Arrangements had already been made for food and rest. Explaining what all had to be done, the man left, closing the huge door behind him. Ho Han and his group remained seated in the dark and humid warehouse dreaming of the wonderful life that awaited them. It was well after midnight when the door opened. Once again, they got into the horse carriages and were taken to the boats that would transport them to Lintin Island, where a Chinese junk, built of teakwood, with its canvas sails rolled up, awaited their arrival. The flag of the Qing dynasty displayed a dragon spewing fire. Ho Han and his group stepped on board. On the main deck of the huge vessel, built with three masts, were a few armed men. On one side of the deck stood a Chinese man in silk robes, accompanied by an European.

Looking at the man who had brought Ho Han and his companions, the European gentleman called out, ‘Chin Chin ako.’

‘Chin Chin,’ the man grinned back.

‘Long time no see. Busy?’

‘Busy. My catchi one pichi wifo.’ The man’s grin spread from ear to ear – he was telling the European that he had got married.

The three men started whispering excitedly amongst themselves. The man who had brought Ho Han pointed a finger at the other two and shouted, ‘You two pela chicken.’

‘What is he saying?’ Ho Yen asked Ho Han.

‘He says the other two are like chickens, without guts. He is very angry.’

‘Ren ren eight,’ the man who had brought Ho Han said, showing four fingers of each hand.

‘Eight for each man,’ Ho Han translated in a quiet voice.

‘No can do, no can do,’ the European said shaking his head.

‘You arse belong trabal,’ the man who had brought Ho Han said, pointing at the other Chinese.

Lifting his palm upwards, the European asked them to stop arguing.

‘Look see. No go bananas.’

The other man wanted to say something. Asking him to be quiet, he talked to the man who had brought Ho Han. He nodded and showed him six fingers.

‘Okay. Ren ren six.’

‘He means six per person,’ Ho Han translated quietly.

‘What does it mean?’

‘I don’t really know. Perhaps he is talking about the fare for our voyage.’

The European now nodded in agreement.

‘Can do, can do.’

‘Hau hau.’ The man who had brought Ho Han grinned widely. Whispering something, the European gentleman announced that they were leaving the next day.

‘We tomorrow maki move.’

‘Bely well. Bely well.’

The European gestured and his man brought him a finely knitted handbag full of silver. The European counted some coins and handed them over to the man who had brought Ho Han who counted the coins for himself and looked satisfied. After whispering some more, the European and his companion climbed down.

‘Kuai kuai, chop chop,’ the Chinese companion shouted. ‘Hurry up, hurry up!’

The guards on deck came forward. One of them opened the hatchway that led to the hold of the ship and ordered the men to go down.