I was placed at the bottom, suffering great pain, and taken back to the _Dido_, three miles off. When alongside, believing my back to be broken, requested to be allowed to die where I was. A cot, however, was lowered, into which I was lifted carefully, and so hoisted on board. The gunroom skylight was removed and the cot laid on the mess-table. The surgeons, Donoghoe and Simpson, on close examination, found nothing but one small spot on a joint of the backbone, and under the influence of an opiate I was conveyed to my cabin. [Sidenote: July 29.] Mandarins came from Nanking with flags of truce and “chops” for Admiral and Plenipotentiary. Our chiefs had, however, decided not to hold their hands until they had a footing in Nanking. [Sidenote: July 30.] Ordered to proceed, the Admiral placing the smaller vessels under my command; among them my old friend _Childers_--but, oh! so altered. [Sidenote: August 3.] Fleet coming up. Admiral was towed into a berth off Nanking. _Cornwallis_ the first ship that had reached that famous city. [Sidenote: August 4.] Fleet closing up. Visited Plenipotentiary, also General Sir Hugh Gough; and _Belleisle_, with Colonel Colin Campbell and 98th Regiment. [Sidenote: August 5.] Fleet still closing. _Dido_ again ordered ahead to stop communication from north side. Having a heavy sick-list, took possession of two roomy junks, in one of which I embarked clothes, mess-traps, etc. [Sidenote: August 8.] Off Nanking. Found artificers from ships cutting down huge trees to get a clearer view of the walls of the city. Looting was strictly forbidden. On board _Cornwallis_ was Sir Hugh Gough, when Trowbridge, of the _Clio_, came alongside. The General, observing boxes in the boat, asked: “Captain Trowbridge, is that loot?” Trowbridge replied he thought it was, as he had just bought it from a soldier! Bits of chaff were not taken notice of. Dined with Admiral. [Sidenote: August 9.] Trowbridge, Loch, and Skipwith dined with me on board junk. [Sidenote: Aug. 11.] Landed with Admiral at daylight to search the most practicable place for storming with boats. There will be some bloody noses on Saturday. In spite of looting being forbidden, we met the boat’s crew of a transport carrying heavy cases. The Admiral wore a costume suitable to the climate--a white jacket and straw hat. On Sir William asking, “What have you got there?” the reply was, “Sugar. And, if you look sharp,” said the gentleman in charge, “you may get some too; there _is_ some brown left.” In reply he got, “You will take those cases on board the _Cornwallis_, and say the Admiral sent you.” They obeyed, the Admiral’s coxswain attending. Next day I landed early with Sir Hugh Gough, the Admiral, and Plenipotentiary, to survey walls in another direction. [Sidenote: Aug. 13.]