I think it unprofitable only to think of obtaining payments from a gambling house called "Chi. for," which Mr. Caldwell broke up.
M. Mitchell then took him into his service as house servant and comprador. On Mr. Mitchell's returning to the Gaol with Lee-Avi, I informed Mr. Mitchell that the prisoners had absconded. I told him that I did not think that there was a chance of his getting any money from the prisoners' friends.
On this, Mr. Mitchell called the five remaining prisoners together (the fifth, Chang H-elim, having been bailed and discharged), and, through the medium of Lee-Avi, acting as Interpreter, in my presence exhorted the prisoners to raise the money, telling them that the amount was excessive, making allusion to the number of friends who had been exerting themselves on their behalf, and suggesting that they (the prisoners) might be able to get it from their friends. Their answer was merely an allusion to their poverty, and that of their friends and relations in general.
They made no promise. Then Mr. Mitchell and Lee-Avi went away. Some days afterwards, the prisoners wished me to have some punch money sent from each of them. I told them a dollar apiece. The prisoners were much depressed at the idea, but did not refuse. No further communications besides those three passed on the subject, to which I was privy. On neither occasion...