Norwich bulletin., 1909-06-12
CHAPTER XIV.
In Honor of General Denby-The Taku Forts--My Successor Is Ap. pointed-My Kind Friends.

When Colonel Denby was appointed United States minister to succeed John Russell Young at Picking, his ar- rical at Tien-tsin was looked forward to with a feeling of lively interest and when it was reported that the minister and his family had arrived at Yokohama and were to leave there for Tal1u on the United States steam CT Trenton, I called on Viceroy u Hung Chang at his yamen, and hay ing informed him of the expected ar- rival and of my going to Taku to meet the minister, asked the viceroy if 1t were possible for him to furnish me with an order to the commander of the forts at Talxu to honor the min- ister with a flag raising salute as he passed the forts.
 Why, certainly" said the vicerov. Although 1t has never been done for foreign official, I will issue the or der"
 With that order I started for Taku. went to the fort and gave the order to the officer in charge. who, after duly considering its import, treated me right royalty, taking me through the fortifcations and pointing out to me how utterly impossible it would be for an enemy to attack successful ly its 1Inpregnable walls. It was cer- tainly a wonderful fortress. I re- LuAAC0 " dhu anu CQdIIereQ a tux for one hundred dollars, which was to be in readiness at any time for one week. to meet the Trenton on her ar rival and convey the minister and his family to Tien-tsin. On the morning of the fourth day after the charter the man on the lookout discovered the ship. She had come in during the night and anchored about twelve miles from the mouth of the Pei-ho. and fC41r~ r-afloc age-way of incoming and outgoing messengers of commerce. We were soon under weigh and headed for the ship, and when the tug hove in sight the rejoicing on that ship was simply immense, as they had all been wonder ing how and when they would reach the land.
 As the tug. came alongside the ship l mounted the side ladder and went on board. The first person to meet me was Admiral Davis, whom I knew, and greeting me very cordially he in- vfted me aft, where I was introduced to the minister and his family, also to the officers of the ship. They were all grouped together, and such woe- begone company have seldom seen. After the introductions, the admiral said to me:
 They don't want us here; you come with me"
 l went to his room and we had a. glass of wine together, and it was then that the admiral informed me me that during the short time the Dem bys had been on board the ship. the family had so endeared themselves to the officers of the ship that the part ing was like the separating of a fam fly. As proof of the sincerity of their feelings, one of the. officers has since married the minister's daughter. The scene at parting was quite affect ing, and, considering the brief &C., quaintance, was Something remark able.
 After leaving the ship, when a. short distance away, a minister's salute of thirteen guns was given, when the colors were dipped, and when hoisted again a consular salute of seven guns was fired in my honor, all of which were duly acknowledged by the recip- tents. As we were passing the fort I threw out the preconcerted Ssignal and up went about forty of the dragon flags, to- the aStonishrnent of eyerv- body except myself
 The evening of the minister's ar rival at Tien- tsin there was to be a grand banquet in honor of the treaty of peace between France and China, and as I had my ticket.I teIegraphed to MT. Pethick, my vice-consiii, to ee- cure tickets for Minister Derby and his son. He did so. and we arrived. at the settlement in time for them to prepare the banquet. Tie minister delivered his nrsk apeech fin f1e orienx,