Combined Effort by Land and Water: Fierce Resistance The Chinese press gives a long account of an expedition sent out from Soochow to clean up a, band of pirates who infest the Taihu near Tsehshan. A combined land and river force set out to attack the pirate lair and, after a skirmish captured two of their boats. The band then retreated towards the west, The flotilla followed them up, escorted by a gunboat. They espied the pirate fleet and, with the gunboat-covering their attack, moved forward, They were met hot fusillade and," after firing three shots,.the gunboat came to 2 stop. On inquiring the reason the officer in charge found that there. was no more ammunition nor motor spirit for the engine.
The pirates went ashore and were followed cly the troops. But the round was hilly and the pirates were on high ground, concealed by Washes, from which vantage they Poured a hot fire on the invaders. These were forced to retreat and telegraphed for another gunboat. This arrived the next day and the. attack was renewed but it was} found that the ammunition did not fit the gun and after a trial the gun horst, "The fire from the pirates was like hail and the troops were again forced to refre, Learning that some of the pirates were fon an island in the lake the flotilla attacked them there and continued the bombardment for a Whole day and night. The next morning they rushed the island to find that the rascals had escaped. The soldiers commandeered a ear po boat and crossed the lake in pursuit. The wind was very fierce and the waves: dangerous. The captain of the band stumbled and fell overboard. Luck-fly, the mast snapped at that. moment and, though in falling it hit the captain on the head he had something to cling and was hauled on board. They. were now joined by a number gunboats from the Chekiang side of the lake and returned to attack the pirates in their den. Bat a letter! was received saying that the pirat~ in revenge for this attack, meant. to descend on the prosperous market of Tungshan and wipe it out. The} flotilla was therefore directed towards that place and its presence evidently seared the pintes away 0 a guard was left in charge and the expedition returned to Soochow.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.