I Myself Was Witness Of A Circumstance In Canton, Which Caused Me Great Uneasiness, And Was A Pretty Good Proof Of The Helplessness Or Apathy Of The Chinese Government.

On the 8th of August, Mr. Agassiz set out with a friend, intending to return the same evening.

I was left at home alone with the Chinese servants. Mr. Agassiz did not return at the appointed time. At last, about 1 o'clock the next morning, I suddenly heard voices in loud conversation, and a violent knocking at the street door. I at first supposed it to be Mr. Agassiz, and felt much surprise at the late hour of his arrival, but I soon perceived that the disturbance was not in our house, but in that on the opposite side of the way. It is easy to fall into an error of this description, as the houses are situated quite close to each other, and windows are left open day and night. I heard voices exclaim, "Get up, - dress!" and then, "It is horrible - shocking - good heavens? - where did it happen?" - I sprang quickly out of bed and huddled on my gown, thinking either that a fire had broken out in some house or other, or that the people had risen in insurrection. {102b}

Seeing a gentleman at one of the windows, I called and inquired of him what was the matter. He told me hurriedly that intelligence had just arrived that two of his friends who were proceeding to Hong- Kong (Whampoa lay on the road) had been attacked by pirates, and that one was killed and the other wounded.

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Words from 56761 to 57029 of 187810