The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1896-08-27

am armed. I have your reyoly er and
+ my dagger. We have a chance. When
the men have gone with the junks
/ there will not be many soldiers left on
/ board then will slip my hand out,
cut the ropes that bind u.s. and we
shall be able to make a last effort. If
we fail, then twill be a quick DEATH
I > ust as she finished speaking the
mandarin returned to the cabin, accom-
panied by an attendant, who carried
writing materials. Seating himself at
the table, he wrote letter. which he
handed to the man in waiting.
BE off now,' he said, "and convey
this to the officer in charge of the tt
mungs. Take half Of the men with
| you; leave me the other twenty five
Use the fast boat and make the men
bend to their oars, for am in hurry
to have the ti-mungs brought around
Away went the bearer Of the letter,
and presently we heard the ropes cast
| off and the junks depart. My heart
| bounded with hope and excitement.
Only twenty-five men left: on board
oh, il only my brave little wife could
set. me free, and / could liberate the
men in the forecastle
These thoughts were suddenly in
terrupted by the mandarin.
Iii, foreign devil!'' he cried. 'How
muchee dollar have got? What place
keepee hep 5..'r',. .
had only about $500 on board, and it
4 flashed upon me that by giving it up
and indulging his passion of ayarice
might throw the wretch off his guard.
"Dollar in top drawer, other cabin,"
I replied. -."-
Chuckling to himself, he marched
into the cabin I had indicated, and
presently returned with the money in
his hand -, --.
More dollar!' he cried, not vet salts
fed. More dollar. What place have
got more dollar?" - .
.No more," I replied
"DoHar! Dollar! 'Spose you no
talkee me what place have makce hid,
me killee you wife," and he laid his
hand threateningly upon mis- sword
l shuddered at this dreadful threat,
and knew not what reply to make to
satisfy him. But Se-she's mind was
busy at work on plan. -.
"You havee my dollar" she said
'1ou find in smallo piece box under
table,"
| Again the Avaricious mandarin
turned toward the inner cabin. He
had taken but step or two when,
quick as thought, Se-she slipped her
small soft hands from the rope which
bound them, and, drawing her con-
cealed dagger, she crept up behind him
and drove the weapon with all her
strength into his back. The blow was
aimed with fatal precision, and the
mandarin fell lifeless to the floor. One
low moan escaped him, and that was
all
/ Next instant the little woman was at
my side, cutting away the ropes from
my hands and feet. This done, she
handed me the revolver which she had
concealed about her person when we
were captured.
It was now necessary for me to steal
forward and release the men. Creep
ing stealthily up the companion stairs
l peered cautiously around. 1t was
just that silent, chilly. oppressive hour
Of the morning, between black night
and gray dawn, when on a dark night
the darkness is most profound, and it's
peculiar haZiness makes all objects
most invisible.
The imperialists were assembled
round a couple of big lanterns, follow.
ing the usual and besetting vice OF
Chinese soldiers and sailors-that of
gambling. They were so intent upon
their small wooden cards, and thei1
faring lanterns threw every other
part of the deck into such deep shadow
that I managed to reach the forecastle
hatch undiscovered. With infinite eau.
ton I removed the fastening and de-
seended to my men. There were nine
Cantonese:and three Manila men. All
were armed. In few seconds told
them how matters stood, and called
upon them to follow me; then, one by
ONE we crept up the ladder.
@'Fire!' I cried. The volley swept
half the gambling guard into eternity
and with bayonet and cutlass we drove
the rest overheard, just as A-choone
1 came running I'm from his hidinp n1a nc