Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-12-12
An Adventure
in China ~ ~
Copyright, 1901, by Authors Syndicate.)

| A MAN stands outside the walls of
n the legation having just closed
an interview with the American min
lster, and standing there he expert
ences a sense of relief at the accom-
plishment 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
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-
sistan 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 bad
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 1t
might leave signs which would fortify
his subsequent complaint and cry for
vengeance.
they apply the sleep torture.
The sleep torture! Could mind OF
man conceive a more eXcruciating ag-
ony? The victim is suspended in
strong silken net swung from the
ceiling by slender cord of silk. 1t
effectually confines its tenant.
He is excessively wretched, for ne
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 4s hours the prison
er has not slept. Beginning at TINS
time, one of the attendants who pos
sessed psychic powers, thus describes
his sensations:
The man Is In pain. His limbs acne lie
&c oppressed with WEAKNESS. More than
this a dreadful desire overcomes hlm' II
is longing for sleep. He cries out 10 MS
gods. but they do not answer. he WONDERS
why this suffering has come upon MIN.
He grapples with 1t as with mad AMI
NAL Still there is no relief.
Now he passes out of this condition for
q little while. He becomes aware OF bodily
suffering more keen than all he has en-
dured.
1t comes first just above the eyes. What
is that pain?" he cries. 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. It thrusts its haft within the
wound. The man feels such agony that his
language supplies no words. He cannot
live, nor die, he wonders If within his grasp
a fiend has seized him.
1 cannot tell more for the man has no
thoughts. The noiseless lips with which
the brain would speak are closed, and on
them all comes a seal, coined with blood,
marked with unknown signs.
Now the man thinks again. Riding upon
his eyelids 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 fires
feed increasingly this procession of gloom,
He prays for change, and answering his
prayer change comes quickly. Each speck
takes upon it brighter hue, and in mo-
ment tinge of fire pervades 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 teel 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 a child how this
was once play. Yet never did he
spin as now. He rocks and staggers.
The walls of the room disappear. He
is in space, rushing through the
starry sky. He calls upon the name
of strange gods. He cries that the
chain of the bear is wound around
him; that Orion's club is torn away;
that worlds and consultations are
swept with him.
The scenes before him are but as
strings of gold and blue, flowing from
his eyes as he turns.
His brain is more confused, for he
dreams that he is the plaything of
child; giant top. The sky-dwelling
child has lost him, and through un-
known realms he has spun away, in
dizzy circles, never to be found again.
Now once more he feels the net
about him, and he begs for sleep. A
little sleep for the love of Heaven.
He dreams that he has shot the al
Datross and is desolate on wide,
wide sea.
He forgets the wish tor sleep. In
yonder dark corner is a spy. He PEN
etrates the mans thoughts and
catches them in his hands like
little birds. They viii grow in time