Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-10-11
A,Sung and the Pirates.
BY CHARLES e. BRrMBLEcoM.

Choo-Keang or Pearl River, about fifteen
miles below Canton. His father belonged
to the highly esteemed class of Nung or
farmers.
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 a somewhat melancholy
mood one bright afternoon as he sat be
meath clump 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 an
Choir half mile away was the object of
his earnest attention.
Suddenly there was a great puff of
white smoke from her deck followed by
"A 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 practising
at the guns.
When the firing ceased a small boat
left the bark, directed to 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 Gus
tom. A-sung sprang up and started back
to the village.
On his way he had to pass near a
small fishing hamlet situated en- an inlet
of the river. He hurried along with
some trepidation, for the inhabitants had
a bad reputation. 1t was reported that
they were addicted to smuggling and
piracy in their swift boats, called ''fast
crabs" But he came to sudden halt
as loud, plteous screams came from one
of the huts.
A huge, ugly Chinaman came out
dragging girl whom he was beating un-
mercifully with thick piece of bamboo
He wore short, wide trousers, dirty,
quilted blouse, and broad hat of BAN
boo 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 wrist 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, hut 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,
pityipgly.
mo, venerable sir" sobbed the girl,
che bought me"
"Oh" said A-sung, with contempt at
the thought of helping slave girl. But
his better feelings prevailed He felt in
his pocket and drew out two pieces of
cash and ball.
"Take these" he said. "Im sorry
for you. Better wait till he goes to
sleep before you go back" Then he
rose and crept cautiously away so as not
to attract 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 two hundred chiIdred, who
were dancing about and shouting, "Cooc-
che! cooc-chel" Throw CASH. The
grown people crowded the doorways en-
joying the sport. The two men were
laughing heartily, and scattering handfuls
of copper cash to see the children scram-
BILE for it. When they had emptied their
pockets, they rode on, still laughing ana
met A-sung. They were dressed in
white linen, and one Of them wore Pan
anna hat, the other blue cap with gold
band. A-sung recognized them as Of
fcers of the bark
essay, Prescott" said the one with the
hat, "there's boy that would suit me.
Speak to him."
They stopped, and Prescott addressed
A-sung i'll Chinese.
"What is your name, boy2"
"A-sung, venerable SIR" replied A
sing. "What is your name, venerable
sir?" he added, politely.
"Neyer mind, replied Prescott, 1.-THE
venerable Lord Captain Denyille wants a
boy 10 serve him. Lead us to your
father, and oppose not"
A-sung's eyes sparkled joyfully. Hast
lily he led the way along the granite
pared street, and stopped before low,
neat house. Inscriptions on red paper
and an urn for joss. sticks were at the en-
trance. His father came to the door-a
grave, dignifed farmer A-sung put his
hands together, and salutcd him with
deep respect and said
venerable father, here is the yenera-
bic Lord Captain, and the venerable Lord
Never Mind, who want boy to serve
them"
Prescott restrained his desire ia laugh
at A-sung' mistake regarding his name,
and briefly informed the farmer of Cap
tain Denville's wish to employ his fon as
cabin boy, for which he would pay him
ten dollars a month. After due CON
alteration the farmer consented. aud it
was arranged that A-sung should come
aboard the next day in the boat OF the
comprad1r-she man who supplied the
ship with fresh provisions.
'Ts A-suug a good boyl" asked Cap
tain Denyille.
Him good boy no1, bime5y no can
tell, - replied the farmer, gravely.
The officers rode away, and his father
said to Asung; 'Iloubtless the gods
thus show their favcr. With the money
gained from these barharians you can re-
sumo your sublime studies, and my son
shall yet bring honor TO my old age"
The next day A-sung went on board
the Harlequin. His father went with
him, and formally presented him to the
Captain.
"IIim good boy now, bimeby no can
tell" he repeated, solemnly, as he took
his departure with the comprador.
A-sung looked around with wonder.
The deck was clean and white. Four
cannon were mounted, black and shreat-
ening; two nine-pounder carrouades on