Percy was delighted at finding that, in the excitement caused by his
news, the first lieutenant had forgotten to take any notice of his being
there without orders: and he returned a defiant nod to the threat
conveyed by Fothergill shaking his fist at him. As they neared the
junks the fire of those on board redoubled, and was aided by that of
many villagers gathered on the bank of the creek.
Suddenly from a bank of rushes four cannons were fired. A ball struck
the pinnace, smashing in her side. The other boats gathered hastily
round and took her crew on board, and then dashed at the junks, which
were but a hundred yards distant. The valour of the Chinese evaporated
as they saw the boats approaching, and scores of them leapt overboard
and swam for shore.
In another minute the boats were alongside and the crews scrambling up
the sides of the junks. Only a few Chinamen attempted to oppose them.
These were speedily overcome, and the British had now time to look
round, and saw that six junks crowded with men had issued from the side
creek and were making towards them.
"Let the boats tow astern," the lieutenant ordered. "We should have to
run the gauntlet of that battery on shore if we were to attack them, and
might lose another boat before we reached their side. We will fight
them here."
The junks approached, those on board firing their guns, yelling and
shouting, while the drums and gongs were furiously beaten.
"They will find themselves mistaken, Percy, if they think they are going
to frighten us with all that noise," Fothergill said. "You young
rascal, how did you get on board the boat without being seen? The
captain will be sure to suspect I had a hand in concealing you."
The tars were now at work firing the matchlocks, with which the deck was
strewn, at the approaching junks. As they took steady aim, leaning
their pieces on the bulwarks, they did considerable execution among the
Chinamen crowded on board the junks, while the shot of the Chinese, for
the most part, whistled far overhead. But the guns of the shore
battery, which had now been slewed round to bear upon them, opened with
a better aim, and several shots came crashing into the sides of the
captured junk.
"Get ready to board, lads!" Fothergill shouted. "Don't wait for them to
board you, but the moment they come alongside lash their rigging to ours
and spring on board them."
The leading junk was now about twenty yards away, and presently grated
alongside. Half a dozen sailors at once sprang into her rigging with
ropes. After lashing the junks together they leaped down upon her deck,
where Fothergill was leading the gig's crew and some of those rescued
from the pinnace, while Mr. Bellew, with another party, had boarded her
at the stern. Several of the Chinese fought stoutly, but the greater
part lost heart at seeing themselves attacked. Many began at once to
jump overboard, and after two or three minutes' sharp fighting, the rest
either followed their example or were beaten below.