BATTLE OF KUHLAN
(contd.)
623
"The Portuguese and Americans were conspicuous in the affray: the former attached themselves to the (British) marines, who were about to scour the island. The bluejackets had taken possession of the junks, and were preparing to set fire to them; a work for which they are pre-eminently adapted: they like to see a good blaze, it accords with their joyous dispositions. From behind rocks and shrubs, gingal balls came dropping around in all directions.
"The day grew hot and bright, and as the marines, with our allies, proceeded to the other end of the valley, the firing became desultory. I accompanied this party. We examined each house and hamlet we passed; some of the cottages were filled with fowl and pigs, scarcely a soul was to be seen, save an old man or woman too old to run. We reached a creek communicating with the sea. In it were moored twelve boats, resembling whale boats, but larger, and capable of living in any sea; in such as these the pirates boarded the Caldira.
"After some heavy marching, a handsome temple, with a few straggling cottages, stood on the beach close to the creek. The cottages were filled with nets, ropes, hawsers, and many articles plundered from honest traders. The interior of the temple was richly decorated with banners of fine silk, gongs, tom-toms, spears, and a fair sprinkling of josses on an altar gaudily painted and gilded. Anxious to propitiate Buddha, they had a fair repast for this divinity, of oranges, cakes, and tea; and incense was burning before him. On this occasion, all their gods appeared to have deserted them, vanishing in flames, which in a short space of time left but the bare walls standing.
"There was a halt, to rest and refresh the inner man with whatever our haversacks produced. A portly editor, a little out of breath, with sun-burnt visage, sat apart on a bank, with a large joss, his trophy, suspended from his neck, busily engaged in committing to paper the events of the day; with laudable zeal, he always tried to witness any little affair of a warlike nature, and even the bright rays of the sun failed to quench his literary ardour.
"A most amusing incident occurred during the day. The officers, on leaving their respective vessels, provided themselves with haversacks and whatever food the ships afforded: some satisfied with a little biscuit and cold pork, with a flask of rum, others with something more delicate. Mr. B. had provided himself with a roast fowl, cold ham, a case of cheroots, and a flask of brandy; but in his anxiety to land from one of the boats, he took up the wrong haversack, containing a humble supply of biscuit and pork. A group of officers were collected together, lying at ease under the shade of some wild pine, when Mr. T., to our infinite amusement, drew forth from Mr. B's bag the fowl and concomitants. The worthy owner was far away on some other part of the island, so we drank his health in the brandy, and very much relished the cheroots and the joke.
"We resumed our search, and returned to the place of embarkation about four o'clock, where we found the force, with a fair display of prisoners; our Chinese allies taking charge of the captured guns: the only duty the gallant braves performed during the day. Presently we were joined by Captain Rooney (of the Caldira see 12.10.34) armed to the teeth, laden with some of his discovered property, and driving before him four pirates. We inquired how he managed to capture so many. 'Faith', replied the warm-hearted Irishman, 'didn't I surround them?'
"Capt. O'Callaghan publicly thanked Lieut. Scarnachia and the gallant crew of the (Portuguese) lorcha Amazona for their conduct during the day. We then embarked on our boats, having to wade out to them, and in an hour were comfortably located on board the ships, and steaming away from the much-humbled stronghold of Kuhlan. It is needless to state that for a considerable period afterwards not the sound of a pirate's voice was to be heard on the water: those who escaped from Kuhlan joined the (Chinese) rebels.
"One fine young American marine, belonging to the U.S. frigate Macedonian, lost his life, some say by accident, others from a gingall ball. We conveyed his remains to Hongkong in the Barracouta. On the 14th (the same day) we left Hongkong and cruised amongst the Ladrone Islands for some days, but saw no more of our piratical friends."