So large were the profits of the business, however, that a margin could be allowed for bribery of officials, and restrictions and prohibitions alike soon became almost dead letters. Vessels were known, in 1856 and 1857, to kidnap full cargoes within sight of Macao. Owners of vessels from American ports would enter into contracts with parties in the West Indies or South America to transport Coolies at from fifty to eighty dollars a head, freighting the ships often for some other than a Chinese port, but eventually arriving at Macao or Hong Kong, fitted and ready for the trade.

Such was the condition of the trade in 1857, when the ship Norway, of nearly 3000 tons, sailed from New York loaded with coal for the United States naval squadron in the China seas. It would be little to the purpose of the narrative to enter into a detailed account of the outward voyage, the waiting at Hong Kong, the transportation of laborers from China to the Australian mines, or describe the thousand incidents of a long stay in a Chinese port. Enough to say that nearly three-fourths of a year elapsed ere our human cargo was ready. During the latter part of this time extensive preparations were made to receive them.

Down the whole length of both lower decks were built tier on tier of berths, or rather shelves -for they were without sides or dividing partitions. Large quantities of beef, pork, rice, etc., were stowed away. Hundreds of water-casks filled the holds, and on the upper or spar deck were erected galleys for cooking. Over every hatchway save one were set iron gratings to prevent too free access from below to the upper deck; that one, the main and nearly central

one, was covered by the ordinary housing. As the covering of these hatches was afterward of vital importance to us, a word of description will be necessary. The gratings were made of bars of iron, arched in the centre, and having a circular opening of eight or nine inches diameter at the summit of the arch. The housing was merely the continuation of the ordinary one in which were the galleys, the door of it opening outward. In addition to these preparations on the spar deck a barricade was built, running athwart ship, from rail to rail, a short distance in front of the captain's cabin, twelve feet wide, ten feet high, and arranged so that a guard of armed men could, from their station on top, command the whole deck, while within it were accommodations for their sleeping. When all was ready we sailed for Macao, from the vicinity of which port the cargo was to be received.

Thousands had been collected from every quarter of the kingdom, under every pretext, and crowded into barracoons, amidst not less fearful horrors than characterize those of the slave districts of Africa. Many had been induced to leave their homes under the most cruel misrepresentations, and once at the barracoons, cowed by the lash or torture, were taught to reply as their masters commanded to the questions of Government officials who, at long intervals, came to inspect them. These barracoons are termed Chu-tze-kwan, "Pig-Pens"-and from their usual filthy condition well deserve the name. Many Coolies died of diseases incident to such confinement, and suicides among them were not uncommon.

We lay off shore several miles, and it was therefore necessary to bring the Coolies to the

were a pouch and purse, and a little case for the chop-sticks. A few were in good humor, but most were sullen or desponding. They were tallied over the gangway like so many bales of cotton, mustered in rows upon the deck, and their baggage and persons searched for opium or weapons. When all were on board a Government official came ostensibly to see that none were unwilling emigrants. A public announcement was made that any one who was on board against his will should step forward. Only one had the hardi

THE INTERPRETERS.

A SAMPAN.

hood to do so, they knowing full well the improbability of getting nearer their homes than the dreaded barracoon. The man who came forward was immediately set ashore, and as the wind promised fair all hands of the crew were turned to getting ready for sea. The whole number of Coolies received was one thousand and thirty-seven, and each was stowed away as rapidly as the confusion and bustle incident to such a barbarous gathering would admit. The embarkation consumed the greater part of two

days. Besides the Cool

ies there were several lady passengers and children returning by way of Cuba to their homes in the United States. They occupied a part of the cabin protected by the barricade.

It was evening ere the anchors were weighed, the sails loosed, and the ship under way, vet every one worked with energetic zeal, stimulated by the prospect of returning home, and none but those who have been long separated from home and friends can appreciate the exhilarant feeling that fills the breast of a sailor as the ship flies along on her homeward voyage. There were two interpreters on board, who had come from Havana, whose experience in the trade had been as varied as extensive. They were a sort of half Chinaman half Portuguese, and were in nowise friendly to the mass of Coolies on board.

Warned by their representation of the treacherous nature of our barbarous freight guards were stationed at all necessary points, a police force appointed, and indeed every precaution taken to subdue any disaffection that might arise. The necessity for such precaution may be appreciated if the comparatively small number of our crew (sixty, all told) be considered. The barbarians, moreover, were constantly quarreling, and within the very first twenty-four hours several were brought up and flogged after the old approved navy style. One or two suicides occurred, and one man was found strangled, whether by his own hand or by some of his companions was never ascertained.

A word or two regarding the way in which these Coolies passed their time and deported themselves generally may not be uninteresting. They were not usually unclean in their habits, but, on the contrary, were fond of dabbling in water like children, and some of them wore around their necks pieces of muslin to use as towels. Many had tooth-brushes, and little pieces of bone used for scraping the tongue-a habit, strangely enough, which they religiously observed. They had but two meals daily, principally of rice and salt fish, with, at noon, or about eleven o'clock, a bowl of tea. Their rice was boiled at the galleys on deck in baskets, and the whole number of Coolies being divided into messes, the portion for each was served and carried below in other baskets. They then sat around on the deck, and, helping themselves each to a quantity in a small china bowl, fell to a rapid

demolition of the contents with their chopsticks. Much of their time was spent in gambling, almost always with dominoes, and when not engaged at this they were either quarreling or playing on musical instruments, of which they had a great number. Their barbarous music would hardly strike the ear of an American virtuoso as melodious. It was a most ingeniously discordant variation, from the tum-tum-ti-tilly of a one-string violin to the hoarse uproar produced by enormous clarionets without keys, flutes six feet long, cymbals, gongs, drums, and marine trumpets. Occasionally, but more particularly toward the end of a voyage, they will attempt a rough sort of theatricals to while away the monotonous hours, yet in point of scenery or incident the most absurd.

But to proceed to our departure from Macao: The Coolies were allowed perfect freedom, in limited numbers, on the forward part of the upper deck, and their food carefully prepared and served. Had it not been for a providential mischance on the evening of the third day out the terrific incidents that followed would have come upon us totally unprepared. A not unusual quarrel had occurred on the lower deck, the shouting and altercation soon running to blows. The police, some of whom it may be remarked were Coolies, were quickly on the spot, and after great difficulty succeeded in quelling the riot; not, however, in time to prevent one man being cut down with a cleaver. This man, quite seriously wounded, together with four of the principal rioters, were brought up, and the latter

The leaders were desperadoes who had voluntarily come to the barracoons, having studied the plot for weeks; and ere they had been on board an hour were at work, urging, with every plea of cupidity or revenge, the rising en masse, murdering every man who opposed, seizing the ship and cruising as they chose. The exact object of the seizure was not clear, but the plan was simply this: The temporary berths were to be torn down to furnish clubs and materials for building a fire under the foremost hatch. A large number was to be ready, when the flames should rise and the crew run forward to extinguish it, to rush up the main-hatchway, massacre every man as he came in their way, and thus gain possession. They had chosen their captain, navigator, and other officers, and it was concerning this choice that altercation had arisen. The opinions about the truth of this statement were various-the captain ridiculing the idea as absurd, but the two interpreters joining in their belief that it was true, and ominously shaking their heads at the captain's disbelief.

For two days the matter rested, nothing farther being heard concerning the mutiny. The ship was bowling along finely before a nine-knot breeze toward midnight of the third day, the

rippling of the water under our bows, and the regular tread of the sentry at his post. We were expecting to make the land at Angier Point about daylight. Suddenly a bright gleam of flame shot up from the forecastle, and a yell like that of ten thousand demons burst on the still night. It needed no farther alarm to arouse every body from sleep. Every man was up and at his post as the fearful conviction of his imminent danger presented itself. The door of the main hatch, the only means of egress, was instantly locked; every blunderbuss, cutlass, and pistol passed out by the stewardess, who, with great presence of mind, had run to the arm chests; the ship put about, and the pumps manned in less time than it takes to describe it.

Knowing that a crowd was collected under and on the ladder, the top of the main housing was broken in in order to dislodge them; but, meanwhile, several of the foremost rioters were striving to force the door with cleavers stolen from the cooks, and had partially succeeded in prying it open against a dozen men who were endeavoring to fasten a spar across outside. In spite of the utmost exertion the door yielded far enough to allow an arm to be thrust through and a blow struck, wounding an officer. Quick as thought the muzzle of a pistol was against his breast, and with its explosion the Coolie reeled backward, carrying with him all on the ladder, and allowing the door to be effectually closed.

Then commenced a scene the most terrific