The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-10-23
A corner In opium.

In the autumn of 1860 joined the steamer
Thunder as fourth mate. She was a large
ship-rigged propeller, owned by we'll
known firm in Calcutta, and engaged in
conveying opium from that port to Hong
Kong.
Quite as much gambling is carried on in
China in regard to the ever-fuctuating
prices of opium as there is ut present with
EoId and railway shares in Wall street, New
York; and as no telegraphic communication
exists between India and the ''hOwery land, "
spectators have to anxiously await the ar
rival of the vessels which actually bring the
drug into port, ere they can form any accu-
rate idea as to the state of the market in
Calcutta, where the government sales take
place monthly Even the report, some
times circulated by fishermen, that an opium
steamer is lying outside the harbor, will
cause considerable connection among the
gamblers, who, deeming it probable that
her owners have already received Calcutta
advices watch anxiously for any action on
their part which will indicate whether the
drug has advanced.
On the morning of the eighth day, subsc-
uuent to that on which the Thunder left
Singapore, ] came on deck just as the Asses
Ears and Lemma Islands, a sterile group in
close proximity to Hong Kong, doomed like
gigantic shadows up from the laughing wa
tiers Of the deep blue sea; and an hour
Afterwards our good ship was riding at SIN
gle anchor in Mrs Bay, at the entrance to
the Ly-ee-moon, tortuous passage leading
into Victoria Hong Kong harbor.
1.-THE fourth mate had better carry the
dispatches ashore, Rogers" said Capt.
Fowler. as he descended from the bridge
when the steamer was safely anchored.
no ufrfN fnnnfroH 40 ahfnf
officer.
ssNoi she would be recognized, and it
would ret abroad that we had arrived. My
reason for sending Dir. r. is that he is un-
known ashore. Hail the first sampan
(smnll native boat that passes, and charter
Il to take him in, y answered the skipper.
II obedience to the mates instructions, l
exchanged my uniform for mutt, to disarm
suspicion in the colony, and took my place
IN Chinese boat, the owner Of which had
contracted 70 carry me ashore. The dis
patches were in small tin case, and an
other similar receptacle contained the ships
papers. These was to take to our con-
signec, and had strict orders to keep my
business a secret from everybody but him.
tIand at Pedder's wharf, take sedan
chair, and tell the coolies to carry you to
Cts hong they viii know where TO go,
wa. inc NLlat lIlAu4tilt OF tuI CHIEF rs
the light boat shot swiftly away.
was very young, and felt considerably
olalcd at tho position Of responsibility that
had been assigned me. I was intrusted
with secrets that many Of the merchants
ashore would have given large sum to be
I'm possession 0f, and I determined to watch
over and preserve them with Jealous care.
The distance from Mrs Bay to Hong
kcnu Is abut ten miles, but so enthralled
was I by the majestic magni6s enco of the
hiRA verdurc-clad hills on either side the
fY-ee-moon that / was surprised when the
splendid panorama 81 Victoria Bay. with its
multitude 81 shipping, burst into view as
we rounded the last rocky headland.
The hoatmcn maintained 4 vigorous and
aninated conversation ia their own vernacu-
lar. not q word Of viii n ] then understood,
g. they toiled at their oars. The COM
nandtr spoke g me IN a curious jargon
called 'pigo0n English, and was aston
ishcd TO hnd by tue inquiries he made that
hc was perfectly aware OF the purport Of
my missiqn on shore; he tried, in fact, to
t'nnmnn me, but IN that be failed siQnafv.
sFou wanchee So Pedda waaf saln he
sid at last. and. on ms replying in the az
1lmatifc. be asked. s'All lights can 60 belly
oen. an Then be jahbered something
which appesred % highly amusc the crew,
feI they laughed heartily aud cchocd, 'sAll
hsAt fedda wsat. 81 repeatedly.
Noecrs had told me prior 10 my de-
raFI1ll ll,a, lhc pier he named was located
ntaf q TAN clock tower amidships Of the
town. q hp bad expressed Il; SO I was
t1II1f e1frfiscd Is see that the boat vas
heading ioE ~ Isolated wharf abntlinc from
ths So uall near Happy Valley. which
sni1od 81 fbe ohelisks and rfateslonts
dutious tone of Totce asked Il thar
really tho place / had 60 land IT. and
the rIE.lsI'ed skipper assured me s. conf
le1sI|F ln4l Il WAS ..fcdda uaof that I.
|nled With The mcndacioos habits
eI lht CHINESE. leIt bound q believe him.
end er6 50 che ictir. though Is appear
1iIsll much ilom the description 81
ne nate had ciren re.
Fc1 r3nclcl chair, YCn come lona
said f11 bc1lnen, IS - followed me
ao cr, aed 81 SAW no one near t.
e.1 enrlf Ior inflammation he6
rs Services 1s eos1t. and follow
wakes he ohcrrioes|f Offered o.
W oIct boxes but refused -
1 ~ ~ merely mrIttre1
IIon 1rl tIotIeIi on.
% o1r IoW O. lcrl