British seaman's shout was the answer to the proposal, and a sign
that it was all up with John Chinaman. He might sink twenty boats, but
thirty others would be ready to follow. On dashed the British boats.
The Chinese did not wait their coming, but, cutting their cables, with
oars and sails attempted to escape; still, however, keeping up a hot
fire, and retiring in good order. Again three cheers rose from the
British boats, and the chase commenced, not to end for seven miles. As
the shot and shells from the English guns began to play on the junks,
they ran on shore, the terrified crews leaping out and escaping. Junk
after junk was captured, but some eight remained. Suddenly entering a
fresh reach, the pursuers close astern of the pursued, the British found
themselves almost in the middle of a large city, Fatshan itself, with
shops and other houses lining the quays, and trading-junks along the
banks. Five of the junks were headed, abandoned, and captured; three
escaped, and they would have been farther pursued, had not a large body
of troops--militia probably--turned out to repel the invaders. The
commodore instantly landed his marines, who, firing a volley, made ready
to charge. The Chinese braves, not liking their aspect, went about, and
marched double-quick time into the town, where they could not be seen.
Commodore Keppel proposed landing and fortifying himself in the city,
and demanding a ransom; but a message from the admiral recalled him, and
he had to give up his daring scheme. Most unwillingly he obeyed the
mandate; and, having secured five junks, he towed them out astern of his
flotilla, promising the Chinese that he would pay them another visit
before long. As he went down the river, a dog was seen on the shore,
and, plunging into the stream, the animal swam off to his boat. It was
his faithful "Mike," who had escaped the shower of shot and shell and
the hungry Chinese, and now recognised the boat of his master.

Of the fleet of war-junks captured, only five were saved from
destruction; and for some time during the night they were burning away,
sending their shot right and left, and occasionally one of them would
explode. The British lost, in killed and wounded in these two
engagements, no less than eighty-four men, and found to their cost that
the Chinese were no contemptible opponents.

CAPTURE OF CANTON--29TH DECEMBER.

Although the capture of Canton may be looked upon as a military exploit,