Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-11-12


On the arrival of H. M. S. Leviathan
at Colombo late in December, 1904
there was great rejoicing on the lower
deck when ~ hours general leave was
piped, says the Wide World Magazine
The cruiser was fresh from the China
squadron, and, as may be we'll imag-
ined, the crew were eager for spell
ashore.
"Stumpy" Elsmore and his chum,
William Muligan, promptly started of
for ramble into the country, while
most Of their messmates elected to stay
in Colombo and renew their already
intimate acquaintance with the taste
of various refreshments.
With a plentiful supply of "baccy''
and food in their pockets "Stumpy''
and his chum struck right away from
civilization; through a region where a
British blue-jacket had probably sell
dom penetrated before. They had a
somewhat vague idea Of tramping to
Sir Thomas Lipton's tea plantation.
some forty miles distant.
For two days the pair were perfectly
contented with their gypsy existence,
but the tea plantation seemed as far off
as ever. Time was getting on, and at
last, very reluctantly, they decided to
turn back to the town in order that
they might be in time to remove the
very natural evidences Of their jaunt
ere they returned to the Leviathan.
Now, however, difficulty arose.
Neither Of the men was at all sure in
exactly what direction Colombo lay.
Both had theories, but the theories
conficted hopelessly. For about ten
minutes they continued to argue and
wrangle; then. like sensible fellows,
they decided to put their theories to
the only possible test. Each was to
take his own way, and a wager Of two
shillings was to go to the man who was
first to reach ship. AS 1t was then
about four o'clock in the afternoon and
their leave expired at on the follow
ing morning. it will be seen that there
was not much time to spare.
"Stumpy" Elsmore nodded to his
chum and set Off at good round
pace. He conjectured that he was
about 25 miles from Colombo. and had
no fear that the task would be too
much for him. BY o'clock he had
covered some eleven or twelve miles
Of his journey, and suddenly he found
himself entering a fairly well-worn
path and within sight Of an extremely
pretty little hut which nestled among
the trees. Without a single thought O.
POSSIBLE trouble -he-Walked- to the
door, intending to obtain refreshment
an enormous mulatto or half-breed
woman. Her skin was almost white,
though her fat nose and s!anting eyes
betrayed her Cingalese blood, and her
muscular development was extraordi-
nary. She spoke English rather WELL
but, in spite of her apparent friendli-
ness, the sailor was not greatly at
tracted toward her. However, a bad
resting place is better than none, and
"Stumpy" Elsmore responded readily
enough to the woman's civil invitation
to step inside and partake of supper
To this day he could not tell you of
what the meal consisted.
When he had finished the giantess
volunteered the information that Co.
lombo was only few miles farther on,
and that, as he could get lift in the
train which passed within half a mile
Of the hut, he might just as well sleep
in an upstairs room and leave in the
morning in time to get to his ship.
Darkness was now coming on, and,
somewhat against his better judgment,
the sailor decided to stay.
Now, the Leviathan had been on the
China station for some time, and, hav-
ing few opportunities of spending
money, "Stumpy" had several months
'compo" slowed away in the money
belt which every sailor wears. Search
ing for small silver with which to pay
for his supper and bed, he very fool
ishly allowed the woman a glimpse Of
several gold coins he was carrying
On seeing his store startling change
came over the mulatto's face. Her
eyes glittered evilly and she took a
half step toward him before recollect-
ing herself. Then, with a palpable ef-
fort, she resumed her courteous man.
ner, and, lighting a tallow candle, mo-
toned her guest toward the staircase.
The house consisted Of three rooms
only, one being the large living room
on the first floor, the other two be-
ing evidently used for sleeping apart
ments. The room into which the sailor
was conducted was very barely fur
nished and contained a large bed and
a chair, with few hooks on the walls
on which to hang clothes.
With a somewhat sinister smile the
woman wished him good night" and
retired to the room below. Feeling
vaguely uncomfortable, the sailor clos
ed the door and started to explore his
bedroom. The first thing he noticed
was that, although there had been
originally two bolts to the door, one at
the top and one at the bottom, both
had apparently been recently removed.
Having made this cheerful discovery
he took the candle and proceeded to
look under the bed At first, so poor
was the light, he could see nothing.
Then, without the slightest warning,
he received the fright of his life, his
hand came into contact with mans
face!
For a moment he turned, cold with
fear, but with an effort of will, his
courage returned, and he braced him
self to investigate farther. Placing the
candle upon the floor he peered be-
meath the bed. The sight which now
met his gaze was sufficiently unnerving,
for stretched upon the floor was the
nude body Of a native, with knife
buried to the hilt in his side!
To say that "Stumpy" was sick with
fear is nothing less than the truth. His
first impulse was to make a dash for
freedom, but he could hear his gigantic