1842
Loss of the Madagascar
639
step, we were suddenly set upon, some of us knocked down, ali more or less threatened with weapons, and every man stripped near- ly naked, the attendants of the officer encouraging and joining in this brutal and cowardly attack. We probably had a narrow escape at this time, for the Chinese carpenters told us, they were disputing whether or not they should take our lives.
Having reached the village, we were confined in a dark and filthy outhouse, and after a short time were supplied with rice and water, and exhibited to successive multitudes of the people, who pressed upon us, nearly to suffocation. About 3 P. M. a petty officer came, and by his orders, we were locked up for the night.
During the whole of the next day, 22d September, we remained at the same place, receiving the same treatment. We were informed that we should march the next day to Hwuilái, distant about 20 miles; and about 10 o'clock on the 23d, we commenced our journey. Several other officers also arrived, among whom was one who ap- peared to take an interest in us, and undertook for the sum of $250 to have a letter conveyed to Macao.
He also informed us through our Chinese carpenters, that if we were Americans, or if we would even persist in stating that we were so, (for he evidently had suspi- cions to the contrary,) he would for the sum of $3,000, but which as the difficulties increased he raised to $6,000, engage to clear us through the authorities at Canton. In the helpless situation in which we were placed, I determined to try the experiment, and on my ar- rival at Hwuilai, where we were detained for a week, I, with extreme difficulty, wrote my first letter, addressing it to captain Belcher, R. N. and to Messrs. Matheson and Burn, at Macao, and acquainted them with our position and the hopes we entertained for deliverance.
Having undergone a ridiculous examination before two officers of higher rank than we had before seen, our carpenters acting as inter- preters, we left the place on the 30th September, and continued our journey with only one day's interval until the 6th of October, on which day, we embarked in chop boats for Canton. During this journey, we suffered severely from fatigue, sore feet, and exposure to a burning sun; we were also miserably fed, lodged and clothed; and in short, experienced every description of annoyance, humiliation, filth and wretchedness. During this journey, moreover, our carpen- ters unfortunately disclosed that we were English. We continued our course in the boats up to the 10th, when we were met not far from Canton by a deputy from the governor, who ordered us back to Hwuichau, a place we had passed two days before cordingly returned there on the 12th
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