the cause of local disturbances, when the Sam-sings, or fighting men, resist the interference of the police. The Sam-sings are thus described by an old Chinese resident. "They live by looting and are on the watch for any excuse for exercising their talents. Each hoey, or society, must have so many of them, but I don't know any means of ascertaining their numbers. They are a regular fighting people and are paid so much a month. If there is any disturbance these people go out in looting parties; whether ordered by the head men or not, I cannot say; perhaps they do it on their own account." I was present on one occasion in a village in Penang which had been sacked and burned by hired ruffians belonging to an opposing clan, and it required strong measures on the part of the Government to put down the faction fight. This sort of warfare, as we shall see when we reach the "Flowery Land", the Imperial Government in the south of China has, at times, been either unable or unwilling to suppress. This class of Chinese immigrants cast upon the shore of a friendly state do not unfortunately confine their attention to faction fights; they organise gang robberies and the wealthier Chinese are rarely, if ever, the victims of their raids; they indeed enjoy an immunity which would appear unaccountable if we knew nothing of native guilds. Chinese thieves are thorough experts at their profession, adopting the most ingenious devices to attain their infamous ends. I recollect a burglary which took place at a friend's house, when the thief found his way into the principal bedroom and deliberately used up half a box of matches before he could get the lamp to light; his patience being rewarded at last, he proceeded with equal coolness in the plunder of the apartment, not forgetting to search beneath the pillow, where he secured a revolver and a watch. These Chinese robbers are
