"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, and after lashing the junks together 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 by the "white devils," instead of, as they expected, overwhelming them by their superior numbers.

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.
Fothergill looked round.

The other junk had been attacked by two of the enemy, one on each side, and the little body of sailors were gathered in her waist, and were defending themselves against an overwhelming number of the enemy.