A Sailor-Boy's Log-Book from Portsmouth to the Peiho by Walter White

Disturbance in the City -- Armed Patrol -- The Club-house -- A luxurious Breakfast -- A Word for Growlers -- Another Disturbance -- Drifting and Howling -- Down in the Dust -- A Buster of Coffee -- An Attack of Ophthalmia -- Good News -- Hey! for Japan -- Vladimir Bay -- Grand Scenery -- A Fishing Party -- Merry Hauling -- An unstiffened Lieutenant -- Fine Salmon -- Toad-fish -- Slime-dabs -- Native Fishermen -- A fine Place for Robinson Crusoe -- Off Nagasaki -- A beautiful Coast -- A charming Harbour -- At Anchor.

On the 3rd of August we had a long and hard day's work on board our ship, and at night, instead of rest, we had to go ashore armed, as there was a disturbance among the Chinese, provoked by attempts at kidnapping; and they had been ill-using Europeans, and trying to confine them in their houses. We patrolled the streets till one o'clock, and met with no disturber more formidable than gaunt, houseless dogs or a terrified cat, and then returned to head-quarters, the Shanghai Club-house, where we lay down for the remainder of the night, keeping sentries at the inner and outer gates. For artillery we had one field-piece, placed in the court-yard. At bugle call in the morning we turned out; soon had a good wash, getting water from a spring in the yard, and ere long our breakfast arrived from the ship, brought by the boys and a few men, who had been left on board. We ate it with good appetite, seated in groups in the grassy quadrangle, sheltered from the sun by the high walls and surrounding buildings. Soft bread with cocoa for sailors! Certain good folks at home would hardly credit it. I fancy some might even say it was a breach of discipline. Biscuit is quite good enough for sailors; but let these good folks remember that without sailors they could not stay at home comfortably and growl. Breakfast over we patrolled again, but all appeared quiet; so we were ordered back to the ship to clean ourselves and get dinner.