198
Loss of the Ship Kite.
APRIL,
dined at the mandarin's, which we did at first frequently, but after their curiosity was satisfied I seldom saw them. When at their house, they amused themselves by questioning us about H. B. M., and her government, the number of her navy and army, and the rank aud income of the officers. Often I had to repeat my sad tale, particu- Jarly on the arrival of other officers; this I thought a great trial, especially when alone. Their inquiries about our respective families were most minute, particularly what relatives we were to queen Vic- toria, and whether I myself was not her sister, which I was declared to be, notwithstanding what was said to the contrary. But it would be endless to repeat all the foolish questions they asked; however, they made notes of all our replies.
Two days after the removal of the gentlemen from the common prison, all the remaining captives were taken to a far distant jail under the pretence of better accommodations, excepting two who were sick. I had the melancholy satisfaction of seeing them passing my door, but was not allowed to speak to them; it made my heart bleed to observe their distressed looks and haggard countenances.
It was October the 8th, that captain Anstruther received some sup- plies from Chusan, with letters that held out hopes of release. He kindly sent me a large share of his clothes. The comprador was now taken away from us, which distressed me greatly, as I had now not a creature to whom to speak. They now gave me a bedstead, which I found a great luxury, having hitherto lain on a dirty floor. I was sometimes allowed to see and converse with the sick prisoners, and I almost felt a consolation in dwelling upon the dreadful past. Frequently my heart was sadly torn, on account of different reports about my late dearly beloved husband and child. I was once told, that he was seen going to his cabin to rescue his child, and was afterwards seen dead with the baby on his bosom. Many were the sleepless nights that such accounts gave me, but I found subsequent- ly,—when meeting all the prisoners at the mandarin's, and minutely examining into the fact,—that this rumor was unfounded, for they had not seen the captain after the ship had heeled over.
On the 8th of October I was far from well; two days afterwards I suffered much from violent pain, and was not able to lie down during the whole night, on account of the pain. This I felt deeply, not being able to speak to a creature, and being threatened to have irons put on my wrist; they had let them off only one night on account of my being so ill. On the 9th I was too glad to see the comprador return, who had been sent to Chinhae in order to ascertain whether
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