The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1911-09-28

I
tering one Of the low arched entrances
that appeared 10 pierce the solid rock.
ny kicks and threats their captors
made the Americans understand that
they were 10 40 ashore, and soon they
had landed and were being ushered
through the same low entrance they
had observed
As each bowed his bead and entered
there was little doubt in his mind that
be would ever emerge from that noun
tain Of rock. II he did IL would not
be alive, n a Chinese pirate lives up
TO his ugly reputation.
A series OF winding passages led
through the rock and finally terminal
ed in n small room followed out OF
the granite Here were rich hangings
and n silken carpet One OF the Chi
nese disappeared through a curtained
doorway aud presently returned 10
confer with his companions
Then the three Americans were
pushed through the doorway TO find
themselves in n large grotto, curtained
and carpeted and richly furnished
with bronzes and porcelains, embroid.
cries and rare carvings.
In large high backed chair, carved
into the rude semblance Of a throne.
sat large and very fat Chinese. His
little black eyes seemed TO sink into
the flesh Of his face and become mere
points OF black jet His chin rolled on
his satin covered breast, and bis huge
Fat hands were clumsily clasped about
his capacious waist On his big head
there was perched black velvet skull
cap
The Americans were CARRIED as they
had been seized, and their stormcoats
covered them from neck to heel Now
their coats were stripped Off, and un.
der the direction OF the leader the
prisoners were searched thoroughly,
Yellow claws relieved them Of watch
es, money and jewels and glngerly APP
propriated their weapons After that
they crowded about the three and en-
deayored TO make them understand
something they were trying to explain.
Ellis, who was In a Shanghai bank
ing house. knew some scraps Of the
language, and, although this southern
dialect was strange TO him, be man.
aged TO convey the meaning to his
companions that the leader OF the
band was prepared TO offer them a
chance for life.
Hes got necklace there. See that
string OF Ivory beadsi Well, its all
white save one, and that's bail OF
mink coral He says the one that can
got II on the chain without disturbing
the other beads may 80 free. The 9th
ers getyou known
Lets see the chaln,n said Arson,
and Ellis made known the request,
which was Immediately granted. The
leader took from his neck large
chain OF polished ivory beads the size
Of small pea The chain was rich
creamy yellow save for the one bead
u au exquisite rose tinted coral. II
WAS strung ON fine woven copper wire
aud the joining Of the wire was NOT
How nboDt the guns?' whispered
Lyman excitedly. Il believe ! can
split Il OF first pop"
Then It's your chance said the
others generously. for you know we
wouldn't stand show anyway"
"lf It's my chance said Lyman
cooliy. then III figure to get the loi
o. us on. Ask him II can have a
Try with my revolver at solving bis
problem"
The leader nodded with an amused
smile. and Arson and Ellis held the
necklace suspended between them. In
HE excitement 81 the moment they
iid not notice that they were In line
with the leader OF the pirates. and II
was not until Lyman's shot rang echo
ng through the rocky caverns, fol
owed by the Asiatic's hldeous yell as
he Topped from bis chair, that they
called Lymans bullet had taken ef
'ect In the leaders body For brief
Instant there was intense silence; then
lyman flashed around on the cowardly |
rev with upilfted weapon, and 1t only
ieeded one Or two deadly shots 10 send
hem scattering out Of the chamber.
ITS our only chance: let's be or,
Ellis, grabbing bis own
weapon from the floor and resculng
heir fallen watches where they had
sen dropped.
They painted down long and mar
ow passageway that at It's greatest
Width would not have admitted the
orpulence of the pirate leader All
4 once d rush 81 cold air smote their
stated faces They rounded shoulder
4 iuttlng rock and came out upon
mall natural stone jetty that pot forth
40 she yellow river They were quite
al ~ sight Of tbs creek and the junk
concealed /,
There welcome sight met their
yes. sieAnling % The stream came
be Linda. line Of fresh white and
"a faeeo against the rail A sup. /,
ressed cheer went up as the three men
ere sighted and = boat was lowered.
II was nos nniil the LINDA bad put
own the river and was emerging into !
ae China sea once more that Arson /
1iixed that be wore about bis beck {
10 white chain with The single coral
cad he removed the chain and aang
aroand f.ymans neck. Ths latter ,
:.