From the writer's observations in making the round trip with a group of them, these Formosan runners seemed to regard it as a pleasant job with no risk, little, work and ample time for recreation. Suficient time ashore is allowed, the early evenings are passed in friendly gambling games and Une food Is satisfactory.
My personal experience with this group of runners was specially in-{eresting, although due to the large seizure made in Swatow, I was regarded by them with suspicion that Brew to be decidedly un fortable.
After purchasing my third-class Licket, T-went abroad in Hongkong and made my way down Into the Girly, crowded hold that is dignified by the name of third-class saloon. To my surprise and pleasure 1 was shown into 9 special compartment on the side, completely partitioned from the rest of the third-class section, and the door to it was kept locked. 1 found myself in a compartment capable of holding about $0 passeng-cers with comfort, Dut occupied by only one other passenger. The double-decked sleeping places in here were covered with a soft and relative.
comfortable Japanese matting, and was all decently clean and' well sired, Just before we sailed, the oer leading to the regular third. lass section was unlocked and about 20-men carrying large bundles and suitcases were allowed to filo in. Then the door was locked again, 1 was completely mystified ax to why T should be given the privilege of this section at no extra expense, bhut T later learned that a few bona fide passengers were admitted to try to ward off suspicion from the scetion. "TI might. however, have been the traditional' courtesy' shown to foreigners travelling on this Japanese wakened the next morn-surprised to find that atrenge packages had beet my baggage. They me candy, dried fruit and Hroceties. Upon asking bout them, I was told by sign Tanguage that they were yifls and that T would cat what 1 wanted to, By way of proof, some of the candy was opened and one. of the other passengers helped himself and me leated that T was (o do likewise. SUN not understanding what the Procedure was all about, 1 told them fo take away the dried fruit which appeared to be peopled with allen inhabitants, but allowed the other packages 10 remain,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.