Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 501

484

Reminiscences of Chusan.

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This puny host, therefore, from sheer ignorance, was determined to defend itself, and for this purpose the soldiers had put a number of miserable cannon between paddy bags, in order to repel the bar- barians by celestial fire.

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Towards the afternoon the soldiers had all embarked in boats, and it was an animating sight to see the whole harbor covered with red coats. The music played as they passed the flag-ship, and all ap- peared one joyous scene. There was at that time scarcely one sick man among them.

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A shot from the Wellesley, fired over the heads of the Chinese forces, was intended to induce them to surrender. But they were too ardent in hope to meditate such a thing. Off went their cannon like crackers, the balls struck the Alligator in several places,-one actual- ly took away some paint, another carried away a halliard, a third (strange to say) lodged in a gun carriage. Such was the damage done to the British fleet. The ships now opened a tremendous fire, and the Pagoda Hill was instantly cleared of its crowded military occupants, and the suburbs were forsaken. The British forces land- ed instantly, and took possession of the heights on Temple Hill. They might have pushed on without any obstacle, for the enemy was panic struck, but the attack on the city was deferred till Monday.

The junks nearest the men-of-war were very much riddled, and à humane surgeon shortly afterwards went to see whether he could do anything for the wounded. The first indication of slaughter, ob- served on board the admiral's junk, was a raven ominously perch- ed on the mast, looking down with his bright eyes into the cabin. The party, sent to afford relief, shuddered when they saw the bird of prey over a heap of corpses. Several balls had passed through the junk, and the frightened sailors had either crowded into the cabin for protection, or had huddled their dying comrades together there, with the hope of carrying off their bodies, which they indeed essayed to do, during the hottest fire from our guns. And here we must bear testimony to their bravery. The Chinese will venture everything; face the cannon's mouth, in order to carry a disabled or dead com- rade from the field. One poor fellow was seen climbing up the shore with great difficulty, having lost a limb, but still trying to save him- self, undaunted by the loss of blood.

In the admiral's cabin, orders for attacking the barbarians were found, and also a part of a Chinese Bible! He himself was badly wounded in the side, and his flag captain fell at the first discharge. The worthy Yaou had embarked with all his effects and retinue, and