The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-07-05

of treachery will be followed by your
speedy death. Not one word of Chs
Fong's fate. Do you fully compre.
hend now what is expected of you?"
He nodded again.
every we'll, then we will proceed
I lifted Mr.. Smell in my arms. Ee
was no load for me. He did not move
a muscle, and with my burden I led
the way from the temple. Misc
Arnold followed me, with rifle and
pistol. I had also taken the precau.
tion to get all the cartridges for the
firearms that I could carry, and had a
bag of them strapped around my
waist.
There was evident surprise and con.
sternation among the crew when they
saw US emerge from the pit and make
our way along the ledge of rock to-
ward the companion ladder. I or.
dered Mr.. Smell to tell them what ]
had before taught him to say, and he
jabbed something in Chinese. The
men on the yacht became quiet and
allowed us to come aboard without
molestation. They eyed me severely
and did not take kindly to my new
uniform, particularly that part OF it
that was pierced by bullet-hole and
stained with blood.
Through Mr.. Smell I issued orders
to take the ladder aboard and to get
under way. My orders were obeyed.
had placed Mr.. Smell in a reclin.
ing position on the deck and one of
the crew brought him a pillow or
cushion for his head. I sat near him,
with my rife in my hands, alert and
watchful. I had placed chair for
Miss Arnold near my own, and she
sat down and calmly awaited events.
Of course. I did not know anything
about the direction of Hong Kong.
But I knew the way I had seen the
yacht come toward the island twice,
and I ordered Mr.. Smell to put in that
direction.
Slowly the little yacht moved away
from the rock. The sails were hoisted,
and, as there was a good breeze stir
ring, we were not long in developing
headway.
Miss Arnold and I hardly spoke to
each other. had all I could do to
keep the run of affairs in the yacht.
My fair companion sat pensively look
ing out to sea. Now and then I saw
her furtively glance at me, but if /
turned my head so that I might look
at her, she would be intent on the
distant horizon.
In q short time after leaving the
island of Su Foo we were speeding
through the water at a comfortable
rate. The sough OF the waves against
the sides of the vessel was like music.
1t told US we were going home.
Gradually the island receded from
view. The warm breeze famed my
cheeks and refreshed me. The sky
was clear. Here and there white
cloud scudded low over the water. It
was a glorious day, and hatred and
bloodshed seemed at variance with all
nature.
Wondered that we did not see the
coast.
The island we had left could no
longer be seen. We had been sailing
three hours, and not thing save sky
and water could be seen. There was
O look in Mr.. SHELLS sneaking eyes,
as he rolled them up at me, that was
not reassuring. realized that we
were as completely at this mans mercy
as though we were his prisoners. But
to depend upon him seemed our only
chance, and + took it.
As hour after hour passed, and still
no land appeared, I suspected that
something was wrong.
"How is this?" I asked, sternly ,of
Mr.. Smell, why do we not see land?
Hong Kong is not 80 far away"
A slight sneer showed on his face.
"Eef you knew where Hong Kong
was, why deed you need me, Mr..
Creekmore, to guide you?" he asked.
"Never mind that" Ireplied angrily.
"How much longer will it be before
we reach Hong Kong?"
"Eet will take some time yet" he
said, slowly. Hong Kong ees mooch
farder away dan you t'ink."
"But did not Cha Fong 60 from the
island to Hong Kong and get you and
return yesterday"
"No. He met me on my way dere
in anoder boat" he replied surlily.
knew he lied. began to suspect
that Miss Arnold and were being run
away with.
"Gambok Smell, I said, with all the
menace could throw into my voice,
"bring this yacht around and get into
Hong Kong inside of four hours, or
you will be dead man. Come now,
quick"
He said something to the man at the
helm, and the course of the yacht
changed. Miss Arnold was evidently
becoming alarmed. I saw that sue
was very pale, but she said nothing.
TO DE CONTINUED