Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-02-13

did not allow to become apparent in
his face.
T shrugged my shoulders. had
my own plans about Mr.. Gambok
Smell. I did not think he would do
me much harm after I once got out OF
him all the assistance I could get.
Don't think of it," I replied.
"Now we are ready to embark, shall
have to ask you to carry some things.
You may carry the rife and pistol,
and, if you can, this bottle. Can you
manage it,"
Eyes, easily" she replied, picking
them up.
"Now, then, Gambok Smell, listen
to me-" I said, with oil the ugly
emphasis I could. 81 am going to
carry you on board the yacht. Your
life depends ON your faithful obedience
to my commands. Do you under.
stand?" He nodded sullenly.
every WE'LL You are to explain to
the crew of the yacht that we are
friends and guests of Cha Fong's and
are to be taken at once to Hong Kong.
You can tell them they are to return
then for their master. Do not think
YOU can trihe with me. will know
by their actions whether you haze
obeyed me or not, and any evidence
of treachery will be followed by your
speedy death. Not one word OF Cha
Fong's fate. Do you fully compre-
bend now what is expected Of you"
He nodded again.
every well, then we will proceed"
I lifted Mr.. Smell in my arms. He
was no load for me. He did not move
a muscle, and with my burden [ led
the way from the temple. Miss
Arnold followed me, with rife and
pistol. had also taken the precau-
ton to get all the cartridges for the
firearms that I could carry, and had a
bag of them strapped around my
waist.
There was evident surprise and con-
sternation among the crew when they
saw us emerge from the pit and make
our way along the ledge of rock to-
ward the companion ladder. 1 or
dered Mr.. Smell to tell them what L
had before taught him to say, and he
jabbed something in Chinese. The
men on tho yacht became quiet and
allowed us to come aboard without
molestation. They eyed Inc severely
and did not take kindly to my new
uniform, particularly that part of it
that was pierced by a bullet-hole and
stained with blood.
Through Mr.. Smell I issued orders
to take the ladder aboard and to get
under way. My orders were obeyed.
T had placed Mr.. Smell in q reclin-
ing position on the deck and one OF
the crew brought him pillow or
cushion for his head. sat near him.
with my rife in my hands, alert and
watchful. I had placed chair for
Miss Arnold near my own, and she
sat down and calmly awaited events.
Of course. I did not know anything
about the direction of Hong Kong.
But I knew the way I had seen the
Yacht come toward the island twice,
and ordered Mr.. Smell to put in that
direction.
Slowly the little yacht moved away
from the rock. The sails were hoisted,
and, as there was good breeze stir
ring, we were not long in developing
Roadway.
Miss Arnold AMI I hardly spoke ia
each other. had all I could do to
keep the run OF affairs in the yacht.
Ny fair companion sat pensively look
ing out to sea. Now and then 1 saw
her furtively glance at me, but if |
turned my head so that I might look
at her, she would be intent on the
distant horizon.
In a short time after leaving the
island of Su Foo we were speeding
through the water at a comfortable
rate. The sough of the waves against
the sides of the vessel was like music.
1t told us we were going home.
Gradually the island receded from
view. The warm breeze famed my
cheeks and refreshed me. The sky
was clear. Here and there a white
cloud scudded low over the water. II
was a glorious day, and hatred and
bloodshed seemed at variance with all
nature.
Wondered that we did not see the
coast.
The island we had left could no
longer be seen. We had been sailing
three hours, and not thing save sky
and water could be seen. There was
o look in Mr.. SMELLS sneaking eyes
as lie rolled them up ct me, that was
not reassuring. I realized that We
were as completely at this mans mercy
as though we were his prisoners. Bu
to depend upon him seemed our only
chance, and took it.
AS hour after hour passed, and still
no land appeared, I suspected tina
something was wrong.
GLOW is this?" I asked, sternly o
Mr.. Smell, "Why do we not see land
Hong Kong is not 40 far away "
A slight sheer showed on his face
s'Eef you knew where Hong Kong
was, why deed you need me, Mr.
Creekmore, to guide your" he asked
"Never mind that, replied angrily
GLOW much longer will it be before
we reach Hong Kong"
"Eet will take some time yet, bt
said. slowly. Hong Kong ees n"oci
farder away dau you t'ink."
"But did not Cha Fong go from tn
island to Hong Kong and get yo' an
return yesterday"