St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1900-08-29


Weihien and one to Chouping and
Chingchoufu promising to wait tor the
people or for return letters. On the Oath
MIR. Nickols of Chowping, English Bap-
fist missionary, and a party of four
adults and two children, and about
noon Mr.. Fitch of Weihien, American
Presbyterian missionary, arrived over
land with large party of ladies and
children 40 in ally. At my request the
French consul had left his guard of 20
Chinese soldiers for me, and they were
very efficient and obliging during the
two days before the people began to
arrive. l explored the town and made
arrangements at the best hong (native
6rm) for sheltering them, and laid in
supplies. Realizing that eggs would be
scarce in Cheioo, l undertook to buy up
all on the market both for use on the
boat and for use of the refugees after
wards at Chefoo Several thousand
were secured. On the morning of the
25th, sent the above mentioned two
parties down to the steamer and watch
for the Chinanfu party in order to trans
fer from the river boat to the lighter
without going to the inn. The Honau
party, Canadian Presbyterian mission,
of ten persons consisting of five adults
and five children were thus transferred
when they arrived at s a. m. and sent
aboard the steamer. A large Chinanfu
party arrived in II boats at a. m. of
ing lighters. The third lighter which |
had previously secured was filled and
sent down the river to be driven back
shortly after starting by head winds.
Failing in securing other lighters l ap-
piled to the customs who obtained for
the remainder of the party large jnnk.
All went aboard at once and tried to
drop down the river to the ship. Wind
and tide were contrary and we could
not start till after midnight. We kept
to the boats eating and sleeping as best
we could aboard and at the turn of the
tide were able to make about 1Oh Is
miles, before daylight against head
winds. We tackled against the wind all
day and late in the afternoon reached
the coast still some coli Z miles) from
the steamer The wind became high and
clouds threatening so we were forced
to lie to another night. The rain fell
heavily and I feared typhoon, so we
had all the foreigners get aboard the
Junk lest the lighter should be swamped
in the night. When the rain ceased five
people returned to the lighter and the
wind increasing to prevent the humping
of the boats against each other, we cast
: off the lighter and it anchored nearby.
In the morning we determined to make
an effort to reach the ship which we
could just descry, for the Japanese inter-
NJ Wot1 hoI ohno rI tba
evening of the Goth and informed us that
the water was low so the ship would
have to return to Cheloo if we could not
) embark the morning Of the 9th. We
worked out on the last of the ebb tide
: and forced to the northwest of the ship
by the strong wind. Nearly all became
seasick. Reaching depth where the
steamer could come we anchored and
sent up flag of distress also firing sever
: al volleys with the guns OF our native
escort. Most of these were to sick to
hold a gun and three OF US foreigners
assisted. The lighter head.man, while
he followed us out did not dare to
anchor In peril of swapping, the crew
tried to put the passengers aboard our
Junk, but we did not dare let them at
: tempt it. The sailors and soldiers were
much scared and put back slowly sailing
l out of sight. After two hours of wait
} ing and tossing about, we managed to
attract the attention of the steamer.
She cautiously drew near and signalled
r to us to draw alongside. This we could
, not do, for the tide had turned and we
dared not lift our anchor lest we should
be drifted entirely out of sight. Then
= two sailors from the ship dropped down
and swan through the heavy sea to
us, bringing ropes and were pulled
] aboard exhausted. Hawsers were at
2 tached and the steamer drove us up
within talking distance. During this
process in attempting to raise our
anchor the bowsprit broke off and we
had to let the anchor and rope go into
the sea. The sailors were so reluctant
to do this and the delay increased OUT
peril, that Mr.. Wato drew his sword
: and seized the dagger of one of the guard
to cut the rope. The sailors thought we
: were about to attack them and pleaded
: for their lives and at once proceeded to
cast off the anchor. Then Mr.. Wato
while interpreting stood astride the
e hawsers, lurch wrenched them from
e the guide pins and knocked him flying
4 into the sea. He grasped the sagging
rope with great presence of mind and
i pulled himself up to the ship, where we
:, hauled him over. In another moment
:. the travis looks broke from behind anc
!. went adrift with the anchor, and being
in tow by the steamer and heavy wine
being on we had to let it go. TIL,
:. steamer now attempted to tow us to {
: place of safety, but the boat pitched sc
n and the waves dashed over us and WI
had to be dropped. The captain hat
arranged with Mr.. Wato to go anc
}. wait in the harbor 40 miles off for cal
e mer sea, but had Mr.. Fitch tell him tt
>, 60 at once back to Chefoo and send E
:, ship for us with steam tug. The shiE
Ii went on and we came flying back in ~
: hours. Immediately sent telegram tt
S go via Weihien, informing you of ou
difficulty, and asking for ship anc
= launch and announcing our safe return
to Yangkeakon. We had found tn
e lighter on our way back and it accom-
IS panied us back l Immediately rusheC
;e to the inn and hong to make prepar
=, ations for our party and was met by tn
Il alarming news thtat the Weihien mis-
: sion compound had been burned. W.
r were denied admittance to the inn
,s courteously, but none the less firmly
and had to get the customs official t.
: use pressure. Then the whole inn wa