Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-12-11
FREDERICK THURSDAY


the black looking tobacco I had found,
and lay down on a comfortable couch
to enjoy a smoke.
Gradually my senses gave away un-
der the influence of the stuff / was
smoking. 1t was not tobacco, OF, If
it was, it was prepared with drugs. !
AN inclined to think it was opium.
But whatever it was, it was luxurious.
First delicious sense of fatigue came
over me; not WEAKNESS, but that calm,
dreamy sense of rest that sometimes
accompanies the use of narcotics
] began to see bright visions. | was
no longer castaway in an unknown
island under the sea. I was the favored
one in an enchanted land. Beautiful
creatures Hoated about me. Bright
! colors played across my vision. Then
all became a Observation-Disclosures
unconsciousness.
How long + remained in this stupor
I do not know. 1t must have been,
according to my calculations, which
were based largely on my appetite,
and, later, on the position Of the sun,
from one day TO the next. When I
swoke [ was very hungry. But this
time, owing to the bountiful provision
made for the idol, was not compelled
to hunt for food.
repaired at once to the temple and
ate heartily OF the rice.
From the temple | wandered out
through the garden, the air of which
was so richly laden with perfume. I
retraced my steps Of the day before,
went through the stone passage,
crossed the bare, cavern-like cham
Der and climbed mp the steps out OF
the well. l Judged by the position OF
the sun that it was yet early in the
day.
| stood drinking in the revivifying
air, when l chanced to turn. Across
the water, perhaps not more than a
mile away, was small sailing-vessel,
evidently pleasant-cra 1t was
speedily making its way in the direc-
ton OF the rock, and | had no doubt,
from the directness of its course, that
the island was the proposed landing.
place of whoever was on the yacht
l do not know what prompted me
to so quickly conceal myself. Proba.
bly, an instructive fear Of some un'
known danger, although all my hope
rested upon the coming of some per
sou who could get Inc away from my
luxurious prison. If this was the
owner of the island who was coming,
my natural and proper course would
be to .reethim- -lnon his arriyal-eI'
plain my presence in his domain, hum
bly, ask his pardon for the intrusion
aud rely upon his generosity
for relief. But | was in the
China Sea. Mysteries of which had
only faint knowledge We're all about
me. | was not going to take any
chances until | saw what manner of
man my host might be-
There was no place inside that
could think Of, where l could hide
myself and be safe | could get inside
the big idol and not be seen; but
what then ii tine worshiper should
seek to fill the lamp? 1 studied the
situation quickly. There was no time
to waste. The persons on the yacht
might at any moment turn glass on
the island aud discover me.
| looked around.
found, just back of the pit jut.
ting crag. 1t was large enough to
completely hide my body from view
from the side on which the little in
let was. And yet it was so jagged
aud rough that / could obtain full
view of what was going on without
bringing my head beyond the broken
outline of the rock.
! hastily crawled around the rock,
lad fixed myself in as comfortable q
position as possible, to wait.
The little yacht was very fast, yet
it seemed an age before it reached the
island. But at last had the pleasure
Of seeing the sails furled, the helm
put down, and the little boat glided
into the smooth water of the little
bay.
My heart was in my mouth.
The first persons visible were two
Chinese sailors, who lifted COM
panion-ladder and hung it on the two
iron rings / have before mentioned,
they chattered incessantly, but in
their own language. Having care
fully adjusted the ladder, they stood
back, respectfully waiting as if for the
passing Of superior officer.
There now appeared on the deck of
the yacht Chinaman of more than
ordinary size He was clad in the
military costume OF the Chinese army,
and to Judge from the magnifcence
Of his uniform, he was of great i'm
portance aud of high rank. He wore
dangling from his belt handsome
gold-hilted sword. On his cap was
gold button. The significance Of this
[ did not know at the time, but after
ward learned that it betokened his
exalted rank. His face was not
pleasing one. 1t was not the face of
a man to whom one would like to ap-
peal for aid. With dignited step
he ascended the companion-ladder.
Reaching the top he turned, and
gave a sharp command.
Two more Cinnamon appeared,
between them burden.
They carefully made their way up
the ladder, and turned to go to the
pit. The burden they carried was
Enthusiastically woman, and she was
bound. In my surprise and in my
eagerness to see the woman's face, 1
almost discovered myself to the
Cinnamon. 1 stretched my neck to
get better glimpse. l heard her cry
out, as if calling upon some one for
aid. I heard the words "father" and
Good" 7 Judged her to be an Eng