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Unable to reach Ultimo, owing to the Head Mandarin of Keen-pate being uncooperative, I was forced to seek storage for the coal elsewhere. I considered it advisable to leave the "James" in charge of the Mandarin at Base-ha, and departed from that place with H.M. Gunboat "Janus" on the 19th May for Hainan islands.
Owing to defects in the machinery of the "Bonner", I only reached Pow-low (E. Coast Hainan) in the evening of the 18th and was detained at that place 4+1/2 days by strong South-Westerly winds. I left Ho-con on the morning of the 23rd, making for Leong-song, calling at Lain-Tong on the 24th.
When off Tinhosa island, I sighted, to the southward, three junks, which I immediately gave chase to, and succeeded in capturing two of them, and driving the third to sea. Many of the pirates escaped to the shore, but 16 were taken, of whom 10 died the next day from the effects of wounds received.
I destroyed the two captured junks. The third junk being 8 miles from the island, and the "James" not steaming sufficiently well to keep company with me whilst chasing the two junks before mentioned, I was unable to give chase to the third, which by the time the "Janus" joined me had gained a considerable offing. The breeze freshening at the same time, I did not consider it prudent to follow her, owing to the limited quantity of coal on board.