we will now return to puffeigh and his party, whom we left upon the march towards the joss-house.
along canal banks, over paddy fields, across bridges, by villages, whose inhabitants would run out, hoot and spit at the foreign devils, and vapour about what they would do were they only able; past private residences surrounded by every accessory known to a luxurious people; skirting walled towns and small cities, they wended their way without stop or rest. now and then their course lay through orchards, or fields skirted with lychee trees, but no one was allowed to break off a branch, although the commander knew that a few bunches of the fruit would have been a boon to his men. the sedan bearers trotted on with puffeigh; and as the latter considered that his men ought to walk as well as the chinese did, it never once entered his mind to order a halt until night surprised them as they were entering a village.
"what is this place called?" demanded the skipper.
"hong-soo."
"march to the joss-house!"
"pilot says he don't think they rate one, sir," observed jerry. "it's a werry one-horse sort of a place."
however, in a short time they unearthed the "elders" of the village, who, after striking a smart bargain with hoo-kee, proceeded to show the way to the joss-house, which was found upon examination to be clean and tolerably large. having opened the massive outer doors, the "elders" pointed out a number of sheds built against the wall of the court-yard. these they offered for the accommodation of the men, who were soon in possession, and had their supper under weigh in quick time. after directing the howitzer to be placed in position with its muzzle pointing towards the entrance, and the guard being set, puffeigh followed the obsequious "elders" into the joss-house, and as there were no side chapels, he was obliged to take up his abode before the idol. the villagers furnished the party with any quantity of candles, and in a short space of time the temple was thoroughly illuminated, and presented a very animated appearance. the "elders" now withdrew, promising to return with some chow-chow, which they informed puffeigh was being prepared for his supper. the great doors of the joss-house were thrown back, and the captain and officers looked out upon the court-yard, and watched the men as the latter prepared their meal.
a number of the women of the village had established a market in the centre of the enclosure, and were driving quite a trade in fried eggs, sweet potatoes and little pork pies, while here and there were men carrying huge buckets containing boiled rice, which they sold to the sailors for anything they could get, taking money or goods according to circumstances. thompson was in attendance upon the officers; and having found a jar of water, which he tested by forcing one of the bearers to swallow a quart, he proceeded to serve the brandy pawnee.
"that's a luxury," observed crushe. "thompson, you are one of the few men of the fleet who is not a fool; upon my word, you're not."
[pg 82]
"nobody but you ever thought i were, sir," retorted the coxswain, and with this observation jerry retired behind the idol, and took a quiet drink.
at this moment a gong was heard, and in marched the "elders," heading a procession of food-bearers. having deposited their burdens, the coolies withdrew, upon which the "elders" spread the feast out upon the floor of the temple, and invited the officers to partake of the repast.
puffeigh felt very bewildered at this unlooked-for hospitality, but the fact was, upon their entering the place, hoo-kee had struck a bargain with the "elders," that, upon consideration of his being paid fifty dollars and free chow-chow for the officers, he would prevent the fanquis from sacking and destroying their village. hence all this civility; the "elders" being delighted to find their visitors did not wish to cook and eat any of their infants, that being, according to their traditions, the usual food of the "red-haired, foreign, out-side barbarians."
puffeigh looked at the food, and then asked hoo-kee if it were all right?
"belle good peece chow-chow, nomba one, fust chop," replied the pilot, who seized a bowl of rice, and a pair of chop-sticks, and proceeded to illustrate the truth of his assertion.
thompson hovered round the officers, and gave his opinion of the dishes, recommending some, and warning them against others, as his fancy suggested.
"that looks terribly like a boiled dog," he remarked to crushe, who was turning over a stewed fowl. "it's either that or a cat; don't you eat none of that ere, sir."
the lieutenant left that dish; and seizing another near it, boldly commenced to eat, shutting his eyes to any peculiarity of aspect or taste which he met with during his meal. puffeigh enjoyed his greatly, but was very much disconcerted by jerry's remark as he cleared away the last bowl.
"did you like the last raghot, sir?"
"well, it wasn't bad; but why do you ask?"
"oh! it's nothing, sir, only a fancy o' mine."
"what!—wa—what was it?" he fiercely demanded.
"oh, a mere trifle, sir; only a hinfant's ears left in the dish, that's all, sir; they're fond o' ears, i believe."
"where's the dish? give it here, you fellow!"
thompson brought forward the bowl and exhibited two substances which certainly resembled infants' ears, but were in reality those of a young deer, the head of which had been served up with a delicious white sauce. puffeigh, however, did not know this; and although he pooh pooh'd the affair, and told jerry that he was a thick-headed fool for his pains, was nevertheless internally uncomfortable, so that a meal perfect in quality and cookery gave him anything but pleasant sensations.
when the officers had finished their repast, thompson retreated to the back of the idol, where he feasted with the pilot. everything might have been compounded of dog or cat, for all he cared, as upon completing his meal he observed to his companion, "well, hookey, this is the first blow out as i've had o' your grub; and, taking it as a whole, it's werry good, but werry rum-looking sort of stuffin;" then filling a glass with brandy, the coxswain winked at the celestial, and observing, "here's teowards you, walker," he drank, after which, stretching himself upon the floor, he dropped off into a profound slumber.
hoo-kee walked out of the temple, and paid a visit to the "elders," who proposed a friendly game of cards; and the festive youths drank samshoo and gambled until the morning broke. hoo-kee had met his match; and upon counting up his losses found, not only that he had lost the fifty dollars he had squeezed out of the head men over[pg 83] night, but had been relieved of a large sum besides; but he left the party fully impressed with the idea that, had he been allowed to play one more game, his luck would have turned.
when he reached the joss-house he found the commander ready to start; and, with fiddle going, the stingers filed out of the court-yard on their way towards the pirates' head-quarters. the townspeople had either told an untruth, or had not known the distance, for the party must have marched thirty miles before they sighted the place to which they were bound, although it was plainly visible from the deck of the stinger. they had been marching up-hill, and probably the road was circuitous, so it was fully noon when, upon their turning a bend, the building suddenly burst upon view. the vanguard halted until puffeigh came up. seeing the place was to all appearance deserted, he directed crushe to take a party and reconnoitre, while he ordered the rest of the men to halt, and stand at ease.
the lieutenant advanced cautiously, thinking the pirates were trying to draw them into an ambuscade; but after carefully surveying the outer fortification, which he found completely abandoned, entered the gateway. before him was a wooden edifice, probably a joss-house, as described by the townspeople, and in front of it several cheerful-looking wooden gods, or demons, who served as a sort of scare-crow guard to the temple. there was no litter or signs of men having been there for some time, but on entering, crushe noticed some exploded crackers upon the floor, and a smell of recently burnt joss-stick lingered suspiciously about the place.
having examined the altar, torn down the dress of the idol, and kicked over the vases used in worshipping, crushe walked out of the temple, and proceeded to examine the outbuildings, which were lean-to sheds built against the circular wall surrounding the place. judge his astonishment upon seeing these places filled with tartar ponies, about six of those animals being stalled in each compartment. but where were the men?
after an unsuccessful search, crushe had to give it up; and leading out one of the most likely-looking ponies, returned to the commander. puffeigh examined the beast—looked sagely at his teeth and patted it—then observed that it was no use for anyone to cause a delay, and gave the order to advance and take possession of the place, upon which the party got in motion; and having entered the enclosure, a boat's ensign was hoisted on the wall, and the officers and men camped within its shelter, until puffeigh should determine what to do next.
the interior of the joss-house was exceedingly dark; and as the outer court was cool and well shaded with trees, the captain decided not to take up his quarters in the temple. sentries were set, and the men lounged about the place, and amused themselves in the best manner they could. about four o'clock puffeigh determined to hold a consultation; and, in order that it might be private, withdrew into the joss-house, taking with him all his officers, and his coxswain, who carried the liquor case. having squatted himself upon the floor, the latter proceeded to unpack the brandy, when his attention was suddenly arrested by a slight noise in the roof, and at that moment a man fell headlong from aloft, and dropped on cravan, whom he stretched senseless upon the floor. in an instant a shower of spears and shot came hurtling down from aloft, and the terrified officers bolted to the door; jerry, who had collared the chinaman, dragging his prisoner out, cravan being rescued by lieutenant wilton. the sailors and marines were soon on the alert, and it was with difficulty that puffeigh prevented them entering the joss-house to avenge the assault. with the assistance of hoo-kee, the commander learnt that, finding their retreat cut off, the pirates had taken[pg 84] to the roof, and over two hundred of them were now clustered there, the prisoner who gave this information informing the pilot that he had been crowded off his rafter by the pressure of his companions.
having given orders to remove the ponies a safe distance down the road, puffeigh offered the prisoner his life upon condition that he would lead him to the place where the english lady was confined. the man, who declared he had been compelled to join the outlaws by force, joyfully agreed to do this, and informed them that the pirates clustered on the roof of the temple were the men who had murdered the officers and crew of the burnt ship. upon hearing this, puffeigh directed the pilot to order them to surrender, but they replied by throwing a spear at the man, which narrowly missed his head. finding it was useless to parley with them, the captain ordered the men to collect all the straw and bamboo cane they could find, and pile it up in front of the temple doors. having made a great heap, he instructed them to set it on fire, when up rose a thin cloud of smoke, and a flame flickered for a moment, then burst into a blaze, the smoke and flume presently roaring into the open door, as if it had been the mouth of a chimney. the pirates set up a yell of defiance, and swarmed upon the roof, from which the marines picked them off with their rifles; and within half an hour of the match being applied, in place of the joss-house with its rafters swarming with human beings, only a few smouldering embers remained inside the circular walls. having literally smoked out the vermin, puffeigh ordered his men to mount the ponies; and piloted by the prisoner, who was bound and placed between two marines, the party made the best of their way to the pirates' cave.
when night fell they camped down, and the sailors moored the ponies to their bodies, i. e. fastened the halters round their waists while they slept; and the men would sometimes wake with the disagreeable sensation of finding their steed endeavouring to nibble off their whiskers or hair. with the morning's dawn the party got once more in motion, and, in spite of the night's drawbacks, they seemed a thoroughly jolly set of fellows. thompson rode his animal in a variety of ways, much to the astonishment of all present; and his eccentricities kept the whole party in a roar of laughter.
about 2 p.m. they entered a pass, in which, they were informed, they would find the cave containing the lady. the defile was weird and gloomy; and had the pirates been in possession, they could have defended it against an army of soldiers. the men rode in twos, and not a word was spoken. after proceeding about three-quarters of a mile, the vanguard halted, and puffeigh was shown a hole in the side of the ravine, which the prisoner declared was the cave. upon this the party dismounted, and leaving their horses in charge of a picket, advanced to the cave, climbing a steep road to do so, the difficulties of which increased at every step.
the cave proved to be a deep one, and scattered about its entrance were all manner of articles, plundered from the burnt ship, the most prominent being a piano—how they managed to hoist it up there was a puzzle to the invaders. thompson procured a torch, and when the captain directed his officers to make a thorough search for the captive girl, jerry, who was always first, hunted out every hole and corner. as he advanced he suddenly heard a woman's voice, so he called out, "cheer up, miss! we're here! you're saved!"
with a scream of joy, a young girl dressed in chinese costume tore away a heavy curtain which was suspended from the roof of the cave, and rushing into his arms, fainted; upon which jerry followed the first impulse of his heart, and kissed her.
"here! she! is! hoorah!!!"
in a few moments the officers were by his side, and carrying out the inanimate[pg 85] form, placed it upon the ground near the entrance of the cave. thompson did his best to bring her to, and behaved in such a frantically delighted manner, that the men thought he had gone out of his mind.
"pretty creature, she's a coming to; lord love your face, how sad you does look!" cried the excited sailor.
after a time the poor girl managed to realize she was rescued, and to thank her deliverers; she told them that the pirates had not offered her any insult, and their women had treated her very kindly; but at the mention of the ship from which she was taken, she became so much affected, that they forbore to question her.
having secured the young lady, the stingers retraced their steps, and when night came on they camped. the poor girl would not take rest, but sat by thompson, who she persisted in declaring was her deliverer. jerry was exceedingly kind and attentive; in fact, he watched her as a brother would a sister. the situation was most romantic: the lady had been in great distress, and he the first to find her. "i'd rather ha' done this than have a hundred pounds given me," he said to lieutenant wilton, and undoubtedly he spoke the truth.
at daylight the party remounted, the lady being accommodated with the coxswain's steed, he having found a sumpter-horse laden with the captain's plunder, upon the top of which he perched himself, so as to keep the young girl in view. the fiddler headed the procession, and lightened the march by playing patriotic airs. the men felt free and happy, chatting and laughing like schoolboys. however, they did not remain long in that blissful state, for on nearing a village crushe (who had allowed them to enjoy themselves only on account of the captain's not expressing a wish otherwise), upon puffeigh observing they were too noisy, at once brought them to a sense of their position by ordering them to "stop their row, unless they wanted to taste the cat." a number of the vanguard were smoking; and when the lieutenant bawled out his order, those of the men who had not before indulged in the weed, then lit their pipes. observing this, crushe rode forward and commanded them to stop smoking. one of the marines, who had displayed great bravery during the attack on the pirates, upon hearing this order, threw his pipe away, certainly without intending any disrespect to his officer; seeing which the bully swore at him, heedless whether the words were heard by the young lady or not; and after abusing the soldier for some moments, ordered him to the rear, and placed him under arrest. the man laughed in his face, and told him that as he was sure of a flogging anyhow, he preferred staying where he was. crushe vented his rage in a further flow of abuse, but determined to let the matter drop until they arrived on board the ship, besides not caring to say more before the supernumeraries.
towards dusk they sighted another village, and upon nearing it found the "braves" drawn up to oppose them, who soon made known their intentions by discharging a shower of gingall-balls which rattled over the stingers' heads, but did not hurt any of them. upon this puffeigh threw this party into disorder in his endeavour to bring forward the marines and pass the young lady to the rear; giving his orders in such a confused manner, that in a few moments there was a general stampede, and it was with great difficulty the officers succeeded in recalling the marines, who were racing away towards the pirates' cave, having lost all control over their ponies. however, at length they were overtaken and brought back, meanwhile the "braves" had remained quite quiet, evidently thinking they had driven their invaders away.
the howitzer was placed in position; and having sent the horses to the rear, puffeigh directed the gunners to shell the village. bang went the piece, and the shell twinkled in the air like a star, and then burst over the place. upon this a perfect hail[pg 86] of gingall-balls was discharged by the "braves," who then threw down their weapons and fled inside the walls. crushe fell wounded in the back, and three of the men were discovered to be hit, but their injuries were all in the front part of their bodies.
finding that the villagers had retreated, the commander, deeming it imprudent to follow them or to attempt reprisal, gave the order to remount, and proceeded on his way. crushe was soon able to sit upright, but declared he was in great pain, while the wounded men, being but slightly injured, had to get along the best way they could.
about 9 o'clock p.m. they entered the town of ping-chao-ting, off which the stinger was moored, and soon after that mr. beauman welcomed them on board, as though they had escaped from slavery.
the captain's cabin was allotted to the young lady, who upon entering it fell upon her knees, and fervently thanked god for her wonderful deliverance from captivity. during the evening she informed puffeigh that after the pirates had murdered all the people belonging to the ship but herself, they had plundered and set it on fire. knowing it would be useless to search further, the captain determined to embark the horses on board the most seaworthy of the junks, and to proceed to sea the next day at noon.
at daybreak the bay presented quite an animated appearance, the horses being taken off to the junks by the townspeople, who appeared very desirous of doing everything in their power to get rid of the "foreign devils" as soon as possible. hoo-kee obtained his dollars and left the ping-chao-tingers fully impressed with the importance of his influence with the fanquis; and prize crews being put on board the junks, the cables of the latter were cut, and the stinger having taken them in tow, steamed out of the bay with five junks and two lorchas astern. when fairly outside these were cast adrift, and, setting sail, made the best of their way to hong-kong, the man-of-war keeping steam up, and occasionally rendering them assistance as required.
upon arrival on board, crushe sought the assistant-surgeon, who, having examined his wound, pronounced it to be a bayonet thrust through the muscles of the back—painful, but not dangerous. it being impossible to find out how this was done, the first lieutenant did not make any stir in the matter, but determined to flog the "infernal marine," who had, he felt sure, made an attack upon him during the confusion. however, upon sending for the sergeant, he learnt that he had not been seen since they arrived in ping-chao-ting. the man remained behind, and proved so useful to the townspeople, that they appointed him superintendent of fortifications; and after a few months under his fostering care became the most celebrated pirates upon the seaboard, and nearly sunk h. m. brig booby, which was sent to wipe them out. the marine flourished for about two years, until one day, undertaking to thrash the taontai for some fancied insult, he was seized and thrown into prison, where he lingered and died.
the young lady was carried on shore and handed over to the gentle care of the s?urs de charité. shortly after her arrival at the convent she was taken seriously ill, and for some weeks her life was despaired of; however, the good sisters nursed her so skilfully, that with the blessing of god she recovered, and lived to become a happy wife and mother.
it seems she had, with her father, been a passenger in the ill-fated ship, and we cannot do better than give her own words in describing the tragedy.
"my name is ada moore. the ship was called the lima, bound from london to australia, by way of hong-kong. my dear papa owned the vessel, and he intended to establish a business in adelaide, australia, and to send the lima backwards and forwards for tea. our captain's name was froom, he was a distant relation of ours.[pg 87] we had a beautiful passage out, and every one was in good spirits. about six o'clock on the fatal evening we made the land, and captain froom determined to anchor; he having overrun his reckoning, i believe, but i don't know. one thing i am certain of, he said he was not quite sure what place we were near. i was in the cabin with my dear papa—he reclining upon the settee and i playing the evening hymn, when i heard a scuffle upon deck and stopped playing. upon this mr. raynor, our boatswain, entered the cabin all bloody, and falling down at my father's feet groaned and died. my dear papa called out to the captain who was on deck, but not getting a reply, he started up and was ascending the companion when a chinese rushed past him, dealing as he did so, a blow which cut his face and made him bleed. then he turned on poor papa, and stabbed and chopped him. at this dreadful sight i fainted, and when i recovered found myself tied hand and foot and laid across the grating abaft, upon the poop. i saw them throw something overboard, i think it was a body, upon which i again fainted. they brought me to by throwing water over me; and although they were very frightful in their appearance, they did not offer to molest me in any way. i found they were towing the ship into harbour. upon our arrival off the town they took me on shore, and i was placed on horseback, and conveyed to the joss-house which has since been destroyed by captain puffeigh. they kept me there for four days, and chinese clothes were given me, with orders to take off my own. this i had to do; and although i begged them to allow me to keep my clothes, they would not permit me to do so. i was removed to the cave, and an old woman placed in charge of me. from her i understood i was to wait until seh-wang returned, and i dreaded the name which seemed full of terrible import. none of the pirates were living in the cave, but they constantly arrived with plunder from the lima. i saw my piano brought up among other things. i was praying for death, when i heard the joyful words, 'cheer up, miss!' and i rushed out from behind the curtain, and beheld mr. thompson, the sailor, who, with the others, i shall pray for until the day of my death. i remember the journey down—how they fought for me, and i cannot express my appreciation of the gentle attentions shown me by mr. thompson, who was most thoughtful for me, and who never ceased his guard over me, until i was safe on board the stinger."
the captured ponies were sold in hong-kong, and the amount they brought received by puffeigh, who, as the stingers heard no more of the matter, it may be presumed forgot to account for it. the junks, &c., &c., were declared lawful prizes, and handed over to the highest bidder, the amount realized being sent to england as prize money, which was not paid to the surviving stingers for some years.
a subscription was set on foot to present thompson with a testimonial, but the captain threw cold water upon the movement, and it was abandoned. jerry was quite lionized; and whenever he set foot on shore, would be noticed by all the residents, and in a short time became a popular man with the chinese ladies'-maids, who felt a great interest in the "blue jacket who had rescued the lady single-handed against about two thousand pirates," the story resolving into that ere it reached the ears of those young women.
on several occasions thompson was called into the merchants' houses, and questioned by the ladies as to the young lady's recapture; and upon the recital of the particulars, he would be feasted and wined to his heart's content.
jerry never owned to having kissed the young lady; that he kept to himself, his version being, "yes, mum (your good health), i saw the young lady, who looked like a sufferin' angel, as she lifted up the curtain (thankee, mum, i'll take jist half a glass[pg 88] more), and with that she gave a scream, and fainted right away in my arms (i don't mind if i do have another slice of that cake), and i hollered out. hurrah! here she is. did she thank me ever? yes! she put out her hand and ses (here's teowards you agin, mum, and may you have health and happiness) 'god bless you, thompson, for all your care on me.' and the tears stood in her beautiful eyes, and she trembled, and gave me a ring, which i wear next my heart."
sometimes the lady would inquire if jerry had left a sweetheart behind him, upon which he would remark "that he must go, as his time were up." the recollection of mary ann would cross his mind, and render him uncomfortable for a moment. however, that sensation did not last long.
