MR. FIELD'S BODY FOUnd. 99 house addressed a letter to the governor of Casa-blanca, requiring that they should be liberated; but he at once stated that he knew nothing whatever of them. Various were the conjectures by whom they had been attacked, neither has the mystery to this time been cleared up. The body of the unfortunate Mr. Field was some days afterwards washed up in Cassilha's Bay, thus at once dispelling all hopes of their safety. The remains of the other two gentlemen were never found. On the 28th, the Pestomjee Bomanjee arrived from Chusan, to which place she had proceeded from England, with provisions for the squadron. On her arrival there she anchored near Keeto Point, off the village of Sing-Losan; and Lieutenant R. B. Crawford, R.N., the agent, proceeded into the harbour of Chusan, but, finding no shipping, and the Chinese soldiers showing evident signs of hostility, he thought it advisable to return to his vessel. It being absolutely necessary that the transport should get water before proceeding to Macao, she remained a few days. 100 ANOTHER MURDER. at the point for that purpose; during which time the master of the ship, Mr. Stead, having landed in order to purchase stock at the village, was carried off by the natives. While in the hospitable act of giving some biscuit and grog to the head people, he was seized upon, and dragged away, before assistance could be given him. For this act of perfidy many of the houses in the village were burnt. On the next day, the 21st of March, it being impossible to obtain any tidings of the master, and the blood about the spot showing that he had probably been murdered, the Pestomjee weighed to proceed to Macao; but several junks and boats, with troops, having assembled for the evident intention of attacking the ship, they were, as she passed through, saluted with round and grape, which caused a great loss amongst them. These boats had a large copper cylinder floating in the water, which Mr. Crawford had no doubt was intended to set fire to, or blow the ship up. When Ning-po was subsequently captured, it appeared that poor Mr. Stead had been conveyed there alive, when the brutal Chi BRUTAL CONDUCT. 101 nese general had him secured to a stake, and then practised his bowmen by firing at him as a target; his body being subjected to the same brutality after life was extinct. Captain Clarke, of the Columbine, as soon as the seizure of Mr. Stead became known, was dispatched in that brig to Chusan and Ningpo to warn any other transport which might arrive, there being many en route from England, and to deliver a letter from the plenipotentiary to the authorities at the latter place. Captain Clarke sent a chop by a junk to the authorities, requesting they would send out for the plenipotentiary's communication; but to this he got no reply, and all boats were prevented from approaching his brig. One from the Columbine was then sent, with a flag of truce, which they did not attempt to meet; after which the brig remained twenty-four hours, and then returned to Hong Kong. It was very evident that the truce at Canton would not be productive of any permanent peace, and that the force would have to proceed to the northward, as soon as the 102 INCREASE OF FORCE. monsoon would permit of that movement. Sir Gordon Bremer therefore, on the 31st of March, proceeded in the Queen steamer to Calcutta to consult with the governorgeneral, and also to get an increase of force, in which object he succeeded. CHAPTER III. CAPTURE OF CANTON. Chinese return to Canton-Captain Elliot at the Factories--Hong Kong - Nuy-ko-Volunteers-Trea chery-Fishing-boats-Punishment of Native-Captain Elliot quits the Factories-Ships attacked by Fire-rafts-Water-braves-Night Cannonade-Flotilla destroyed-Morrison's Boat-Factories plundered -Mr. Pearse wounded-Flag of Truce-Royal Salute-Fire-rafts-Boats attack Batteries-AlgerineRight Column at Factories-Left Column landed— Camp-follower cut off-Heights and Camp carriedShips on Shore-Flag of Truce-Attack on French Folly-Terms agreed on-Arrangements for Storming-Disappointment of the Force-Receiving the Ransom Shoang-shan-tze Armed PeasantryTroops drive them back-Storm-Company missing -Advantage of percussion Muskets-Company found -Their gallant Behaviour-Mr. Berkeley wounded-Troops withdraw from the Heights-Ransom paid-Return to the Typa--List of Killed and Wounded-Table of Ransom-money. - The rebellious barbarians are indeed detestable; And the villagers were all exasperated. Rousing their valour, they cut them off without number, From henceforth general peace will pervade, And a glorious life will soon itself have sway. Chinese lines prefixed to a picture of the battle on the heights. THE trade, under the proclamation of Yang-fang and Eleang, the acting governor VOL. II. G |