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had been exploded and marks of scorching round the rudder post where some matting had caught fire, on the stern and stern rails I found spots of blood as if some one had been cut down and fallen over the rail, other blood stains that I saw on the deck on the 10th instant had been then washed off. On the deck and in the stern cabins I found five empty clothes boxes, all of which had been forced open; when I boarded the junk on the 10th instant, I found two loaded rifles lying on the deck; these I was informed were left by the pirates; they are old muzzle loaders, almost unserviceable but appear to have been fired probably by applying a lighted joss stick to the powder in the nipples. I saw no other arms nor any ammunition on board the junk and there is none entered on the licence. I think there is little doubt but that this is a genuine case of piracy.
I will furnish a list of all the articles of clothing stolen that can be described as soon as possible.
I have &c.
(Signed.) J.Gauld, P.8. 59.