Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-11-01

wei, SEluy oeoCu ou' -,
point above high-water mark, safe beyond the
fierce, laundering breakers, from whose mer1
ciless grasp had miraculously escaped
WAS the sole survivor of the Scud's crew.
had received several bruises and contuslons,
rendering it exceedingly painful to use my
limbs, and was glad to gain the shelter OF
little fisher hut, through the chinks OF when
came faint, uncertain gliu,mer OF light.
STAGGERING against the door, entered with
out ceremony. The sole occupant of the one
roomed shanty was wild, uncouth-looking
Chinese fisherman, dimly visible by sputter'
ing, Pickering light shed from floating WICK
in a cup of fish oil. He was partially naked
and his skin, throug gh constant exposure, hav'
iny changed from a pale yellow to tinge
verging on negro black.
"The fellow started up in astonishment and
alarm as 1 stumbled over the doorway. HIS
little eyes twinkled through the wild mass OF
tangled hair covering his head and face, and
for a moment he stood motionless, regarding
me with strange expression. The wind
whistled sharp and shrill around the desoiate'
miserable hovel, the roar Of the breakers
thundered incessantly along the beach, which
taken in connection with my sudden and
strange appearance, must have filled the fel'
lows brain with terror. He may have taken
me for one of the numerous devils to whom
the Chinese pray, begging OF them not TO
hurt or modest their persons. At all evens'
az I moved away from the door, the old fellow
dashed out of the place with bound, and l,
too tired and exhausted to follow or attempt
pantomime explanation, turned into the hithy
berth without the least compunctlons OF con-
science.
"My slumbers must have been sound indeed,
for when I awoke found myself surrounded
BY crowd of noisy, demonstrative Cinnamon
Of the same type as the owner of the hut, who'
by the way, had returned with large rein
forcement of friends It was broad daylight;
nv slumbers had refreshed me, and at once
proceeded to explain why was there. l had
scarcely opened my mouth when the rascals
pounced upon me, binding my hands and feet
with stout thongs, yelling and shouting with
triumph as they dragged me forcibly along IN
their midst. l was finally thrust into dark
cell or lower room of a joss-house, and LETT to
nv own reflections, which, can assure you,
madam, were any thing but of pleasant ma
ture. I was both anxious and alarmed at the
turn of affairs had taken, for was no stranger
to the cruel, superstitious natures of the Chi
nese, especially the lower classes.
IL had fallen into an uneasy slumber, de-.
spite the damp, wet floor upon which had
been thrown, with myriads of rats who raced
over me at will. The CLEAN of light shot
across nv startled vision, revealing slight
figure enveloped in long, loose garment.
The hood dropped back, disclosing face that
even now haunts my dreams.
1T was Chinese maiden "a beautiful
Young creature who had scarcely reached her
sixteenth year. Her complexion was very
fair, contrasting vividly with her luxuriant
hair, black as a ravens wing. Her deep, elo-
ouent eyes we're shaded by fringe of long,
dropping lashes, and her sparkling orbs
beamed forth tenderness and sympathy as she
knelt by my side. Her finger was pressed
against her full ruby lips, expressive OF silence
and caution, as with few rapid strokes OF a
sharp knife she severed the bonds that had
made me a helpless prisoner. My heart
warmed with gratitude as rose quickly to
my feet, stretching forth my cramped limbs
with a sensation of delight mingled with
sharp twinge or two of pain. l essayed to
whisper nv thanks to the Chinese maiden,
but she cut me short, seized my hand, extln.
guished the lantern, and together we glided
through the darkness as intense as the shades
of Erebus. Along narrow passage she con-
Quoted me, which opened abruptly into q
small inclosure not unlike yard Two small
native ponies were in readiness, and in fe"
seconds was following my fair guide, who
urged her animal into a furious gallop.
II might enlarge, madam, upon the details
of my escape, and upon the charms OF my
pretty, mysterious companion, who had so un
expectedly interested herself in my welfare
but refrain from so doing. as | have yet the
most interesting and exciting portion OF the
adventure to relate.
Suffice it to say, that reached Hong Kong
in safety, and presented myself to the owners
who listened in astonishment to my story
Then I explained to them the motives tha
led the Chinese girl to save my life, for save
it she did, as l had been condemned to sufel
death from starvation by my cruel captors.
"Her name was Ling Lu; her father was
lowder, in the habit of sailing with Europeans
who had granted him the privilege of carry
ing bis daughter. Thus she had acquired
knowledge of the language and customs
the 'yangquitoz.' (foreign devils.) Where
had been wrecked was her birthplace he
father owning hut in the village. Whel
she heard of my capture and sentence, she re
solved at all hazards to rescue me, and fly for
ever from her savage kindred. Her fathe
was then at Hong Kong, who she hope'
would approve of all she had so we'll accom-
plished. So you see, madam, my acquain
tance with the pretty, graceful Ling Lu com
, menced in decided romantic manner.
"Now listen until l tell you what came fron
the acquaiutanceship, and how it terminated
"Before a week elapsed, I again trod tn
deck of an opium clipper, fitted out with mar
, velous rapidity by the wealthy firm served
My mate, Obed Porter, together with frien
of the owners, young man by the name
HAYNES, were to accompany me- Porter ha
entirely recovered from his spell of sickness
and was anxious to sniff the invigoratn
3 breezes of old ocean again; but, despite ou
most strenuous efforts, we could not obtain
crew to man our craft Then it occurred
f me that perhaps Ling LUIS father could ass's
! us. | called upon him, engaged him as low
9 der, and before the sun had set my craft wa
2 manned by sturdy crew. A state-room wa
Z devoted to the use of Ling Lu, whose prett
, face flushed with pleasure as her eyes encoul
D tered mine.
:. "Our lorcha was we'll freighted for a trs
r ding trip, but it was business attended wit
}. more than ordinary danger, as the numerol
r branches of rivers, creeks, lagoons and LAKE
k we're known to be infested with both pirat'
g and Imperial war junks, between whom the'
y existed hut little difference, 80 far as plunde
!. ing and numbering proclivities were concer