1:30 PM
`` All right , then , '' replied the boatswain , nothing loth to display his superior attainments . `` Here goes for a full and true ` count of a tremenjuous piretical plot to seize a mail steamer , from a special despatch of our ` Ong Kong correspondent ; '' and , holding the dirty scrap of paper at arm 's - length , as if he were somewhat afraid of it , he went on to read the following extract from it . `` The China papers received by the last mail contain full accounts of an attempt made to seize and plunder the Eastern and Australian Mail Steam Company 's steamer _ Bowen _ by a party of Chinese who had embarked on board the vessel at Singapore as passengers . The following is extracted from the ship 's report : -- `` On the 8th of June , at 1:30 PM , in latitude 13 degrees 09 minutes north and longitude 111 degrees 20 minutes east , Cheang Sioy , Chinese interpreter , reported that the Singapore passengers , forty-two in number , were pirates , and intended setting fire to and plundering the ship , as they had been overheard talking to this effect . An examination was then made below , but the Singapore Chinese passengers were so scattered among 313 Australian Chinese passengers that they could not be readily identified . The interpreter was then ordered to pick them out and muster them and their effects on the poop-house . He first brought up eight or ten choppers , a house-breaking tool , and a box , for all of which no owners could be found .