We do not complain, for my employer says this is
the usual way of quieting disturbances on board the ship, and that it is
done in the cabins among the Americans every day or two.
Congratulate me, Ching-Fool In ten days more I shall step upon the shore
of America, and be received by her great-hearted people; and I shall
straighten myself up and feel that I am a free man among freemen.
AH SONG HI.
LETTER III
SAN FRANCISCO, 18--.
DEAR CHING-FOO: I stepped ashore jubilant! I wanted to dance, shout,
sing, worship the generous Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. But
as I walked from the gangplank a man in a gray uniform--[Policeman]
--kicked me violently behind and told me to look out--so my employer
translated it. As I turned, another officer of the same kind struck me
with a short club and also instructed me to look out. I was about to
take hold of my end of the pole which had mine and Hong-Wo's basket and
things suspended from it, when a third officer hit me with his club to
signify that I was to drop it, and then kicked me to signify that he was
satisfied with my promptness. Another person came now, and searched all
through our basket and bundles, emptying everything out on the dirty
wharf.
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