CO129-113 - MacDonnell - 1866 [5-6] — Page 464

7 a.m of the following day. At the eastern month of the straits wee

found

Amm

fleet of junks with some 400 troops and braves from Hoiangshan on

"Hoiangshan on board, and learnt from the Brigadia of Hiangshan, whe atores

that he had arrived with

boarded us

this flotillo.in

show

the preceding afternoon,

and had at once blockaded both

entrances to the straits, in doing which

he

was

Zived

upon by the pisales batting

at Pak shmi. No junks

had been

seen near the straits for about six

days. The also learnt that thi

flotilla

From Canton had arrived during

the

night, as armiged, and haut surrounded

the islands

m

the north.

Commander St John at once. steamed through the straits, followed by

the "Hear Ising", whilst the "I anus"

463

and

cal off

"Banterer" cruised in either sido lo cut

in

to

escaping "Opossum" anchored abreast of Pak timi, whilst the Heiang shon funks drew

boats at 7.30. A.m. the-

in from both sides of the straits. The

Village of Pakshmi was deserted, but

guins

obrinoly

were still in position

in the battery. hamsini, on the opposite shore, was seen to be crooded with inhabitants, and at Commander

St John's suggestion, I advised the

Prefect.

and his collea

Colleagues

to cansoa

party of troops to land above the

place, and

veenpy the hills at the rear, in order to cut

off the escape

of

the inhabitants. I had priniowly