The Washington herald., 1922-02-18
An Aesis in Far Waters.

ne readiness OF the British government to
i stage a war if needs be in protection of
subject, maltreated threatened on a foreign
strand has been harped upon for many years. 1t
has been said that beneath the Union Jack or the
red-and-blue merchant flag individual is safer and
more assured of his rights than beneath any other
Our own banner has its widespread prestige
however and particularly is this the case in Chinese
waters, infested especially the river reaches with
pirates who ordinarily give quarter. One great
corporation has uniformly kept its cargo boats from
molestation by these rapacious Celestals by flying
Old Glory as conspicuously possible
We reminded of this awe-struck recognition
accorded the Star Spanged Banner by an article in
the current number of Asia Magazine from the
pen of William L. Hall, who relates an encounter
with river pirates follows:
THE cargo-boat had just pulled one OF the
hardest rapids and was creeping along the bank.
l was out shore Our crackers were ready to
come on board for food before trying the hardest
rapid in the river. Their bowls of steamng rice
and vegetables waiting A hum of content
ment rose Soon chopsticks were flying and food
was disappearing. scream of agony and warning
reached us from across the river. Our captain
yelled order to the Throwing bowls in
every direction, they sprang to the The Off
called to his men sand they lined up as for in
spection. He gave order and they inserted
cartridge clips into the guns. Calling to some
ferrymen he badc them come alongside. Soon the
officer and twenty-five speeding out
toward the middle OF the river We followed at a
slower pace.
"a sandspt reaching far out into the water,
marked the upper edge of the eddy on the side to
which were going For period varying from
ten to thirty minutes, after drifting in below the
spit, boat is practically helpless. The men who
row arc short Of breath after tho hard pull and
the bamboo cables must be drawn out slowly from
the coils The thread-boa that our captain watches
solictously lying in the still water just be-
low the point of sand Men were camberinp I'D
her sides and men were standing thick all over her
deck. Still others, shore, were waving their
if urging some forward. The men were
the much-dreaded river pirates, and our companion
boat in their hands.
when we struck the main channel near the
middle of the river, the current careened our boat
and our large flag, which we had taken care to af
fix to the mast early in the morning, could be seen
from the other side. Instantly all the force being
exerted on the far shore changed direction Down
from the captive-boat pushed and tumbled half a
hundred men, some with guns and others unarmed.
Up. the steep hillsides they like ghosts until
when our boat had drifted in, we saw them on the
very top of the cliffs, siihouettes against the eaden
sky. From the cefts in the rocks peered their tur
baned heads, and the bamboo elumps were Aeeked
with the blue of their clothing Up the slopes thew
crept all intent on slipping away from the scene OF
action. When we asked the reason for the ranid
exit of men with such repute for bravery ali fingers
pointed toward Old Glory and as with one voice
arose the cry: The flag! The Aagp When the flag
had burst into view as our boat turned, the leader
OF the band screamed to his men: Great America!
Great America! Run! Rum! And they ram