Chap. XX. DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THE MEN OFF. 395 



had acquired in foreign markets I was well- 

 pleased in being able to engage the services of 

 manufacturers from that district. An engage- 

 ment was drawn up in English and Chinese by 

 Mr. Sinclair, interpreter to the Consulate, which 

 was signed by the men and by myself ; an ad- 

 vance of one hundred dollars was given to each 

 man for the support of their families during their 

 absence, and they were desired to hold themselves 

 in readiness to sail by the first steamer. An old 

 mandarin with a white button, a native of Kiangse, 

 and head of the Kiangse hong in Shanghae, at- 

 tended with the men at the Consulate, and became 

 security for them at the time that each man re- 

 ceived his advance of wages. 



The steamer destined to convey these inland 

 Chinamen from the shores of their native land 

 was advertised to sail on the 10th of August 1855. 

 I had given them timely notice of this, and desired 

 them to meet me in front of Mr. Beale's house, at 

 least two hours before the hour appointed for 

 sailing, for I knew well how Chinese procrastinate, 

 and anticipated some difficulty in getting them all 

 on board in time. It was some time after the 

 appointed hour before any of them made their 

 appearance, and I began to fear they would draw 

 back and object to embark at the last moment, 

 even after they had had a liberal advance of 

 wages and after their passage-money to Hong- 

 kong had been paid. At last, however, all except 

 one made their appearance with their beds, trunks, 



