Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1878-06-04

wandering Through the Ifaunts Of
the C~elestials An Interesting
,rrsp Of y ssBentinel" Reporter

Through Chinatown.
The hillside underneath and in the rear
of the Chinese quarters is a curiosity in its
way, and well worthy Of exploration, IF
one is lucky enough to obtain entrance to
the excavations that have been made by
the heathens. In remuneration with a
party who was familiar with the locality,
we we're informed Of the existence Of these
human burrows, and seeing that we were
rather skeptical in regard to the matter,
our informant offered to accompany us on
an expedition through the subterranean
channels, an offer Immediately accepted by
us. The only proviso made by our pilot
was that the trip should be made after
dark. Acceding to this, we started ont at
ten o'clock Sunday evening, and entered a
den at the head of Bateman street, the
roof and stove pipe Of which was the only
portion visible on the surface, it being a
regular dug-out. The occupants seemed
to resent u intrusion, but a few words
from our companion harrnonized them,
and one OF the Celestials removed a mat
from the wall, revealing a small opening.
UNDERGROUND.
Following our companion, we rowde
along the passage a distance Of GO or 70
feet, until we reached a small room, evil
IDENTIFY used az a s~torehouse, a lot OF mis-
cellancous articles being piled around in
every direction. Here We supposed the
Journey ended, AZ we could see no other
mode Of egress, except the way we had en-
tered, but we we're mistaken. Removing
q pile of tea chests, another passageway
was revealed, and through it we started.
Fifty feet further brought us TO a large
ROOM, at least 16 feet square and 10 feet
high. A villainous smell pervaded the air,
and the vile pungent odor, that was dense
enough almost TO allow Of cutting with a
knife. betrayed the uses to which the apart
ment was devoted. II was a veritable opium
den, and we should judge that h visitor
had no need to indulge, for he could in
hale a sufficient amount OF the smoke for
all practical purposes.
THE ROOM
was timbered substantially, and a dozen
hunks we're built up against the wall,
about half Of which were occupied by de-
voices Of the Intoxicating drug. All but
two we're lying prone upon their backs,
| eyes open. staring into vacancy. and evil
IDENTIFY giving themselves up to the seduc-
| tive visions and fascinating dreams in
spired by the pipe. They o no notice
Of us whatever, and were seemingly I'M
conscious Of our presence. TIT other
two were busily engaged manipulating a
ball Of opium about the size Of a pea,
which was attached to a piece Of slender
steel wire, and held over n small lamp.
As soon as it had been sufficiently heated
aud rolled. it was inserted in the bowl of u
pipe, and held 10 the flame, while the
heather vigorously sucked and inhaled the
smoke through the bamboo stem of the ar
ticIe. This operation was repeated time
and time again, nntil they were satisfied
with the effect produced, and lay back to
enjoy the resulting sensations. Here our
companion betrayed the secret Of his fa-
miliarity with the place. Requesting us to
join him, which we declined, lac produced
a half a dollar, and giving the coin to the
Celestial who had charge Of the establish
ment, announced his intention Of indulg-
ing.
AN OPIUM SMOKER.
We will not weary the reader with n
further dissertation ON the subject, as the
demoralizing habit aud its attendant ef-
fects have been described in these columns
before. Sufficient. that we sat for over
th~ree-quarters Of an hoar watching this
Young fellow and the other occupants,
during which time he smoked eleven pipes
full, and at the end OF that time declared
himself at peace with all the world. The
Cinnamon in the bunks never moved
during our stay, and gave no signs of life
beyond a labored breathing. Their atti-
tudes suggested so many corpses,
laid out ready for the collins,
but their wide, open, staring eyes
fixed upon one object, o steadfast, unmova
BILE gaze. limited nj a trance. o spell that
had been laid ON them. q sort OF a waking
death. q presence Of body and absence OF
mind in some unknown. and to them doubt
less blissful realm. One experienced a
weird. queer sensation. gazing at the inn
movable and seemingly hfeless figures, and
their indifference to presence and con-
yersation added to the effect. Our COM
panion, after concluding his indulgence.
did not pass off into the dreamy state that
characterized the rest Of the habitues, but
instead, significd a willingness to leave,
foul atmosphere. and the smoke, had set
Dur temples ~throbbing, and we were long
ing for a breath Of fresh air.
A DEPARTURE.
Leaving by another route from that by
which we entered, we pursued our way
through winding tunnels that opened out
into larger excavations and closed again,
until we reached a door set in the side Of a
shanty. Knocking on this, it was opened
by a Celestial, aud we found ourselves in a
China store, near the corner of Clark
street. We had travelled at least eight
hundred feet, and our guide assured us
that We had not gone through one-tenth OF
the labyrinthal passageways, nor pene-
trated but a few of the underground dens.
The existence Of these burrows has long
been known. White, az well as Chinese
criminals, have hidden away in the secret
recesses OF the place, until such time AS
they could make good their escape, and
there is no doubt but that stolen property,
the result Of many a pilfering expedition,
has been here concealed until 1t could be
safely disposed Of. The amount Of labor
expended in the construction Of the tun-
nels is very large, and must have been the
work Of many hands. Any of our readers.
whose curiosity is excited by the above, can
| verify the accuracy Of our account by in
ducing some confirmed opium smoker to