Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-01-03

LOOK, uonder Is the island of ChinO-ht 4"
pricked up my ears and listened still
more intently. The sound came at reg
ular intervals, and after a little hesita-
ton | connected 1t in some manner
with the swing of the big steering
scull aft Then the thought Of the
scull conjured up a vision of the man
who was working 1t, and Mr.. All Yon
Immediately stood before my minds
eye.
Ever on the alert and but sure of one
thing, that the unexpected always hap
pens, / instantly made up my mind
that All Yon was signaling me, and
further to test the truth Of this sur
mise L got up, opened the flap at the
back of the little cabin aud looked out.
All Yon's face was but darkly seen,
yet his figure stood out distinctly, a
darker shadow against the dark back
ground Of the sky. AS he saw me he
stopped. his finger to his lips. but AT
that moment the voice of Koon-Si was
heard. and Yon Immediately stood up
right and stiffened himself to his work.
But the carpenter. continuing TO speak
and somewhat excitedly, thought, the
man who had been keeping the lookout
forward came and took Yon's place. the
latter scrambling forward In turn.
Then for space there was peace on
the boat. and we swung on. on.
Though at the moment | thought the
occurrence a little strange, a fuller
mental investigation failed to lay bart
any important fact. That All Yon had
meant to communicate with me was
obvious, but that his communication
was of any moment IL would be diff
cult to say. That he had been relieved
from his post aft was only natural,
considering the time he had stood
there. Nevertheless I mentioned the
incident to Jim, who could make no
more out OF II than l. Among friends
the uttered word is not always big
with meaning; the word unuttered- is
easily forgiven.
No incident of any Importance mark
ed the continuation Of our journey. II
was long and dull to a degree, and the
only satisfaction we received from
Koon-Si. whom we importuned with
queries as TO distances. etc, was the
invariable reply, Presently" Every
thing was "preseFltiy." AMI for want OF
a fuller answer we were forced to pos
sess our souls in patience.
But at length the apparently Interim.
nabie journey drew to a close. Koon-Si.
/ who for some time had been intently
Deering through the gloom. suddenly
pushed his face into our cabin and
said: I'VE have arrived, excellencies.
|, Look. yonder is the island of Ching hi"
We looked, but for some little time
could scarcely distinguish the land, II
lay so low. but at length ii rose swiftly
| like dark exhalation from the bosom
or the river, and | felt a strange thrill
play about my heart. This was the is
land of Ching hi; this, for the nonce,
was the home of Kung; here it was
was to grapple face to face with des-
tiny.
At word from Koon-Si the sail was
lowered, and slowly we began to drift
down upon the land. The carpenter
came and leaned over the tilt and held
hurried conversation with the steers
man, the result of which was that we
changed our course somewhat, making
for what appeared to be a break in the
island. This, thanks to the current
which about here. where the waters
parted, ran with an increased velocity.
we soon approached sufficiently for one
to descry little inlet or bay, and into
this we steered. The boatmen, if not
KooD-Si, appeared to know the lay of
the land, and with that accuracy which
men who live on ships seem to com
mand we made our way without mis-
hap. Once in still water, the oars were
again brought into requisition, and
presently | felt the boats keel CRATE on
the bottom. Then the carpenter slipped
overheard and held the boat while Jim
and leaped ashore. feat we accom-
plished for the mere wetting Of our