Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-05-15
in THE CHINA SEA
A NARRATIVE OF ADVENTURE.
Ey SEWARD W.. HOPKINS.
tCopYn1GHr 1899 ROBERT BosEEn's sovs)

found ourselves in a marble-lined
room about twenty feet square, fur.
nished comfortably, and lighted by
lamp. A ventilating shaft ran to the
roof, giving a supply of air.
There was small door leading
into another room, but we had no time
nor inclination to look into it then.
Kneeling by the side of bed,
praying, or moaning in low tone,
was woman.
"Slee, Lannee Ralston," said Sid
Kee.
I rushed to her. She heard us
speaking and rose to her feet. I held
out my mana TO greet her. She
recoiled from me and gave me a look
of entreaty. The face was the same
that I had seen with Sid Kee in San
Francisco.
"Miss Ralston, you are free
saved" I said. "We are from San
Francisco, and have come to rescue
you. Your brother is not half mile
away. See, here is an officer of the
United States. Come"
She wept, but allowed herself to be
assisted out of the cellar, and walked
with us to the palace.
CHAPTER XVIII.
BEFORE THE CURTAIN DROPS.
Ten days later the captains gig lay
at the wharf at QuieAtal, and happy
party were about to embark in her to
board the Beaver, which lay, with
steam up, ready to transport US at
once to Hong Kong.
eve had been delayed by the ILL
ness of Edward Ralston, who was but
lust sufficiently recovered to warrant
his making the long journey home.
He and Annie were going to San
Francisco. Miss Ralston had some
what recovered from her six months
incarceration. Between her and Miss
Arnold a deep friendship had sprung
up-a friendship that was to ripen and
deepen as the years went on.
Mere words are utterly inadequate
to express the gratitude of the Raj.
stons toward Largsto1 and myself for
our efforts to rescue Annie. The results
of this gratitude were afterward made
apparent to me in the benefits Tai
mooch received, induced by Western
influence.
AS I said, the Ralstons were going
home.
Miss Arnold and I were going to
Hong Kong to meet her father. If
that gentleman raised no objections,
and we anticipated none, we were to
be united in marriage by Mr.. Avery,
and take up our permanent residence
in the palace of Quiental. 1t was not
until I had given my solemn promise
to return that Garu-Saak, Oso-Bark
and Bado-Ror signi6ed their willing.
ness for me to leave them even for q
time.
I asked Mr.. Avery to accompany
me, but the old man preferred to re-
main and take care OF his people until
we returned.
It was doubtful just what Langston
would do. He had avowed his inten-
ton to remain in Talmooch and assist
me in building up a nation. His
legal knowledge would prove in
valuable to me; but he had also fallen
desperately in love with Annie
Ralston, and I doubted if he would
see her leave Hong Kong and not
ACCOMPANY her. I firmly cherished
fond hope that in the near future
they would take the step Miss Arnold
and I had resolved upon, and become
citizens of Talmooch. even pro-
posed to Langston that he become my
Secretary for Foreign Affairs; and he
laughingly accepted, provided we
could obtain the protection of the
United States Government. Ralston
promised that we should have it if
Western influence could bring it
about.
Mr.. Avery, Garu-Saak and Oso-
Bark babe us adieu at the wharf, and
watched us as we rowed toward the
Beaver. When we were safely on
board and the anchor was raised
guns were fired from the shore.
We waved farewells to our friends
IN land and rapidly steamed away.
As we got farther and farther away
from Talmooch I watched the island
through a powerful glass.
Framed in the stone setting OF the
little window IN the north tower l
Jaw the pale, furrowed face of the old
missionary looking sadly after us.
Good, faithful friend! He deserved
Ill that I could do for his welfare, and
[ resolved, upon my return, to sub
,taut:ally reward him for his kind,
latherly care over Miss Arnold during
our long stay on the island and his
faithful assistance to me in my danger
ous plans.
And so T leave you. Trusting in
the future as I have always trusted,
firm in my belief that Talmooch shall
some day make for itself a name
among nations, of which both you and
[ shall be proud, I lift my hat to the
glorious stars and stripes-emblem OF
liberty-that floats above me from the
masthead, and fondly, sadly, say