R. Hudson turned up on January 3 to take charge of the salvage operations, bringing junks and gear with him. There was a lot of ticklish work to be accomplished and it was with growing concern that daily reports were received of the robbers working in closer and closer, until on January 16 it was learned that they had shot two coolies and captured two more only two miles away, so scaring the others that it was only by making special arrangements with the soldiers that the coolies could be persuaded to continue work.
Sorpiers Joix THE Ropvers.
So the salvage gang progressed until February 10, when 250 fresh troops made a sudden. appearance on the hunt for robbers and the coolies were so scared that they left: work. To make matters worse the new soldiers did not seem to_understand the old guard, arrested nine of them and kept their rifles. By March the vessel) was about ready to be floated out, but on March 2 one of the soldiers presented himself with the cheerful information that his comrades had accepted a bribe from the robbers of Tls. 50 each to mutiny, secure Capt. Bell-Syer, Capt. Hudson, the chief engineer and the faithful compra-dare for purposes of ransom and bers.
The lieutenant in charge disarmed the soldiers and took the ringledilers to Yungyang, but the others deserted and joined the robbers. In the evening the lieutenant returned with a fresh guar but the confidence of the foreigners was net greatly increased by the officer's news that his immediate superior and the Major in charge of the battalion had' also joined the robbers, together with most of their men. The next day they were further cheered by the departure of the lieutenant and the guard, because the officer's faithfulness had been rewarded with the command of the remnant of the battalion. Six new soldiers were all that could be secured for the protection of the ship.
Hewr ay Last.
Matters began to look worse than ever, for on March 7 a report was received that a big force of robbers was only 20 li away, on the march for the express purpose of capturing the ship and holding all aboard to ransom and an urgent message was sent to H.M.S. Widgeon for assistance. To the relief of all the reply came next day in the shape of three petty officers, six men and two Lewis guns, together with rifles and plenty of ammunition, It did not so much matter then that the vacillating soldier guard disappeared altogether. For the next few days troops were continually noted passing back and forth and there were frequent captures of robbers, some of whom were executed on the spot. The Hung Fok's people also recorded the' sinking of many post boats and junks in the rapids, with no little loss of life.
The robbers made a_ real sortie against the ship on the 14th, but had no stomach for any fight when the sailors put a volley into them. The ship's company, the salvage operations completed, were all this time only waiting for a favourable opportunity to get the ship out of the temporary dock which Capt. Hudson had constructed and they hag to continue the weary watch until the 29th. with the same daily programme of passing troops, the execution of robbers and pestering by soldiers and coolies for the money which could not be obtained. Then en the 29th the ship floated, steam was got up and she was taken safely to chang. All things considered, it i lly conceded that Capt. Bell-Syer and Capt. Hudson accomplished a very smart and praiseworthy piece of work.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.