Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-01-07

"ItC0 C1uC1Ofl8 DeJO4'e 1Ce 6WOITF.
from the junk replied, and the answer
being evidently satisfactory we hitched
on and prepared to change vessels a
rope was thrown to us, and when it had
been made fast my guide signed to me
to chamber aboard. I did so, and the
next moment was on the junk's deck
assisting him to a place beside me-
Two or three men were grouped about
amidships watching us, and one-the
owner or skipper Of the boat l pre-
sumed-entered upon long winded
conversation with my conductor. AS
they talked heard the sampan push
off and disappear astern. Then our crew
fell to work. The great sails were
hoisted, q hand went aft to the tiller
and within FIVE minutes we were wad-
ding down the straits at pace that
might possibly have been four knots an
hour. All this time my companion had
not addressed me once. His whole at
tention seemed to be concentrated upon
the work going on around him. he
treated me with the contemptuous in
difference generally shown by China
men toward barbarian Englishmen,
and that was wise enough not to re-
sent.
By this time it was nearly Q O'Clock.
The wind was every moment freshening
and brisk sea rising The old tub be.
gan to pitch unpleasantly, and ! found
repeated occasion to thank my stars
that was good sailor. Sharp dashes
of spray broke over her decks at every
plunge, soaking us to the akin and add
ing considerably to the unpleasantness
of our position. Still, however, my
companion did not speak, but / noticed
that he watched the men about him
with what struck me as increased atten.
ton. d
Seeing that had had no sleep at all
that night it may not be a matter of
much surprise that I presently began to
nod. Slowing myself away in q shell
tered corner, was in the act of indulg.
ing in nap when / felt a body fall
heavilyagainst me. 1t was my compan.
ion who had dropped asleep sitting up
and had been dislodged by sudden roll
of the ship. He fell clean across me, his
face against my ear. Next moment ]
knew that the catastrophe was inten-
tional
keep your eyes open, he whispered
as he lay. There is treachery aboard.
We shall have trouble before long"
After that you may be sure ! thought
no more of sleep. Pulling myself to-
gether slipped my hand into the pock-
ct that had contained my revolver, only
to find, to my horror and astonishment,
that it was gone. My pocket had been
picked since had come aboard the junk.
My CONSERVATION may be better imag.
ined than described, and as soon as l
could find occasion / let my companion
know of my misfortune.
II gave your fair warning" he re-
piled calmly "Now we shall probably
both lose our lives. However, what
can't be cured must be endured, so pre-
tend to be asleep and don move what
ever happens until you hear from me.
That little pookmarked devil. harangu-
ing the others for ard is Kwong Fung,
the most notorious pirate along the
whole length Of the coast, and if we fall
into his hands-well, there will not be
two doubts as to what our fate will be. "
He tumbled over on to his side with
grunt, while | shut my eyes and pre-
tended to be asleep It was growing
cold, the wind was rising, and with IL
the sea. Already the stars in the east
were paling perceptibly. and in another
hour at most day would be born.
could not take my eyes off the
group seated frog fashion on the deck
for ard. Their very backs held an awful
fascination fer me.
But, as it soon turned out, my inter
est in them was almost my undoing,
for had I not been so intent upon
watching what was before me should
perhaps have heard the rnstling of q
human body outside the bulwarks
against which had seated myself. In
that case should have detected the fig,
ure that had crawled quietly over anH
was now stealing along the deck toward
where lay. In his hand he carTded q
thin cord at the end Of whicRwas
moose just capable of encir9ing my
head.
Suddenly I felt something touch my
throat I lifted nv = Y<and at the
same instant the tr3 81 dawned dppsss
me. / was being ssGgled. How long
. time elapsed I'm the cord s touch
ing my neck a%y losing conscious