Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 510

1841

Reminiscences of Chusan.

493

that the eyes started out of their sockets, and the blood from his hands and body. Had the cords not been immediately loosened, he would have died within less than an hour. A third was brought to the office bound in the most frightful manner. The agony the fellow had endured had robbed him of speech, and it was two hours before he could give an account of himself. His captor, a literary graduate, was surprised at being upbraided for his cruelty, but merely remark- ed in self-vindication, that what he had done was simply an act of common justice. He could not or would not bring a witness, and though the prisoner had not the appearance of a gentleman, he was dismissed for want of evidence.

After a few days had elapsed, several shops were opened, poultry became very plentiful, and it was of the best description. But the pork was very inferior, and repulsive even to a hungry stomach. Beef was likewise brought into the market. All this, however, was only of short duration. As soon as the shopkeepers had sold off their stock they removed from the city, and the supplies failed entirely, for some emissaries had been sent to threaten the inhabitants with death, if they dared to supply the English with provisions. Such interfer- ence ought never to have been suffered, and its tragical conse- quences should serve as a warning example in future. As soon as the authorities at Chinhae ascertained that this prohibition was borne patiently, they seized the comprador that used to supply the com- missariat. The people of the island got the credit for having com- mitted this misdeed, and several respectable persons were imprisoned for six weeks, though the Ningpo government subsequently declared, they had kidnapped the man-an enterprize worthy of such dignita- ries. This was done again to try how far the patience of the English would stretch. As they were not forced to give up this man, which they certainly would have done, had they been obliged to do so by strength of arms, they grew more bold, first carried off servants, then took captain Anstruther, and next murdered an artillery-man.

The authorities at Ningpo were thunderstruck by the occupation of Chusan. They could collect only a few hundred men to attempt a reoccupation. In this emergency a large subscription was got up by a patriotic graduate, who enlisted a body of militia, to guard Chinhae, a place which had been left without defense. If, when the provocation was given, a force had been sent to Ningpo, the moral effect would have been lasting, provisions would have come in abun- dance, death, which made such havoc amongst the troops, would have been prevented, and the terms obtained at the Pei ho would have

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