Summary

Paulette stops Nob Kissin on his way to work and asks him to add her name to the list of migrants. Her new plan is to travel on the Ibis as an indentured laborer. She denies that her chastity has been corrupted. At the camp, the migrants are growing despondent and suspicious. Some try to escape, but are brought back immediately by the curious locals who lurk around the fence at the camp. Finally, the day of departure comes.

It’s the celebration of Diwali, which makes Neel miss his family, especially his son. Finally, he learns of his departure for Mareech. Neel has nightmares and when he wakes up his cellmate is holding him. His cellmate tells Neel his name: “Lei Leong Fatt. People call Ah Fatt” (335).

The Ibis is leaving just after Diwali because of tides, called bores, that send water upriver...