Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1902-01-17
An Adventure
in China - ~


an Interview with the American min.
lister. and standing there ne expert
ences a sense OF RELIEF at the accom-
plishment OF his mission, at the same
time being unable to resist a feeling
of triumph. He feels that IL is not
given to many 20 outwit eastern d.
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, IL
his college vacations, accompanied
friend who was engaged in civil en-.
cheering in China, while devotine
his own researches TO ancient manu-.
scripts OF eastern poetry.
Walking slowly and thoughtfully
through the streets of the Imperia,
City. he recalls the anxious. war
faces Of the legationers. who had
waited with such patience for help ii
their more than dangerous situation
and now. just as they were beginning
20 lose hope, and all seemed dark. he
felt exultsnt over the fact that ht
had been the means OF casting a ray
OF light on their gloom.
His exultation. however. Is destined
80 De shortlived. He suddenly foels
himself caught from behind. strong
grip upon his throat. and. though he
struggles vsliantly, he soon finds re
sistance to be useless. He feels that
death stares him In the face. but IL
developed later that his nationality
preserved him from such danger
II seemed that the authorities had
E become suspicious and desired 20 ex
tort from him any knowledge that he
might possess They had no wish e
kill him. "a his disspPearEuce might
excite inquiry. They had not yet lost
all sense OF future danger.
I They were sverse 20 adopting any
ordinary means Of torture. as y
might leave signs which would fOrtif,
his subsequent complaint and cry foi
vengeance.
Therefore. with oriental subtlety
they apply the sleep torture.
The sleep tortured Could mind o
man conceive a more excruciating az
onvq The victim is suspended in
strong silken net swung from III
ceiling by slender cord Of silk 1
efectually confines its tenant.
He is excessively wretched, Tor n
has inadequate room.
Attendants are in evidence who's
dut, it is 20 prevent sleep. They ar
not 10 permit a moments uncor
seriousness.
For more than As hours the prison
or has not slept. Beginning at tn
time. one OF the attendants who po'
sessed psychic powers, thus describe
his sensations:
The man Is IN pain His limbs ache y
q oppressed with weariress. More tbs
this q dreadful desire overcomes him
A. longing for sleep. He cries ont 10 n
gods but they 90 not answer lie wcuoe
| vhv this SUFFERING has come upon him
lie grapp,es with u as with a mac ar
| NAL stu there r. no relief
! | Now he passes out OF this condition y
a little while. He becomes aware or boil
, suffering more keen than all he has e.
= II comes first lust above the eyes. WI
Is that PAIN he cries. A knife OF molt'
metal l. thrust into his skull The pol
breaks and Il Embedded there II sprea
= | Ike quicksilver. His nerves shout arc pr
= | test bitterly. The knife tries 10 regain
: | point IL thrustS its haft within I
wound. The man feels such agony that
. language supplies no words. lie cam
| live. nor c!e. he wonders II within his gra
= q neuc has seized him
cannot tell more for the man has
> thoughts The nolseless lips with wis
= the brain would speak are closed. ard
q | them all comes a seal. coined with blo'
. marked With unknown signs.
Now the man thinks again. Riding up
his e ellds he sees faint specks. They
J. soft and black Ike those OF SCOT SO -
they are that pain is not Yet they
wilder aac confuse. They Increase 20 n
: 4 lions From out the upper I'D "a troop
n | horces they pour. and falling down G
p | ceai the world He thinks they come fr
= furnaces within his temples Whoae q
feed INCREASINGLY this procession % gioc
u He prays for change. and answering
q | prayer change comes quickly Each 50,
A. sakes upon IL a brighter hue. anc IN a 4
:. ment tinge OF IRE pervaces them
- Ths1 burn with glowing flames and n
1r the eyes are scorched and scanned "
N Gca-E.
N His thoughts change 30 that he Z
n gets his visions. How he longs
- sleep.
!. Fires burn up his blood. I
ne room swings around him. No,
" IS ne who reels and turns. He thil
% that he stands upon one foot
- that only the heel rests upon
-. floor. The other foot Is lost,
Al some giant hand is twisting !
% swiftly.
% Now he flies faster and fas
Of He remembers as a child how
A was once a play. Yet never did
- spin as now. lie rocks and stage
an The walls OF the room disappear.
N Is ia space, rushing through
m starry sky. He calls upon the ma
mt OF strange gods. He cries that
he chain Of the bear IA wound arc
M him; that Orion'k club Is torn avs