The Columbus journal., 1909-01-13
ILLUSTRATED
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that he had been deliberately played
with, an unconscious mouse beneath
the eyes of vigilant cat. Worst of
all, this in itself was confirmation
that none of the later reports he had
sent out to Japan had reached their
destination. Probably every message
he had dispatched was now in the
hands of the Americans. His only
hope of conveying warning to his cOun-
trymen and for his own life depended
on his escape from the clutches OF
these men, who could appear ignorant
and torpid when in reality they were
advised and alert. In a burst of inn
potent rage he shook his fists at the
stars. His companion caught his arm.
'Listen!" he said. You have but
one chance. You must get away from
Washington tonight. l have friend.
a Canton man, who is a gardener in
the outskirts. If we can reach him he
will take you in his wagon to a rail-
way crossing before the light comes.
There you can get aboard a freight
train"
Go as tramp?"
Yes, because all other trains will
be searched"
Seigo shrugged his shoulders in dis
gust. He would have uttered a pro-
test in words had not his companion
checked him and continued:
IF you are careful you can get to
Chicago, where other friends of mine
will help you. Then you must try to
reach Canada as best you can"
Ssigo hesitated a minute before de.
Gliding; but it was obvious that no bet
ter means was available. Together
the two men crept through alleyways
and back streets to the outskirts Of
the city. until they came to the hovel
where lived the truck farmer on whom
they placed their hope. He, exper-
/ fenced in the ways OF the Americans
through long residence in California
and standing in dread of the law, was
at first loath to undertake the part
assigned to him; but the clink Of gold
coin Overcame his fears, and in the
end Seigo sought sleep in the bottom
of covered wagon while being driven
TO the place where he was to assume
a new role. He felt alone and deserted
when the gardener departed, leaving
him standing at an intersection of rail-
way tracks waiting impatiently for a
freight train On which he was to make
his first excursion into trampdom.
1t came at last, heavy snorting To-
comotive pulling long trailer of emp
ties. 1t whistled shrilly for the cross
ing, watched for signal from the
lonely little tower. and came to full
stop. Scigo, with his heart in his
mouth, clambered through the side
door OF an empty car and was soon
travelling westward to the rhythmic
clank of wheels on rails. Fatigue at
last overcame him and he slowly
dropped into a restless sleep in which
he was pursued by demons and con-
fronted by unknown terrors. He was
aroused by a brakeman, who roughly
punched him in the ribs with the toe
of his boot and told him t. Hike
OUT" He sat up and blinked his eyes
until again ordered to vacate, and
then came to his senses sufficiently to-
make plea for himself. which was
unavailing. The brakeman was OBJ
durate and threatening, until the spy
crawled stiffiy out.
He sat wearily down on a pile of
ties. and the brakeman. still watchful,
stood in front until the long train
dragged past, then reached out q
grimy hand, swung lightly onto the
steps of the caboOse. and shook his
fistat the supposed Chinaman as he dis
appeared. A tramp of the most degraded
sort approached him and with the
camaraderie of the homeless dropped
into conversation with him. Food and
rum made him an ally. and, finding an
easy source of assistance without ef-
fort, the tramp avowed that he, too,
was bound for Chicago.
Under this expert tutelage the
Japanese reached the metropolis of
the west, where he bade his friend
good-by and sought the Chinese to
whom he had letters. Again he faced
a reverse; for these men with one &C.
cord told him there was no possibility
of evading the sentries to the north.
and that his only means of escape
must of necessity be in the far north
west. Sympathizers first but traf-
fickers always. they mulcted him Of
his money. and in return made 1t pos
sible fer him to travel to Seattle.
They bought ticket. provided him
with a Chinese certificate of entry
whose pictured corner was sufficiently
close in resemblance, and saw him of
on his journey. .-.
Time and again in that long trip he
was dragged out and compelled to
show his papers. proving that he was
always a suspect. Once a threat was
made to hold him over; but his per.
suasive tongue secured immunity from
arrest
(To BE CONTINCED)
Leech a Weather Prophet.