Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 217

1841.

Loss of the Ship Kite.

203

turned telling us, that we should soon be sent for to hear the same story told him, namely, that we should not have come to China if the admiral had not sent us, and that we must now return and tell the commanding officer, he must get the ships away with all speed, as a great many soldiers were waiting to enter Chusan so soon as the English evacuated it, but at the same time, he intreated us to labor under no apprehensions, for they had no hostile intentions. At first it was concluded, that lieutenant Douglas was to accompany me to Chusan, while captain Anstruther should remain and see all the men embark; but when we were with E, lieutenant Douglas told him, that captain Anstruther had nothing to do with the people, and begged that he might be allowed to remain with his crew, and that captain Anstruther might accompany me. It was at length determin- ed, that both the gentlemen should stay behind, and only Mr. Witts accompany me. I made every inquiry for my only bonnet and other things which the mandarin had previously sent for to inspect, but in vain, as the officer had kept them and would not restore them. Soon after, I took leave of the gentlemen and reëntered my palankeen which conveyed me to the water's side, where the linguist presented me with a fan. On the mandarin's premises I had the pleasure of meeting all my fellow-prisoners, which relieved my mind, as I was not before aware that they had come down from Ningpo, and had not seen them for several months. I spoke a few words to them as my sedan passed. On our way we were taken to the soldiers' tents; it being a late hour, and quite dark, I could see but little of them, but they appeared to be numerous, and to occupy a very large space of ground. Every attention was now shown me; they carried me close to the boat, and fixed a chair in the sampan for my comfort. The mandarin, who accompanied me, showed me every attention. For some hours our boat lay at anchor, to enable the other prisoners to embark and, during the night, proceeded on her way to Chusan. About seven o'clock in the morning of the 26th, I was once more gladdened by the sight of an English vessel. Soon after, we were boarded by two naval officers, and Mr. Johnson was the first to welcome me to freedom. In a short space of time, we saw several other vessels which lay at the outer anchorage; a few moments more, and the whole fleet was before us. I thought I saw as great a change on Chusan as on myself; the tents were no longer on the hills and to me, at least, all things looked strange. As the boat drew near, captain Bourchier of the Blonde sent his gig to convey me on board, and glad indeed was I to step into it, and thus quit for