A gang of thieves boarded the China Navigation Co.'s steamer Poyang, bound up river, at Tatung about 10 o'clock on the night of the 13th instant. Tu all twelve persons embarked, three of whom were bond fide passengers who booked for Kiukiang. The remainder not having their passage money had their clothes, customary, taken in pawn. The men, who showed no signs of combination, took up berths in various parts of the Chinese steerage quarters and settled themselves quietly. However, about three hours later, just before the vessel reached Nyaukin, the nine men, who were suddenly discovered to he armed with large knives and swords, made a raid on the Chinese passengers' effects. The compradore's assistants tried-to get them to desist, but were in consequence roughly -handled, one man being 80 injured as to necessitate his removal to hospital on the ship's arrival Hankow. Finding the pirates were taking charge, the chief officer, Mr. Maun-rel, was aroused by the compradore and with' the assistance of the officer of the watch, the second and third engineers, and native crew the gang were after a hard struggle overcome nnd, with theexceptionof one who jumped overboard, handcuffed and secured in a spare coal bunker until the vessel's arrival at her destination when they were handed over to the Police and tried.at the British Consulate on the 16th and found guilty. Their sentence was, however, deferred. The Chinese both at Kiukinng and Hankow are delighted over the capture us the gang were well- known miscreants.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.