Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 433

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mats.

Loss of the Cutter Louisa.

JULY,

part of our own pork), and having bid good bye to those who were to remain behind, at about 8 A. M. the commodore and captain Elliot got into one boat, and myself and captain Elliot's servant (who was sick) went in the other; they made us lay on our backs at the bottom of the boat and covered us with We got through the surf and out to sea without any mishap, as the weather was fine; further than that I knew nothing until about 2 p. m., when they uncovered us and gave us some rice. We had just finished our light re- past, when the man sitting above hit me a pretty hard blow on the head, and made signs for me to lie down again; this I did, and was covered with the mat; a few minutes after I heard a rush as if some large boat were passing us, which was the case. They said nothing to us, but the other boat was hailed, and asked what was the news, and whether many vessels had been wrecked on their part of the coast; to which suitable replies were given, and we passed on this was a mandarin boat! They little thought what a prize was within their grasp the two plenipotentiaries. Doubtless we were through- out these three days of adventure and peril, in the special keeping of Pro- vidence. In about two hours, I again ventured to look up, and to my great joy discovered two ships anchored at a considerable distance. I could not recognize the land, and was quite mystified as to our situation; at last, I determined that it must be the Typa, and I was right: we passed to the left of Monkey island, and Macao opened to our view; glad indeed were we, and thankful for our deliverance. We saw a vessel not far behind working up for Macao, which capt. Elliot made out to be a lorcha, and we could no longer remain under cover, but throwing off the mats, stood upon the thwarts and waved our hats to attract their attention, at the same time telling the Chi- nese to give way, which they did most lustily. My boat was a faster one than the other, and consequently got alongside first, when I met with an unexpected reception: all the Portuguese and lascars were drawn up with swords, muskets, and pistols, so that I had nearly been shot at the moment of deliverance. However, captain Elliot's servant explained who were in the other boat, and we went alongside instantly; they had mistaken us for la- drones, hence the muskets, swords, and pistols. The commodore and captain Elliot were on board within a few minutes after us, and we were regaled with soft tack and pine-apple by the people on board, who seemed overjoyed at seeing us.

We soon came to in the Inner Harbor, and were all landed safely at the Bar fort; the commodore was in a blue worsted sailor's frock, a light pair of trowsers of four days wear, shoes and a low crowned hat; captain Elliot, in a Manila hat, a jacket, no shirt, a pair of striped trowsers and shoes; I had shirt and trowsers, no hat, and a pair of red slippers, borrowed of a Parsee on board the lorcha. The commandant of the fort was most amiable, and particularly anxious to turn out the guard for the commodore, who certainly did not look in a fit mood to appreciate such a mark of respect, his appear. ance bearing a close resemblance to a highly respectable quarter-master, who had been dissipating consequently, the turning out of the guard was strongly