I was very much interested in this place because a cousin of mine had been engaged in the expedition against the Taku forts in 1859, and I recollect my admiration when my cousin returned with some beautiful Chinese robes, and other articles, which he had purchased, or found, in Pekin after the capture of the capital. These spoils still exist in the possession of my cousin's family.
While embarking Chinese soldiers for Corea, we heard many reports of the Chinese fleet, the attack of Japanese in Seul, and such intelligence, which confirmed my captain in his impression that war had already virtually been declared, and that the struggle would be fought out by sea and land, between China and Japan, in the Yellow Sea and in Corea. So he made haste to embark the soldiers,--some twelve hundred men with twelve guns,--and, when they were settled on board, the steamer followed the other transports, of which nine had already sailed. There were two other English steamers employed in the service, but we didn't think that any fuss would ensue, because we trusted to the "red ensign."
"Well, Julius," said the mate to me, when we had crossed the bar at Taku, "here we are on service."
"Yes," I replied; "but it is only transport service. There will be no fighting. We can't fight, and no one will harm a British ship."
"Let us wait till we reach Corea. When we reach Asan, and land the troops, we shall be able to sing 'Rule Britannia.'"
"What do you mean?" I asked, looking at the mate intently in the dim light. "There is no danger, is there?"
"I suppose you know that the Japanese warships are out in this sea, and they expect to meet some Chinese vessels?"
"Just so," said the mate. "Hadn't you better look after the troops, and get them settled. If any storm gets up, or anything happens, they will be like children, and _we_ can't hold them."
"Who's the major? He's not a Chinese, anyway!"
"No, he's a German, I believe--a Von something--a good fellow, I think. You see the Herrs are getting the thin wedge in in China, quietly. Look at their travellers already--commercial, I mean--they are turning _us_ out! This major is teaching the army to shoot. They are very young in the modern sense. Just see that the Johnnies are quiet."