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.

He then immediately retired, so that I was unable to learn the name of the unfortunate victim, and was left all night a prey to the greatest anxiety lest it should be Mr.Agassiz.
Fortunately, this at least was not the case, as Mr.Agassiz returned at 5 o'clock in the morning.