The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-12-16
A FL q IT FOR LIFE;
OR,
The Remarkable Drenm.

The Remarkable Dream.
Some few years ago was a resident in
Hong Kong, and there became acquaint-
ed with the following circumstances.
The story itself was related one winters
evening around glowing fire that put
one in mini of home. The conversation
during dinner had turned upon dreams,
and some very curious theories were ad-
vanced in support of the Interpretation
of them. Our number consisted of eight
persons and after protracted discus
sion, in which the number for and
against there being any truth in dreams
stood about equal, Capt. Topham pro
posed to settle the question by telling
us story of what actually happened to
himself few years previously. The
cloth was removed, and at the invitation
of our host we each drew our chairs
round the fire, lit our cigar or pipe, and
the captain related the following tale as
nearly as I can remember
1t is now, gentlemen, some ten years
since I was first mate of the opium
schooner Wild Dayrell. We were lying
in Hong Kong harbor at the time, pre-
paratory for sailing the next morning for
Formosa. Then there was great deal
of smuggling done in that beautiful
island of the Chinese. Our cargo con-
sisted of $4,000 in syce, $50 chests of
Patna, and 200 chests of Malwan
opium, besides n few sundries, which
c0uld be bought cheap enough in Hong
Kong or Skanghae, but upon which we
turned q good round sum. Capt. Wilkos
commanded her, and had made many
voyage audrun many risk for his owners
to the same place. At about four in the
afternoon the captain left me to go Oh
shore, but just as he was stepping into
the boat he cried out
"Topham! Upon second thoughts, 1
shan't stay on shore tonight, as I in
tended. 1 am going to old Douglas to
dine; and as, in all probability, it will
be a noisy party, shall slip away early ;
so you can look for me about eleven.
"Very we'll, sir" [ answered and
then turned to see that everything was
all right for the morning.
A six o'clock and the second officer
lad tea aud, after tea, he and I had
quite a confidential chat about our
voyage, the value of our cargo, and the
ping Euglishmen. in place of the mon
Sltl CItW WE lutfll ltftis CuI SiSW JUL
sisted, by the way, Of fourteen persons,
including the captain. The captain,
myself, second officer, and two sailors
We're En8lishmen Lascar, two
Manila men, two Malays, and two
Cinnamon, as seamen Chinese cook
and Chinese steward-in all, fourteen
souls. At lbout eight o'clock the second
officer had retired for the night, and had
left me- alone on the poop. I we'll re-
member how my thoughts then ran. l
revolved in my mind the conversation
that 1 had had with Mr.. Spencer, the
second officer, respecting the immense
value of our cargo, and the risk that we
ran, both from OF crew, should they
turn traitors, and also from the hordes
of pirates that continually infest the
China seas, notwithstanding our gun
boats, and the havoc that they make of
them whenever they come within range.
Well, gentlemen, upon that evening
my thoughts were especially turned
upon home, and to a dear mother from
whom had received a letter by the last
mail, and who was then in very deli
cate state of health. I had answered her
letter only that morning.
must have been on the poop about
three-quarters of an hour after Mr..
Spencer had left me, and was thinking
of returning to the cabin to look over
some papers connected with the ship,
when L observed a sampan, or Chinese
boat, lowering round the stern. l called
cut to the men in the boat, and inquired
what they wanted there; but their only
answer, when they found they were OBJ
served, was to pull away from the ship
in the direction of the middle of the
harbor. Their movements l did not at
all like, and leaning on the taffrail, |
watched them until they were lost in the
darkness.
I supnosa I must have remained in
this position-that is, with my arms on
the taffrail-about ten minutes, when,
without warming, felt myself lifted of
my legs, and some one behind me en-
dcavoring to throw me overheard. was
by no means a light weight; but the per
son evidently depended upon the sud
denness of the attack to accomplish his
purpose. I struggled violently, holding
on by my hands to the rail, and letting
fly right and left with my feet; and Ii
the end | was successful. The China
man tripped, and lay upon the deck II
my power. Without thought, without
a moments hesitation, l laid hold of him
by the trousers with one hand, and took
a couple of turns of his pigtail by the
other, and threw him overheard. After
= I had accomplished this 1 made for the
cuddy. Arrived there, l at once went
to Mr.. Spencer's cabin; but upon trying
the door found it locked! 1 gave one ol
two good kicks, at the same time calling
out to him to open the door. He sprane
from his berth, and called out in reply
that it was locked from the outside.
told him to stand clear, and with goot
one, two, three, from the shoulder,
burst the door in There is no doubt
pust have looked very pale and very ex
cited, as his first question to me was:
"Why, Mr.. Topham, what in the
name of goodness is the matterG Yor
look as pale as death.
told him all that had happened, ant
a. that had -