New-York tribune., 1896-08-29

tine and the health officer had erded his inspec-
tiOn. the two revenue cutters discharged their
passengers over the side in the orthodox fash
ion. and the officers bearing the Governments
message Of welcome passed up the port ladder,
the tugs and the excursion steamers crowding
as closely as they could pack themselves In
toward the towering sides of the Ship.
ENTHUSIASTIC CELEsTIALs
The Mohawk, with its Celestial freightage,
passed up through the fleet and it seemed as
If every Chnaman on that boat was armed
with a thing like an abbreviated fshing-rod and
a long string Of frecrackers. AS the steamer
came abreast OF the St. Louis these crackers
were fired all at once The sight and the sound
was a thing never to be forgotten. Behind each
string of exploding and swapping crackers was
an excited Celestial. his eyes ablaze with ex-
pectancy.
Surely Ii Hung Chang would respond to the
burning appeal Of his countrymen. and answer
the salute by shedding the light Of his counte-
nance upon them for part Of a moment. but
he didn't. He was sitting in the reception sa-
loon. and you wouldn't have thought to look
at him, that there cracker much less a
Chinamar, within ten thousand miles of his
cushioned restng-place. So the price of hun
dred washngs expended in vain, save for
the qualification it gave to the eager souls on
board the Mohawk. who chartered like magpies
in their mad gee.
Then the steamer moved on. But she did not
pass between the spreading lines Of the an
chored warships, and the flagship. alone OF all
the anchored ten, made known the fact that
firing a salute from one of her small machine
runs II was like revolver practice, and no one
is quite safe yet in assuming that 1t was in
tended for the Chinese statesman. The formal
salute was reserved for Castle Williams anti
ouated battery on Governors Island There the
official sound was first heard. and, with the
opening gun General Ruger announced the
fact to Ii Hung Chang. who received the mes,
sage and inclined his head much as he would
have done in thanking fellow-diner for pass
ing him the rice bowl.
LEAVING THE SHIP.
When the st. Louis having escaped the fire.
crackers of the victorious Celestals, finally drew
into her berth at the pier, the warning vas ~'vcn
TO clear the way for the movement of the visitor
and those about him toward the ganGway. He
left the recepton-room leaning on the arm OF
bridge which had been let down. and was there
met by the Chinese Minister and two or three
messengers Colonel Fred d. Grant likewise
assembled the gangplank AID was introduced ii
Hung Chang shook hands heartily and cCnversed
for a moment, asking about the Colonel5
brother Then he was placed in the chair which
was instantly raised by four stalwart seamen OF
after Il warning word from Mr.. Rockhill to he
careful On the pier the Naval Cadets were
drawn UP at present arms and before he
knew II the great man was deposited safely OH
the floor Of the freight ELEVATOR which had been
dressed with brightly cOlnred cloths as was also
the gangway As the elevator fell from under
him. so to speak. Ii Hung Chang smiled with
sation. and disappeared II ON the view OF thosc
who had been his comp lliOnS on his trip up the
bav General Ruger and his fellow Officers
companied the statesman down the elevator.