Sketches from Formosa.

174
SKETCHES FROM FORMOSA
his firm hand anything approaching to excess on the part
of the French seamen was instantly checked, and every
means were taken to .make it known to all that protection
to life and property might be depended upon so long as
the new Authority lasted and the people themselves
remained quiet.
A good many of the shops and houses in Ma-keng had
been destroyed either by shells thrown from the ships,
or by retreating Chinamen who wished to leave as little
as they could for the French ;
and who, perhaps, wished
to do a little looting on their own account. Be this as it
may, the tumble-down condition of the buildings did not
prevent hundreds of those who fled at the commencement
of hostilities from returning, nor lessen their eager desire
to earn as many as possible of those good, clean, Mexican
dollars which now streamed in upon the place. The
French made liberal use of their services as coolies and
boatmen ; builders and carpenters also finding ready
employment ; while the large daily supplies of fish, meat,
and vegetables brought in were purchased at prices which
rejoiced the heart of John Chinaman himself. It speaks
very much to the credit of everyone that, during this more
peaceful period of their relations, there was an entire
absence of anything like oppression from the Euro-
pean side, or of wanton retaliation from that of the
Chinese.
Towards the close of their brief occupation, the French
erected two substantial wooden jetties at Ma-keng.
They allowed those jetties to remain when the place
came to be evacuated, even although formed of excellent
timber, and capable of being easily taken to pieces. They
also allowed the little mortuary chapel building over-
a matter
looking the town to remain intact. It is just
for sincere regret that, either selfishly or considerately,
they did not carry away with them the many unexploded