Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-05

would, I could not hold them back long
enough to give the soldiers time to overtake
us, and in that brief half hour the pirates
gave me the worst beating-up have ever had
in my life.
lust when I thought we were going to be
caught, the soldiers found Capt. Haarland
and stopped to examine him, thus giving the
gang time to escape. Once free from pursuit.
we Travelled all that night
The next few days were similar to the others.
save that we moved about by night and lay
low at day. The hiding was now a difficult
problem, because the country folk who had
hitherto put us up had became scared by the
nearness of the magistrates soldiers and re-
fused to take in.
Meanwhile change had come over the gang
IA significant one. large party naturally
attracted unwelcome attention, and so they
split up. Three men were left to guard me.
but the others were never far away These
three men took turns in watching me- one at
q time, and directly I realized this began
to evolve a plan OF escape.
My opportunity came late one afternoon.
when in cave with solitary guard.
had noticed this man before and had de-
cided he looked likely for my purpose, being
shorter and thinner than myself, which I
thought would make up for my own weak
physical state.
The cave was small and narrow In q
corner was the usual filthy pile Of bedding.
There was a small oil lamp suspended from
the ceiling, and general air of mustiness
and dirt.
My guard was sitting In front Of me- near
the entrance, with a rifle across his knees.
He had a pistol IN his belt, but had seen
him attempt to use it, and knew that it was
too rusty to be of service. thought that If
could overpower him just before nightfan
might escape in the darkness and put a good
distance between me and the gang before
morning broke.
The sun was disappearing. The lamp had
been lighted. and I sat on a small stool
wondering how could best cover the distance
between us in such way as to catch the
sentry by surprise, my hand happened to
touch the ground and I found a fair-sizc j
stone lying close beside me. AS stealthily >
possible, I pushed it under my stool. T.
sentinel suddenly produced a water-pipe a.
set about loading it. In doing SO he got ,
and for a moment half-turned his back.
I had lifted the stone from the floor and
braced my feet ready for the throw when I
heard voices very close. Hastily I dropped
back, and a moment later two other members
of the gang entered and started conveysa-
ton with my guard. They stayed perhaps
minutes, and when they left the sun had dis
appeared and it was night.
Then came an unlooked-for happening The
oil lamp above began to flicker, and the
sentry arose end came forward to trim it.
It was now or never! The fellow was
standing directly in front of me. looking up
ward. with his hands raised to the lamp and
his rifle on the floor behind him. Snatching
I'D the stone I hurled it with all my strength
at the brutal face not feet from my own.
AS did so made flying leap at him.
heard the stone land with crushing force.
there was a choking gurgle, and the next
moment was slashing at the pirate with my
fists.
But this was very willy Chinese, and pre-
sently his clutching hands seized my wind-
pipe in O death grip that was more than