The water is high
471
We shall be leaving Hongkong in a few days, taking the risk of starting during the N. E. Monsoon, since directly the season of that particular wind ceases, the Japanese from Formosa will assuredly come South again with another expedition. They will however find us in occupation, and the Island once more under the British flag, and we shall then only lack official support from home to be in every way secure. Until that arrives our small party will be enough to keep off intruders.
We shall sail about the middle of the month in the Japanese junk or other craft that we may find suitable with provisions for two or three months.
Hasebe (whom we before indicated as having been sent down in April last) will arrive shortly after we leave, coming from Japan, and brings with him a number of coolies, and divers from Hachi-jo for the shell getting. Mr. Langton Wilkinson will then in all probability return to Hongkong with the first shipment of Phosphate and Shell (leaving Mr. Newman behind) and return later to Pratas when a market has been arranged for