The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1896-09-26

least, to a sudden and tragic termina-
nation. 20.
- I was at Hong Kong taking on board
my lorcha, the most profitable cargo of
the season, when the news reached us
that the notorious Commissioner Yeh
had arrived upon sthe scene Of action,
and begun his work by offering "a re-
ward Of $5 for every white mans head,
$50 for every prisoner, and $50 for
every barbarian officer captured and
brought before him. iFollowing close
upon this cheerful information came
rumors Of piratical craft swarming the
creeks and channels Of the Canton
river from the city ito the sea; and of
the capture of several traders and the
inhuman butchery Of their crews.
In spite Of these startling reports,
however, I determined to make the
trip for Which Ithes Marie was even
then half laden. Itswou1ds add several
fascinating figures to my bank ac-
count and for such an end Yankee is
willing to run, considerable risk. More
over, knew and loved my beautiful
steed. I felt that she could show a
lively pair OF heels to the fastest war
junk atioat, and as for the smaller
craft, she carried guns enough to blow
them clean out of the water.
My chief mate was an American, a
sturdy young fellow, Tom Hawkins,
who had been in my service consid-
cradle time. My second mate was
tall, powerful Frenchman, whom we
called "Joe." Then there were six
= Manila men, :and twenty-five Canton
esq., differed by my father-in-law, A
11sfaff III
nese wife, was also on board, for al
though she tried hard to dissuade me
from this perilous voyage, she would
not consent to stay behind. And it
was exceedingly lucky for me that she
wouldn't.
p The Marie mounted two pivot guns,
a long eighteen-pounder amidships and
a carrOnade of the same caliber in the
bow. In each of her broadside bat
teries were three nine-pOunders, and
besides these SHE carried a goodly sup
ply of small arms and also 4 number
of those terrible suffocating hand
grenadeS common ITO Chinese naval
warfare.
Everything being in readiness, we
weighed anchor and started up the
river. It was a delightful morning,
and Se-she and / sat on deck drinking
in the soft, sweet air and enjoying the
sweet air and enjoying the beautiful
sunshine that danced and flickered
upon the ripping water. Along about
4 O'Clock We passed the Boca rgris,
and two hours later reached the
advised to take. AS the darkness was
approaching, however, / dared not en-
ter the narrow stream, so determined
to anchor where I was until the next
morning. &7- --
Scarcely lsad our sails been dropped
when a boat came alongside and there
scrambled up to our deck yellow
skinned, bony, squirting and altogether.
villainous- looking Chinaman, who made
his way aft and inquired whether or
not we wanted a pilot .-n - .....-.s
"Chi lob! (be offD you ugly sinner I
! answered roughly, for the fellows
cOuntenance almost turned my stOm-
ach. -
The intruder did not bulge, however,
{ but gabbled away offering to supply
any need we might have, from that>of
fruit and vegetables to that of gang
I of coolies to work the cargo on our
reaching port. AS he talked noticed
around, as though taking a survey Of
our vessel and her armament.
sLook here, Hawkins said I, salts
fed that our ugly visitor was "a spy,
this fellow is no more pilot than I
am. Give him q lift over the side.'
Tom was only too glad of the chance.
SEEING the Chinaman's pigtail close
up with one hand, and the ample
bosom Of his inexpressibles with the
other, he ran the fellow to the bull
Warks, and, amid the laughter of the
crew, pitched him unceremoniously
into his boat.
Never shall forget the frightful ex-
preston of malice on the Chinanaan's
countenance as he looked I'D at us
from his position below. He shook his
dst at Tom. and chuckled to himself