Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1891-02-20
A-sung and the Pirates.
ny cnAnLEs E. pnrMD1EcoM.


sChoo- Keang OF Pearl River, about fifteen
to the highly esteemed class of Nung or
farmers.
d A-sung was one of the brightest schol-
=ars, in the village school. But A-sungs
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 tho paddy
field.
A-sung was in q somewhat melancholy
i mood one bright afternoon Us 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
eof the river at Blenheim Reach.
A beautiful American bark lying at au-.
-chor 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 ricochettcd on over
the surface. The crow were practising
at the guns
When the firing ceased small boat
left the bark, directed to 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. Atsung sprang up and started back
to the village.
On his way he had to pass near q
small fishing hamlet situated ON an inlet
of the river. He hurried along with
some trcpidation, for tho inhabitants had
q bad reputatiou., ). 1t 4Sas reported that
they were addicted to smuggling and
piracy in their swift boats,, called ''fast
crabs" But he came to a sudden halt
as loud, pitcous screams came from one
of the huts.
a huge, ugly Chinaman came out
dragging girl whom he was beating I'M
mercifully with thick piece of bamboo
He wore short, wide trousers, a dirty,
quilted blouse, and broad hat of bam-
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 graspcd
her wrist and darted away behind an
-embankmcnt 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
filled with tears of sympathy.
"Was that your father2" he asked,
pityingly.
"No, venerable sir" sobbcd the girl,
sshe bought me-"
"Ohh 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.
"Takc these" he said 'sIm 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 moro than two hundred childred, who
were dancing about and shouting, "Cooc-
enc! coQc-chc" 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 and
met A-sung. They were dressed in
white linen, and one of them wore Pan.
anna hat, the other blue cap with gold
band. Asung recognized them as Of
ficers of the bark
"Say, Prescott" said the one with the
hat, ''there's boy that would suit me.
Speak to him."
They stopped, and Prescott addressed
A-sung in Chinese.
What is your name, boy7"
HA-sung, venerable SIR" replied A.
snng. 'What is your name, venerable
Z sir3" he added, politely.
"Neyer mind, replied Prescott. s"The
venerable Lord Captain Denville wants
boy to 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
paved 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 venera-
BILE Lord Captain, and the venerable Lord
Never Mind, who want boy to serve
them"
Prescott restrained his desire to laugh
ut A-sung' mistake regarding his name,
and briefly informed the farmer of Cap
tain Denville's wish to employ his son as
cabin-boy, for which he would pay him
ten dollars month. After due con-
sideration the farmer consented, and it
was arranged that A-sung should como
aboard the next day III the boat of the
comprador--thc man who supplied the