A CHINESE MUTINY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1898, Page 3 (Supplement)

A CHINESE MUTINY.

Although British sailors are by no means a faultless set, they are, as . rule, less given to mutinous conduct than foreigners. The creAvs most liable to mutiny are, perhaps, -those composed of men of mixed nationalities; but of all men the Chinese and the Malays are the most notoriously given to mutinous conduct, as also to piracy. Many British captains Avill not sail with Chinese sailors, or at worst, they will admit but a very small number among their crew. And they have good reason for their dislike oi them. Hardly a seaman Avho has sailed in Eastern Avaters but has learned by heart the treachery of the wily -Chinee.' !\ Tot long ago an English sailor was leaning on the rail of his ship, in the Woosung River, when his attention Avas attracted by something unusual on board a Chinese man-of-war that Avas at anchor not many rods aAvay. Several officers and a detachment of marines Avent on board; immediately after there A\ rasa scrimmage, accompanied by the flash of steel and the firing- of guns; then a helter-skelter departure of the marines, some of Avhom, in their eagerness to get on shore, tumbled headlong into the Avater. What the to-do Avas all about he could not learn at the time; but the next day the subject was in everybody's mouth. The man-of-Avar A. ras under repair, and the sailors Avere in consequence put on half-pay—the rule in the Chinese service. But the men refused to accept it. The commodore accordingly went on board Avith a detachment of marines to coerce them. The enraged sailors seized their arms and attacked the marines.killing three and compelling the remainder to flee for their lives. Meamvhile, the commodore, the captain, and some other officers took refuge in the cabin, and Avere promptly locked in by the mutineers. The latter, masters of the vessel, now thought of the inevitable store-room, and proceeded to break into it and help themselves to spirits. The sequel is not encouraging—to the mutinous-minded. When fairly well 'on? as the phrase is, some of them unlocked the cabin door to parley aa nth the officers,one of whom managed to sneak out unperceived, hasten on shore, and quickly return with a company of soldirs. The mutineers Avere taken vilely in their cup's, coupled together hand and foot, carried on shore with indecorous haste, and so speedily despatched to the 'bourne' that it Avas difficult .to say whether the shooting or court-martial came first. —'Cassell's Magazine?