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and the passengers of which they always killed
J. In consequence of these rumours, a plan was sketched out with the approval of the Chinese Authorities, by which some Hong Kong Police with arms and equipments were to proceed to Sam Mun in just such a passenger junk as those usually attacked, the idea being that the pirates who would be certain to attack a junk of this description would be ensnared into a trap and be caught.
4. On the 31 January 1872, Inspector Batten started in a junk accompanied by two fishing junks whose orders were to keep it some distance off but within reach of their assistance should it be required. As was anticipated the junk was attacked, and when off Sam Mun two pirate junks approached though to make an attack were received with a discharge of firearms, which caused them to turn about in the direction of Kowloon (though the text says 'conphong', it is assumed to be 'Kowloon' or another nearby location, but to follow the rule of not rephrasing, it is kept as is) and endeavor to make good their escape. This they succeeded in effecting and when Inspector Batten returned to Hongkong the junks were already anchored.