The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-08-02
BY A SINGLE STRAND.
A Marvellous Escape Of English
Soldiers and Sailors in China.

'sThe Swallow was running before
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
regiment Of infantry, which formed
part of the expedition sent in 1880
against the Taku forts on the Peiho
river.
"The Swallow" had left Hong Kong
some. time before, and had been de.
layed by contrary winds. She was now
within two days sail Of her destins-
ton. The captain, finding his stock OF
wood and water running short, was
anxious to lay in a fresh supply. He
therefore requested the colonel in
command of the troops to allow half
q dozen of his men to land and fill the
casks.
A boat was got ready, and six SOL
diers selected to 60 ashore in her. AS
the regiment had been quartered for
some time at Hong Kong, most of the
men could handle the oar fairly. The
third mate and one sailor were put in
charge of the cutter, and Lieut. 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 10 ng confinement on board,
and went off in the highest spirits at
the prospect of run ashore.
The cutter ran rapidly toward the
land. and the ship lay to until her re-
turn. They had brought three axes to
cut wood, and all were we'll armed
Though he did not anticipate any diff
Guilty in obtaining the required 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 the shore, the
mate ran the boat upon 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 filed from a
stream close by. and they then pro-
ceeded 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. 1t was
evident that they recognized the in
truders as belonging to the expe lition.
and showed no intention of receiving
them in a friendly spirit. AS the Chi
nese were badly armed, Lieut.. Garrett
determined to effect his object in spite
of their opposition. He therefore col
lected his small party into a compact
body and boldly advanced. The Chinese
slowly reiterated, sullenly making way
on their approach. They followed at a
small distance like swarm of angry
bees, chattering and gesticulating
6ercely. It was clear that they had all
the will to torture and murder the party
if only they were able to overpower
them.
The men set to work to gather wood,
and to cut up the dead branches into
logs of convenient length, W lille the
two officers kept watch upon the
Chinese. While they were SO engaged
the villagers jealousy and sulkily
watched their proceedings.
When they had gathered small sup
ply of wood they carried it to the boat.
As they turned toward the shore Lieut..
Garnet threw toward the natives wha,
to pay for the wood they had taken.
The Chinese picked up the silver, bat
did not show any surprise or gratitude.
The party of English reembarked, close
" followed by the villagers. who grew
bolder as they saw that the 'intruders
showed no intention of II aking an at
tack upon their homes. The boat was
pushed of, and the yellow-faced natives
lined the shore; and. emboidened ap
parcatly by the absence Of danger
shouted defiance and hatred. like 4
pack OF pariah dogs in an Arab village
after the retiring heels OF passerby.
before whose threatening attack the
whole gang had lately fled with one
consent.
The cutter ran out of the bay and,
on doubling headland which shut il
the entrance. was met by a stiff breeze
which had risen since they left the
ship. and from which they had beer
sheltered in the bay. Il blew directly
from the ship. SO that II was clear that
they would have some difficulty il
her.
The sea got up rapidly. and soon be-
came so wild tina; it was plainly hope
less for them to think of making the
Swallow. The mate looked at the
land. in the hope of running back Tor
shelter. By this time the cutter had
eA8VsJuaN @