The detective then said to us that it would be wise to retreat and leave the place lest we might meet with violence.
We did so, but the uproar among the Chinese did not subside for some time.

We pitied the poor sentinel who had allowed us to slip in, for we knew that he would be severely punished after our departure.

The Chinese are noted for their gambling propensities, and there are many gambling houses in Chinatown.

This vice is one of their great pastimes, and whenever they are not engaged in business they devote themselves either to gambling, the amusements of the theatre, the pleasures of the restaurant, or the seductive charms of the opium pipe.
Later in my saunterings I went into a kind of restaurant, where I saw a number of Chinese men and boys playing cards and dominoes and dice.
They went on with the games as if they were oblivious to us.

I noticed there were Chinese coins of small value on the tables, and some of the players were apparently winning while others were losing.