The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-09-19
CHAPTER XVIII.
wooGHING.

After this horrible experience we were
left In peace for some considerable time
or at least was. for Jim had been re-
moved TO separate cell. and knew not
how our captors were treating him. The
monotony OF my existence was broken
pnly by the daily visit OF my jailer, who
brought me food and water with
hnfailing regularity. but who never ut
tered a word Indeed. even IL I could
have spoken Chinese should have been
Just as unhappiy circumstanced. for the
man who waited upon me, unfortunate
wretch, was tongueless.
IL being quite impossible for me. sit
uated as I was. TO tell night from day,
[ reckoned having no oher way of reckon
Ing. that my jailer paid me a morning
visit. and in this way kept count of the
time for some three or four weeks. Then
my figures got muddled. and in the end
abandoned my endeavors. With the spirit
low, the physical frame exhausted and
hope gone. what was there for me but TO
bink into nothingness and pass away ?
And feeling thus gradually fell into such
coJnatose state that even Kung ard his
Intentions no longer plagued me. Ii mat
tered nothing what came. Only II ne
did not move soon knew that he would
come too late.
Then, after long waiting. another scene
was enacted In the drama.
One day, long after the punishment OF
Ah Yon. the lights flashed once more In
my cell. mon ran TO and fro and TO my
10y and amazement Jim was presently
led In He was still upright and car
ried his head as n man who Is ready TO
face any fate, but he was very thin and
haggard. and in spite of his bearing there
WAS the WEAKNESS OF death I'm his face
He stood stock still as he saw me and
then took a step forward, peering closely
Its Davie?" he grasped.
"Yes"
Thank Cod"
He said no more. and really there was
nothing more 20 be said. Knowing him as
did and the occasional cynio frame
bf his mind ] was sure the thought wouId
bbtrude itself. Was there 80 much to
hank God for? The condemned criminal
a. he stands upon the fatal trapdoor. as
he feels tho moose nesting round his
throat might have as much cause 70
hank God that he Is not already dead.
There Is not always hope while there IL
ife.
lie was triced up as before. while my
hain was shortened. thus compelling me
10 stand upright. and for some minutes 1
was filed with conjecture IA 10 what
would happen next. Kung's chair was
gacant, but ready to receive him, and
presently ne appeared IN company with
|<oon 81 and another He greeted me with
smile. which I have a dim recollection
bf returning with n stolid stare signifying
hothlng Koon-Si grinned az usual The
ther Chinaman. who wore a rich silk
Fobe. kept An impassive face.
From Kung and the carpenter my
klance went 10 this individual and there
tested For there was something horribly
familiar about his face. and I cudgeied
ny brains as I had not done for weeks
But whether my sight had grown dim
r my intelligence dull know not: this 1
know, a mist seemed Co rise between me
nd this man through which I vainiy
trove 10 see.
Behold our visitors" said Kung "As
have said. I know not their names but
perhaps my brother has met them be-
ore1"
The stranger came close TO me and
|eered into my face. and I drew back
nth q shudder. 1t was the yellow man