[12] Lost his life in fighting for the Ming cause (1644).
[13] "Allusion to an expression in the Book of Diagrams, under the Këen diagram, or five and nine, where it is said that 'the dragon flies up to heaven,' which means that a new monarch is about to ascend the throne of China.--_Translator._"
Shanghae to Han-kow.--River Scenery.--Silver Island.--The Salt Trade.--Nin-gan-shan.--Tu-ngliu.--Its Auriferous Soil.--Kew-kiang.--River Scenery.--The Yang-tze River.--The Braves of Hankow.--Chinese Politeness.--Manchoo Policy.--Fire and Plunder.--A Chinese Rudder.--Scenery around Ta-tung.--Appearance of the Country.--Chinese Chess.--Perilous Adventure.--Crew of Mutineers.--Critical Position.--Gallant Rescue.--Explanation.--Alarm of Pirates.--Plan of Operations.--Its Advantages.--The Result.--Another Alarm.--"Imperialist" Pirates.
After remaining two idle weeks at Shanghae, our vessel was ordered to Han-kow. This coincided exactly with my wishes, for, as we should pass Nankin, and possibly communicate with its garrison, it would be a good and early opportunity for me to become acquainted with the position of affairs, and the best and easiest method of fulfilling the object of my commission from the Chung-wang. Accordingly, with a limited cargo, and a good supply of coals, we weighed anchor again, and started upon our voyage up the great river, "the Son of the Sea."
We had but a rough time of it at first, for after leaving the mouth of the river--so wide that, but for the large island of Tsung-Ming in the centre, land is not visible from either side--we only reached the Lang-shan crossing, the most difficult navigation of the river, at night. It therefore became necessary to anchor, and a gale coming on from seaward, what with its fury, and the strength of a four-knot flood tide, we passed a remarkably unpleasant night; and, after continual apprehension of parting our cables and drifting ashore, found in the morning that we had dragged our anchors nearly a mile.
The banks of the river about its embouchure are bordered by highly-cultivated fields, in some parts covered with low wooded land. The banks are increased and elevated under a regular system, the peculiar formation of the overhanging trees giving a pleasing and verdant aspect to the country. The numerous sand-banks about the Lang-shan hills on the north bank, and the town and hills of Fu-shan on the south, render that part of the navigation of the river (known as the Lang-shan Crossing, the channel taking a sharp turn towards the Lang-shan hills) particularly dangerous. Several fine vessels have been lost, and one, the _Kate_, a new steam-ship, became a total wreck there while engaged upon her first voyage. She ran ashore, and in a moment the immense strength of the tide capsized her, when, sliding off the sand-bank, she sank in deep water, many of the crew and passengers losing their lives, while the whole valuable cargo, including a large amount of specie, went to the bottom.