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the Turnkeys, Constables and several of the prisoners. With the exception of one of the Indian Police the whole of the Guard and Turnkey have been seriously wounded and their arms taken from them.
Immediately the alarm being received I despatched two boats in pursuit but unfortunately the Prisoners had got a great start on them. The party that went in boat succeeded in getting close to the Prisoners, but the former in attempting to escape on shore were met by such overpowering numbers that to have attempted to make a capture would have exposed themselves to immediate danger. One gang was fired into, and two prisoners afterwards found dead by the Surgeon.
A third prisoner has also been found near the part where the boat started from; he appears to have been drowned.
On receiving the report of the escape, I made the necessary signal to Hong Kong, in doing so the halliards broke which I am afraid may have been misunderstood. I also made a signal for assistance and other aid was immediately sent in pursuit, followed at short intervals by more - so that now there must be at least fifty Police and others on the Prisoners' track.
Several of the convicts have behaved themselves on this occasion in a very orderly manner.
LY.