Page:The Chinese Repository - Volume 01.djvu/70
April, arrive from Hainan, Canton, Soukah, (or Soo-ae-kea, in Chaou-chow-Foo,) Amoy, Ningpo, Seang-hae, (or Shang-hae-heen, in Keangnan,) and other places. Their principal imports consist of various articles for the consumption of the Chinese, and a considerable amount of bullion. They select their export cargo according to the different places of destination, and leave Siam in the last of May, in June, and July. These vessels are about 80 in number. Those which go up to the Yellow sea, take mostly, sugar, sapanwood, and betelnut. They are called Pak-tow-sun (or Pih-tow-chuen, white headed vessels), are usually built in Siam, and are of about 290 or 300 tons, and are manned by Chaou-chow men, from the eastern district of Canton province. The major part of these junks are owned, either by Chinese settlers at Bankok, or by Siamese nobles. The former put on board as supercargo, some relative of their own, generally a young man, who has married one of their daughters; the latter take surety of the relatives of the person, whom they appoint supercargo. If any thing happens to the junk, the individuals who secured her are held responsible, and are often, very unjustly thrown, into prison.—Though the trade to the Indian archipelago is not so important, yet about 30 or 40 vessels are annually dispatched thither from Siam.
Chinese vessels have generally a captain, who might more properly be styled a supercargo. Whether the owner or not, ho has charge of the whole cargo, buys and sells as circumstances require; but has no command whatever over the sailing of the ship. This is the business of the Ho-chang or pilot. During the whole voyage, to observe the shores and pomontories, are the principal objects, which occupy his attention, day and night. He sits steadily on the side of the ship, and sleeps when standing, just as it suits his convenience. Though he has, nominally, the command over the sailors, yet they obey him only when they find it agreable to their own wishes; and they scold and