Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1890-10-11

| sitS bA'At gave JOu eO-NaS taSy dfo
drugged with the smelling stuffs Of
thieves and robbers to make men sleeps
A-sung gave cry of asi enlistment and
despair. For moment he was supplied
then he threw down his gay lantern and
darted away toward the boat landing at
his greatest speed.
In little while he had aroused the
conprador and acquainted him with his
fears. They hurriedlF entered small
boat and pulled away for the Harlequin.
As they neared the ship they distinctly
heard the dip of the sweeps as the pirate
boats approached. They had almost
reached their prey.
A-sang clambered up the side and
reached the deck with difficulty between
the boarding nettings There was no
challenge. All was still on board.
Several dark figures were stretched out
on the deck forward.
He darted aft The second mate was
in profound slumber, breathing heav-
lily. He shook the officer, but found
it impossible to awake him. The drugged
cigars had done their work effectually
He glanced fearfully around. One Of
the pirate boats was close at hand, loom
ing up darkly, propelled by great num-
Der of oars. Wild with fright, A-sung
rushed foreward to the forecastle,
screaming:
PIRATES! pirates! Alloy, hi yin'
The men on deck were all in leaden
| slumber, but some of the watch had evil
IDENTIFY sneaked below on finding that the
mate had gone to sleep.
AtA-sung's cries three sailors rushed
on deck. Though confused, they COM
pretended in moment the imminent
danger, and sprang forward to the pivot
! gun amidships. By that time the pirate
boat was almost alongside, and suddenly
there burst from her crowded deck the
most frightful din of gongs and savage
yells, together with fierce discharge of
musketry and gingals.
Several large, flaming missiles were
thrown over the boarding MEETINGS upon
the deck. Three fell close to the pivot
gun, where they lay blazing and smok-
| ing, emitting a most horrible and suffo-
eating stencil. Unable to endure it, the
sailors were driven from the gun.
| One of them ran aft to the cabin,
shouting, "Senor Captain! Ladronesl
ladrones" Another ran to tine forecas-
tie to arouse his shipmates. The third
stood as if paralyzed. Already the pi-
rates were graphing the ship and pre-
pairing to pour on board.
At this perilous moment desperate
resolve inspired A-sung. Since he had
caused this disaster, he would at least do
what he could to atone for twas his
thought. He drew deep breath, and
as the Captain and Prescott reached the
deck they saw A-sung dash forward
through the fumes of the burning ''fire
potts." seize joss-stick from the main
mast and touch off the long eighteen
pounderl There was a stunning report.
The pirate Eoat was wrapped in smoke,
! from which came fearful bowls, screams,
groans. The gun happened to be trained
exactly upon the crowded deck of the
pirate, and being double shctted with
canister the effect of the discharge was
terrible.
By this time the rest OF the crew were
on deck, and the carronade and the gun
on the forecastle were fred into the other
pirate boats that were tryingto get along
side, and the sailors gave them volley
of musketry. Prescott at the head of
| some of the most resoiute men threw the
blazing "fre-pots" overheard, extin-
guished the flames, and then reloading
the contemporaries poured another
blast into the first boat, which was try
ing to get off, badly crippled.
Poor A-sung was picked up limp and
senseless from the deck, where he had
fallen sutfocated after so bravely firing
the gun. That one shot began the dis
astrous repuIse of the pirates. 1t was
some time before he was revived, and
when he regained consciousness the bat
| tie was over.
When Captain Danville heard the
whole story he highly praised A-sung
for his prompt and courageous action,
but also warned him against being de-
ceived by shrewd rscsls, no matter how
fine their dress or how pleasing their
manners.
The men who hal been stupef1ed by
the drugged cigars soon recovered, but
the second mate ngyer forgave the boy
who had caused his discontinue.
A-sung told the Captain of the i'm
portant service the slave girl had rem
dered, and expressed his fears for her fate
if the pirates should suspect that she had
betrayed them. So tae next day Captain
Denville, A-sung and a party of armed
sailors went to the fishing hamlet.
Denville reached tne howell first and
burst in the door, They had evidently
arrived just in time. The little slsye girl
was lodging about h&.e small room, pdr-
sued by the big Chinese ruffian, who wa,
slashing at her with heavy scimitar.
The villain had been wounded in the
attack GU the ship. His jaw was bound
up with dirty baAJage, and hs could
barely limp about. This had enabled
the child to escape biz deadly blows, but
as De1ville entered be had penncd her in
a corner.
The Captain drew lis pistol and COM
pellet the pirate to drop his sword. He
then sternly announes1 his intention of
takifg the slave girl away, and that, lit
tie IS the ruffian deserved it, be would
pay 4 reasonable prics for her.
The pirate, scowling ferociously from
the bench where he had sunk, did not
object to this, but coolly mentioned a
most exorbitant price. Denville, with
out wasting words, placed one-tenth of
the amount on the bench, and told the
girl that she now belonged to him.
He then addressed the pirate again,
and threatened him with the severest
punishment if he ever followed or perse-
cuted the girl. Afte. this the party left
the village, taking with them the little
slave, who exhibited joy that was
really pathetic.
The girl, whose name was LIE Won,
was given her freedom and placed in the
family or A-sungs father, where she
would be kindly treated--Captain Den
vile engaging to pay for her mainten-
ance until she was married.
A-sung remained on board the Harle-
quin, during which time he made voy-
age to India. Th@n he returned to his
native village aud sesumed his studies of
the Confucian classics that road to
honor and fame in the Flowery Land. -
Youths Companion.
The Phantom Tumor.
A curious phenomenon which is soma
times met with is the so-called tumor.
Ii appears in thu abdomen and feels