Democratic messenger., 1911-11-04

As each bowed his head and entered
there was little doubt In his mind that
he would ever emerge from that noun
tain OF rock. II he did IL would not
be alive. II Chinese pirate lives mp
TO his ugly reputation.
4 series of winding passages led
through the rock and finally terminal
ed in small room followed out OF
the granite Here were rich hangings
and a silken carpet. One OF the Chi
nese disappeared through curtained
doorway and presently returned to
confer with his companions.
Then the three Americans were
pushed through the doorway TO find
themselves in large grotto. curtained
and carpeted and richly furnished
with bronzcs and porcelains. embroid-
cries and rare carvings.
In n large high backed chair. carved
into the rude semblance OF 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 his huge
fat hands were clumsily clasped about
his capacious waist. On his big head
there was perched black velvet skull
cap.
The Americans were garbed as they
had been seized. and their stormcoats
covered them from neck TO heel Now
their coats we're stripped OF. and un-
der the direction OF the leader the
prisoners were searched thoroughly.
Yellow claws relieved them of watch
es. money and Jewels aud gingerly ap-
proprIated their weapons. After that
they crowded about the three and en-
deavored TO make them understand
something they were trying To explain.
Ellis, who was In n Shanghai bank
ing house. knew some scraps or the
language, and. although this southern
dialect was strange Ia him. he man
aged to convey the meaning to his
companions that the leader OF the
band was prepared to offer them u
chance for life.
Hes got a necklace there. See that
string OF ivory beads? Well. it's all
white save one. and that's ball OF
pink coral He says the one that can
get 1t Off the chain without disturbing
the other beads may go free. The 9TH
ers get-you know"
Lets see the chain" said Anson,
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 a small pea The chain was rich
creamy yellow save for the one bead
OF an exquisite rose tinted coral. IL
was strung on line woven copper wire.
and the Joining of the wire was not
discernible
How about the guns" whispered
Lyman cxcitedly Il believe can
split il off first pop
"rhen It's your chance" said the
others generously. for you know we
wouldn't stand show anyway"
"If it's my chance" said Lyman
coolly. then I'll figure to get the lot
OF us OF. Ask him II | can have a
try with my revolver at solving his
problem
The leader nodded with an amused
smile. and Anson and Ellis held the
necklace suspended between them. In
the excitement Of the moment they
did not notice that they were In line
with the leader of the pirates. aud It
was not until Lyman's shot rang echo
ing through the rocky caverns. fol-
lowed by the Aslntic's hideous yell as
he Topped from his chair, that they
realized I.yman's bullet had taken cf-
feet In the leaders body. For brief
instant there was intense silence: then
Lyman flashed around ON the cowardly
crew with uplifted weapon. and It only
needed one or two deadly shots to send
them scattering out OF the chamber
ITS our only chance: let's be of"
muttered Ellis. grabbing his own
weapon from the floor aud rescuing
their fallen watches where they had
been dropped.
They painted down long and mar
row passageway that at Its greatest
width would not have admitted the
corpulenee OF the pirate leader. All
nj once rush OF cold air smote their
heated faces. They rounded II shoulder
OF juttlng rock and came out upon a
small natural stone ietty that put forth
into the Yellow river. They were quite
out OF sight Of the creek and the junk
II concealed
There n welcome sight met their
eyes Steaming up the stream came
the Linda. n line of fresh white and
red faces against the rail. A sup
pressed cheer went up as the three men
were sighted and boat was lowered.
II was not until the Linda had put
down the river and was emerging into
the China sea once more that Anson
realized that he wore about his neck
the white chain with the single coral
bead. He removed the chain and hung
II around Lyman's neck. The latter
looked down AT the rosy bead with
meditative eyes.