The Forrest City times., 1891-06-05
SAVEDBY A SINGLE STRAND

The Swallow was running before a steady breeze on her way to join the allied English and French fleets at the rendezvous in the Gulf of Pechili, in the north of China. She had on board a regiment of infantry, who formed part of theexpedition sent i'll 1860 against the Taku forts on the Peiho river
 The Swallow had left Hong Kong some time before, and had been delay ed by contrary winds. She was now within two days sail of her destina- ton. The captain, finding his stock of wood and water running short, was anxious to lay in fresh supply. He therefore requested the colonel in command of the troops to allow half a dozen of his men to land and fill the casks.
 A boat was got ready, and six sol diers selected to go ashore in her
 As the regiment had been quartered for some time at Hong Kong, most of the men could handle an oar fairly. The third mate and one sailor were put in charge of the cutter, and Lieutenant Garnett was detailed by the colonel to take command of the soldiers.
 The military portion of the crew got into the boat briskly enough. They were heartily sick of the long contine- ment on board, and went off in the highest spirits at the prospect of a run ashore
 The cutter ran rapidly toward the land, and the ship lay until her re- turn. They had brought three axes to cut the wood, and were well arm ed. Though he did not anticipate any difficulty in obtaining the requir- ed supplies, the colonel, in view of the disturbed state of the country, had given orders for the men to take their rifles.
 Making straight for shore, the mate ran the boat upon a stretch of sand. Here she was beached, and left in charge of soldier and the sailor, while the rest of the party set out in search of water
 The casks were soon filled from a stream close by, and then proceeded to look for wood Scarcely had they left the stream, when they were met by party of villagers, whose looks were by no means encouraging.
 It was evident that they recognized the intruders as belonging to the ex- petition, and showed no intention of receiving them in friendly spirit As the Chinese were badly armed, Lieut. enant Garnett determined to effect his object in spite of their opposition. He therefore collected his small party in to compact body and boldly ad- vanced. The Chinnse slowly retreat ed. sullenly making way on their ap- proaeh. They followed at a short distance like a swarm of angry bees, chattering and gesticulating fiercely It was clear that they had all the will to torture and murder the party if only they were able to overpower them.
 Themen set to work to gather wood, and to cut up the dead branches into logs of convenient length, while the two officers kept watch upon the Chinese. Whilst they were so engaged, the villagers lealously and sulkily watched their proceedings,
 When they had gathered small supply of wood, they carried it to the boat. As they turned towards the shore Lieutenant .Garnett threw towards the natives what heconsider- ed an amply sufficient sum to pay for the wood they had taken. The Chinese picked up the silver, but did not show any surprise or gratitude. The party of English re-embarked, closely followed by the villagers, who grew bolder as they saw that the in truders showed no intention of mak- ing an attack upon their homes. The boat was pushed off, and the yellow faced natives hned the shore; and, em- boldened apparently by the absence of danger, shouted defiance and hatred, like a pack of pariah dogs in an Arab village after the retir- ing heels of 8 passer-by, before whose threatened attack the whole gang had lately fled with one consent.
 The cutter ran out of the bay. and, on doubling headland which shut in the entrance, was met by stiff breeze, which had risen since they lett the ship, and from which they had beer sheltered in the bay. It blew directly from the ship, so that it was clear that they would have some difficulty in reaching her.
 The sea got up rapidly, and soon became so wild that it was plainly hopeless for them to think of making the Swallow The mate looked at the land, ill the hope of running back for shelter. By this time the cutter had cleared the headland, and upon along stretch of beach they saw crowd of natives, who had collected after their departure, and now, seeing their criti- cal condition, were evidently awaiting the result.
 Their intentions were too plain to allow the cutters crew to think oi trusting themselves to their tender mercies. The population of the whole villa e.a huJ o,.pnropflv srllaefa1 lilrr