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of the 11th, when we weighed, and proceeded to Pow keew, a village about 60 miles to the southward of Now chow, and 18 from Hainan head. We boarded a junk, but gained no information, beyond an English cross-rigged like a junk having been taken last June. From this place we proceeded to Hoi chow, about 20 miles to the westward of the former place, where we arrived at 3 PM. I went ashore, accompanied by Messrs. Jamieson, Sames, Olding, and Bowring, to visit the Mandarin, who treated us with great kindness. After obtaining all the information we could, we returned to the ships, but on account of the lowness of the tide, we did not reach the steamer until 3 A.M. on the morning of the 12th.
We were detained here until 9 A.M., when the Mandarin returned our visit. He was conducted round the ship and engine-room, at which he expressed his astonishment. He questioned some of the Prisoners, who appeared much frightened. On the flags which had been shown to him, he said they belonged to Shap ng tai. He went on shore, being civil and attentive to us, and sent us a present of fowls, tea, &c. Sam quang (who came up as a passenger in the steamer) speaks in the highest terms of the Mandarin, at whose house he had been staying. The Mandarin expressed a great wish to have the Pirates delivered up to him, offering a reward, which of course was refused. We left this place at 9:30 A.M., returning on our course to Now chow, where we discharged the pilot, and arrived at 4 PM.
Being too dark to see into the harbour, and having heard that the pirates were assembled at Long your, we anchored at qu... at midnight. We weighed at...