“yes! that’ll do very well!” 
403 
bark Palmetto, of San Francisco, ■with provisions ami 
stores sent by the Pussian consul to his countryiiieii in 
the Amoor; and she was surrounded by a perfect swarm 
of boats from the Pussian men-of-war in that river, who, 
imagining us to be one of the Allied cruisers, took up a 
hasty flight, with botli sails and oars. As soon, however, 
as they made out our flag, they seemed to gain courage, 
aiul, calling a halt, despatched one of their lighter boats 
to take a closer look at us. 
This fellow pulled around us several times, gradually 
lessening the diameter of his circle until he was within 
hail, when the captain bellowed at him through a trum- 
pet to the effect that we were friends, — Americans, — and 
that he had better come alongside. 
Yes ! Tliat’ll do very w^ell!” sang out the officer, in a 
doubting voice, at wdiich there was a hui'st of laughter 
fore and aft our decks, which, reaching his cars, seemed 
to satisfy him of our friendly nature much better than 
the captain’s hail. At any rate, he now pulled up along- 
side of us and came on board, and, after carefully looking 
round the decks for a moment, signalled his companions, 
who at once followed his example. The party \vas com- 
manded by the captain of the frigate Aurora, and had 
been sent out by the admiral with orders to get the Pal- 
metto into the river if possible; but, as they had now 
been at it some six weeks without making any headway, 
it was difficult to sec how they were to succeed, lu the 
mean time the northeast-gale season was rapidly ap- 
proaching, and the captain of the Palmetto was, naturally 
enough, getting anxious either to get iu or away. AVe 
remained in company with liim tlirce or four days, during 
