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

once. On the 2Sth at noon Mr.. Con.
ling came in from Chingchonfu with a
party of eight adults, At dark Japanese
sailors appeared from our boat report.
ing that the boat had gone and got
water in Laichonfu Bay 40 miles East
and there had seen steamer Heian from
Chefoo, and heard alarming news of the
state of affairs at ChefoO. The country
people also proved very hostile. At the
same time word came in from various
sources that the Boxers were gathering
in town and that 100 had been seen.
We had already transhipped our heavy
baggage and loaded it with that of Mr..
Conlings party on three lighters. We
decided to go off that night, began load
ing at 9 D. m. and finished with account
settled and arrangements made for those
who should come after a. m. Then we
Immediately started down stream with
light breeze and reached the ship all
safe, the last boat about s a. N. l had
planned to stay and help the remaining
parties through, but became disturbed
by accounts of state of alarm in Chefoo,
so came back prepared to return if de-
sired on the next ship. We had heard
that the Japanese steamer Heian would
go to Yangkiakon on Saturday. so left
a letter for the captain prepared by Mr..
Wato, requesting him to wait for the
remaining refugees and promising to pay
him $500 Mexican dollars a day from
the time his cargo was discharged. We
had arranged for our guard OF 40 sol.
diers to wait at the inn two days for the
next party and had paid for their ex-
penses during these two days. l also
left letters with the guard for this party.
Then we came on toward Chefoo turn
ing aside to Taipingan in search of the
Heian. We found her at anchor there,
and Mr.. Nichols, the interpreter. and l
went aboard. The captain and his
officers were very pleasant and ready to
do anything they could but the comprado-
re kept us par1eying long time and finally
refused to wait for the people at Yang
kiakon and to take them aboard if they
came out while he was unloading and
even to take any one aboard with him
on the ship to meet them. He was
obstinate in his refusal, though we offer
ed him $500 a day, even beginning
from where the ship stood and a
cumshaw besides and though the cap
tain urged him to be allowed to do so.
Then we put before him the serious
nature of his refusal as it was possibly a
matter of life and death, but it was Of no
use. Then we threatened him with dis
missa from Kaiping Co., and summary
treatment by American and japanese
consus if he persisted in his refusal. He
practically ordered US to leave the ship
and we did so, leaving him and his
crowd of evil looking Chinese passengers,
never saw worse lot of fearsome evil
afoot. The captain said he could not
act contrary to the compradore's orders
ordinarily even so as to take one of our
party back with him, but he declared
that if any refugees came out to him at
Yangkiakon he would take them aboard
and protect them with no regard to
what the compradore would say). I'm.
mediately on our leaving the ship she
started tor Yangkiakon, Mr.. Wato was
as indignant as any of us and will re-
present the matter to his consul. l told
him should ask you to request Japan,
ese war vessel to go at once and seize the
compradore and prevent any mischief he
may be devising. l also inclose list Of
passengers, notes of resolution passed by
them and list of people still to be rescued
Respectfully your obedient servant,
GEORGE CoRNWELL.
American Presbv terian Mission, Cheloo