The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-06-14
I repaired at once to the temple and

repaired at once to the temple and
ate heartily of the rice.
From the temple I wan dered out
through the garden, the air Of which
was so richly laden with perfume. I
retraced my steps of the day before,
went through the stone passage,
crossed the bare, cavern-like cham
ber and climbed up the steps out OF
the we'll. Judged by the position OF
the sun that it was yet early in the
day.
stood drinking in the revivifying
air, when I chanced to turn. Across
the water. perhaps not more than
mile away. was small sailing-vessel,
<evidently o pleasant-craft. 1t was
speedily making it's way in the direc-
ton of the rock, and I had no doubt,
from the directness of its course, that
the island was the proposed landing
place of whoever was on the yacht.
do not know what prompted me
to so quickly conceal myself. Proba-
bly, an instructive fear of some un.
known danger, although all my hope
rested upon the coming of some per-
son who could get me away from my
luxurious prison. If this was the
owner of the island who was coming,
my natural and proper course would
be to greet him upon his arrival, e1-
plain NV presence in his domain, hum.
bly, ask his pardon for the intrusion
and rely upon his generosity
for relief. But I was in the
China Sea. Mysteries of which I had
only a faint knowledge were all about
me. I was not going to take any
chances until I saw what manner OF
man my host might be.
There was no place inside that I
could think of, where I could hide
myself and be safe. I couldg get inside
the big idol and not be seen; but
what then if the worshiper should
seek to fill the lamp? I studied the
situation quickly. There was no time
to waste. The persons on the yacht
might at any moment turn glass on
the island and discover me.
looked around.
Ifound, just back of the pit, jut-
ting crag. It was large enough to
completely hide my body from view
from the side on which the little in
let was. And yet it was so jagged
and rough that I could obtain full
view of what was going on without
bringing my head beyond the broken
outline ,of the rock.
hastily crawled around the rock,
and fixed myself in as comfortable
position as possible, to wait.
The little yacht wss very fast, yet
it seemed an age before it reached the
island. But at last had the pleasure
of seeing the sails furled, the helm
put down, and the little boat glided
into the smooth water of the little
bay.
My heart was in my mouth.
The first persons visible were two
Chinese sailors, 'who lifted COM
.panion-ladder and hung it on the two
iron rings I have before mentioned,
They chartered necessarily, but in
their own language. Having care
fully adjusted the ladder, they stood
back, respectfully waiting as if for the
passing of superior officer.
There now appeared on the deck of
the yacht a Chinaman of more than
ordinary size! He was clad in the
military costume of the Chinese army,
and to Judge from the magnifcence
of his uniform, he was of great i'm
portance and of high rank. He wore
dangling from his belt handsome
gold -hilted sword. On his cap was a
gold button. The significance of this
I did not know at the time, but after
ward learned that it betokened his
exalted rank. His face was not a
pleasing one. 1t was not the face OF
q man to whom one would like to ap-
peal for aid. With a digni6ed step
he ascended the companion-ladder.
Reaching the top he turned, and
gave sharp command.
Two more Cinnamon appeared,
carrying between them burden.
They carefully made their way up
the ladder, and turned to go to the
pit. The burden they carried was
Enthusiastically a woman, and she was
bound. In my surprise and in my
eagerness to see the woman's face, I
almost discovered myself to the
Chinamen. I stretched my neck to
get better glimpse. heard her cry
out, as if calling upon some one for
aid. T heard the words "father" and
"God." I judged her to be an Eng
lish or an American woman. The
voice sounded young.