The Cordova daily times., 1923-01-19

Of the China Inland Mission, who, with his wife and some associate mis- sionaries, was captured by the outlaws of Honan Province. Stripped of all articles of value, subjected to all sorts of indignities, the missionary and his wife were forced to ride long distances on horseback, were given scarcely any food and finally were separated. Through the friendship of Christian Chinese Rev. Ledgard finally escaped and made his way back to his wife.
 Following is the second and conclud- ing installment of his diary.
 When we reached Hsihsien we found that the place had been burned and footed. I was allowed to go on to the mission premises owned by the American Lutherans and was told the same sad story of footing, murder and kidnapping,
 The Rev. Mr. Berg Breen and his five-year-od son, Rolfe, had been taken away. They were kept away from each other, as they were in diff ferent companies of the bandits. When Mrs. Borg Breen stopped to kiss her little child good-by as they took hlm away one Of the bandits struck at her and knocked off her hat.
 On Thursday night, November ,, we spent the night at village 5O Il north of Hsihsien and in the morning rode on ten Ii before we got off our horses and went into a house to warm ourselves. as it was very cold day.
 Disarm Bandit Guard
 While in the house one of the VII lagers called my bandit guard outside. He picked up his rifle and went out. As he stepped out the door he was grabbed from behind by one sturdy young fellow and held until seven armed villagers rushed forward and took his rifle from him.
 They looked so fierce and desper- ate that I tried to flee, but was m stantly held up with rifle pointed at my head
 I though my end had come.
 The trigger clicked but the cart ridge failed to explode.
 The bandit guarding me was shot' and two other men who had joined the bandit army that morning were a1oo shot bv the villagers. In the en- suing excitement I escaped. l could not run far, as the village was sur rounded by mOat, but l Waded through the water to the other Sloe' As I stepped ashore I was seized agaih and robbed of the few things still lh my possession.
 Once more I escaped only to fall into the hands of another mob ot in fnriatcd villagers, who demanded why their houses had been burned down. Recause I was wearing clothes that had been given by the bandits they insisted that I, too, was robber de- spite my protests. They took me to q temple. and, while considering what to do with me, someone rals2d the cry, s'The brigands are returning!
 Flee for Lives
 Every one fled for their lives, except the keeper of the temple, who hid me under some straw and told me not to move.
 An hour later hand was pushed under the basket that covered my lace and a few pieces of bread given me, After considerable time I heard a voice calling:
 Pastor come out; it is all right.
 was glad, indeed, to get out of my cramped hiding place and lind a Christian Chinese to befriend me. lie nersuaded the village elders to let me go, assuring them that l was not 2 robber, but a missionary who had been carried off from Shangtsaihslen
 With this good mans help l made my way to Loshanhsien and rom there to Singyangchow, on the Peklhs Hankow Railway
 T took train to Yencheng, where found my wife and child That was on November IA.
 This robber army consists mostly of the ex-governor of Honan's disband cd soldiers, with a sprinkling or real bandits. The majority of them are mounted and well armed with good rifles They claim to be 10000 strong hut this number can be reduced by ona-fourth. They compel the young men they come across to join them On the march they extend about 2O Ii wide. At night, to light their way and terrify the country people theS ,.4 firo to farmhOuses and leave them