Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-12-06
an Adventure
i4p Chin a eS as
Copyright, 1901, by Authors syndicatcJ

a MAN stands outside the walls of
the legation having just closed
sfn interview with the American min
zS1cr, and standing there he expert
4sDrcss y sense of relief at the accom-
yp!izhmcnt of his mission, at the same
zsisle being unable to resist feeling
aSF triumph. He feels that it is not
aZlreu TO many to outwit eastern di-
plsnacy and oriental craft.
He has been chosen for this deli
e=ttS 8ud dangerous work chiefly on
sYocount of his familiarity with the
topography of the country, having, in
.E1lei college vacations, accompanied Il
Iricnd who was engaged in civil en-
lyiaccriug in China, while devoting
Ms own researches to ancient manu-
ssc9'ipSs of eastern poetry.
Walking slowly and thoughtfully
T7yrcngh the streets of the Imperial
fCSty, re recalls the anxious, wan
+zso.ess OF the legationcrs, who had
vsaitcd with such patience for help in
rys,ir more than dangerous situation,
arzti nav, just as they were beginning
TO lose hope, and all seemed dark. he
felt exultant over the fact that he
Zsad been the means of casting ray
Of light on their gloom.
HIS exultation, however, is destined
NV be shortlived He suddenly feels
himself caught from behind. strong
Szr5p upon his throat, and, though he
sstru ggles valinntly, he soon finds re-
ss5s,sstucc to be useless. He feels that
<Eca&h stares him in the face, but it
etisveloped later that his nationality
preserved him from such daSger.
st seemed that the authorities had
Epscume suspicious and desired to eN-
SDrt from him any knowledge that he
tsMlgat possess. They had no wish to
TsslE him. as his disappearance might
excite inquiry. They had not yet lost
all sense of future danger.
They were averse to adopting any
ordinary means of torture, as 1t
qr,i.yiit leave signs which would fortify
his subsequent complaint and cry for
vpcaGeance.
Wherefore, with oriental subtlety,
aSry apply the sleep torture.
TsM. sIeep torture! Could mind OF
rn1ln conceive more eXcruciating ag-
s1ux! The victim is suspended in
ssfvawg sillSen net swung from the
<-sr5ijng by slender cord of silk Ii
efYc-iualiy confines its tenant.
Ifss rs excessively wretched, for he
Esas inadequate room.
Attendants are in evidence whose
sI1Iy it is to prevent sleep. They are
yaa4 TO permit moments uncon'
cscItaSuess.
Eor more than As hours the prison
evr has not slept. Beginning at tins
ssiyy,c. one Of the attendants who pos
1s..ssed psychic powers, thus describes
TIif. sensations:
.zt,e yuan IS IN pain His limbs ache. He
Il, oppressed with WEAKNESS. More thar
sf,ls a dreadful desire overcomes him II
Gs longing for sleep He cries out TO MS
~sSay ehis suffering has come upon him.
Me grapp,es with II as with mao AMI
rr,aI Still there Is no relief.
%.yw he passes out of this condition fol
a. ls1tIe while. He becomes aware OF bocuy
sssaigsring more keen than all he has en-
II eSynres first Just above the eyes. "Wha
Is z9.at pain?'' he cries. a knife OF molter
s7-s1al Is thrust into his skull The poin
sIs-aaks and Is imbedded there. 1t spreads
like auicksilver. His nerves shout and pro
esess bitterly. The knife tries 10 regain II:
Yaint. II thrusts its haft within tn
wound The man feels such agony that HI!
Eungunge supplies no words. He canno
1--we. nor Gle. he wonders If within his grasI
q Gfnd has seized him,
( cannot tell more for the man has NJ
Sauushts. The roiseless lips with which
che brain would speak are closed. and OF
nSr,H. all comes seal. coined with blood
E,aDr5IeG with unknown signs.
S5w the man thinks again. Riding upoI
Els eyelI6s he sees faint specks. They ar
4zost and black like those of SCOT So sof
UN,nt s, t.. 49,,
u'ks2er ard confuse. Theyxincrease to mil
I59Es- From out the upper lid in troopiri
i11aaes they pour, and falling down con
ssal the world. He thinks they come from
ri1Epaces within his temples, whose fire
fsasG INCREASINGLY this procession of gloom
He prays for change, and answering hi
EgsoFer change comes quickly. Each specl
eIllLas upon 1t brighter hue, and in mo
Efs=zh a tnge of fire pervades them all
'ftaey burn with glowing flames and noy
Gixe eyes are scorched and scanned wilt
sfserE-
His thoughts change so that he for
gets his visions. How he longs 70
sleep
Fires burn up his blood. TIL
xuazn swings around him. No,
LIS he who reels and turns. He think
chat he stands upon one foot S
that only the heel rests upon tn
xfaor. The other foot is lost, an
sane giant hand is twisting hir
swiftly
Now he flies faster and fastel
Hs remembers as a child how thi
WAS once a play. Yet never did h
sPia as now. He rocks and staggeri
The walls of the room disappear. ii
Us in space, rushing through tn
STARRY sky. He calls upon the nam