The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-08-21

annuIed was occupied with my duties in the First
Reserve hospital where [ had been temporarily as
signed One day met him on Che hscolta talking
to a Spanish mestizo who seemed greatly excited.
Good morning, doctor" he remarked in Spanish.
"Senor Valdez turning TO the Clestjzo, permit
nc to introduce partner, DR.. BoIss. Senior Val
deZ, he continued TO me. owns vessel that think
might answer our purpose il not for the sad
fact that some OF her frames and part of her keel
badly burned as the result of fire that broke out in
her cargo few months ago
Before got through with him he was over
jOyed to let have her at own price, which
fair enough, and we made him throw in an extra
anchor and 200 fathomS of three-inch coir hawser.
The following day Mcxim shipped native crew,
three Tagals and two Visayans. Iloio men, who aft
erward turned out to be brave, devoted servants
Our idea to down among the southern ISL
of the archipelago and try to pick up cargo Of
hemp and tobacco, especially the former, the
had put the price way up Many of the ports were
still closed but natives be induced cargoes
off at night and besides. there the pearls and
copra TO be considered. strongly in favor of
trip to Sydney Melbourne after load of trading
junk, calico prints. condemned cutlery and stuff of
that sort knowing how much the natives preferred
these things to money But MeKim seemed 10 think
there was more in getting hands all of the
loose hemp around the islands.
week later We had got craft in pretty good
seagOng shape had the cabin aft slightly remod-
eled and made very comfortable. Some Chino car
penters had been strengthening the burned portions
replacing some of the teak frames and fishing others
in weak spots. One afternoon was experimenting
the work as McKim was ashore hagglng with Valdez
about Stores when 1 banca coming alongside
Under the awning sat the biggest, latest Chinaman
l ever saw. AS he seemed to want to come aboard
called one of the to drop the ladder for him.
With amazing activity for of his size he came
up over the side and stood smiling at piacidly
1t easy TO that ne was person of some con-
sequence, both from his bTisket for only wealthy
Chnaman really fat and from the richness and
care with which he was dressed.
Good afternoon, I remarked in Spanish. RE an
swered fuently in the same tongue.
Is this Mr. McKim?' be added
NO said l, hes ashore but he'll be back soon
Come under the awning and sit down.
! At first he started TO pump me about our plans
but cut him short, gave him cigar and went on
about my work In about an hour McKim came
who's that chap?p he asked.
Some Chinese compradore I expect" said l.
/ Seems TO be quite a swell in his way. Probably
wants to sell us few extra kegs of nails. Looks as
I if might need EN- before get back, too
pushed a sprung piece of deck panking back into
place with my heel McKim walked aft. A few min
utes later he called me-
Come here will you doctor. This gentleman"
said MctIim in Spanish, Indicating is my part
ner, and whatever do must be done with his con-
sent Will you please state the proposition to hm?
The big Chinaman looked at me with twinkling
eyes One would have swonR that he was about to
Tell funny story.
/ 4 have just been telling Mr. McKim' he said in
very good Spanish that wish TO charter your yes
sci to carry cargo for me from Hal Chm
Where is that?'' l asked.
Ten miles up the Hal Chin river
What is the cargo?" said I, though knew what
was coming.
Opium.
@'And where is it to be landed?"
Here but will attend to that myself You will
run risk whatever"
And we to keep mouths shut"
That is of course, understood; your own inter
ests will demand that
looked at the old scoundrel in admiration. He
was willing 10 trust European honesty to bring a
valuable cargo across the China sea, and was con
sistent enough to that it would do try to
persuaded to it for him. But being silent
accessories of this act of smuggling did seem to
occur to him crooked In his Oriental code of
ethics there could be no dishonesty where there was
no risk of punishment / looked at 4IcKim's face
It expressionless as the Chinaman's. Then
turned to the latter
How large cargo?" I asked
Altogether including a few bales of silk about
what you could load into casco
And the compensation"
Two thousand pesos
shrugged my shoulders disdainfully
Il have lived in China for many years I said
"and know the danger of loading a cargo of opium;
also of getting it away from that part of the coast
The place you speak of being shallow and dangerous
and full offpirates. we risk losing brig and as
you know our lives as we'll" l caught McKim's
eye.
What do you think of ito" he asked in English.
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