The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-10-22

low SwellS wash among many sprinkled
islands. where the dim life of the far
east still dreams on untouched by the
centuries 1t is Il water junk-haunted,
aud where it slips up into the mainland
through long and tortuous inlets pi-
rates are said to dwell in slm-Smitten
lagoons. yellow pirates. blue amethyst
seas. black and unhandy sailing craft,
and occasionally the long Smoke-trail
of big steamer nearing the end of her
run toward the rising sun The site of
the fort had been chosen by some long
forgotten Strategist Its natural powers
OF defense were remarkable, and a good
deal of modern masonry engrafted upon
these old-world beginnings still lifted an
uneven yet solid front Stewards.
Such is fort Tcheu viewed close at
hand
From the home standpoint things
look different. 1t is no more than an
outlying post of the empire, about which
we worry very little, although feyerish
Canton correspondents invariably men
ton il in connection with French inter
eSts. Yet we refuse to believe that the
French have coveted Fort Tcheu for at
least d decade Their gunboats and cruz
ers nose steathily in and about the lit
tie bay under the fort to reconnoltre,
their officers are entertained by Tcheu $
small garrison. and afterward long re-
ports as to the strength of the batteries
and outworks somehow find their way to
/ alis for the edffication of the war Of
Ice there. For it happens that male or
so to the southwest, and almost out OF
sight behind the shelterlng ridge, AN IS
land. rooted in with houses, its shores
fretted with shipping, lives ont its not,
busy life under British rule. The loot
of that island hive serves as a dream
to the navies of the world.
During Il certain war scare, not yet
grown gray, French gllnboat of LOCO
tons. more or less, drew slowly up out
of the ShimmeTing dawn and lay to IN
the bay: and the rattle of her anchor
chains struck clear across the lonely
morning water.
The French captain was ON the bridge
with his first lieutenant. gazing ut the
twin hills. at the right Of one of which
the old fort sat like broken crown.
My friend" said the captain. short
legged Gaul. with pointed beard. we
must not fail. Presently we go ashore,
when you will carry the little camera.
l. Ronald Brush has given me letter
of introduction to Col. Leonard. They
say III lie Conmaildant has Il daughter.
He grinned significantly ut the slender,
handsome young fellow beside him. %1ou
Francois, will engage the attentions OF
this young lady, and by some little ruse
of a tender mature procure for me photo
graphs eff the defenseS we have so long
desired. TO linger with mademoiselle on
the roof after dinner-how, natural. how
delightful. You comprehend
Lieut. Francois minated that he en-
tirely understood. He only deprecated
the fact that maGemoiseile must inevdta-
bly, possess the teeth of Albion--so large,
so en- evidence.
NJ le Captaine shrugged his shoulders.
1t was not Il question Of teeth, but or
photographs of the defenses, the strength
and position of the batteries. For his
part, he had met several beautiful Eng
he laughed IN a sugges-
tive reminiscent manner. For the sake
of his lieutenant he hoped the girl WAS
beautiful: hut if not, he urged upon
Francois that the ugly ones appreciate
flattery all the more. However, one
would see. To begin with, Col Lennard
would be invited to inspect the Lollp-
gar0u.
Francois remained on deck while the
dawn changed into orange morning; anu
he reflected that after all IN emma even
an English miss would help to pass fhe
time. besides keeping his hand IN TOT
future successes amongst the most ne-
siral)le of his own country women. As
he thought over these things the chlnK
of hicks from the direction OF the lori
Travelled to his ears, and the Watch Oh
the Loup-garou came aft with sandstone
buckets and brooms to clean the decks
in anticipation of an exchange OF inter
national courtesies.
Meantime the Fort Tcheu garrison
awakened to the fact that a gu1rboat had
come mp from the Tonquin station. 1ney
rad heard of the Loup-garou and OF hef
commander. Capt. Meroylnge, before. he
had been recently appointed, and was
rranortionately full of zeal and curiosity.
Il know exaatly what we shall all be
exnected to do Miss Leonard saad 10
her father over the breakfast table, WINE
the breeze from the sea Tanned the pref
nv chestnut clirls upon her forenead. 10
through the same stupid program. wv
formal yisits-our dinner TO them anu
their invitation to us TO yisls the Sh p
and all the while bowling and confoh-
,,,ents for Won and Mr.. Cannon.
.sNone for you, Cordelia? Iilat does
NOT accord with my experience, Coz.
Lennard laughed.
"Oh of course, a share for me 100.
put I don't like the French. They are
toa.-too-what shall | call 1t! the
Isranch. in fact. Still there may be some
amusement to be got out of it-Who can
tell2" she ended thoughtfully.
Col. Iennard put down his coffee cur
and wrinlxled his forehead.
mo amusement for me, at any rate
The fact is. Cordelia, the French want
something. They never come here '"lfh
auf reoson. This zine they have brought
. letter from Sir Robert, anl are I,
have 4 RI, OF tho bay 70. a week Whlie
thev are waiting to fill Their punker'
from the next collier that comes along,
And that means incessant bother'
must send for Cannon"
Now. it happened that at thas perio'
Fort Tcheu was credited with possesln'
4 heart for probably the first TIME u''r
inc til,. yarioIsay calculated nrHmbef
centuries il had frowned from the OAR
desolation OF the Wang-Tcheu-F runs
ridge. The explanation is simple. Mis-
I.ennard had appeared at a few OF th'
rare festivities given along the cfGls.