und of the river, sweeping past the chain cable, and
dividing again upon our sharp bows, we obtained a glimpse of the shore
on either side. Then it glimmered on the black, dirty-looking stream,
and left us in greater darkness than ever.

Once we made out our boat quite plainly, and at last there came so vivid
a flash that we saw the river upward for quite a mile, and I made out
the low shores, but could see no sign of house or vessel moored anywhere
near where we lay.

Another hour must have passed, during which we made out that the country
on either side was flat and marshy, but we could see no sign of human
habitation. As far as could be made out, the river was about three
hundred yards broad, and about this time we became aware that it must be
very nearly low tide, for the stream which passed us was growing more
and more sluggish, till at last it ceased ebbing, and the _Teaser_ began
to swing slowly round, a sufficient indication that the tide had turned.

We had swung to our anchor till we were right across the stream, when
from higher up a shot was fired, and, as if caused by the report, a
dazzling flash cut right across the heavens, lighting up the river with
its muddy sides, and there, not five hundred yards away, we made out two
large junks that had come down with the tide, which had now failed them,
just as they were close to the mouth.

All had been perfectly silent so far, but as the intense darkness
succeeded the brilliant flash, there was a loud gabbling and shouting
from the direction of the junks, then came the splashing of great oars,
followed by their regular beating, and, as we swung further round with
the men hurrying to their quarters, the boat came alongside, and was
hoisted.

"Well, Mr Brooke?"

"Two large junks, sir; come down with the tide; they've put about, sir,
and are going back."

"Sure?"

"Yes, sir, certain. Hark!"

The hissing sound of the tide had recommenced, and above it we could
hear the splash, splash of great sweeps, sounding hurried and irregular,
as if the men at them were making all the haste they could. Every now
and then, too, came a curious creaking sound, as wood was strained
against wood.

"Tide's setting in very hard, sir," said Mr Brooke.

"Yes," said the captain. "Come on board; ha!"

There was another vivid flash, and we distinctly saw the great
matting-sails of two junks for a moment, and again all was black.

"Come on board, Mr Brooke; they could n