The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-06-15
LOST IN A STORM.


The peculiar nature OF my business.
often compelled me to visit the interior
and out-oI-tne-way places; and as the
great Tipping rebellion was at the time
raging throughout the country, l was
often placed in positions of peril by
small marauding bands, the hangers-on
OF both parties.
Early one evening, soon after leaving
the fertile valleys OF the Lang Shoe
hills, was startled by hearing grutf
challenge from an invisible sentinel,
followed by summons to halt and dis
mount. Almost before l was aware OF
it, found myself beside the cheerful
blaze OF a campfire, and in the presence
OF a tall, suDburnt European, whose
open, jovial countenance, handsome
withal, won my confidence at once.
He was attired u semi-Chinese uni
form, but from his silk cap, with it's
pink and crimson tassel, knew at once
that he was an officer OF the Chung
Wang Faithful Prince, who was striv-
ing to GUST the rapacious Tartar from
the throne and country which by right
belonged to mis- race.
Il am sorry to have detained you, sir !;
but these are troublesome times, and a
rebel, you know, must take extra pre-
cautions TO preserve his head. Hope my
followers were CIVIL"
"They simply performed their duty,
sir, and l have no ground for complaint.
But you need have no apprehension SO
far as l am concerned; l am no spy or
partisan of the ManchoOs, but simply a
tea-taster, and a Yankee whose SYM
palhies are with you."
''Take a seat, sir" Offering me a high
backed Tartar saddle. 81 am from Cape
Cod, God bless III and it makes my blood
glow to meet couutryman. You may
nave heard Of me-my hame is Harry
Wolfe."
And the officer extended his hand,
which l grasped as introduced myself.
l gazed at my companion, whose form
and features were partially displayed in
the ftlul D!az5 Of the fire, with no small
amount OF curiosity. He had acquire d
widespread reputation Tor dashing
deeds of bravery, amounting almost to
recklessness, and the Mancnoo authori-
ties, who had lively appreciation OF
his courage and prowess, had set a
price OF Zen thousand taels upon his
head.
My horse was Immediately restored to
me with permission to proceed on my
Journey, but L preferred spending the
night with my adventurous countryman,
who appeared highly pleased with my
decision.
A canteen of choice samshoo was pro-
duced. l contributed bunch of cigars,
something of a novelty i'll the Tipping
camp, and after satisfying himself that
his YIdette, sentinels, and trusty follow
ers were PERFORMING their various du-
ties, my Vlgllant, energetic, countryman
stretched himself by my side on the cool
green sWard.
In the course OF the evening the con-
Versatlon turned on splrltualIsm, appa-
ritlons, and matters pertaining to The
supernatural. | had previously re-
quested w olfe to relate some incident
oI his dashing career, and lie responded
with the following adventure, which
have written from notes taken at the
time, following the language OF the mar
rator as closely as my memory VIII al
low. For the truthtuIness, PROBABILITY,
and circumstances attending my
friends story and adventure, l have
nothing to DO. | volunteer no eXpluua-
lion, ADVANCE no reasons, and attempt
no abstruse theories. / have my own
opinion, however, and the reader has
an equal right to enjoy his:
81 received orders late one afternoon
\
Chung Wans's staff at the tlme), to car
ry dispatches of great importance to
General Ward, who was then in COM
mand of the foreign contingent. lett
the palace at Wankln shortly after sun
set with my instructions or dispatches 8
slung over my shoulder incIosed in a
tin case. My horse was a Tartar
thoroughbred, and my side-arms had
been carefully attended to, for had a
dangerous road TO travel. Ward was
encamped in the Tein-sin district, dis
tant about thirty miles, and the roads,
owing to the late rains, were In ter
riDle condition.
81 was tolerably we'll acquainted with
the country, and SO used whip and spur
unsparlngly, az was expected to return
that night ii within the bounds Of posi-.
bility.
"Well, reached the camp, delivered
the papers, received the reply, and was
on the point Of retracing my lonely way,
when l was joined by young French.
man on Wards staff, who volunteered
his company, having business of a
private nature to transact at headQuar.
ters. l gladly accepted his offer, and
bidding adieu to the gentlemen. we
were soon outside the lines siashing
through the mud, while small Chinese
lantern hanging from our saddle-bows
made the darkness all the more appar.
eut.
II think we should have got on well
enough had not confounded squal
come up just as we debouched from q
fringe of woods, and struck upon the
soft, sticky slime and mud oil Il Yasl
rice field.
."rhe wind shifted in the twinkling o.
an eve to the northWard, and we were
forced to turn our backs to The torrents
of rain, mingled with hail stones, which
pelted us unm 4rcltully, but our horses
never abated tneir gait.
"rne paper lanterns soon disappeared
both atmosphere and earth hau the ap.
pearance OF vast roll Of black velveI
never before, OF since, witnessed suct
a dark night. Side by~side our horses
splashed along, the riders silent, wei
and disconsolate.
ga sharp exclamation from my COM
panlon caused me to throw back the
yoluminous folds of my cape which
had wrapped about my head. The bough
of projecting tree mad nearly sWepl
MIN from the saddle. We were on the
eGge Of a patch of woods; the ground be
meath our horses feet was once more
nard, and the squall which had lulleG
afforded us both an opportunity to look
aDuut. The scud drove wildly by the
moon, which SLreamed forth lor u Limited
space.
ut apswereu our purpose, revealing