The Columbus journal., 1909-01-06
ILLUSTRATED
:"
zHMzZ

COACH AT C0c ucdO Oh Juc Tram Wilt
out hindrance, and rode away in un-
disturbed solitude. No one seemed
aware or In any event to care for his
presence. There were no attempts
at conversation, except in one instance
where good-natured southerner
hailed him with: Hello, John! Going
to start wash shop somewhere
nor was he in the least perturbed save
on an occasion when rough
threatened to tweak his pigtail; but
even this went no further than words.
Everywhere were criticisms Of the
conduct of the war and imprecations
against the administration. The Amer
cans themselves were no more cog
been stretched along the border line,
ports closed, and communication cut
of. The citizens of the country Itself
were as mystified as the Japanese,
and frankly thought the situation a
foolish one. In all that long journey
down the eastern coast he learned
nothing whatever of importance.
His delayed train dropped him OF
late at night in the Florida town. and
he was compelled to seek lodging with
strangers or to sleep in the open. He
chose the latter course. and went out
below the city. across the bridge and
toward the Punch Bowl. where he
found rest beside the road till early
morning. When the first rays of the
sun were filteri1g through the great
trees and drenching the creepers with
light, he returned to the city, assisted
on his way by kindly farmer who
was driving in Tor supplies.
From him he learned where the
Chinese laundries were situated; but
could gather nothing whatever con-
firming his suspicious that the govern
ment was either in possession of a
pant at this point or even conducting
any experiments in the vicinity.
Still disguised and acting upon
what had been told him, he sought
the abode OF the Chinaman, who was
already sweating over his tubs, and
found him amenable to persuasion and
desirCus of giving assistance when
paid considerable sums of protection
money. His horn of plenty was sol
den one, but proved useless in day of
fruitless effort, his most careful in.
quiTies bringing nothing in the way
of return. Tired and discouraged, he
passed the early part of the night in
sleep from which he was aroused by
nightmares of hGrror and fOrebOdings
of failure, his mental state rObbing
him of, rest. -......,..-
In the hope that fatigue would cure
insomnia, he donned his clothing and
sauntered away through the deserted
streets, his heavy leather soles
dumping upon board walks and across
sandy patches. 1t was past one O'Clock
in the morning, and all was still. He
wandered idly along the main
thOroughfare, and reached the far end
of the town, before his attention was
attracted by sound from the water
front, where holl0wly through the still.
ness a steam winch was chugging and
suffering as it toiled away with its
load. 1t brought him to a quick halt
and aroused in his mind multitude of
questions, because along the entire
shore line of this great country no
craft was now loading and none ar.
irving. according to his knowledge. He
hastily directed his steps toward the
wharves, stealthily seeking the shad |
ows of the palm trees. and stopping !
now and then to avoid any. chance of
being observed.
Lying against the pier was a small
gunboat of the United States navy,
which was receiving supplies. and the
men at work were evidently hurrying
at their utmost. The vessel had not
been there during the daylight hours
of this he was certain-hence her
loading at night could indicate but
one thing. a desire for secrecy. His
nerves keyed up in the hope of q dis
.overy, alert and inquisitive. he crept
lose to the freight shed where the arc
lights threw huge spots of white.
So this accounted for the disposal
" those mysterious orders which had
,een reported to him by Meredith and
,thers! But where could they be
,ound? What was the destination of
his ship which, even as he watched,
vas casting of her lines preparatory
o sailing away into the night?
(TO BE CONTINUED.C~.