Keilung was a 
