The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-04-19

ious TO get on with our journey. but
1t seemed quite impossible as there
was not an engine to spare, the i'm
perialists having secured most OF the
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 1t was time
to take matters into our own hands.
so after some deliberation two men OF
our party went off on foot to see for
themselves how matters really were
up the line. They returned at night
fall the same day. having done some
nine miles, to find a bridge broken
and rails torn up.
Secured TroIieys.
Judging it impossible for a train
to pass over this gap they retraced
their steps. They were overtaken by
a trolley loaded with soldiers which
gave them the idea OF transporting the
whole party In this fashion II trolleys
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 the
top, wrapped in rugs. and so the third
stage of our journey began. None
were sorry to leave the chilly railway
car which had afforded us free lodging
for four uncomfortable nights. We
very soon met some soldiers on a
small trolley. which they surrendered
to us without demur. This became
our pioneer trolley. going ahead to see
II the line was clear. We carried a
red, white and blue flag indicating
neutrality. the white flag having been
adopted by the revolutionary party.
1T was glorious winter weather,
exceedingly cold, but the sun shone
and kept us from feeling irostbitten.
We were surrounded by high hills all
the way while In the valley below US
lay the frozen river. Little temples
were perched high up on the hills.
and we passed deserted villages
whose Inhabitants must have fed to
more distant villages. We went
through many tunnels. generally with
fear I'm 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 II became necessary to
push the trolleys. We wero 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 railway
station. where we determined to pass
the night even II 1t meant breaking
open the door. II proved not to be
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 into
Shansi. They came sharply round a
corner. and our pioneers only just had
time to jump of their trolley and
avoid a collision. Once more our
trolleys we're unloaded and pulled of
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 tz Kuan we were
surrounded by the imperial soldiers In
their gray uniforms and fat German
military caps. There We met a mill |
tar attache from the British legation |
at Picking, who obtained a reserved |
car for us in train carrying troops |
to 81 Cha Gwang. Our adventure was |
now ended We were bona fide trav |
elers, and the next evening saw us In
Tientsin.
Time effaces the recollection OF IA |
tigue and discomfort, but 1t cannot |
obiterate from our memories the |
kindly courtesy we received from the |
revoutionaries, now no more known |
as revolutionaries. but as Chinese pa.
triots. who fought and won liberty for
their country"