A Lady's Captivity among Chinese Pirates in the Ch

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* * * * *

A LADY'S CAPTIVITY AMONG CHINESE PIRATES IN The Chinese Seas.

TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF MADEMOISELLE FANNY LOVIOT, BY AMELIA B. EDWARDS.

LONDON: GEO. ROUTLEDGE & CO., FARRINGDON STREET; AND 18, BEEKMAN STREET, NEW YORK.

LONDON: THOMAS HARRILD, PRINTER SALISBURY SQUARE, FLEET STREET.

Dedication.

TO MADAME * * *

MADAME AND FRIEND,

When I first related to you the following strange and eventful episode, you advised me, inexperienced as I was, to write and publish it. I had never written a book in my life; but you encouraged me to make the attempt. "Be simple," you said, "be natural, and even simplicity and nature will suffice to make your work attractive. Add nothing, and take nothing away. Relate all your sufferings, and bid your pen record the faithful dictates of your memory. You will at least find friends among that healthy class which loves the simple and the true. Leave geology and geography alone, and be only yourself--a young and courageous woman, cast into the midst of frightful dangers, and miraculously saved. Many as are the readers and writers of travels, few women have visited China, and none, save yourself, have such a tale of adventure to relate. Write, then, and fear nothing."

It was thus, Madame, that you persuaded me, and it is thus that I have obeyed you. I have lived, while writing, amid the scenes and sufferings of the past. I have once again experienced all the terrors of captivity--once again been tossed by tempests, blinded by incendiary flames, and threatened with uplifted sabres. Inasmuch as these things have moved me by the mere remembrance, so I trust they may interest others in the mere recital. They will at least bear the impress of emotion and truth.

I place myself, Madame, under your patronage, and beg that you will accept this expression of my respect and affection.

FANNY LOVIOT.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Departure from Havre--Regrets--A Barrier of Rocks--Rio Janeiro--Departure from Rio--Six Weeks at Sea--Cape Horn-- Storms--Death of a Sailor--Catching a Shark--Land! Land!-- The Gold Country _page_ 1

CHAPTER II.

The Bay of San Francisco--Deserted Ships--The Mission-- Dolores--Manners of the Chinese Emigrants--The Black Race--The Loungers of Jackson Street--Gaming Houses--The Black Band--The Committee of Vigilance--On Hanging _page_ 13

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