The Alaska citizen., 1916-09-11
(. q q . . c Q . c . , Q Q .

- - V V V V
 The following letter. which was written from Neuug Kong, China, by w II. Dobson. NJ. D., of the Presbyterian Mission. discloses an experience which relates not only the unsettled condition of that sec ton about Canton, but records an answer To prayer as noteworthy a. those of the days of the founding of the Christian Church. Rev C., C. Bruce is personally acquainted with Dr. Dobson being colleagued with him in the work in this same territory some thirteen years ago. Tn all they ways acknowledge Him, and lie will direct thy paths
 PIRATES.
 Here come the pirates, sang one of the kitchen boys as he saw a small steamer suddenly veer in our direction. II was the evening after a day at Macau that small steamer steering away from two fishing smacks, approached our junk We. a sea going junk trail ing another and lowed by a large launch. were enroute from Hong Kong to Yeung Kong. 250 miles away, with miscellaneous cargo, including 2,oOO large bags of rice. 1t was May 27. 1916, the second day from Hong Kong The sea was remarkably quiet and We were making steady progress westward To our right was the mountainous mainland uotOriously infested with pirates. and to the left open sea- with the Ladroue Islands, a pirate stronghold century ago, in the distance Our boats ordinarily run through the Canton Delta and open sea between Canton, kongmoon and Yeung Kong, but due to the rebel lion and pirates have temporarily taken the Hong Kong route to avoid them, several tows having recently been captured and launches taken to prey on others.
 The above remarks of the kitchen boy revealed the apprehensions of all on board, for We had seen a captured launch in Macau harbor, This Portuguese colony is the Monte Carlo of the East being simply a center for gambling, prostitution, opium and gun running is a pirates refuge and Is cordially hated by every public spirited Chinese. At present there is civil war in China, and the pirates flying the rebel flag and having free access to Portu- guese waters, are free to work their nefarious schemes.
 The night came on and We, show ing no lights, were gradually pass ing the supposedly dangerous part of the coast On the previous night l slept on top of the cargo, but now the rolling of the ship made nov HE dlOuIlu ItlNil'l pltNcAl IOu'7, 9O ! returned to my bunk, one of four i'll a little, hot, six by five room in the stern.
 About a. m. I was suddenly awakened by what sounded like firecrackers, but which l immedi- ately knew was an attack by rob
 
 flat on the floor, while the bullets sang and crashed around. The fir ing ceased in a few minutes and a launch came along side with load of pirates, each holding a torch and a Mauser pistol. They jumped on board and rushed for the crew who had meantime vanished into the depths of the junk. It has been the rule that whenever rob bers find foreigner on these raids that they shoot him first, so l did not know what their intentions were towards myself. Naturally l was somewhat apprehensive but rather surprised to find that I was not es pecially frightened. They came tC my door and asked who l was and said the mission doctor at Yeune Kong. Immediately they said that they would not molest me, anG shortly the head robber, or great emperor" as he is "honorably" call ed, came and treasured me, pre- senting some footed cigars. A re cent newspaper commenting on this gang of pirates says that they are extremely antiforeign and that for eigners will do well to beware ol them.
 In the meantime they were hunt ing out the crew and the captain of the junk. An orgy of pillag' began, the ships treasure and th' luggage of rich passengers beins first overhauled by the head rob bers who took money and valuables The gang followed, selecting wha each desired, stuffing it in jacket with pockets all around the out side. Boxes and trunks were chop ped open and the contents scat tered The robber chief gave ol ders that my own baggage am goods were not to be touched, am ba alco asked whether had an