Here and there branches joined it, but the boats were evidently following the main channel.

After another half hour's rowing the first lieutenant suddenly gave the order "Easy all," and the men, looking over their shoulders, saw a village a quarter of a mile ahead, with the two junks they had chased the night before lying in front of it.

Almost at the same moment a sudden uproar was heard--drums were beaten and gongs sounded.
"They are on the lookout for us," the first lieutenant said.

"Mr.Mason, do you keep with me and attack the junk highest up the river; Mr.Bellew and Mr.Fothergill, do you take the one lower down.

Row on, men." The oars all touched the water together and the four boats leaped forward.
In a minute a scattering fire of gingals and matchlocks was opened from the junks and the bullets pattered on the water round the boats.