Harper's Young People, May 18, 1880

A young sailor’s first taste of the world comes alive in this vivid nautical memoir. Arriving at a bustling Asian port during a spectacular New‑Year celebration, the narrator is swept into a riot of lanterns, fireworks, and the thunder of cannon fire, while the harbor teems with colorful vessels and a sea of laboring dockworkers. He watches the rhythmic hustle of coolies, Malay laborers, and Chinese merchants, learning the strange language of tally sticks and bamboo “whips” that keep the cargo moving.

Through his eyes we glimpse the daily grind of loading spices, tin, and opium, the clatter of bamboo sticks, and the camaraderie that forms among the crew and the port’s diverse labor force. A chance encounter with a mysterious native bearing a bag of glittering jewels hints at the unexpected opportunities that lie ahead, promising more adventures as the ship prepares to set sail.