The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-01-18
ICHEE-H|HG -SU, MANDARIN
BY NJ. QUAD
COPYRIGHT, 1900, BY O. 3. LEWIS


Beginning at Shangtung, In the Vel.
low sea, the coast line Of China is dot
kong, a distance of over 1000 miles.
If the islands could be counted, be-
lieve they would number 10000, great
and small. While some are uninhabit-
ed, there is not On honest community
on one of them. The people are wreck
ers and pirates to n man, and woe be-
tide the ship which meets with disas-
ter on any of the island shores. From
Yang-tse-Kiang to the entrance of the
straits Of Formosa the islands are I'M
der the Jurisdiction Of a mandarin at
the above port. In the year 1868 this
mandarin was one Chee-Wing-Su, who
had held office for years, and his repu-
taticn was that of devil. There was
no question but that he encouraged
ders all along the coast line were to
kill every white person who might fall
into the hands of his subjects. The
fellow was subordinate to the govern
or of Shanghai, but whenever he was
brought up on the complaint Of a Euro
pean consul he managed to get the
best of 1t. He was fairly well educat-
ed, finished liar and hypocrite, and
there was no catching him.
In the year l have mentioned above
certain Americans in Hongkong decid-
ed to fit out an opium clipper to supply
the port of Shanghai. Opium snug
Cling was against the law, Of course,
and any person found engaged in the
trade was beheaded at once, but you
might as we'll try to keep rice as opium
out of China. The profits In smuggling
have always been enormous, and it
has always been part of the business
to bride the custom officials. AS
Shanghai was to be supplied from
Yang-tse Kiang l was sent up to ar
range matters with Chee-Wing-Su.
There was no beating around the bush.
l told him what we wanted, and he
lost no time in giving me his figures.
For such per cent he would guaran-
tee us safety. He was smooth and
suave, but under the polish l saw the
hypocrite and tiger. l accepted his
terms for the company, but I also
warned them that he would not hest.
tate to play any sort Of game for his
own benefit. He gave us n flag to pro-
tect us from piratical junks, but we
did not trust to it. The clipper was
fitted out with four guns and well pro-
yided with small arms, and the crew
of IS was made up entirely of Euro
peans. On our very first voyage, de
spite the old scoundreps flag, we were
twice attacked by junks which he
probably sent out. We sent both of
them to the bottom with their crews,
and, although Chee-Wing-Su must
have heard Of the tragedies, he passed
them by without word.
We had run three cargoes when the
old fellow prepared a surprise party
for us. He sent for our captain. and
changed the place of landing to an is
land about Is miles farther south. He
claimed that the officials at Shanghai
had got on TO our business and had set
watch, and, though the captain did
not believe the story, he agreed to
make the landing on the next voyage.
We made the bay at night as we re-
turned, but the guns were double shot
ted, the muskets and pistols loaded,
and every man was at his post. The
first thing we knew we were surround
ed by five junks, and then a fight be-
gan which lasted 40 minutes. We sunk
four of the junks and drove the fifth
ashore, with the loss of but three men
on our side. Next day Chez Wing-Su
appeared on board and pretended to
be very excited and indignant that we
had been molested against his orders.
In the fight we had exterminated at
least 100 Of the vermin, but had cap
tured unhurt and were holding ten
others. To try to smooth things over
with us the willy old scoundrel had the
ten brought before us, read them les
son on morality and then had their
heads struck off by his own eXecu-
toner.
Our landing was to be Yang-tse-Ili-
ang again, and Chee-Wing-Su put up
another job. To restore our confidence
in him again he offered to put $1,000
into our next venture and draw out
only fair per cent. This seemed like
a fair thing, and 1t was accepted. He
handed over the money with prompt
ness, and we sailed away, but when
our captain had had time to turn the
matter over in his mind he began to
wonder and theoriZe. Old Chewing
Su would never have put In his money
without some stronger motive than q
per cent profit. Few Chinese ever
trust European a shilling's worth,
and man of his class must have
handed over his little fortune to throw
dust in our eyes. A good deal Of time
was given to the puzzle, but just what
his scheme was could not be satiSfac-
torily solved. We could only watch
and wait and be prepared for whatever
might happen.
On our return we always made port
at night. When we had displayed an
agreed signal. sampans came off to us
and unloaded and took away the cargo,
and an agent was at hand to pay for
It Chez Wing-Su's agent was also
there to collect his blackmatl. There
would be 80 Cinnamon aboard Of US
when discharging cargo; but, though
they were q villainous lot, we felt no
fear of them and did not keep the crew
even under arms. We were within q
days sail of port on our return when
the captain was struck by an idea
Chez Wing-Su knew that our cargo
would be a heavy one. Suppose he
should have planned to cut the clipper
out in harbor? All he had to do was
to put men enough aboard, and when
he had exterminated the crew and TAX
en- possession who was to betray him?
He had men who could sail the craft
and by giving her new coat Of paint,
q new name and making some changes