River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-12-05
An Adventure
In Chin " "
toopyright. leOl, b. Authors syndicate.l

A MAN stands outside the walls of
II the legation having just closed
an interview with the American min
lister, and standing there he expert
ences a sense of relief at the accom-
plishrsent of his mission, at the same
time being unable to resist feeling
of triumph. He feels that it is not
given to many to outwit eastern di-
plomacy and oriental craft.
He has been chosen for this deli
cate and dangerous work chiefly on
account of his familiarity with the
topography of the country, having, in
his college vacations. accompanied a
friend who was engaged in civil en-
gineering in China, while devoting
his own researches to ancient manu-
scripts of eastern poetry.
Walking slowly and thoughtfully
through the streets of the Imperial
City, he recalls the anxious, wan
faces of the legationers, who had
waited with such patience for help in
their more than dangerous situation,
and now, just as they were beginning
to lose hope, and all seemed dark, he
felt eXultant over the fact that he
had been the means of casting ray
of light on their gloom.
His eXultation, however, is destined
to be shortlived. He suddenly feels
himself caught from behind, a strong
grip upon his throat, and, though he
struggles valiantly, he soon finds re-
sistance to be useless. He feels that
death stares him in the face, but it
developed later that his nationality
preserved him from such danger.
1t seemed that the authorities had
become suspicious and desired TO ex-
tort from him any knowledge that he
might possess. They had no wish to
kill 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 il
might leave signs which would fortify
his subsequent complaint and cry for
vengeance.
Therefore,. with oriental subtlety
they apply the sleep torture.
The sleep tortured Could mind of
man conceive more excruciating ag-
ony? The victim is suspended in a
strong sillsen net swung from the
ceiling by slender cord of silk. 1t
effectually confines its tenant.
He is excessively wretched, for he
has inadequate room.
Attendants are in evidence whose
duty it is to prevent sleep. They are
not to permit a moments uncon-
seriousness.
For more than as hours the prison
er has not slept. Beginning at this
time, one OF the attendants who pos
sessed psychic powers, thus describes
his sensations:
The man is in pain His limbs ache. He
is oppressed with WEAKNESS. More than
this a dreadful desire overcomes him IL
is a longing for sleep. He cries out to his
gods. but they do not answer. He wonders
why this suffering has come upon him
He grapples with It as with mad AMI
NAL Still there Is no relief.
Now he passes out Of this condition for
a little while. lie becomes aware Of bodily
suffering more keen than all he has en-
dured.
Is that pain2' he cries. A knife of molten
metal is thrust into his skull. The point
breaks and is imbedded there. 1t spreads
like quicksilver. His nerves shout and pro-
test bitterly. The knife tries to regain its
point II thrusts its haft within the
wound. The man feels such agony that his
language supplies no words He cannot
live, nor die he wonders IL within his grasp
q fiend has seized him.
/ cannot tell more for the man has no
thoughts. The nolseless lips with which
the brain would speak are closed and on
them all comes seal, coined with blood.
marked with unknown signs.
NOW the man thinks again. Riding upon
his eyeliGs he sees faint specks. They are
soft and black like those of SCOT. So soft
they are that pain Is not. Yet they be-
wilder and confuse. They Increase TO mill |
lions. From out the upper lid IN trooping
hordes they pour. and falling down con
ceal the world He thinks they come from
furnaces within his temples, whose Ares
feed increasingly this procession Of gloom |
He prays for change and answering his |
prayer change comes quickly. Each speck |
takes upon II a brighter hue and IN a mo- |
ment tinge Of fire peryades them all |
They burn with glowing flames and now |
the eyes are scorched and scanned with |
scars.
His thoughts change so that he for
gets his visions. How he longs for
sleep.
Fires burn up his blood The
room swings around him. No, it !
Is he who reels and turns. He thinks |
that he stands upon one foot so
that only the heel rests upon the
floor. The other foot is lost, and
some giant hand is twisting him
swiftly.
Now he flies faster and faster.
He remembers as child how this
was once play. Yet never did he |
spin as now. He rocks and staggers |
The walls Of the room disappear. lie |
is in space, rushing through the |
starry sky. He calls upon the name