Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-03-13

/ "eAvoiA1E Ah1orIHallOu tn6t IL was tint
to start Our small preparations wer,
hurriedly made, and we quickly fol
lowed the carpenter to the door.
Where is All YonY asked my uncle
He Will meet US at the boat, Toe
many going together might excite sus
picion.'
| A wonderful fellow was the carpen
ter. He seemed to think of everything
And, though personally did not IKE
the man. l had to admit that for our
needs We could not have created q bet.
ter one.
Out into the street we went, our big
sutraw hats pulled well forward SO az
to shade the face, and in this manner
we pursued our way without raising
remarks or any undue curiosity from
the passersby. Koon-Si led US swiftly
and silently along, having previously
cautioned US not to speak; for, as he
said, the very streets have ears and
Kung is everywhere.
1t seemed to me that we were taking
direction contrary to that from which
we had come, though this was no cause
for wonder, as the island was some
miles below the town. Nevertheless 1t
was anything but pleasant journey,
and heaved sigh Of relief as we
gradually left the Ill smelling alleys
behind and came more into the stray
Cling streets which denoted the out
skirts of the town. These in turn gave
place to still more open country, and
presently we began the descent of q
slope, at the bottom of which 1 thought
could detect the sparkle Of water.
1.-THE river?' said Jim.
YES" answered Koon-Si. Here we
can embark with perfect safety, us we
are some distance below the town."
He led us on for another hundred
yards or SO along the waters edge, and
then. stopping for minute and look
Ing round US IL to locate the exact spot,
he uttered the cry of night bird.
Waiting a little while, he signaled
again. but this time the cry was varied,
there being three distinct calls. Almost
Immediately sound like an echo came
over the water, and this was followed
shortly after by the soft swish Of
steering scull. Then from the gloom,
which lay like a cloak upon the river,
saw q darker shadow emerge, and
presently boat grated on the single
at our feet.
"Aboard quickly" said Koon-Si. 1.-THE
wind is fair, and the current Is strong.
In two or three hours we shall be
abreast of ching-hi."
The boat was steadied for us, and We
instantly scrambled aboard. The car
penter followed, one of the men showed
off. and presently we were spinning
down the great river.
Jim and sat In the little cabin aft, q
structure with which every Chinese
sampan is rugged. Koon-Si sat on the
after thwart, facing us, and SELLING an
oar laid to with will. A man on the
bench forward also tugged like a gal
ley slave. A second sat still forward
of him and kept good lookout. All
fon, our worthy servant, stood aft. the
long steering scull in his hand.
1t was a strange journey, that rush
down the dark river, and IL the pecul-
lar conditions were not without their
effect on me 1t Is small cause for Won
der. Jim was significantly mute, and
l felt keenly thatthis was no occasion
for the use of idle words. knew that
his thoughts had tfdveled no farther
than the island of Ching-hi and that
they wandered there at large. Ching
hi and Kung and the society, what a
black world of thought those three
words conjured up! 1t seemed to me
as though the whole misery Of life was
concentrated In them, and as the boat
rushed on and on, swinging blindiy, as
1t were. toward destiny, I thought Of
Cecil, Of my sins and of such things 90
stir the Imagination when a great
event Is foreshadowed. Truly we were
In the hands Of fate, and prayed and
hoped.
For some time nothing but the swirl.
Ing Of the waters, the rising and falling
Of the oars, the dirgelike soughing Of
the wind as 1t swept down the great
black waterway, beat an accompani-
ment to our thoughts, but presently up
on the canvas tilt which rooted our 1T
tie cabin heard sound not unlike
that which the rubbing Of a finger nail
would produce.
For time paid little heed to 1t, but
as 1t continued without cessation