Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-12-27


provinces II ran. what they were like
and In which was situated Hankow,
we had not the faintest conception.
And we can get thereT asked Jim.
Easily. excellency, by steamer to
Hankow."
Good. When shall we startr'
Il am a poor man. excellency. 1t win
cost money"
81 win see to that You take rs
there"
at shall be as you wish
"And now" said Jim, how had we
better set TO work.
'There is no difficulty at all, excel
lency, IL you have money. 1 let my
shop or shut 1t up. 1t matters nothing.
Then we go to Shanghai. From there
to Hankow is nothing. Your excellen-
cy has money. We shall procure as
sistance, and Kung''-
'Well?"
"Kung is your excellency's, to do
with him what you will"
1t sounded simple enough. and Koon-
81 had arranged an admirable little
plan, but to me there seemed 10 be
something wanting in the story, and
said. addressing the Chinamsn, "Kung
Is great political plotterP'
''The greatest, excellency."
"And no doubt the government would
literally reward those who captured
himr'
They would pay much. excellency.
There never was one whom they fear
ed SO much as Kung."
Then why have you not betrayed his
hiding place to the government IL
would relieve you of much responsible
ity."
1 expected the man to show some
sort OF confusion. were II ever so little.
at this direct thrust, but instead his
equanimity appeared not in the least
disturbed he smiled with apparent
complacency. but to my thinking his
face looked infinitely diabolic
True, excellency, might have done
as you suggest But you forget am a
Chinese. and have been personally
mutiiated- Unlike you Christians, we
Chinese do not forgive our enemies. II
would not please me TO hand KunE
over to the government 1t would not
be satisfaction enough merely to know
that be was punished. I want to see
his punishment want TO punish him
myself
confess, knowing something OF the
Chinese character, that-there was req
son IN this, and my momentary doubts
were satisfied. Koon-Si was not pleas
ant TO look upon. but that he was the
instrument ordained for our use YVES SO
painfully apparent that there could be
no question OF severing ourselves from
his guidance.
And so for another hour we smoked
and talked, ultimately agreeing upon a
plan OF action Kocn-Sl, being one Of
those persons who seem TO know ev-
erything. counseled energetic action
and. seeing that we fell readily into
his wishes, informed us that on the
morrow the Foochow would sail for
Shanghai and advised a passage by
her. Knowing no reason why we
should delay our departure, we at once
accepted this proposal, and Jim there
and then handed the carpenter suffi-
cient money to enable him to purchase
few necessaries and bis passage.
Then, overwhelmed with thanks and
compliments, we were shown down
stairs and out through the shop. and
thankful I was TO taste again the com
paratively fresh air of the street,
tomorrow" said Koon-Si as he
peered mp, blinking, from his cellar,
I'VE shall meet on board the Foo
chowY"
tomorrow" answered my uncle.
You may not see me during the pas
sage up" continued the carpenter, 'but
IL you should you will remember that
we are strangers. Otherwise'-here
he lowered his voice and looked fear
fully about-''wS|l' the society is ev
81 understand" said Jim. 1--WE shall
meet again at Shanghair'
AT Shanghai you shall know every
thing"
We turned from Koon-Si and walked
down the narrow street, and as we
reached the bottom we hesitated for a
moment which way to turn. Then II
was that our friend All Yon advanced.
smiling and bowling.
"Makee losem way?" he said.
"Hellor' cried Jim. what are Won
doing here?"
my makee wait; think you makee
losem way"
well, it is a puzzling. evil smelling
place" was the reply.
All Yon grinned.
'Chinaman welly dirty beast. He
alice same belong dog-Iikee bad smell.
You no takee Iickshawr'
"No"
"Welly good. hakee walk. Ny makee
lead"
The rascal stepped out with jaunty
gait, and with elbows, fists and tongue
cleared a way for us whenever our
progress was liable to receive check
from the masses of people which chok-
ed the streets
At length we left the worst part of
the native quarter behind, and as An
Yon still continued to pace ahead my
uncle and busted ourselves with dis