Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-01-07
CHAPTER II.
AN RvENTFU1I VOYAGE.

-. AN ESENTFUli VOYAGE.
The last stroke Of 10 was just boom
ing out on the muggy night when
stepped on to the landing stage to await
my mysterious employer. The hotel
servant who had carried my bag put il
down and, having received his gratuity,
left me. ~: &. -
Suddenly the patter Of naked feet be.
hind me caught my ear. A Chinese
chair borne by two, stalwart bearers
was approaching. Very naturally set.
tied it in my own mind that 1t con.
tanned the man whom was to meet
and turned to receive him. But when
the conveyance was set-down it was moi
the respectable Englishman had seen
before who stepped out OF it, but port,
ly Chinaman of considerable rank and
dignity. He was gorgeously clad in fig.
ured silk. His pigtail reached half way
to his heels and was adorned with much
ornamentation, and noticed that be
wore large tortoise shell spectacles
which, while they completely hid hii
eyes, gave curious effect to his other.
wise not unhandsome countenance.
Having descended from his equipage,
he dismissed his bearers and began to
stump solemnly up and down the land.
ing stage, drawing closer and closer to
me at every turn. Presently he sum.
moned mp courage enough to accost me.
To my surprise be said: g.
"What for you come here one piecee
look seer"
Not being an adept at pigeon Eng.
lish, simply answered.:
"I'm afraid I don t understand you. "
"What for you come here look seer"
"I'm waiting for friend. +"
"Your friend alice same Englees'
man?'
"Yes, / believe he's an Englishman. "
"You 60 way look see chop chop?"
you'll excuse me, but that's my
own affair, think.
"Allee same smalleepoxee, l think. "
"You may think what you please"
"s'posing you say smalleepoxee, alice
same one piecee thousan pound?'
"I'm afraid l can't continue this con-
versation. Good evening. s"
I turned on my heel and was about
to leave him when he stopped me by
saying in excellent English:
"Thank you, DR.. De Normanville
I'm quite satisfied"
"Good gracious What's all this?"
"Why, it means that l have been try
ing you; that's all. Forgive the decep-
ton, but the Importance Of our mission
must be my excuse. Now we must be
going. Here is the boat. ;"
As he spoke large sampan shot out
from among its companions and came
swiftly toward the wharf.
1.-TWO cautions before we embaIf-
the first, remember that am a China.
man and speak only pigeon English
the second, if you are armed, be care
full Of your revolver. The men who
work the junk We are going down to
meet are not to be trusted, hence my
disguise.
He left me and descended the steps
The sampan by this time had come
alongside A woman was rowing, and
a vigorous conversation in Chinese en-.
sued. When it was finished, my COM
panion beckoned to me, and picking up
nv bag | went down to him. Next mo.
ment | was aboard and stuffed away in
the little poky rathole Of cabin
amidships. My friend took his place be-
side me, a small boy took the helm,
and we pushed of. Not a word was
spoken, and in this fashion for nearly
an hour we pursued our way down the
harbor, passed Ia fiotilla Of junks, thread
ed course between the blue and red
funnel boats, and fiually swept out into
the clear space that stretches away from
Port Victoria as far as Green island.
For hours we seemed TO be imprisoned
In that stuffy little cabin. Like most
sampans, the boat smelled abominably,
and as we could only see the mechanical
rowing of the women in the we'll for
ward and hear the occasional commands
Of the tiny boy steering aft our enjoy.
ment may be placed on the debit side OF
the account without Any fear Of miscal-
culation.