The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-12-12
A TRUE STORY.

In 1896, when the English and French
were at war with the governor of Can
ton, a number of their boats ascended
a creek to town called Faatee, where
the sailors amused themselves by robbing
and ill-treating the inOffensive villagers
Ten days later, cutter from the En-
glish fleet, in passing the town, was set
upon by the inhabitants. whose friends
had suffered at the first party, and the
result was q massacre from which only
three of .he foreigners escaped.
In the excitement consequent to the
times, no inquiry was made as to the
cause Of the attack. At once strong
force was despatched, with a demand
for the person OF the head man of the
village. whose name was SuRg- Seen.
Upon learning that his surrender would
save his people from further reprisals,
Sung-Seen gave himself up, and was
conveyed to Macao Fort, i'll the Canton
river.
When the news reached the old man 8
sons. four youths, who were studying at
a Chinese College iE Fatshan, they bur
red home, determined to rescue their
father from the hands of the English.
The undertaking was foolhardy, and its
success seemed simply impossible.
Sung-Scen was confined in the upper
story Of pagoda. The building stood
in the centre of the fort. The fort it
self was garriSOned by two hundred En-
gliSh seamen and marines. It's walls
were patrolled day and night. NOtwith-
st anding this, the boys found means to
send a message to their father and in
formed him of their plans.
Upon the evening fixed for the at
tempted rescue, l was on my way from
Canton. Near the village my boat was
attacked by river pirates, and my men
were obliged TO seek refuge in this fort,
where I was warmly welcomed by the
lieutenant in charge, an old friend nam
ed Brown After | was comfortably
settled in his quarters, he said
4 have Just received 4 warrant to ex-
ecute Sung Seen. As | don't know a
word of Chinese, l am puzzled how to
inform him of his fate. He Is to be shot
tomorrow Would you mind telling
him what my orders are -
| replied that l knew the prisoner,
and had been active in petitioning the
commander-in-chief to spare his life
Under the circumstances it would have
been exceedingly painful for me to com
ply with his request. However, upon
learning that I was the only foreigner
in the place that could speak Chinese
and thinking | might be of some service
to the doomed man, | consented.
/ The old fellow received your mess
age very coolly,n observed the lieuten
J ant, as we seated ourselves in the apart
ment below. "Y on must not leave here
/ tonight. The river is swarming Will
/ pirates. viii give You a bed ard you
! can leave early in the morning.
/ 1 thankfully accepted his offer, ant
after ordering my men to haul up theIl
boat, / returned to the pagoda. 1t wa
/ impossible for me to throw off a feelin.
( OF depression at the thought OF Sung
( Seems fate. and for that reason 1 sale
but little, and proved. | am afraid, yer,
poor company for my host.
We heard the loud voice OF Il sentry
followed by the report of rife. Hur
rying out to learn the cause of the alarm
we were informed that body of Chimes
had landed on the lower part of the is
land and were setting fire to everything
that would burn.
''They will fire the lighthouses next,
hurriedIy remarked the lieutenant, re
ferring to some sheds that stood abou
fifty yards from the fort. Fall In, a
but the sentrieS, and open the gate"
Never for a moment imagining tina
the attack had anything TO do with tn
rescue of Sung Seen, but believing it {
be made by pirates. | ShOuldered riff
and Joined my friend.
Meanwhile the extreme end of til
island appeared to be,envelOped in flames
As we marched down to the boat-shcd
we noticed figure busily employed i
spreading the fire.
II can't understand this said tn
lieutenant, leyeliHg his night-glaSs in tn
direction of the daring intruder. "
only make out one of the rascals vet
By the way he signals he must have
number Of accOmplices. See whethe
some of you cannot pick him off. >
Tha words had scarcely passed his lii
when the sailors and marines began
fire at the incendiary; while to OF
amazemcnt heslowly advanced. shouting
"Fdnquj Ia Fdngij Ia -
AS though bearing a charmed life, tt
solitary figure at which they were firiu
continued to approach our men, ute
ing all the time his deri<ive cry.
On he came, and by the lurid light
the burning reeds that covered II
swamp part of the island. we present
saw that he was mere boy Of fourteC
or fifteen years.
Still, i'll their excitement, the riflemt
blaZed away.
'.Fdngm Ia - repeating the ince
diary, folding his arms and bravely d
. fving us, until he fell forward. woun
ed in dozen places.