Rambles in Eastern Asia (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1856 Excerpt: ...is rarely, if ever, troubled by them; as they know, without going on board, what it contains. Their emissaries are so scattered about that some of them may continually see you; but you would not know them from any one else. Coolies about the streets, or your boatmen, may bo their emissaries. Shopkeepers, or your own boy, may be in league with them. I am told that through their system of communication, by signs, signals or other ways, they are well informed of every boat that leaves HongKong, Canton, Whampoa, Macao, or any place about here; the time when they leave, when they may be expected to pass any given place, and what there is on board, --having some of their emissaries stationed at all these places. Thus, those only which are considered valuable, or w-th the trouble, are attacked. On the river the robberies are of such frequent occurrence that they are hardly noticed by the public, unless some person is killed or severely wounded. Dr. B. informs me that nearly every day he has patients from among the pirates; wounds to be dressed and sewed up, balls to be extracted, broken bones to be adjusted, chronic ulcere to be healed, &c. A boat which has any amount of specie on board is sure to bo attacked. No matter how much secrecy or precaution has been used to keep the knowledge of it from the boys, coolies and others, the pirates will not fail to know it. But, generally, the servants have to take cu-e of their master's property, which affords an easy way of its being known to others; and your own boy, the servant that waits on you, is often supposed to be an accomplice, and for his information to receive a share of the spoils. The steamer which goes occasionally seems to bo the only really safe way of travelling. According to the treaty between the...