Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 216

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Loss of the Ship Kite.

APRIL,

On board ship Blundell, March 1st. On the 22d Feb., before I arose, my attendant came to my bedside, exclaiming "Chinhae, Chusan, get up!" and immediately the compra- dor called to me, saying that we were indeed to go to Chinhae. But he little thought that he was not to form one of the party; as to myself, I am sure, you will believe me, when 1 tell you, that I knew not which thing to do first. Numbers of people came around my prison, and I was obliged to shut the door to keep them out. After my morn- ing duties, I got all my boxerepacked with the comprador's aid. While thus engaged, he was sent for by the mandarins, who told him, that he was not like the other English prisoners; they would therefore not allow him to accompany them, but send him down to Canton. This threw an immediate gloom over my spirits, and I felt deeply, when, a few minutes afterwards, I saw him locked up in his prison, for he had long been my friend in adversity. I now with difficulty got through the crowd to the gentlemen's prison, where I received a hearty welcome and the warmest congratulations, and was forbidden to speak of past troubles. Captain Anstruther now insisted upon seeing the comprador to give him money, and, after many intreaties made to the officer, whom he had greatly offended by withholding a picture for some unkindness shown, he at last succeed- ed in beating his way through the crowd. We walked a great while in the prison-yard until, by dint of perseverance and much pushing among the immense crowd, we got into our palankeens. We had a guard to escort us, and, having crossed the river in our convey- ances, I looked back and was astounded at the dense mass of specta- Mandarins of every grade were in attendance. Indeed the excitement at Ningpo was indescribable. Our road to Chinhae led principally along the river side, and our traveling was anything but comfortable, the way being so bad, that I feared our palankeen bearers would slip. When near Chinhae, one of my bearers tum- bled, and the palankeen thumped on the ground. I struck my head, but the alarm was more than the injury. I thought my trou- bles would not be at an end, until I reached Chinhae. On the road we met several emissaries urging on the bearers to use all speed, to the mutual gratification of both parties. At last we arrived safely at Chinhae, where we were received with due honor by the mandarins. We had not breakfasted, and, when the gentlemen asked for food, a filthy fellow came in with an apron-full of cakes. Afterwards they brought us each a bason of meat. Captain Anstruther was now taken to see commissioner E, and, after remaining a little while, he re-

tors.