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1
After their departure I received the following letter from Howick.
I was yesterday informed by Captain Chiang that there are no such places as Man-show-par and Su-pien-tear on the boundary of the Sin-Hewei District. As both wind and current were against us, and the river is exceedingly full, it was apprehended that it would take several days to reach Ho-Chi-tow, and that in the meantime the criminal would get wind of our intentions, and take to flight, the best way appeared to be to go straight from Chiang-mên to Fang-hsix, and landing at Hsiao-Chang, make a circuit, whereby several days might be saved. I accordingly set out, in company with Captain Chiang, but we unexpectedly found that the water was so high as to prevent our landing at Hsiao-Chiang.
On examination of Li-a-yuan, Feng-a-jui, and Ping-a-jun with regard to the place of abode of Li-a-tsung-shik, they stated that they really did not know; but that if A-jun could be apprehended, he could show the way to A-jui's abode. On hearing this, we felt extremely embarrassed, but luckily the guides, Li-a-fer and others brought by Captain Chiang,
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"...lovuld..." is corrected to "...would...".