and light or contrary winds, so that our voyage
was a protracted one. We had brought provisions and water, though they
were nearly exhausted. What with so many men being on board, and the
dirty condition of the whaler, it was a wonder that sickness did not
break out among us so the doctor said, and so it would have done had not
the people lived as much as possible on deck.

"The American captain fulfilled his promise, and landed us at Yokohama.
We were detained there a considerable time before we could get across to
this place. As soon as we arrived we sent word to Hong-kong of our
safety, but I suppose the news had not reached that place before you
sailed."

"Well, I am very glad, old fellow, that you and the rest have escaped,"
said Tom, "and I hope that we three shall be as fortunate as were my
brother Jack and his two friends, when they were midshipmen."

The three newly re-united friends at once got leave to go on shore
together with a few other midshipmen.

They first walked through the European settlement, which is handsomely
laid out in streets running at right angles to each other. Many of the
houses were well built, and stood in compounds like those in India.
Strong wooden barriers had been put up at the beads of all the main
streets, with loopholes in them, so that the place could be defended
should the rebels succeed in capturing the native town beyond. This
town is a short distance to the south of the European settlement. It
was surrounded by a brick wall of about twenty-five feet in height, with
an earthen embankment inside, forming a rampart six to ten feet wide.
The parapet was two feet thick and seven high, containing embrasures for
large gingalls three or four feet only apart. Between each gingall was
a small hole in the parapet which held an earthen vessel filled with
slaked lime, ready to be flung in the faces of an enemy attempting to
escalade the walls. A considerable number of Chinese troops were
stationed on the ramparts, with gay-coloured flags of various devices
flying above their heads. It seemed curious that while the English were
at war with the emperor, they should be in alliance with some part of
his troops engaged in defending one of his towns against his rebel
subjects.

"This is mighty dull work," exclaimed Gerald, after they had been
wandering about the native town some time. "I vote that we get horses
and take a gallop into the country. We shall have the fun of a ride,