The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-18
CHAPTER XVII.
THE WRITING OF KUNo.

For a long time after this neither OF us
spoke, for we feared that some one
might be lstenis. and pride forbade a
display either OF fear or OF regret. We
had staked. and we haa lost. and now
the end was come. But deeply mortifying
was the thought that we had walked so
easily into the trap. Before setting out
we had duly calculated the chances OF
success and defeat. aud even with the
latter staring us full In the face we had
hoped 10 go under fighting. But 10 be
cooped. chained In this manner. with no
ultimate hope OF escape or fight. plunged
US into the utmost depths OF dependency,
was our own fault Well. does that
knowledge make misfortune any easier to
bear?
With a refinement OF cruelty thoroughly
Chinese we were so tricsd up that II was
impossible 20 move the head either way
for more than foot or two without ex-
psriencing a bite from the sharp teeth
OF the collar. To sit down, TO kneel. to
rest ever so slightly, was utterly out OF
the question, and. what Is more, / knew
that II my strength failed me and / faint
ed or otherwise sank exhausted should
suffer a most horrible death from stran-
gulation.
What was the intention OF our enemies
OF course we knew not. but after endur-
ing for some hours the agony of this most
trying position two men entered with a
light and making direct for Jim unfasten-
ed his chain and led him away by the
collar as one would lead a dog.
IT don't know what this mea#s-laa ..
ne said, but II It's the end, goodby. You
forgive me9'
There is nothing to forgive"
"Much-much." he muttered brokenly.
And then as they dragged him through
the door heard him gasp last God
bless you"
Then / was alone once more with my
thoughts, and the gloom seemed TO have
! taken TO itself a gloomier hue. while the
awful stiffness grew more profound. The
presence OF Jim. even though could not
see him. had something OF the nature OF
consolation. ! could speak, / could hear
him speak. and. though the little we had
TO say was full OF the sadness Of death,
Il was good to hear the sound of voice
loved.
For a full hour or more they left me
thus alone and gradually my brain was
beginning TO wander, my limbs TO refuse
the task allotted them OF supporting me.
Visions of strangulation and the sharp
cutting OF iron teeth into soft flesh began
20 haunt me- when OF sudden the same
two coolies who had dragged Jim of en-
tered the chamber without speaking 20
mo or 10 each other one OF the men cut
the bonds which held my arms. Whit, the
other loosened the collar chain. thus al
lowing me 10 collapse upon the floor. Then
they placed water and food within my
reach and without a word departed as ST.
lently as they had come.
For the first few minutes n Joyous
stupefaction was mine for I had fully
believed that the Intention OF Kung was
20 have me stand there until my legs
absolutely refused longer TO fulhll their
functions, when stranRilation would Of
necessity ensue. But this was not 20 be.
though my momentary relief was almost
'immed lately oiouded By a darker mis-
giving If Kung spared now. II was but
TO proiong the torture.
Once the circulation had returned 10
my arms. the process OF which was In e.
self acute agony, l. having carefully
ma arked in my mind the exact position
'of the food and water. stretched out my
hand 10 them. and. though I knew not
M either was poisoned. I cared but little
In &c an end would be made Of me once
lane for all. But this was not Kunss
way. The water was pure. the food
'paiatabie, and. having eaten and drunk,
D fell inconceivably refreshed.
What happened then i know not; but.