A Lady's Captivity among Chinese Pirates in the Chinese Seas
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CHAPTER VIII.ToC
Despair—I write the Date of my Captivity—Benevolence of the Pirates—A Happy Meal—A Steamer in Sight—Flight of the Pirates—Gratitude—Hurrah!Hurrah!I am Saved!
We had hoped that the day would, as usual, bring us some little liberty and fresh air; but the pirates were too busy to heed us.Absorbed in the pursuit of gain, they were all day occupied in negotiating the sale of their plunder, and for that purpose received on board those traders whose special line it is to buy up stolen goods.Bathed in perspiration, racked with acute cramps, and half stifled by the long-confined air, I suffered horribly.My skin, too, was covered with a painful eruption, and I had become so weak that, although my companion strove to amuse and cheer me, I was no longer able to reply.By and bye, we heard the pirates counting their gold, and then the splashing oars that bore the purchasers away.This done, our jailers at length remembered our captivity, and opened the trap.It was time they did so; for we had lain there upwards of four-and-twenty hours!The delight which it was once more to breathe that fresh night-air, I shall remember to my dying day.
The next day was the 17th, and a glorious morning dawned.To our surprise, the pirates came at sunrise, and quite removed the trap.They seemed almost pleasant, and, when the hour of breakfast came, brought us not only an abundance of food, but even some wine.This liquor, which is extracted from rice, is as transparent as water, and by no means unpalatable.The flavour of it, indeed, is not unlike that of new Bordeaux.
The junk was now coasting beside an uninhabited shore, and the pirates, assured that we could not here be observed, left our cell uncovered throughout the day. They even suffered Than-Sing to remain for some time on deck, and behaved towards us with an amazing degree of good-humour. The weather was so fine that I almost envied my companion, and longed to follow him in his walk. Not daring, however, to get out without permission, I ventured to stand up in my place, and look round at the land and the sea. Oh, how delicious seemed that sight! After having lived for seven long days in a dark and filthy den, I now beheld the broad bright ocean, the golden sunlight, the blue sky, and the verdant shore! Here and there, in the midst of trees and pastures, lay tiny white villages, dotting the coast-line far away, like white flowers in the grass. The sight of this landscape intoxicated me. I fancied myself once more in sight of my own dear France, and wept as I have seldom wept before or since.
At this moment the pirate-chief passed by.I pointed to the land, and Than-Sing, who had been watching my emotion, hastened to explain that I was praying for life and liberty.Motioning to me to be calm, the chief then replied that he had long since despatched Captain Rooney in a junk to Macao; that Captain Rooney was empowered to treat there for our ransoms; and that he had expected yesterday to meet the junk on its return.Should five more days elapse, however, without further tidings, it was his intention, he said, to transfer us on board another vessel.This vague reply troubled us more than ever.Transferred to another junk, what might not be our fate?After all, the interpretation of the thing was plain enough.They were not disposed, somehow, to put us to death; but should they find it impossible to extort a ransom for our liberty, they would get rid of us to those who might not be so scrupulous.Even supposing that we had come across a steamer by the way, what had we to hope?Would not our captors sooner throw us overboard, than be taken in the fact of piracy and kidnapping on the high seas?
The captain now gave me leave to walk awhile on deck, and I gratefully availed myself of the permission. So happy was I in the enjoyment of light and liberty, that I forgot all my former tortures, and learnt to look upon these lawless men with feelings that were almost friendly.They were very busy this morning, bustling to and fro, chatting familiarly together, and dividing the spoil of the previous evening.I confess with shame that I scarcely remembered by what means they had wrung that spoil from their miserable victims, and could think only of my present freedom.It was not often that the pirates took any notice of me; but, strange to say, whenever they did look at me, it was with an expression of good-nature of which I should scarcely have supposed them capable.
"They like you," said Than-Sing, who had been talking with them."They like you, because your face and eyes are gentle; and they say that they no longer wish any evil to happen to you."
It seemed incredible that these men should forego their native ferocity in my favour; but perhaps my patience and my weakness touched their hearts.On the other hand, I owed much, doubtless, to their cupidity.When I recall the length of my imprisonment, the character of my jailers, and all the circumstances of my capture, I can scarcely credit, even now, the evidences of my own memory.
Having been on deck for about two hours, I went back voluntarily to my cell.Long confinement had incapacitated me for any kind of exertion, and I fell down upon the floor, utterly wearied and exhausted.At the same time, I felt better than for many days past, and the weight at my heart was lightened.
Gazing languidly around the four dreary walls within which I had spent so many frightful hours, I observed an old book lying in one corner, covered with dust and dirt.I had seen it before, but had not till now the heart to take it up.It was a German work, and printed in German text.Ignorant as I was of the language, I turned the pages over with delight, for they reminded me of Europe and of home.At the end of the volume were some three or four blank leaves, still tolerably clean."Oh," thought I, "had I but a pen, to record something of my story!"It then occurred to me that I had one hair-pin left, and that I might contrive to write with the point of it.My success surpassed my hopes, and the following words, thus traced upon the page, were sufficiently legible:—
"I have been captured by Chinese pirates, and am kept prisoner by them.I am a Frenchwoman, and was a passenger on board the 'Caldera.'This is my seventh day in the junk.—17th of October, 1854.—Fanny Loviot."
I then wrote the same thing in French upon another page, and, not content with this, took up a rusty nail that was lying near, and scratched my names, and the name of the "Caldera," upon the under-side of the framework into which the trap fitted.Each letter was an inch long, at the least, and no one searching the vessel could fail to see it.Alas!it was far from likely that any friendly eyes would ever behold it; and yet I loved to cherish every illusion that could help to veil the horrors of my present position.It was a dream, perhaps; but then it was a dream of France, and liberty!
As for the pirates, they kept passing backwards and forwards, and glancing down every now and then, to see what I was doing.They never guessed, however, that I was writing words which might, some day, hang every man among them!
Having recorded these three sentences, I lay down and rested. A thousand vague thoughts flitted through my mind, and hopes long fled began to dawn again. Profiting by my present privileges, I soon rose and went again on deck. The pirates were still friendly, and encouraged me to walk where they were at work; which I did, though not without misgivings. Some of them were busy launching a little boat, and Than-Sing explained to me that they were going to put off on an oyster-dredging expedition, which they presently did. It seemed that their first haul was fortunate, for they soon came back with the boat half full of enormous oysters, larger than any which I ever remember to have seen before.
The cook to-day was fully employed with his stewpans and braziers, and appeared to be giving himself airs of no little importance. A feast was evidently in course of preparation, and he well knew that on his skill depended the success or failure of the entertainment. First of all, he opened and shelled the oysters, and put them over the fire in a huge saucepan. He then fried a quantity of delicious little fishes, besides attending, every now and then, to a quarter of pork, which was browning before a fire close by. The sight of all these good things sharpened our appetites, and we asked each other if we had any chance of sharing the feast. When the hour of repast came round, Than-Sing and I went back to our dungeon, scarcely hoping to be remembered till the best of the dishes were eaten. How much, then, were we surprised, on finding the pirates assemble and seat themselves all round about our cell, while the cook, ladle in hand, went round, and helped the company to saucerfuls of smoking oysters. Of these, Than-Sing and I received as large a share as the rest, and although I was at first somewhat doubtful of the sauce in which they were floating, I soon came to the conclusion that I had seldom tasted anything more savoury.After the oysters came the pork, and after the pork, wine, tea, and fish fried in rice.We were liberally helped to all these dishes.Indeed, it seemed as if the pirates wished to show us how sociable they could be, and for this day, at least, we were treated less as prisoners than guests.They enjoyed the dinner immensely themselves, and more than once asked Than-Sing how I liked their cookery.
Towards the close of the feast, just as I was anticipating the comfort of a few hours' rest, a large merchant-junk came in sight to the leeward.Every man was on his feet in an instant, the remains of the dinner were cleared hastily away, the flags were hoisted to the mast-head, and the pirates, running eagerly hither and thither, prepared for fighting.Plunder was once again the order of the day, and we, crouched silently in our little den, awaited whatever might take place.The merchantman, however, made too much way for us, and the pursuit was presently relinquished.I was inexpressibly thankful that this comparatively happy day was not destined to end in bloodshed and pillage.
The merchantman was soon out of sight, and we were shortly overtaken by a flotilla of pirate-junks, the captains of which proceeded to make exchanges of merchandise and provisions. Amongst other things, our chief bought a quantity of live ducks.As night fell, the junks all dropped away, and we continued our solitary route.
At the hour of prayer we ventured out again, and walked on deck till nearly ten o'clock at night.The sky was calm and blue, and the stars shone.After my experience of the last few days, it seemed to me that I had never known any luxury so infinite.To-night I observed that, instead of anchoring for several hours, as we had hitherto invariably done, we were sailing rapidly on, under press of canvass.
Going back to our dungeon, I lay as usual on the floor, and fell asleep thinking of the pleasant liberty which I had been suffered all day to enjoy.Waking from time to time, I heard the wind whistling through the cordage, and the rapid gliding of the waters as our keel ploughed onwards.
The next day was Wednesday, October 18th, 1854—a heaven-sent day, never to be named unless with prayer and thankfulness! It might have been about four o'clock in the morning, when we were awakened from our sleep by the sound of hurrying feet and eager voices. After having sailed fast all the night, the junk was now riding at anchor, and the trap was closely fastened above our heads. I could not conceive what our captors were about, or why they should be thus active at so early an hour. The more I listened, the stranger it seemed. Having waited and wondered for some time, I tried to compose myself to sleep; but sleep would not come again, and, somehow or another, a strange restlessness possessed me.I turned to Than-Sing, who was awake and listening also, and asked him what he thought could be doing overhead?He laid his finger on his lip, and, bending breathlessly forward, paused for some moments before replying.
"Hush!"said he, at length."They are going."
I could not imagine what he meant; but, just as I was about to question him further, he again motioned me to silence, and repeated, "They are going."
More puzzled than ever, I lay and looked at my companion, whose face expressed both joy and terror, and whose voice shook strangely.
"I tell you, they are going," said he."It is a steamer in pursuit."
"A steamer!"I repeated, stupefied and incredulous."A steamer!"I thought, for the moment, that my companion's brain was turned, and I was almost angry that he should dream of reawakening hopes which I had long since abandoned.Scarcely, however, had these thoughts crossed my mind, when he touched me on the shoulder, repeating, "It is a steamer!The pirates have seen a steamer, and they are escaping to the mountains."
I stared wildly in his face. My thoughts were all confusion.I dared not trust myself to take in the sense of his words.
"You are wrong," I said."Would they lie at anchor if they were pursued?"
But he only pressed his face closely to the little port-hole, and replied, "Yes, it is a steamer!I see it!It is a steamer!"
My heart throbbed at these words, as if it would burst; and, looking out, I did indeed see a vessel at about two miles' distance.I say a vessel because there was no smoke visible.Alas!what if it were but a ship bound for Hong-Kong, Canton, or Macao?No such vessel would ever come to our succour, and what chance had we of being discovered on board a junk so similar to every other junk that sailed these seas?Notwithstanding my reasoning, however, I could not control my agitation, or keep away from the port-hole.
"Yes, yes," repeated Than-Sing, "they are going.They are flying from the steamer!"
"But it is not a steamer," said I."There is no smoke.It is but a passing vessel, after all."
"I tell you that I am not mistaken.Steamer or no steamer, the pirates are fled!Listen how their voices die away."
I listened. A profound silence reigned around us, and I only heard a sound of murmuring voices, which became, every moment, more and more distant. I strove to raise the trap, but Than-Sing pulled me back.At that instant, a heavy footstep echoed overhead, and the trap was lifted from without.It was the ship's cook, who, with startled face and hurried gestures, looked in upon us.
"Fear nothing," said he."It is a steamer!You are saved!It is a steamer!"
And with these words he also fled, and we were left alone.Quick as thought, I jumped up and sprang upon deck.A feverish strength possessed me, and I uttered cries of frantic joy.It was indeed true.We were alone, utterly alone, on board the junk, which, having anchored somewhat too close in shore, was left half stranded by the ebbing tide, and could not be pushed off.They had ventured here in search of fresh water, and it was not till daybreak that they found themselves in such close neighbourhood with the steamer.This latter, it seemed, was also lying at anchor, and had been partly hidden by a jutting tongue of land.Terrified, then, by the imminence of the danger, and finding it impossible to put off to sea, the pirates had preferred flight to fighting, and were, at this moment, abandoning their vessel.Having waded through the shallow water that lay between the ship's side and the land, they were now in the very act of climbing the steep precipices which here start, as it were, from the very verge of the sea.We could see them distinctly, and even the plunder with which they had loaded themselves.
No language can describe the emotion with which I beheld the flight of our enemies, and the near neighbourhood of those who would doubtless prove to be our friends.Incoherent words broke from my lips, and I paced to and fro with clasped hands and burning cheeks, eager for deliverance.In the meantime, those on board the steamer had not yet observed us, or put off a boat to our rescue.Seeing how near it lay, I would fain have tried to wade through the sea, like the pirates, and walk along the coast; but Than-Sing, who was cooler and wiser than I, would hear of no such attempt."It is useless," said he."They will be sure to come.Have patience, they will be sure to come."
His calmness exasperated me.I could not think why we need lose the precious moments, and I longed to go in search of the help that Heaven had sent us.
"Listen," said I."Let us take the little boat, and put off to meet them.In an hour we shall have paddled up to the ship's side.Think, Oh think!what should we do if the pirates came back, and once more took us prisoners?Oh come, pray come!"
But Than-Sing was immoveable."No, no," said he, with that phlegmatic gravity peculiar to his nation."I tell you they will come to us.It is a steamer.They will come to us."
I grew desperate. It was the first disagreement that we had yet had, and I believed that he was wilfully sacrificing both our lives.Had I known how to swim, I believe I would have attempted the distance.As it was, I walked longingly round and round the small boat, and asked myself whether it were not possible to manage it alone.Had I strength enough to row or paddle two miles?Could I get it down into the sea?Might not the pirates even now return, and might not the steamer put off without having once perceived us?At the very moment when I was thus debating, I felt myself grasped by the arm, and found that Than-Sing had followed me to the after-deck.
"Look! look!" said he. "Do you see the three boats yonder?" I looked, and there indeed were three boats rounding a point of land, and making directly towards us. I tore off the chemise which I wore under my sailor's dress, and tied it to a piece of bamboo that was lying upon deck. I ran towards that side of the junk which lay nearest in their sight, and fixed my signal in a rift between the planking! There was now no fear, no doubt, no danger left! Ours was the only junk in sight, and the boats were already so near, that I could distinguish the blue jackets of the rowers. Than-Sing, standing beside me, crossed his hands upon his breast, and bowed his head in prayer. Dreading lest his Chinese dress should mislead our friends, I entreated him to keep out of sight; which he did, willingly.
All at once the rowers ceased to row, and sat in the boats with uplifted oars.Was it possible, after all, that they were about to give up, and go back to the steamer?Leaning breathlessly forward, I shaded my eyes with my hands, and knew not what to think.At this moment a volley of musketry was fired from all three boats, and a thick cloud of smoke was interposed between us.Taken by surprise, terrified, bewildered, I fell back, believing that it was their intention to attack the junk.
"Oh, my God!"I cried, falling upon my knees, "we shall be killed—killed by our deliverers!"
The thought that they might actually continue to fire, supposing the pirates to be still on board, inspired me with a sudden and desperate energy."Let them shoot me face to face," thought I."Come what may, I will make one effort more!"And with this I rushed to the prow, and showed myself again.I pulled off my cap—I waved it wildly to and fro—I tried to shout aloud, and immediately a prolonged "Hurrah!"broke from every lip, and told me that a crew of English sailors were our deliverers!They waved their hats in reply to my signal; then bent to their oars again, and cleft the waters as an arrow cleaves the air.
They had recognized me now, and we were saved at last!
CHAPTER IX.ToC
Captain Rooney's story—Expedition along the Coast—The Pirate's Mother—Death of a Chinese—The "Lady Mary Wood"—Return to Hong-Kong—Protection of the Consul—Visit of Than-Sing—Good-bye to Captain Rooney.
Overwhelmed with joy, I staggered back, and fell, half-fainting, upon deck.By the time that I had recovered, the boats were within a yard or two of the junk.My strength was all gone now, and I wept profusely.I could not speak—I could not even think; and when our friends came climbing up the sides, and leaping on deck, I had no greeting to give them.They were chiefly soldiers and officers of the English marine service, and were accompanied by some blue-jackets and one or two sailor-officers.Captain Rooney was with them.He could scarcely contain his joy on seeing me again; and they all crowded round me with every mark of interest and good-will.As for poor Than-Sing, he was at first mistaken for a pirate, and had some half-dozen fists shaken in his face; but I ran and stood beside him, and Captain Rooney told them how he had saved us all, and how nobly he had behaved from first to last.
Finding that I was not too weak to be moved, the sailors then carried me down into one of the boats, and I left the junk for ever.While we were on our way, the officers explained to me that they had taken down the funnel of the steamer, in order to deceive and surprise the enemy.As to the volley of musketry which so alarmed me, they had fired only powder; hoping thereby to bring the pirates upon deck.Had I not gone forward again, and had I not waved my cap as I did, they would assuredly have fired next time with a deadlier purpose.As it was, the removal of the cap left my light hair visible, and Captain Rooney recognized me.When I first showed myself, they took me for a Chinese left in charge of the junk, and mistook my white signal for an alarm destined to recall the rest from shore.I also learnt that every one in Hong-Kong believed either that I had been killed, or that I was carried up into the country and sold.They, themselves, they said, had long since given up all hope of saving me.
When we were about half way between the junk and the steamer, the former was already in flames. As we drew nearer, we were greeted with loud cheers, which our rowers returned heartily. At the head of the steps by which we mounted upon deck, stood the captain, waiting to receive us. Seeing me, he came down part of the way, and supported me with his arm. He looked at me with as much amazement as pity, and, grateful as I was for this universal sympathy, I felt almost ashamed of the miserable condition in which I came amongst my deliverers.The deck was crowded with gentlemen, chiefly inhabitants of Hong-Kong and its neighbourhood, who had come out with the expedition from motives of curiosity and interest.Thankful to escape from every eye, I gladly retired to the cabin which had been prepared for my use.Here I found clothing and every necessary awaiting me, and hastened to make such a toilette as my weakness and weariness would allow.I looked at myself in the glass, and scarcely recognized my own features, so haggard were they, and so changed.My eyes were surrounded by livid circles, and my skin was blackened by the burning sea-winds.As for my hair, that was too hopelessly matted to be disentangled all at once; so I was forced to leave it for awhile in its present disorder.While I was thus employed, the boats had started away again, to the attack of three or four pirate villages which lay close by in the creeks and coves of the coast.
When I was calmer, and had rested awhile, Captain Rooney told me all that had happened to himself and crew since we parted. Scarcely three hours had elapsed, he said, from the time of our departure, when another junk came up and took him on to Macao, leaving the crew with the wreck. Two hundred piastres was then agreed upon as the price of our ransom, and the pirates (confident of their own safety, since Than-Sing and I remained as hostages in the hands of their companions) sailed straight into port, and landed openly. Two of their number then followed Captain Rooney into the town, believing that he would immediately proceed to raise money among his friends. Captain Rooney, however, did no such thing, but presented himself at once before the governor, gave his two attendants into custody, and petitioned for immediate succours of men and arms, in order to rescue his crew, his passengers, and his ship, from the hands of the pirates. As Macao is a Portuguese colony, the governor could not undertake to furnish an expedition; but he granted Captain Rooney a military escort, and otherwise assisted him in removing his prisoners to Hong-Kong. Arrived at Hong-Kong, he went direct to M. Haskell, who was, as I have already said, our French vice-consul. It was midnight when Captain Rooney made his appearance at the consulate, and told his melancholy story. M. Haskell's trouble and amazement may easily be conceived. Late as it was, he took Captain Rooney with him, and went on board the "Sparta," then lying in harbour, under command of Admiral Sir William Hoste. Nothing could exceed the promptness and generosity with which this gallant officer hastened to place twenty-four marines at their immediate disposal; or the courtesy with which the Peninsular and Oriental Steam-Packet Company lent the "Lady Mary Wood" for their conveyance. By six o'clock in the morning everything was in readiness, and they steamed out of harbour, taking the two prisoners with them, an interpreter skilled in the Chinese dialects, and several gentlemen who went for curiosity and excitement. During the greater part of the day they saw not a single sail. It almost seemed as if the pirates had anticipated pursuit, and purposely abandoned their accustomed haunts. Meeting, however, with some floating fragments of charred wood, they came upon the track of the "Caldera," and found but a few burnt fragments of her hull remaining. Struck with horror, they scarcely dared ask themselves what had been the fate of the crew, but made at once for some huts which lay at a considerable distance along the coast. These huts were inhabited by a few fishermen and their families; but they either were in league with the pirates, or really knew nothing of what had taken place, for no information could be got from them. The steamer then continued to coast close in shore, and landed at every village, on the chance of learning something definite. Just as they were disembarking at one of these little colonies, they were, to their surprise, greeted with a discharge of musketry, and found the inhabitants prepared to resist their landing. But it was information and not fighting of which the English were in search; so they hoisted a white flag, and sent one of the two Chinese prisoners to treat with his countrymen.In order to insure this fellow's fidelity, Captain Rooney pointed out to him a certain spot, beyond which he was to pass on no pretence whatever.At this point he was to stand and parley with the villagers, and if he but stepped beyond the assigned limit, he should be shot down like a dog.To these warnings he replied fairly enough, but no sooner found himself on shore, and at liberty, than he began running at full speed."Stop!"cried the interpreter, just as the man neared the boundary which had been laid down for him.He stopped, hesitated, looked back as if measuring the distance, and then, possessed by the irresistible love of freedom, ran on again as fast as his legs would carry him.Scarcely, however, had he gone three yards, when the word was given to fire, and twenty balls were lodged simultaneously in his body."He staggered," said Captain Rooney, "like a drunken man, dropped upon his knees, and fell never to rise again."
The villagers believing themselves attacked this time, replied by another volley, and a regular combat ensued. The English gained a rapid and easy victory, most of the Chinese fled after the second or third discharge, and only two or three of their number were killed after all. The marines and sailors then sacked and fired the village, and found a considerable quantity of merchandise belonging to the "Caldera," which they carried away in triumph.Having as yet heard nothing of us, and seeing but little likelihood of coming up just yet with any pirate-junks, the captain of the "Lady Mary Wood" prepared to return to Hong-Kong.Scarcely had they put the helm about, when they met a merchant-junk, with the whole of the crew of the "Caldera" on board.These poor fellows, it seemed, finding captain and passengers all taken from them, had made a last despairing attempt to escape in the same large boat which we vainly tried to navigate before.Although the sea and wind was, this time, more favourable to their efforts, they must have perished miserably, had they not been picked up by this merchant-junk, when distant but a few miles from the wreck.The "Lady Mary Wood" then took them on board, and a reward of 400 piastres was instantly paid over to the master of the junk, in acknowledgment of his humanity.The steamer then went back to Hong-Kong, without having yet discovered any traces of Than-Sing or myself.
Scarcely had the first expedition returned, when a second was organized, chiefly through the exertions and interest of M. Haskell. Another steamer, named the "Ann," set off in search of us on Tuesday the 17th of October, 1854.Accident alone led the captain to steer in the direction of that very mountain under shelter of which our captors had chanced to anchor.The steamer and the junk, as we afterwards learnt, must have even reached the same spot much at the same time, and anchored within a couple of miles of each other, under cover of the darkness.It was not till morning that they perceived and rescued us in the order which I have already related; and the date of my deliverance was Wednesday, October 18th, 1854.
Listening to this account of all that had been done to save me, I quite broke down again, and had no words to speak my gratitude.Still more difficult was it to control my emotion when I read the following letter, which had been entrusted to Captain Rooney's care, in case of necessity:—
"Mademoiselle,—Should this letter reach you, as I fervently hope it may, take some comfort, I entreat you.If money alone be wanted for your deliverance, draw upon me for whatever ransom you may find necessary.
"G.Haskell,
Vice-Consul of France at Hong-Kong."
Almost the whole day went by, and the three boats which had gone out in the morning were not yet returned. As dusk came on, the captain of the "Ann" became somewhat uneasy, and talked of weighing anchor and going in search of his men. Before he had time to do this, however, we were startled by the sight of a tremendous fire, at a distance of some three or four miles along the coast. A canopy of smoke rose high above the flames, and a red glare spread far and wide along the glassy surface of the sea. While we were yet looking, three dark objects emerged slowly from the farthest gloom, and came slowly on across the lighted waters. Then the moon rose, and we recognized the boats and their gallant crews. The men were greatly fatigued, but in high spirits, and full of the day's adventures. Having landed at a pirate village, they had fought a pitched battle with the inhabitants; put some to flight, and some to death; discovered and carried off another large share of the cargo of the "Caldera;" and finally set fire to the village in four places at once. This time they brought back two prisoners. The sailors and marines vied with each other in describing their achievements, and seemed to delight in all the bloody details of the day. I heard one boasting of the number he had killed, and the hatred he bore towards these pagan pirates. "Hate the men as much as you like," said one of his companions, "but why be so cruel as to kill the women? I saw you shoot down a poor Chinese woman to-day, in cold blood!""You are a fool!"replied the boaster, impatiently."Wasn't she some pirate's mother?"
Next morning three boats, manned each by twenty hands, went out again—this time with the intention of rowing round the island, and surprising the pirates in the bay at the other side.The steamer followed them at some little distance, in case of need.We watched for a long time, and saw them round the cape and make towards the bay.At the very moment, however, when the next stroke would have carried them out of sight, we heard a sudden cannonade, and saw them pulling rapidly back.The bay, it seemed, was full of junks, to the number of forty or fifty, all armed and ready for combat; and the shores were lined with fortifications.Luckily the balls had but whistled above the heads of the rowers, and no harm was done.Deeming it useless to attack forces so numerous, the captain prudently weighed anchor, and put back for Hong-Kong.Having seventy miles of sea to traverse, we did not arrive till eight o'clock the next morning.The steamer was hung with ensigns taken from the enemy; and, just as we entered the Hong-Kong roads, our captain ran up a special flag, with the motto "All right," in token of my rescue.
Long before we landed, the news had spread throughout the city, and the quays were crowded. Numbers of boats put off and came to meet us, and every eye was searching for me among the passengers.Dressed as I still was, however, in male attire, it was not easy to distinguish me from the rest.I found myself overwhelmed with offers of hospitality.Mr. Walker, director of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Packet Company, pressed me to stay with his wife and family; but, grateful as I was, I had made up my mind to take no steps till I had seen and thanked the vice-consul.Just as I was about to go in search of him, he came.He took both my hands in his, and looked at me with a countenance in which pity, joy, and benevolence were each struggling for the mastery.
"Come with me," said he simply."I offer you shelter and protection in the name of France."
This one name went to my very heart, and I burst into a passion of tears.I blessed the Providence which had watched over me, and the dear fatherland which, even in these remote climes, opened its arms to receive me!
M.Haskell then led me to his own boat.A palanquin awaited me at the head of the landing-stairs, and in a few minutes more I crossed the threshold of a French home.
I spent twenty days at Hong-Kong, during which time I became the object of universal consideration.I was visited by every person of good standing in the city, and scarcely an European lady there but would have done anything to help and comfort me.Notwithstanding all this attention, I was forced to keep very quiet, and for a long time was too ill to receive any one.This immense joy, treading so closely on despair, proved too much for my strength, and an attack of brain fever followed.For several days and nights I raved of pirates, poignards, and fires.Nature triumphed at length; and, by the help of Heaven, I recovered quickly.Just at this time arrived a packet of letters from France and California; and I believe the home-news helped to cure me most of all.My only hope now lay with my friends and my country, and my only ambition was to return as soon as possible.
To lay in a stock of suitable clothing became one of the first cares of my convalescence; and I cannot describe the satisfaction with which I once more beheld myself in the attire of my sex.I may here remark, by way of parenthesis, that in China the men are not only tailors, but dress-makers.All the dresses, linen, shoes, bonnets, and so forth, that I bought at Hong-Kong, were made by workmen.
Not many days before I left, I was gratified by a visit from Than-Sing. The good old Chinese was on his way to rejoin his wife and family at Canton, and came to bid me farewell. He was so richly dressed, that at first I scarcely knew him; but he told me that these clothes were all lent to him by a friend, since he, like myself, had been robbed of his entire wardrobe. We talked for a long time of all that we had suffered together, and parted with tears on both side. As he left, he forced me to accept a richly embroidered handkerchief, as a souvenir of his friendship.
My departure was now fixed for the 11th of November, and the French government paid my passage to Marseilles, per Indian mail-packet.On the evening of the 10th, I received a visit from Captain Rooney and one of the lieutenants of the "Ann."This officer, after congratulating me on my improved health and appearance, presented me with a book, which I instantly recognized as that very German volume in which I had scratched, with a hair-pin, the records of my captivity.He had found it while searching the junk, and, chancing to take it up, opened the pages at the precise spot in which I had written.He wished, he said, to keep the book in memory of me and my strange adventures, and begged to be allowed to take it home with him to England.I was, of course, but too happy to grant so trifling a favour to one who had aided in my preservation.
As for Captain Rooney, he seemed sad and desponding enough. He felt, he said, as if some fatality hung over him; and, grown weary of a sea-life, now only longed to return to his home and his country.He wished me farewell for ever.
"If my prayers be granted," said he, "you will sail safely this time.Fear not—Providence watches over you."
CHAPTER X.ToC
Departure from China—The "Malta"—Singapore—Penang—The Island of Ceylon—The "Bentinck"—Aden—In the Red Sea—The Isthmus of Suez—Cairo—The Nile—The Pyramids—Boulac—Alexandria—The "Valetta"—Malta—Marseilles—End of a Journey Round the World.
On the 11th of November, 1854, I was received on board the "Malta," government mail-packet.The vice-consul accompanied me on board, as if to assure me of his generous protection up to the very last moment of my stay, and I parted from him with feelings of such regret as I shall not attempt to put into words.Should this narrative ever meet his eyes, may he here read the earnest expression of my gratitude.
The line of route taken by the Indian mail-packets is certainly the most desirable for passengers.From Hong-Kong to Singapore is a journey of only seven days, and the steamer puts into port for twenty-four hours, which enables travellers to see something of the city.Singapore is chiefly inhabited by Chinese and Malays, and contains but few European families.
From Singapore to Penang takes but three days more, and here the steamer delays eight hours for the mails.These eight hours are, however, sufficient to enable a passer-by to judge of the infinite beauty of the place.It is verdant and luxuriant as a corner of paradise, and the most delicious fruits abound in every part.
Eight days after this, we touched at Point de Galle, in the island of Ceylon, where all the passengers were put on shore.The luggage was then transferred to another steamer, and the "Malta" continued her journey to Bombay.The number of travellers by this route is seldom large.We were but thirty-two, and consisted of English, Portuguese, and French.We all breakfasted together at a cottage-restaurateur's in the Jardin Canella, which is the public promenade of the place.
Embarking, towards evening, on board the "Bentinck," another steamer belonging to the same company, we started for Suez, and after ten days' travelling touched at Aden, for the purpose of taking in coals. It is a wretched spot—arid and desolate, and inhabited by a race of hideous and miserable human beings. Seven days on the Red Sea brought us to Suez, where I landed with real delight. We crossed the Isthmus in omnibuses, and our luggage was transported by a troop of camels. The camel-drivers were half of them blind, or nearly blind; for their eyes, during the transit across the desert, are perpetually attacked by myriads of flies.
Two refreshment-stations have been established along this route, for the benefit of travellers journeying between Cairo and Suez.
Cairo, as has been truly said many and many a time before, is a city taken from the pages of the "Thousand and One Nights."I shall not attempt to describe it here, for it has been described well and often, and I have nothing new to tell.I spent three days there, dreaming and wondering, strolling through bazaars and marketplaces, and visiting all that is most curious and surprising in the city and its neighbourhood.As for the Pyramids, although I saw them from afar in my passage down the Nile, I cannot say that I experienced any special delight or enthusiasm at the sight.Cairo, and Cairo alone, usurped all my admiration, and, far as I have travelled, and much as I have seen, I may truly assert that no spot I ever beheld could compare with it for novelty and magnificence.
From Cairo we proceeded by steamer down the Nile to Boulac, and at Boulac took the railway to Alexandria. Excepting a glimpse of the distant pyramids, and the sight of those quaint little mud-coloured Egyptian villages which lie scattered along the banks of the great river, this journey afforded no objects of interest by the way. At Alexandria I remained three days, waiting the arrival of my luggage.This city, unlike Cairo, is neither picturesque nor splendid.The bazaars are dirty, the population is scanty, and (being chiefly inhabited by Europeans) the oriental costume is but rarely seen.I visited the palace of the viceroy, Pompey's Pillar, and Cleopatra's Needle; but my heart was full of France and home, and I cared little for either modern palaces, or vestiges of a remote antiquity.How happy I was when I at length embarked on board the "Valetta," and knew that in six days more I should tread French ground!On the fourth day, we touched at Malta, but no one went on shore; and on the 26th of December, 1854, the "Valetta" cast anchor at Marseilles.
On the 30th I was in Paris, and read the following announcement in the columns of La Presse:—
"Mademoiselle Fanny Loviot, who was taken prisoner not long since by pirates in the Chinese seas, has just returned to France in the 'Valetta,' via Marseilles."
Oh, the happiness of once more dwelling in the midst of those dear ones who had so often lamented me with tears, and believed me lost for ever! Oh, the delights of home, after the sufferings and dangers of a journey round the world! I went to seek my fortune, and found only misfortune.Still, with all their troubles, my weary wanderings had not been wholly profitless.I had beheld Nature, bountiful and beautiful Nature, under her most varied aspects; and if I had endured fatigue, privation, and even disease, I had, at least, lived that life of peril which hath its own peculiar charm for the imaginative and the young.
I have never yet regretted my journey, or its adventures.May the indulgent reader, who has followed me thus far in my narrative, as little regret the trouble of perusal!
CORROBORATIVE EXTRACTS FROM THE FRENCH PRESS.ToC
"La Presse," December 20th, 1854.
"The Moniteur de la Flotte publishes the following passage, extracted from a letter dated Hong-Kong, October, 27th, which contains some interesting details respecting a little 'drame maritime:'—
"'The Chilian ship "Caldera" left Hong-Kong on the 4th of October for San Francisco, having two passengers on board, one a young Parisian lady, named Mademoiselle F. Loviot, and the other a Chinese. Overtaken, two days after, by a frightful tempest, the captain anchored in a bay among some islets of the Chinese seas, whither his vessel had been driven by the storm. He hoped to return to Hong-Kong and refit, but was assailed during the night by three Chinese junks, and plundered without mercy. For two days these robbers remained in possession of the ship; but fled on the third day before a flotilla of fresh junks which came up to dispute the prize. On the 11th of October, the pirates belonging to one of the newly arrived junks proposed to conduct the captain, the Chinese, and the lady-passenger to Hong-Kong, there to treat for a ransom; but when the lady and the Chinese had got into the boat which was to transport them to a junk close by, the rowers pushed off, and left the captain behind. He, however, succeeded shortly after in procuring a boat, and returned to Hong-Kong. In the meantime the pirates carried off the young lady and the Chinese, and confined them in a little den on board one of the junks. "We were obliged," writes this young lady, in her account, "to keep ourselves bent almost double, for want of room, and were watched narrowly. In the evenings we were permitted to leave our prison for a quarter of an hour; but whenever the pirates saw other vessels approaching, they made us return thither immediately.When they took their own meals, they gave us food, and told us that, should our captain not forward our ransom very shortly, they would transfer us to the hands of other pirates.We remained thus till the morning of the 18th, when the Chinese, who was my companion in misfortune, heard the pirates calling to one another that a steamer was in sight and they must save themselves by land.They did so, accordingly, and left us on board the junk, free and unharmed.While we were imprisoned on board this vessel, the pirates one night attacked a Chinese merchantman, and sold the booty next day to pirate traders.From our dungeon on board we could distinctly hear the goods passed from one ship to another, and the purchase money counted overhead."
"'The steamer which rescued this young lady and the Chinese, then proceeded to cruise round the coasts, and destroyed three pirate villages.It is supposed that an expedition will soon be fitted out against these assassins and their haunts.'"
"La Presse," December 30th, 1854.
"Mademoiselle Fanny Loviot, who was lately taken prisoner by pirates in the Chinese seas, has just returned to France in the 'Valetta,' via Marseilles."
"Moniteur," January 20th, 1855.
"His Excellency Lord Cowley has just forwarded communications to the imperial government, respecting a despatch addressed to the Board of Admiralty, by Vice-Admiral Sir James Sterling, commander of the British naval station in the Indian and Chinese seas.Also a report dated October 20th, 1854, in which Sir William Hoste, captain of the 'Sparta,' gives account of an expedition lately undertaken against the pirates of the isle of Symoug, near Macao.
"The pirates had pillaged and run aground the Portuguese bark 'Caldera,' carrying off a French lady, who was among the passengers.The British cruiser 'Lady Mary Wood,' having vainly pursued them, the vice-consul of France at Hong-Kong asked the captain of the 'Sparta,' to send a detachment on board the steamer 'Ann,' which the insurers of the bark proposed despatching on a second trial.
"On the 17th of last October, according to the orders of Sir William Hoste, Lieutenant Palisser embarked with eighty-five men in three long boats.He anchored near the wreck of the 'Caldera.'The morning after, having perceived some junks of suspicious appearance, the lieutenant gave chase with the three boats, the water not being deep enough to allow of the steamer approaching the coast.These junks made at once for the land, where their crews took refuge, after throwing their weapons into the sea.On board the first junk were found the young French lady and the Chinese dealer.
"They sent both on board the 'Ann,' and burnt the junk as well as two other boats.They then sailed on to the village of Kou-Cheoumi, where the pirates had fired on the English ships two days before, and where they knew the stolen cargo was concealed.They discovered there one hundred and fifty-three sacks of sugar, and forty chests of tea, which they took away.They then burnt two villages.Having now discovered a third village, defended by a battery of four cannons and eight field pieces, the lieutenant forced his way through a thick copse, and attacked it.After firing a volley, which wounded no one, he seized the battery, dispersed and killed the gunners, burnt the village and the boats that were lying on the beach, spiked most of the cannons, and carried six away as trophies.
"Sir William Hoste, in his despatch, praises the gallantry and good conduct of the crews which were sent on this expedition, and which laboured twelve hours per diem, all the time beneath a burning sun.He also speaks highly of Lieutenant Palisser, who has, within the space of five months, conducted five successful expeditions of a similar nature, and taken seventeen pieces of cannon."
"La Patrie," February 12th, 1855.
"Macao, December 6
"On the 4th of October last, a Chilian ship, called the 'Caldera,' sailed from the port of Hong-Kong and was grounded by stress of weather amid a group of islets lying to the south-west of Macao.One Mademoiselle Fanny Loviot, a young French lady, happened to be on board.The pirates took her prisoner, as well as a Chinese merchant, who was her fellow-passenger, and sent on the captain to Hong-Kong, to treat for a double ransom.
"Informed of these facts by the captain of the 'Caldera,' the French vice-consul applied to Sir W.Hoste, then commandant of the English station, and requested, as all the French forces were just then absent, that he would assist in fitting out an expedition for the rescue of Mademoiselle Loviot.Sir W.Hoste acceded instantly, and despatched eighty of his own crew, under command of Lieutenant Palisser.They took the steamer called the 'Lady Mary Wood,' and were accompanied by several of the consignees of the 'Caldera,' who were anxious to save whatever might yet be found of the cargo of that vessel.
"A detachment of English marines, in the steamer 'Ann,' shortly after encountered the pirates, burnt a large village to which they were in the habit of retreating, killed twenty men, and took several pieces of cannon.Having discovered the junk wherein the prisoners were confined, they sacked and attacked all the pirate villages along that coast, and returned to Hong-Kong on the morning of the 19th inst.The young Frenchwoman had been twelve days at the mercy of these monsters; but, thanks to their expectations of a ransom, had escaped without insult or ill-usage."
THE END.
Thomas Harrild, Printer, 11, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, London.
Typographical errors corrected in text:
Page 35: coyottes replaced with coyotes
Page 36: "Their faces had also been been blackened" replaced with "Their faces had also been blackened"
Page 122: "climbing np the sides" replaced with "climbing up the sides"