the ideas of their being allowed to do so. Once on board, the Coolies were not allowed to land. The Ships lie about 3 miles from the shore, though some jumped overboard and got away. In some Ships, the Coolies were allowed to go in Sampans. They were ready to gamble in the hold for putting up at Masao. "They were not allowed in Hong Kong, so they were kept below!" The vessel had now on board firewood, provisions, and water which had been procured in this harbor during the voyage.
The Carpenter did not know when they were permitted "the Quisa baneraro." The Coolies were confined below. They might go on deck during the day as they liked, but at night they were confined below. A berth of seventeen inches in width was allotted to each Coolie. There were iron gratings fitted, but they were not sufficient. There was some argument going on between the rival owners of the Ships, and there were not at present enough Coolies at Macao to man all the Ships.
He added further that the Coolies were furbulent...