The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1912-06-27

form was that of captain, but not of a naval
officer. He told me his name was Deverel but
when | asked him the name of his shin he an.
swered evasively. and had learned the ways
of the China sea too we'll to press the question.
At Singapore, where we discharged our cargo
our agents reported that Moy Sen was vowing
vengeance on us for the loot we had wrested
from him and the havoc we had spread among
his fleet. We worked our way back to the
rendezvous and, after consulting with Norton
took my interpreter, All Fen, who was half
"Chinkie' and half Malay, from the Leckwth
and went to Hong Kong on the Surprise to see
just what was going on.
'The Beautiful White Devil" woman pirate
whom | at first regarded purely fanciful
being, came into my life on this visit to Hong
Kong in the early day of 1876
White waiting for All Fen's report lounged
around the hotel. Soon | began to hear weird
stories Of a woman pirate who, while never mo-
Testing honest merchantmen, preyed merciless-
ly and successfully on the Chinese and Malay
pirates, just as Norton and | were doing
1t occurred to me at once that if such wom-
an really did exist it might have been her ship
whose captain | had attended, but could not
make myself believe the tales that were told
me.
and asked If an English physician was stopping
there, and / recognized Captain Deverell, but
he as formal as stranger and did not
indicate that knew him. He asked If he could
consult with me and took him to my room.
where he assumed much more cordial air.
II called" he said, ito invite you take a
cruise with me so that we may get better ac-
quainted and [ can show you my appreciation
of your kindness"
packed my bag and turned 1t over to man
whom Devere summoned from the street.
was given the cabin of the surgeon. who
had died recently. Deverell took me to his
room and we talked until midnight
1t was considerably after eight bells before
l retired, but my sleep was not long or heavy
At breakfast time Deverell wearing a smart
uniform, escorted me aft to the private quar-
tiers of the queen.
Ia moment the queen appeared AS she
parted the curtains and paused in the doorway
with an air of difidence, l was transfxed by
her marvellous beauty.
81 already know Dr. Burnett" she said as
she swept toward me with superb grace and in
finite charm Of manner and extended her hand,
small and soft.
1--WE are headed for my retreat" she explain
ed. 81 should like to have you stay with us as
long as you can. will put you down in Hong
Kong or Singapore on three or four days no
tive"
| assured her the prospect was delightful.
Hong Kong we ran into a group of Islands, off
to the eastward of the regular course to Sing
apore. Just as dinner was announced flag
was waved from the bridge and made out an
answering signal on the steep side of small
island just ahead of us, but could see no sign
of either landing opening. Then mes
senger brought word that the queen wait
ing dinner for me. The ship slowed down
while we were at dinner and finally the screw
stopped. Immediately the queen led the way
to the deck
This" she said, "is my kingdom-without
king Isn't it beautiful"
I assured her that it was the most beautiful
place had ever seen, wherein, when day
dawned 1 found | Rad not exaggerated. We
were at the head of an oval lake, perhaps
mile and half long, with mountains rising
crescent-shaped around 1t. There was q sTnall
village of English cottages and native huts. On
three sides of the lake was narrow beach;
the fourth side, toward the sea, was perpen-
dicular bluff, sixty feet or more high. search
ed it for the passage through which we had
entered the lake. but nothing could I see but
bare wall of dark rock The queen smiled
at my perplexity "Wait until tomorrow" she
laughed eve will go ashore at sunrise"
She appeared with the sum- accompanied by a
Dyak woman whom l had not seen before, and
we landed at little stone dock in front of the.
village All of the inhabitants, consisting of
about fifty English and Scotch men and women,
some with silveIed locks and bent backs and
some of them crippled by the pirates, and near
ly as many natives crowded the pier to meet
her. their manner one of the greatest affection
an6 Difference We walked through the vii