Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-01-03
CHAPTER XIV.
A RUN DOWN THE YANG-TsE.

a KUN DOWN THE YANG-TSE-
Shortly after breakfast Koon-Si cam,
and helped us to dress In our Chinese
clothes, a complete outfit OF which.
even to a big cody hat and pendent
pigtail, had been provided. But IL was
nevertheless long and dreary day we
spent shut up in the back parIor of the
illustrious cousin. | thought the sun
would never set, and when at length
the shadows did begin to fall seemed
unable TO realize It. The carpenter had
paid us two or three short visits dur
ing the day, but he had nothing to RI
port. All Yon. who had been dispatch
ed on a scouting expedition. was not
expected back until the evening. so
that Jim and l had nothing TO diver,
us but cur own thoughts, and II mine
might be accepted as & criterion OF his
they were not such as men gladly well
come.
However, the day did eventually
draw TO a close. and when the darl
had come Koop-Si entered with the
welcome Information that 1t was time
to start. Our small preparations wer,
hurriedly made, and we quickly fol-
Where is All Yop?" asked my uncle.
He will meet us at the boat Too
many going together might excite sus-
picion."
wonderful fellow was the car2en-
ter. He seemed to think OF everything
And. though personally / did not like
the man. / had TO admit that for our
needs we could not have created a bet
ter one.
Out into the street we went, our big
sutraw hats pulled well forward SO as
TO shade the face, and In this manner
we pursued our way without raising
remarks or any undue curiosity from
the passersby. Koon-Sl led us swiftly
and silently along. having previously
cautioned US not to speak; for, as he
said. the very streets have ears and
Kung is everywhere.
1t seemed to me that we were taking
direction contrary TO that from which
we had come, though this was no cause
for wonder, as the island was some
miles below the town. Nevertheless L;
was anything but pleasant Journey
and heaved sigh OF relief as we
gradually left the i'll smelling alleys
behind and came more into the strag.
Cling streets which denoted the out
skirts of the town. These In turn gave
place to still more open country, and
presently we began the descent of a
slope. at the bottom of which thought
l could detect the sparkle of water.
The river| said Jim.
Eyes, answered Koon-Si. Here we
can embark with perfect safety, as we
are some distance below the town"
He led us on for another hundred
yards or so along the waters edge. and
then, stopping for a minute and look
ing round as If to locate the exact spot.
he uttered the cry of night bird
Waiting little while, he signaled
again, but this time the cry was varied
there DNing three distinct calls. Almost
Immediately a sound like an echo came
over the water, and this was followed
shortly after by the soft swish of a
steering sculi. Then from the gloom
which lay like a cloak upon the river.
l saw a darker shadow emerge, and
presently boat grated on the shingle
at our feet.
Aboard quickly" said Koon-Si. "The
wind is fair, and the current is strong
In two or threS hours we shall be
abreast OF Ching hi"
The boat IS steadied for us, and we
Instantly scrambled aboard. The car
penter followed one of the men showed
of. and presently we were spinning
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