we quietly wait on the defensive and watch their movements?" During the night of the 9th of the fifth moon [some time in June] Lin Tsêh-sü sent another naval force to the sea-board off Mo-tau,[1] and succeeded in burning with his fireships two foreign sampans, besides killing four white foreigners; and one large foreign ship was obliged to escape the fire by leaving its anchor behind. Eleven fishing boats were burnt, and thirteen traitorous Chinese taken prisoners. Towards the end of June, fifteen British men-of-war, including three steamers, assembled at the Cum-sing Moon,[2] the rest remaining at Ló-mán Shan. Lin Tsêh-sü sent down ten fireships in pairs, each pair connected by iron chains, which swept down thus with the tide. The foreign ships all made off hastily: but two sampans were burnt; and from this time the English did not venture again into port.
From the time of his arrival in Canton, Lin Tsêh-sü had sent out spies daily to get foreign information, and to translate European works. He had also purchased newspapers, and discovered therefrom that the Europeans held the Chinese navy in the utmost contempt, but were in great dread of our pirates and fishermen. He therefore engaged 5,000 sturdy men at $6 a month, with $6 extra for each of their families, which sum was defrayed by subscription amongst the members of the co-hong, the salt-dealers,
