Chapter 29 Summary

The malaria epidemic in Happy Valley has become worse by the time of the Midsummer Night. The coolies won't enter the area unless it is bright sunlight and it is only the Happy Valley area that is affected. They believe the disease was caused by poisonous gases. The only way to escape is to move.

Longstaff returns from Canton. The ransom of six million taels had been paid in one day. The plan to attack in the north is in progress and troops are on their way from India. The war would continue until the treaty was ratified. He is proud of himself for thinking of the tea seeds, which he obtained very easily through Horatio.

Dirk meets with Longstaff and they discuss the events in Canton. Longstaff says he thinks that Ching-so knew they were going to demand the ransom and had...