Dewey County advocate. [volume] (Timber Lake, S.D.) 1910-1913, 1912-04-26

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| across country. We were very anx-
ious to get on with our journey, but
it seemed quite impossible as there
was not an engine to spare, the I'M
perialists having secured most Of tho
railway rolling stock. Moreover, We
heard that the rails were being torn
up, bridges broken, and contact mines
placed on the track. That night We
did not sleep much, and huddled In
our rugs listened to the passing trains
full Of returning rebels. The sentries
who had been placed to guard US had
now departed with the other soldiers.
leaving US quite unprotected on the
railway track. Hot food was no long
er obtainable at the station. the cook
having flown as well as the railway
employees. We now felt It was time
to take matters into our own hands.
SO after some elaboration two men OF
our party went OF on foot to sec for
themselves how matters really were
up the line. They returned at night
fall the same day. having done ssme
nine miles. to find q bridge broken
and rails torn up.
Secured TroIIeys.
Judging It impossible for . train
10 pass over this gap they retraced
their steps. They were overtaken by
q trolley loaded with soldiers. which
gave them the idea Of transporting the
whole party IN this fashion II tro!leys
were to be obtained. We succeeded
In securing four. much to the station
masters dismay. On these We piled
our luggage. The ladies sat on tho
top, wrapped in rugs. and 90 the third
stage Of our journey began. None
were sorry to leave the chilly railway
car which had Afforded NJ free lodging
for four uncomfortable nights. We
very soon met some soldiers on .
small trolley, which they surrendered
to M without demur. This became
our pioneer trolley. going ahead to sec
II the line was clear. We carried .
red, white and blue flag Indicating
neutrality, the white nag having been
adopted by the revolutionary party.
1T was glorious winter weather.
exceedingly cold. but the sun shons
and kept Us from feeling frostbitten.
We were surrounded by high hills al
the way, while In the valley below NJ
lay the frozen river. Little temples
were perched high up on the hills.
and We passed deserted villages
whose Inhabitants must have Aed to
more distant villages. We went
through many tunnels, generally with
fear In our hearts, for there were NO
lights and no signals. The line was
never level for long. Sometimes We
would descend rapidly for mile or
two, and then turn sharply on an up
grade when It became necessary to
push the trolleys. We were able to
engage four coolies to help, and they
were much needed when we came to
the spot where the rails had been torn
up, when the trolleys had to be lifted
OF. carried. and replaced. A break
down gang had luckily been at work
and had mended the broken bridge
and replaced some Of the rails.
"At nightfall we came to q railway
station, where we determined to pass
tho night even If It meant breaking
open the door. It proved not to b
necessary, for friendly Chinese rail-
way porter appeared with the key
He also swept floors. lit fires, and
even made biscuits for our breakfast
the next morning. We were OF again
at daybreak. and before noon encoun
tered the first detachment Of the en-
peror's soldiers coming by train intc
Shansi. They came sharply round Z
corner, and our pioneers only just had
time to jump of their trolley and
avoid q collision. Once more oul
trolleys were unloaded and pulled on
the rails to let the train pass by.
IAN hour later we had crossed the
frontier and passed close to the bat
tlefield. At Man II Kuan We wer>
surrounded by the imperial soldiers IN
their gray uniforms and nat German
military caps. There we met a mill
: tary attache from the British legation
: at Picking, who obtained q reserved
: car for US in a train carrying troops
to 81 Cha Gwang. Our adventure wa
now ended. We were bona flde trav
! elers, and the next evening saw u II
Tientsin.
"Time effaces the recollection of f.
tigue and discomfort, but 1t cannot
}, obliterate from our memories the
kindly courtesy We received from the
revolutionaries, now no more known
as revolutionaries. but a. Chinese -
!. triots, who fought and won liberty 81
their country"