The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1890-11-26
A-SUNGAND THEPIRATES


A-sung was one of the brightest schol-
ars in the village school But A-sung's
father was poor and had many children.
so he felt compelled to take his son from
school to save the expense, and also that
he might have his help in the paddy
field
A-sung was in somewhat melancholy
mood one bright afternoon as he sat be-
meath clulnp of mulberry trees near
the river. From his little knoll he could
gaze over wide expanses of rice fields.
and before him spread the broad surface
OF the river at Blenheim Reach.
A beautiful American bark living at
anchor half a mile away was the object
of his earnest attention
Suddenly there was a great puff of
white smoke from her deck, followed by
heavy report. A-sung seemed to have
been watching for this. He directed his
gaze TO black speck mile down the
river, and saw the splashes as the shot
STRUCK near it and ricochetted on over
the surface. The crew were practicing
at the guns.
When the firing ceased a small boat
left the bark, directed toward a point
higher up the river, and he knew that
some of the officers were coming ashore
to take exercise on horseback, as was
their custom. A-sung sprang up and
started back to the village.
On his way he had to pass near a small
fishing hamlet situated on an inlet of the
river. He hurried along with some trepi-
dation, for the inhabitants had a bad
reputation. 1t was reported that they
were addicted to smuggling and piracy
in their swift boats, called EAST crabs. /"
But he came to a sudden halt as loud.
piteous screams came from one of the
huts.
A huge, ugly Chinaman came out
dragging a girl whom he was beating
numerically with thick piece of BAN
boo. He wore short, wide trousers, a
dirty quilted blouse and broad hat of
bamboo strips His feet were bare. He
was vicious looking ruffian. At last
the girl broke away from him and ran
swiftly toward A-sung, pursued by her
tormentor.
The boys first thought was to take to
his heels, but he boldly waited till the
fugitive reached him, when he grasped
her waist and darted away behind an
embankment into patch of tall reeds,
where they both lay painting until their
pursuer gave up the search.
The girl was quite pretty, but ragged
and covered with bruises. She was cry
ing with pain and fright. A-sung's eyes
filed with tears of sympathy.
WAS that your father he asked pity
ingly.
"No, venerable SIR" sobbed the girl
HE bought me"
"Ohl' said A-sung, with contempt al
the thought of helping slave girl. But
his better feelings prevailed. He felt il
his pocket and drew out two pieces o.
cash and ball.
''Take these" he said. "Tm sorry fol
you. Better wait till he goes to sleel
before You 60 back" Then he rose aut
crept cautiously away so as not to attrac
attention. In little while he reached
the village.
AS he approached he saw two foreign
ers ON horseback in the street surrounded
by more than 200 children, who wer,
dancing about and shouting, "Cooc-che
cooc-chel'' Throw cash) The grow
people crowded the doorways enjoyin,
the sport. The two men were laughin;
heartily, and scattering handfuls of cop
per cash to see the children scramble 70
it. When they had emptied their pocL
cts they rode on, still laughing, and me
A-sung. They were dressed in whit
linen, and one Of them wore Panam
hat, the other blue cap with a gol
band. A-sung recognized them as off
GERS of the bark.
Say, Prescott" said the one with tn
hat, ''there's boy tat would suit me
Speak to him."
They stopped, and Prescott addresse
A-sung in Chinese.
"What is your name, boy?"
"A-sung, venerable sir" replie
A-sung. What is your name, vene1
able sirY he added politely.
Never mind" replied Prescott. 9Th
venerable Lord Captain Denville want
boy to serve him. Lead us to you
father, and oppose not"
A-sung's eyes sparl1led joyfully. Ha,
tily he led the way along the grant
paved street, and stopped before a low
neat house. Inscriptions ON red pape
and an urn for joss sticks were at tn
entrance. His father came to the doc
"a grave, dignified farmer. A-sung pu
his hands together and saluted him wit
deep respect and said:
Venerable father, here is the veneI
able lord captain and the venerable lor
Never Mind, who want boy to serv
them"
Prescott restrained his desire to laug
at A-sung's mistake regarding his name
and briefly informed the farmer Of Capt
Denville's wish to employ his. son a
cabin boy, for which he would pay hin
$40 a month. After due consideration
the farmer consented, and it was ar
ranged that A-sung should come aboart
the next day in the boat of the compra
dor-the man who supplied the shiI
with fresh provisions
Is A-sung good boy" asked Capt
Denville.
Him good boy now, bimeby no cal
tell, !" replied the farmer gravely.
The officers rode away, and his father
SAID to A-sung: Doubtless the gods thu.
show their favor. With the money thu.
gained from these barbarians you can re
sumo your sublime studies, and my sol
shall yet bring honor to my old age"
The next day A-sung went on board
the Harlequin. His father went will
him and formally presented him to tn
captain.
Him good boy now, bimeby no ca
tell, he repeated solemnly, as he too
his departure with the comprador.
A-sung looked about with wonae,
The deck was clean and white. Fo,
cannon were mounted, black and threa
ening-two 9-pounder ,carronades on Il
quarter deck, a long fS-pounder piv
gun anidships and a 3-pounder Div
on the forecastle. Swarthy, active sa
ors were at work on deck 81 IN tie RI