Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1869-03-30
M i - q q ii "a N v.
The STORY OF THE UGLY SCAR.

''Walter, how did you receive that ug-
ly scar on your cfeck?"
Il will tell you, my dear cousin Bes-
Sic"
"Alany years ago | was a pilot on a
beautiful river in China, called the Min /;
it rises at the foot Of the Bohea hills in
the Ouang-tung province, passes through
Fu-chau, "a great emporium for fore ign
trade, and falls into the sea at Shan
Peak. 1t is only naviga5le for large YES
se's as far as Pagoda anchorage, which is
fourteen miles from the city o Fu-chau,
and it requires vigilant man, well ver' :
ed in the localities of the treacherona rocks
and shoals which line its bed, to sail /,
ship even as high up as that point in
safety.
"One summer afternoon, was cruising
in my pretty yawl, the 'Water-lily.' when
the American ship Clara hove in sight,
and hoisted a flag for pilot. 1 went on
board, brought her TO an anchor outside
the bar for the night, and got her under
way again next morning as soon as the
flood tide began to make. 1t is tedious
process plotting large vessel up thecrcoF-
ed river, as the high, tree-capped pref :
ices on either side prevent the breeze from
Blowing anything but light flaws the
CLARA arrived at Pagoda anchorage, all
safe, however, just as the sun was setting.
My duties ceased as soon as the ship was
properly moored, and | was going ashole e
TO my home, when Captain Wilson called
me back to ask if would take his papel =
and a bag of'dollars he had received for
passage money up to his consignees at Fl-
chau, as he did not feel well enough to
risk venturing up the river at night, when
the noxious malaria from the swamry
fields always hangs like misty veil over
the banks.
"While the captain was speaking, nc
ticed Chinese boatman standing near,
who [ knew understood English pretty
we'll; his face lit up with unusual bril-
liancy when he heard the dollars mention
ed but, catching my eye, his countenance
instantly resumed its usual expression.--
Shortly afterwards | went ashore, having
arranged with Captain Wilson that l
would call at about midnight for his pa
pers, etc.
"The river above pagola anc' orage is
SO winding and shallow, that native boats
are generally used by passengers to Ft-
chau, as they are fat-bottomed, draw but
little water, and are easily navigated. 1
bargained with the owner of one OF these
boats--which are built something like a
child's cradle, the boarded part serving as
a bcd-place, and propelled by two sculls
in the stern and two or three oars in The
bow---to take me- up the river SO soon as
the Aood-tidc began to make,
~ A little before midnight my servant
aroused me, and hastily dolming such ap-
parel as was best suited for the expedition,
i placed revolver in my belt, called u
large English mastff, fine, well-bred,
powerful animal, that generally accompa-
MED me on my trips at night, and wended
my way towards the wharf where the boat
was lying. di A
II went OH board the Clara, and re.
ceived the papers and dollars from Capt.
Wilson which he wished me to take to the
city. een aa. <.s II ss4t.es
As | descended The jacob's-ladder.' l
handel the bag containing the money TO
one Of the boatmen, who, by the dim
light Of paper lantern, recognized as
the same one who had overhead my pre-