The Dickinson press., 1896-09-05
we fail, then it win be a quick death" !"

Just as she finished speaking the
mandarin returned to the cabin, accom-
panied by an attendant, who carried
writing materials. Seating himself Mt
the table, he wrote a letter, which he
handed to the man in waiting.
"Be off now," he said, "and convey
this to the officer In charge Of the IT,
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. II 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.
"Hf, foreign devil!" he cried. "How
muchee dollar have got? What place
keepee he?" -
had only about 500 on board, and It
flashed upon me that by giving it up
and indulging his passion of avarice I
might throw the wretch off his guard.
dollar In top drawer, other cabin"
replied.
Chuckling to himself, he marched
into the cabin l had Indicated, and
presently returned with the money in
his hand.
'"Morc dollar!" he cried. not vet salts
fled. "More dollar. What place have
got more dollarT
NO more," replied.
"Dollar! Dollar! 'Spose you no
talkee me what place have makce hid,
me kfllce YOU Wife," and lie laid his
hand tllrcateningly upon mis- sword.
l shuddereu at this dreadful threat,
and knew not what reply to make to
satisfy him. Kut Se-she's mind was
busy at work on plan.
You havce my dollar" she said.
you find in smallo piecee 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
aud 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!
1t was now necessary for ME to steal
forward and release the men. Creep
ing stealtllily up the companion stairs
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 hazincss makes all objects
most invisible.
The imperialists were assembled
round 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 their
aaring lanterns threw every other
part Of the deck into such deep shadow
that managed to reach the forecastle
hatch undiscovered. With infinite eau
tion removed the fastening and de-
scended 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!" cried. The volley swept
half the gambling guard into eternity.
and with bayonet and cutlass we drove
the rest overheard, just as A-choong
came running up from his hiding place
to assist us.
We got up our anchor and spread
sail as quickly as possible, and before
8 o'clock in the morning we were
riding safely at anchor in Hong Kong.
~.St Louis Globe-Democrat.