The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-07-26
CHAPTER TX.

early astir. I shot q pheasant for
breakfast. This morning ceremony
being finished, we set out on our
Journey down the coast. We walked
lowly, carefully studying the sky, the
ground, the trees-everything.
I hoped to meet with some person.
Even a savage would be welcome. I
knew that most of the semi civilized
tribes on the Chinese border were
warlike, chiefly when pressed by an
enemy or when forced by hunger to
pillage. Especially is this true of the
Southern tribes. In the northern and
colder provinces, where the climate
lnducs greater activity, the Tartars,
The Mongols and the Mantchoorias
are of a more savage nature. But L
did not expect to find any of these in
this land of flowers.
At every step we trod beautiful
blossoms into the yielding earth. No
conquering hero returning from his
victories ever walked his charger over
a pathway strewr with roses of so
rich perfume as had these that we're
destroyed at every step we took. Over
our heads grew fruit in plenty. Ap-
pies of toothsome tartness, oranges of
the brightest yellow and mangces of
delicious flavor were scattered through
the forest in prodigal profusion.
Great palms lowered above US, in
whose deep shades the cooling fresh
ness of enduring moisture could be
felt.
Birds of wonderful beauty lowered
around us, as we tramped along.
Among them I noticed golden pheas-
ants, orioles and bird unknown to
me, but e1celling all others in the
brilliancy of its plumage and sweet
ness of its song.
None Of these evince the least fear,
and We could, had we been SO in
clined, reached out and caught num-
bers of them.
The sweet songs of some of these
feathered beauties made cheerful
music to our tagging footsteps.
From among the branches over our
heads the comical faces of little brown
monkeys peered at us in the most
friendly way. Some of them seemed
about to extend US the hand of fellow
ship.
Here and there, bounding from tree
to tree, or scuddlng through the ferns
and flowers, were playful squirrels.
We munched apples and oranges as
We went along.
Zone thing is certain" I said.
'There is no fear of starvation. We
have plenty on every hand"
After walk of some miles we halted
for a rest. Miss Arnold sat on mossy
mound, and I reclned on the grass
near her. l told her of America, about
the wonderful lands of California;
about the wonderful growth of cities
west of the Rocky Mountains; how
railroads spraug up; how mining lands
were developed. In all this she showed
great interest, and I srrove to please
her lest in becoming lonely and gloomy
she should lose hope.
That night We spent as the night be-
fore it had been. and the stars of the
southern skies kept watch over US as
we slept.
Morning broke calm and clear. I
was astir long before Miss Arnold, and
by the time she had our frugal break
fast ready T had been some distance
down the coast and had enjoyed re-
freshing plunge into the salt sea.
We wasted no time, but Immediate
ly after breakfast took up our line of
march.
We had not gone far when our pro-
gress was checked by high wall Of
stone, which effectually cut us off from
whatever was beyond it. It was about
twenty feet high and extended across
the land and out into deep water.
Miss Arnold sank upon the ground.
Her pale face betrayed great agitation.
She looked at me desrondently.
"What do you suppose it is?" she
asked in whisper.
ct don't know" replied. I have
read of the Chinese Wall, but did not
expect to find it in the South Seas.
There must, of course, be men beyond
that wall. The thing is to scale it."
"Do you think there can be any
opening in it?" she asked.
81 can easily find out" I answered.
''The land is probably not very wide
here I noticed when we landed from
the yacht the land sheered in this di-
rection on the left, while we have fol-
lowed the coast to the right. If so,
We are on peninsula, which for some
reason has been walled up. Now, if
you are not afraid to remain here
alone, I will follow the wall as far as I
deem it advisable and seek place to
get through it."
81 shall be safe enough" said Miss
Arnold. IF the wall keeps US on this
side of it, it must keep on the other
side whoever is there now"
She kept the pistol, which expert
ence had shown she knew how to use,
and shouldering my rifle I started to
follow the wall.
walked from sea to sea. In an
hour I found myself at the end OF the
wall, and just as far from getting over
it as ever. Not gate, not hole
could be found the whole length of it.
It completely cut our peninsula off
from the rest of the land. Disguised
and wondering, I hurried back to Miss
Arnold.
''You found nothing" she said,
when I appeared. "Your looks prove
it. Have We, then, reached the end?
And what is to become of us?" There
was a suspicion of moisture in her