Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-08

Then spinning our vessel around we pour
ed the contents of our starboard guns into
the other war junk. The effect must have
Deem dreadful. for we could see great gaps
cut among the numbers crowding their
decks. while the splinters flew from their
olllwarkS In clouds.
The gallant little Marie was now gather
ing Roadway, and, although the breeze was
light. she promised soon to take us out Of
close quarters with our pursuers. Her hand
some maneuvertng must be accredited to
A-choong; who throughout the enemys fire
had stood coUrageOusly at the wheel.
One great advantage we had over our as
saflants was the fact that our guns were
movable while theirs were dashed as nix
steersmen, therefore. we could prevent them
from getting into the position they required
TO train upon us their full batteries Con-
sequentiy we poured three broadsides to
their enc.
We were now drawing rapidly away from
the u-mungs and speeding down the river
AS soon as we had gained half a mile our
pursuers gave up the chase. Little did I
suspect the cunning course they were about
to pursue.
At ~ o'clock. feeling that might safely
trust the lorcha in the hands of my Yankee
mate. turned in for a short nap. How long
had been sleeping I cannot tell. but sud-
denly l was aroused by q violent shock. fol-
lowed by a voiley Of firearms the tranninp
OF many feet overhead. and the hirieous
yelling of Chinese warfare. Snatching up
my revolver. I rushed on deck foIlowed h,,
my plueky little wife.
One glance was enough. saw at once
that We were at the mercy Of the Imperial
lists. The decks were sWarming with thenr
and still they poured upon our deck from,
the cocked-up ends Of a couple of big trad
ing 1unks that were hanging fast to us. one
on each side.
We were lying at anchor of the coast and
l knew in an instant how our CAPTURE had
taken place, for 1 had narrowly escaped
the same trap before, but had somehow for
gotten it.
You see, our enemies instead of conttnu-
ing the stern chase in their heavy ti-munxs.
had transferred their men to trading links
isisareiy sailed after US. and passed ahead
when we Cleared the river, without exciting
my mates suspicion. This done, their eonrse
was easy. They had simply waited until
the hoodtide made us anchor, had moved
right ahead, and, connecting themselyes to
| gether by a strong rope had dropped siis,t
| ly down with the current until the rnne
caught across our cable, when of course
| the strong tide Instantly sbeered tba,,
| alongside.
When reached the top step of the com
| panion ladder the glare Of the lanterns and
oIches carried by the swarming hoarder,
showed me my two mates in a desperat,
| hand-to-hand encounter with the enemy
| They were fighting furiousIy, and endeayor
| ing TO cut their way aft. AS looked a tai
figure crept up behind Hawkins and raised
| l recognized the malicious and yenrefm
| countenance. II was that of the Chinamar
| whom Tom had helped over the side HI.
| uniform showed him to be an officer higf
| In command. 1 raised my revolver ant
! fired. but my shot went wide of the mari
| and the blow fell, bearing poor Hawkins
fearfuliy wounded. to the deck, where tn,
| mandarin stood over him and drove Id.
| sword into the poor fellows heart.
Tine Frenchman Joe fought like q tiger
\ saw four Cinnamon fail before his whirl
| ing cutlass, but the odds were too great
! and he. too. fell and was quickly dis
| patched.
| Six or eight Of my crew lay dead upou
| the deck, but A-choong and the remainder
! of my men were not TO be seen. I supposed
that they had been killed and thrown over.
board.
Presently the ugly mandarin, with o mum.
| Der Of hts followers came running att b
where I stood nftad my revolver dstef.
| mined to shoot the wretch, come Whad
| might. when Se-she snstchsd the Weapax
! from my hand and hastily eonrsAisd 4
| under her loose jacket.
DO not fight new" shS whispsssd- =,
10 too late. Our emily ehamsS b TO subuaa