The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-05-28

aspect 20 the scene. Yet, as on he went he had
little thought for these sights, for DO what no
night his mind would reCar to the possible
consequence Of his misIdvCuture. The uu-
COuth paving Of the roadway, although somo OF
the heavy stones were worn smooth with travel,
had its effects Upoa his feet which now became
very sore and distressed him greatly. Siiu
he kept on, and encouraged by bis encounter
with the Chinese 10y would uCt give up. lie
BOW saw IN front what appeared 90 be q process
sion OF more than usual consequence. lie
FASTENED % join ic, and found shat iJ consisted
Of maguIiicCut.y dressed CnIuJmLn, sur
rounded by . large retiuuo Carrying torches,
lanterns, and brazeu tamps.
With great Jodues5 he called out, Vile
Frtncais," Imme lately tho procession stop
ped. Upon a TeI'g asIOu OF the hali-remem-
bered words the diEui.ary Of the c0nc0urse,
no doubt a mandarin Of high rank, spoke with
his followers and upon "a sign being given Tom
was placed in front, with two lantern bearers,
and they proceeded.
lt seemed that miles on miles were passed.
the street aglow with light and animation. and
without word being spoken. He will never
forget the fairy scene Of tho mauy-coiOrcd
lights, with the deep shadows, the whole
frightened by gay dresses and the constant
chatter and siHgsongiugo Of the Chinese.
After a long and weary walk, an increased
hustle, and a greater cr0wdiug Of tho natives,
showed that they were nearing some thronglng
place. Looking up Toms eyes meta large and
heavily carved gate Of wood. With horror h5
beheld placed upon three upright poles above
the frieze Of the gate the CHASTITY and griuniag
heads of three decaPitJtsd Cinnamon.
shriukngly he passed beneath these horribly
significant warnings Of satisfied Justice for he
knew at once that they were the heads OF
Chinese pirates, with whom the Government
dealt with signal severity. At the same mo-
[ u q
/ Hotel Imreriale. lie was safe at last
lie turned % the chief Of the retinue with
gestures OF thanks, and in the joy Of his de-
I lIveiauCe, offered to him all the money he had.
/ Money IS dear 20 the heart Of the Chiuaman,
aud Mexican dollars are as great as shekeis in
I their sight, bet this dignijary, with i.lcon-
cealed disPIsasure aad a commanding gesture
I OF disdain. refused the prOGcred coins.
| To the hotel was but q step, to take another
/ "bracer" was q fOregOue conclusion, and while
so engaged glance at the time showed Tom
| that it was precisely in the evening. Hur-
/ riedly be ran to the wharf, lcaped into a sam
\ ran, and with a cautious eye upon the sculiCr
\ was soon along side the Pensacola.
/ With great hesitation he reported 20 the
/ Officer Of the Deck, and, greatly wearied, in a
/ lew moments turned in. Some Of the ways Ol
| the ship have promulgated the yarn that upon
/ telling his adventures to tho Executive on the
| following morning in explanation Of his break
\ ing bis liberty, the words All bosh." were
I distinctly heard, and as they were known Il
/ have not proceeded from the lips Of Tom, they
scandaloUsly attributed them to the Executive
/ Those, however, who have known Tom lona
and we'll think that he deserved a little sym
pathy, for although no gray hairs were found
in bis hair IN near succeeding years, it is wei
/ known that ever after he was remarkably cir
cumspect in his doiHgs on shore.
Il THESE same friends attrIEufe his n1i5ad ven
ture either 20 the ChEaman's hatred of TIT
| EugIish-suppOsing him to be one-or TO tn
possible circumstance Of some American having
iIl-ased a native, and thus tit for tat was fo
such cause given.
BE it as it may. Toms story is true one
and many a traveller has found that too mucl
"braciug" brings unpleasant consequences.