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diff --git a/38406-h/38406-h.htm b/38406-h/38406-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..74ee99e --- /dev/null +++ b/38406-h/38406-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10409 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<HTML> +<HEAD> + +<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> + +<TITLE> +The Project Gutenberg E-text of In the Yellow Sea, by Henry Frith +</TITLE> + +<STYLE TYPE="text/css"> +BODY { color: Black; + background: White; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-left: 10%; + font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; + text-align: justify } + +P {text-indent: 4% } + +P.noindent {text-indent: 0% } + +P.t1 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 200%; + text-align: center } + +P.t2 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 150%; + text-align: center } + +P.t3 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 100%; + text-align: center } + +P.t3b {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 100%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center } + +P.t4 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + text-align: center } + +P.t4b {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + font-weight: bold; + text-align: center } + +P.t5 {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 60%; + text-align: center } + +P.poem {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; } + +P.letter {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.footnote {text-indent: 0% ; + font-size: 80%; + margin-left: 10% ; + margin-right: 10% } + +P.finis { font-size: larger ; + text-align: center ; + text-indent: 0% ; + margin-left: 0% ; + margin-right: 0% } + +P.capcenter { margin-left: 0; + margin-right: 0 ; + margin-bottom: .5% ; + margin-top: 0; + font-weight: bold; + float: none ; + clear: both ; + text-indent: 0%; + text-align: center } + +IMG.imgcenter { margin-left: auto; + margin-bottom: 0; + margin-top: 1%; + margin-right: auto; } + +</STYLE> + +</HEAD> + +<BODY> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Yellow Sea, by Henry Frith + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: In the Yellow Sea + +Author: Henry Frith + +Release Date: December 25, 2011 [EBook #38406] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE YELLOW SEA *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + +</pre> + + +<BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-cover"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-cover.jpg" ALT="Cover art" BORDER="0"> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT=""I ALSO DROPPED IN THE BLUE SEA BEHIND HIM." <I>See page</I> 121." BORDER="0"> +<P CLASS="capcenter"> +"I ALSO DROPPED IN THE BLUE SEA BEHIND HIM." <I>See page</I> 121. +</P> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center"> +In The Yellow Sea +</H1> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="t2"> +HENRY FRITH +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="t3"> +LONDON +<BR> +HENRY FROWDE, +<BR> +HODDER & STOUGHTON +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-title"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-title.jpg" ALT="Title page" BORDER="0"> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="t2"> +PREFACE +</P> + +<P> +Perhaps a few words of explanation as regards this volume may be +permitted. The following extract from a letter, from a relative who +addresses me as "Uncle Harry," will suffice at first. His letter is +dated "Shanghai, November 1897":— +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"Here are all the papers, with manuscript. Some of the latter is +translated by a friend, and some is newspaper work. But I daresay you +will be able to work up the matter. Do it as you like best; but don't +give me away, please. You will find some additional information in +Vladmir's work, and in the <I>Mail</I>, etc. etc. But I am only sending you +my experiences and adventures. Call them what you like. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +"JULIUS." +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +Here then is the narrative, in which the writer does not spare himself. +He certainly has had adventures by land and sea, between China and +Japan—"'twixt Jack and Jap"—during the late war. I have used his +papers and extracts in the compilation of the story; with gleanings +from <I>Heroic Japan</I> and newspapers, which I have examined, with +history, for my own benefit, and to verify my "nephew's" account of his +adventures during that stirring time in the Far East. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +HENRY FRITH. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +UPPER TOOTING, S.W.,<BR> + <I>March</I> 1898.<BR> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="100%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAPTER</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">A DISAPPOINTMENT—I ESCAPE MY FORETOLD DESTINY—THE <I>OSPREY</I>—THE STORM</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">A TERRIBLE POSITION—A PROPHETIC VISION—SINKING!</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">THE STEAMER <I>FÊNG SHUI</I>, FOR CHINA—CAPTAIN GOLDHEUGH—DISCIPLINE AND A ROPE'S END!</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">BOUND TO CHINA—THE VOYAGE AND MY EXPERIENCES—<I>CASH</I> IN HONG KONG—RUMOUR OF WAR</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">A SECRET MISSION—KIDNAPPED!—THE SCHOONER—THE ASSASSIN</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">SHANGHAI: ITS IMPRESSIONS—MURDER!—A RESCUE, AND A HAPPY ENCOUNTER</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">THE <I>FÊNG SHUI</I> CHANGES HER NAME FOR LUCK—THE TRANSPORT—THE JAPANESE MAN-OF-WAR—SURRENDER OF THE <I>KOWSHING</I></A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">THE END OF THE <I>FÊNG SHUI</I>—CAPTURED AND PRESSED!</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">THE BATTLE IN THE YELLOW SEA—THE EVIL GENIUS OF "FÊNG SHUI"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">A TRANSFORMATION SCENE—I BECOME A "CHINESE"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">CHINESE LANGUAGE—"HELD UP"—BETRAYED!</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">ABANDONED!—I FALL AMONG THIEVES, BUT FIND SOME "GOOD SAMARITANS"</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">KINCHOW—ARRESTED BY CHINESE SOLDIERS—CAPTURE OF THE CITY</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">THE SACK OF KINCHOW—RELEASED—"CASTLED"—A CHECK</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">AN ADVENTURE ON THE HILLS—THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH—TALIEN-WAN</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">PORT ARTHUR—THE MASSACRE IN THE TOWN—RELEASE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">EXPLANATIONS—ON BOARD THE <I>NANIWA</I> AGAIN—THE BLOCKADE OF WEI-HAI-WEI—ON SERVICE</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">ON BOARD THE TORPEDO-BOAT—BREAKING OF THE BOOM—CAPTURE OF WEI-HAI-WEI—CONCLUSION</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS +</H2> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +<A HREF="#img-front"> +I ALSO DROPPED IN THE BLUE SEA BEHIND HIM</A> (<A HREF="#p121"><I>see p.</I> 121</A>) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <I>Frontispiece</I><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +<A HREF="#img-018"> +"THE RAIN'S A-COMIN' THICK" +</A> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +<A HREF="#img-087"> +WE PROCEEDED TO THE CONSULATE +</A> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +<A HREF="#img-124"> +I SAW THE UNLUCKY <I>FÊNG SHUI</I> PLUNGE DOWN BY THE STERN SUDDENLY +</A> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +<A HREF="#img-144"> +ONE CHINESE VESSEL WAS MOST FEARFULLY PUNISHED +</A> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +<A HREF="#img-195"> +THEY LAUGHED AT THE STONES I THREW AT THEM +</A> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +<A HREF="#img-255"> +THE CHINESE WERE LYING ANYHOW +</A> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +<A HREF="#img-295"> +THE DEED WAS DONE! TORPEDO-BOAT NO. 6 SPED AWAY +</A> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +IN THE YELLOW SEA +</H2> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A DISAPPOINTMENT—I ESCAPE MY FORETOLD <BR> +DESTINY—THE <I>OSPREY</I>—THE STORM +</H4> + +<P> +"There, that settles the matter," said my stepfather irritably. "The +lad's no good for the navy!" +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" asked my mother, pausing in the act of pouring out the +breakfast tea for me,—my parents preferred coffee. +</P> + +<P> +"Because they say his sight is defective—that's all," replied my +stepfather. "That's a pretty ending to his career!" +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Bentham was a persistent grumbler. I had already remarked that +trait in his disposition, and it annoyed me. +</P> + +<P> +"I am quite sure his eyes are all right," said mother. +</P> + +<P> +"Then perhaps you'll kindly tell the Admiralty so," said my stepfather +("Daddy," I called him). "There's the medical decision. He's been +plucked on sight." +</P> + +<P> +"And <I>I</I> am certain there's nothing the matter," said my mother. "I +will take him to Mr. Jones, an old friend of his. You will find he is +perfectly sound." +</P> + +<P> +"My dear Emily, what is the use of discussing the matter? Julius is +deficient. There's the letter, read it for yourself. It's a great +nuisance. I suppose he'd better go to Granding and Smith's now. +Granding will take him"— +</P> + +<P> +"Granding and Smith's!" I exclaimed suddenly. "To the warehouse in St. +Paul's? Oh, why? I <I>can't</I> go into a shop." +</P> + +<P> +Hitherto I had been silent, but when this terrible fate was presented +to me I spoke out. The very idea of a warehouse was abhorrent to me. +</P> + +<P> +"My dear Julius, you must learn obedience. We have been educating you +for the Royal Navy, you have failed, and"— +</P> + +<P> +"For no fault of his own," interrupted mother quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"My dear, <I>did</I> I say it was for any fault of his? I wish you would +not introduce irrelevant remarks. He has failed to satisfy the +examiners in eyesight, so"— +</P> + +<P> +"I don't believe it!" exclaimed mother firmly. +</P> + +<P> +My stepfather made no reply. He silently folded the report in its +official folds, finished his coffee,—still in silence,—rose quietly, +and deliberately left the room. +</P> + +<P> +"Where are you going, Mark?" asked my mother anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"To my study, until you have settled the question with the Admiralty," +he answered satirically, as he closed the door. +</P> + +<P> +We were silent for a while. At length I said timidly— +</P> + +<P> +"Mother, <I>must</I> I go to Granding's? I hate it! Why can't I go to sea?" +</P> + +<P> +"We shall manage something, I daresay, dear," she replied. "I am +afraid your father is vexed about this. He was anxious for you to +succeed, and he is disappointed." +</P> + +<P> +"But, mother, <I>I</I> can't help it if my eyes are bad. They don't look +weak. Shall I go to old Jones, the oculist?" +</P> + +<P> +"We will go by and by; meantime, let me see your father. I am sure +Granding's warehouse will not suit you. The confinement will be most +trying to your disposition. There may be some mistake about your +eyesight; though I fear, even if so, it cannot be amended. Wait here +until I return. Ring the bell, and tell Ellen to clear the breakfast +things away, dear." +</P> + +<P> +My loving mother left the breakfast-room, and I seated myself at the +window to await her return. I was very much upset,—savage, in +fact,—and considered that the doctors had spun me on purpose. My eyes +were perfectly sound, I knew, at least I thought I knew, and it was +"favouritism." I had heard of such a thing; and the medical board +were, in my angry estimation, stupid! There was nothing the matter! +</P> + +<P> +When my mother returned to the breakfast-room she found me silent and +cross. The idea of giving up all my wishes for the navy, just because +a doctor chose to say my eyes were not sound, was absurd! But even +then I could not help myself; and, however ridiculous I fancied the +decision to be, I was compelled to accept it. I had failed! The +medical gentlemen—one, rather—had decided against me. I was most +indignant, and inclined to be sulky, when mother had explained all this +to me. For some days I was greatly upset, and went about "like a bear +with a sore head." +</P> + +<P> +Perhaps I had better not dwell upon that period during which, I now +must confess, I behaved badly. My parents were most kind and +indulgent. They perceived my disappointment, and made allowances for +me in all ways, including pocket-money. They did not worry me, but let +me find my level while openly discussing the question of my prospects. +</P> + +<P> +During these weeks I continued my boating and sailing trips. I was +well known on the beach; the sailors, with a tender regard for me and +my pocket,—which they did not wish to see either too heavy or too +light,—indulged me to the top of my bent; and I believe had I +suggested a voyage to France, or the Channel Isles, old Murry and his +son Tim would have carried me off in their boat, which I called a +"yacht" when describing her. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Osprey</I> was a tidy little "ship," and many a splendid sail we had. +I had already learned a good deal respecting ships and shipping, could +handle a boat, and steer fairly well. Thus weeks passed. I grew a +tall lad; my face was browned by sun and sea, and I quite forgot +business,—had even been reconciled to my disappointment as regards the +navy, and was repairing my eyesight. Alas! I was just too old for the +service then, and my stepfather began to make some arrangements for my +future. +</P> + +<P> +I heard the names of Granding and Smith of St. Paul's mentioned, and +shuddered. A counting-house and confinement in place of liberty and +fresh air! What had I done to deserve this prison fate? It was not my +fault that my eyes had been weak; and even mother had thought that +"business" was not suited to me. But the blow fell! +</P> + +<P> +The decision had evidently been made. My fate was fixed. I began to +be restless, but made no inquiry, and kept away from home as much as +possible. But one day, late in summer, the hammer fell upon my +"lot"—I was knocked down to the drapers! +</P> + +<P> +Mother came in and told me my fate. "Daddy" had determined it! It was +Granding and Smith, or a local bank,—I was generously permitted to +take my choice. +</P> + +<P> +Then I arose in wrath, and made some unkind, not to say rude, remarks +concerning my stepfather and Granding and Smith. Naval surgeons and +examiners also "caught it," and, indeed, my expressions pained my fond +mother deeply. Till I had apologised for my violence she declined any +assistance on my behalf in future. +</P> + +<P> +Of course, I said I was "sorry," and kissed her penitently. She +perceived my repentance was sincere, and forgave me. +</P> + +<P> +"Run away now, Julius, there's a good boy. Take a boat, and sail about +until this ill-feeling has subsided. Your father only means it for +your good, remember that." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I daresay he <I>means</I> all right, mother, but that does <I>me</I> no +good! I want to go to sea—I mean in the navy—and I shall do no good +any other way, I tell you plainly!" +</P> + +<P> +"My dear boy, that is just nonsense! You have plenty of ability, and +will, in time, be very glad to reflect that you were induced to go into +business. Business is really the best career, your father says." +</P> + +<P> +"<I>You</I> said it wouldn't suit me, and I know it wouldn't!" +</P> + +<P> +"My dear Julius, your father thinks it best for you." +</P> + +<P> +"<I>He</I> isn't my father, and I <I>won't</I> go to Granding. There!" +</P> + +<P> +With this defiance I rushed from the room, took my straw hat, and +hurried away into the bright warm sunlight in search of the sea. +</P> + +<P> +I had not far to travel. We lived then within two miles of the +Channel, and close to a tiny station, at which a few branch trains +stopped during the day. Perceiving that one of these tiny trains was +approaching, I hastened on and caught it. In five minutes afterwards I +was crunching the shingle, near the boats, on the beach. Several +boatmen accosted me; I knew them well. They humoured me,—I liked them. +</P> + +<P> +"Mornin', sir! Fine mornin' for a sail," said Murry, a queer, old, +weather-beaten salt, who had served in the merchant marine. "Goin' +out, sir?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," I replied shortly. "How's the tide?" +</P> + +<P> +"Young gentleman's arskin' for the tide, Tim," remarked another salted +fellow. "As if he wasn't a sailor now!" +</P> + +<P> +"I am no sailor," I replied savagely. "I'm plucked!" +</P> + +<P> +"Plucked! What d'ye mean? Thrown overboard? Who's been pullin' your +leg, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"It's true. My eyes are bad, the doctor says," I muttered. "He's an +ass." +</P> + +<P> +"Your eyes bad? Well, that beats! Why, I wish I'd one o' them at your +age! It's a mistake, whoever said it, I say that much." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, anyway, I'm not to be a sailor—not in the navy, anyhow. +Perhaps never at all. But let's shut it up. Where's the boat?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yonder she swims," said Murry. "Ye can go where ye like to-day, if +you're not venturesome too much." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, do you expect a storm?" I asked, looking at the blue above. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I wouldn't say it mightn't squall a bit. There's thun'er about +too. Better take a hand with ye." +</P> + +<P> +"Better take a second hand," added Tim; "them mare's tails is +subspicious. How far d'ye think o' goin'?" +</P> + +<P> +"Round Ratcham Head, and away to Greystones. I suppose we can fetch +that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, ay; tide's makin', and we can come back with a flowin' sheet agin' +it, proper. Here's my lad, Tim; he can go for the prog. Suppose +you'll want somethin'?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course. Here's the money. Get anything you like, and some beer. +Look slippy, Tim. Come back as soon as you can." +</P> + +<P> +Tim touched his cap, took the money, and set off rapidly in the +direction of the main street—the only one—of Beachmouth, which was +then a small, almost unknown, watering-place. Now it is growing +rapidly. Our house and grounds have already been purchased for +building purposes, and in the few years which have elapsed since my +disappointment the changes have been many and various. +</P> + +<P> +I waited with impatience for Tim's return. The sea was calm. The +breeze, which was off-shore, was gentle from the north-west, westing, +and the sky was deep blue, with a haze hanging about, indicative of +heat in the future hours. The distant vessels—not steamers—were +lazily dipping in the offing, not making much way, but still +progressing, so we could hope for a breeze outside. +</P> + +<P> +The dirty, chalky cliff sheltered us, and accentuated the rays of the +sun, which, reflected from the water, burned and blistered us that +summer more than usual, but as I was so much on the sea perhaps I felt +it more then. At anyrate, that August day I felt the heat greatly, and +became impatient for Tim's return with the "grub," so that we might get +away, and sail down Channel, away into the west perhaps. +</P> + +<P> +After what seemed an hour, but was really twenty minutes, we sighted +Tim carrying a parcel and a jar, three tumblers being hung around his +neck, and his jacket pockets bulging. One glance satisfied me, and I +called to Murry to come along. +</P> + +<P> +"I'm a-comin'! I'm a-comin'! We'm goin' alongside in Bill's skiff, ye +know. The boat's all ready—ballast and all. Don't ye worrit +yourself, Mister Jule; Tim's comin' on, hand over hand." +</P> + +<P> +Tim was certainly very warm when he stepped into the small boat, and +when he was seated old Murry sculled us over to the <I>Osprey</I>, a small +"yacht," if one may say so—a fore and aft sailing-boat, boasting a +little recess which was covered by a hatch, and called the cabin. +There was room for ten or twelve people, and she could accommodate +more. She carried the usual fore and aft sails, with a mizzen, and +sailed very fast. In fact, she was a rather smart boat, and easily +handled, being stiff and strong, with pretty lines; she looked smaller +than she really was because of her fine shape and slender appearance. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Osprey</I> could stand rough weather, as I well knew, and when we +hauled up the mainsail, and set the jib and foresail, I felt happy for +the first time that day. +</P> + +<P> +"Here's the change," said Tim, handing me a small sum, in which +sixpence shone proudly in a nest of coppers. +</P> + +<P> +"Pouch it, Tim, please. Now, Murry, what's the course, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I should say, keep her close hauled myself. Keep your luff, +sir, that's what it is, and then you'll have all your run back. But as +you like." +</P> + +<P> +"I want to make Greystones, though," I said, as I glanced ahead. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, ye can tack in. Ye see, it's this way: the tide's agin' ye, and +when ye weather the Ratcham ye'll want all the luff ye can find to +fetch Greystones this wind, anyway—and it's a squally bit down that +gully." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that's true; but we can fetch in. So you think I'm a sailor, +Murry?" I continued, referring to our previous talk. +</P> + +<P> +"That ye be," he said. "Eyes, indeed! as if ye couldn't see like a +cat. Why, I've see ye make out the rig of a coaster when Tim couldn't, +and he's been at sea since afore you come." +</P> + +<P> +"How old is Tim?" I asked, with my despised eyes watching ahead. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, about your age, I should say. Fifteen, ain't it?" he shouted to +his son. +</P> + +<P> +"Fifteen what?" called back the lad, from forward behind the jib. +</P> + +<P> +"Years, ye donkey-foal!" replied his father. "Your age, I says." +</P> + +<P> +"You oughter know, <I>dad</I>! But I believe I'm thereabouts. What +then—what of it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothin'—don't you think it," was the reply. "Mind you keep your eyes +to windward, seems a change like." +</P> + +<P> +"I've been thinking o' that cloud yonder, dad; seems like to spread. +What d'ye think o' standin' in a bit?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nonsense!" I exclaimed sharply. "We can't weather the point if we +keep in. As it is the tide seems sucking us into the cliffs." +</P> + +<P> +"There's no call for hurry," said Murry. "But when ye can lay a point +inside—well, half a point—do it. The sky's getting kind o' hazy." +</P> + +<P> +We had run well down the coast, slipping over the small waves, and +darting merrily along. The boat was sailing well up in the wind, close +hauled; and every now and then, with all my care, I could not prevent +the sail shaking a bit. This back lift required me to keep away +farther out, and then we found the wind coming more abeam, and fresher +at times. Again it died away, and luffed up once more. +</P> + +<P> +All this time the sun was blazing hot, like a furnace heat in its +effects. Even the wind was warm, and appeared as if from a stove-pipe. +It was nearly midday, and the heat was tremendous. So I suggested +lunch. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose we stand out a while, Murry, and pipe to dinner." +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, ay," he replied, with a grin at my assumption of phrase. "It's +eight bells, ain't it? Then make it so!" +</P> + +<P> +"We don't want any 'observations,' Murry, I think," said I, smiling. +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir; I ain't going to offer any except 'Hands, splice the +mainbrace!'" +</P> + +<P> +Tim laughed, and handed out the beer jar, and a quantity of slices of +beef and bacon, some bread and condiments, pickled onions in a bottle, +and a huge piece of strong cheese. Altogether it was a splendid +dinner, and we fell to, lying gently over to the wind, and enjoyed the +fare, the "ship" almost steering herself. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that's good catering, Tim. I think you are a splendid steward +for a small craft," I said, after an interval, during which our +attentions had been directed to the thwarts, on which our food was +spread. "Now I think we may clear up, and keep our course." +</P> + +<P> +"The weather don't seem so willing to clear up, though," said Murry. +"That big, black cloud is sailing up hand over fist. That's a thun'er +squall, sir, and we'd better reef the mainsail." +</P> + +<P> +"For a summer squall like that!" I exclaimed. "Why, we shall be under +shelter of the cliff before it comes up; and its coming off shore, you +see, not on shore." +</P> + +<P> +"Exactly," replied Murry, rising. "Bear a hand, Tim, my lad. Get in a +couple of reefs. Lower the foresail afore ye come aft." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, come, Murry! I believe you're frightened. Why, it's only a puff +off shore, anyway." +</P> + +<P> +"That's just it, sir. Tie them reefs, Tim, smart. The squall will +catch us out here unless ye luff up, Mister Jule." +</P> + +<P> +"I am luffing up all I can," I replied. "The beastly ship won't stand +up to it, somehow! What's the matter?" +</P> + +<P> +"It's the thun'er in the air does it. Ye see the breeze is backin' and +fillin'. Give me the tiller, and go ye forward with Tim. Now, just be +easy." +</P> + +<P> +Murry did not often interfere with my sailing, and, therefore, I made +no further objection to vacate the post of honour. He loosed the +sheet, and held it in his left hand while steering the boat. Ever and +anon he cast a glance above the cliff in the direction of which we were +running obliquely to save all possible wind, but we did not make so +much headway, as we wished to reach beneath the point of Ratcham Head +for shelter. +</P> + +<P> +"There she comes," cried Tim. "What a black 'un! Whiz! that's +lightnin', sure." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, certainly. We're in for it, I think," I replied. +</P> + +<P> +"Father don't like it, I can see. He's allus skeered in a big storm. +Mother, she was struck that-a-way," he whispered. +</P> + +<P> +"How dreadful! In a boat you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"In this very boat it was. They was out lookin' after nets. Father he +was stoopin' forrad, a'most in the water, and mother she was steerin', +when <I>smack</I> come the lightnin' and kill her stone dead, settin' up +like a statoo, she was; and when father shouted at her to keep up, she +set, and set, until he went on savage, and then found her struck. +There it is again!" +</P> + +<P> +It was! Behind the cliff, which showed up whiter than ever, an immense +bank of cloud was extended as far as we could see landwards, but only +occupying a portion of the sky on both sides. To east, west, and south +the horizon was clear, but great hanging tendrils were seeking to grip +the blue below, and were curling up and retreating or advancing by +turns; but apparently also always gaining ground, though the movement +of the mass was imperceptible to us. Nevertheless, the blackness +increased, and at length the rumbling of the thunder became distinctly +audible. +</P> + +<P> +The wind rose, and came rushing across the waters, taking up the little +waves in spin-drift, and indicating a bad quarter of an hour for any +craft caught unprepared. The boat's head was necessarily put more +west, and so, with the wind more on the beam, the rate of sailing +increased. The clouds came up steadily, the wind began to bluster +suddenly, and to roughen the edges of the waves more and more. +</P> + +<P> +The old fisherman hauled on the sheet, and sat over more to the weather +side. He made no remark for a few minutes, then he cried— +</P> + +<P> +"Get in under the hatch there, forward, and haul a tarpaulin over ye. +The rain's a-comin' thick. Hear that!" +</P> + +<A NAME="img-018"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-018.jpg" ALT=""THE RAIN'S A-COMIN' THICK"" BORDER="0"> +<P CLASS="capcenter"> +"THE RAIN'S A-COMIN' THICK" +</P> +</CENTER> + +<P> +A tremendous burst of thunder came crashing upon our bowed heads as it +seemed. Tim routed out a tarpaulin, and he and I rolled each other in +it. It was a covering for the sails, which the old man used at times +much to his friends' amusement. However, on this occasion we did not +complain, for the rain, and, I fancied, even hail, came down with +fearful force, and ran out of the lee scuppers, though with difficulty +it escaped. +</P> + +<P> +Notwithstanding all our protection we were getting wet. The wind rose, +the thunder roared, the lightning flashed past us, the little yacht +bounded and dipped. At length a fearful burst of flame struck us, and +we actually screamed in terror. +</P> + +<P> +Then the next moment the wind caught the sail, and flapped it with a +terrible noise which mingled with the thunder. The boat careened over, +righted, and flew before the wind like a frightened gull. I felt Tim +rise, and go astern; I heard a cry of pain and anguish. Then I +subsided upon the seething deck blinded and helpless! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A TERRIBLE POSITION—A PROPHETIC VISION—SINKING! +</H4> + +<P> +When I had rubbed my eyes, and began to take in the surroundings, I +felt drenched by the rain and sea. My hands were sticky, and cold and +damp. My clothes clung to my limbs, which were stiff under me. My +straw hat, with the ribbon of which I had been so proud—a yacht-club +ribbon—was sopped, out of shape, and off-colour like my drenched face. +The squall was still passing, but the thunder had ceased. +</P> + +<P> +The sea was very lively, and the wind boisterous. We were running +close-hauled and fast, dipping and slapping; the mainsail stretched +stiffly over the boat, reefed still, and the jib was as taut as a +board. Daddy, I thought, was steering splendidly in such a sea, but I +at once perceived that the cliffs had sunk deep into the water behind +us, and that the line of the horizon was continually broken with the +rolling waves. A change, indeed, and in a few moments! A great change! +</P> + +<P> +I sat up, feeling a peculiar sensation of dizziness, and a +breathlessness, a desire to gasp for breath—a taste, moreover, of +something unpleasant, almost sulphurous, but not of sulphur. Something +had happened! I looked around me; astern I saw Tim gripping the sheet +in one hand, the tiller in the other, and dragging at the sail, half in +the boat, half out. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter, Tim? Is the skipper asleep?" +</P> + +<P> +I often called Murry the "skipper" for fun, as he called me his "young +gentleman," meaning midshipman. +</P> + +<P> +Tim made no reply. Perhaps my voice had not reached him, so I shouted +at him— +</P> + +<P> +"Tim, ahoy! Whither bound? What ship's this, anyhow?" +</P> + +<P> +"The Dead-ship," replied the young sailor. "Come aft, if ye can, and +bear a hand. I can't manage the sail and steer this way." +</P> + +<P> +Feeling alarmed, I scrambled up, and in an instant I saw that some +fearful accident had occurred. The mainsail was lying half in and half +out of the boat, dipping and lashing the waves, and bringing the +<I>Osprey</I> down by the quarter and stern, deeply. No wonder I felt +drenched, no wonder the boat was uneasy; and Tim had need of all his +nerve and skill to keep his course. +</P> + +<P> +I clambered astern and hauled in the sail which had come down full, +with the gaff, upon the stern-sheets, and nearly swamped us. I +recollected the cry I had heard. What had happened? +</P> + +<P> +My cheerfulness was quenched in a second. I was face to face with +death for the first time! I could not credit it! +</P> + +<P> +Yet I knew it I could see nothing but the sail, the blackened spar, the +tangled ropes, the mainsheet still gripped in Tim's hand, held, too, I +fancied, <I>by another hand—the hand of his dead father</I>! +</P> + +<P> +This impression suddenly seized me, and the idea burned into my brain +like a dart—a hot nerve-thrill. Murry had been struck by that fearful +flash, and I must have been laid out senseless. The peculiar feeling +and sensation caused by the "electric fluid" I still remember, and do +not wish to experience them again. +</P> + +<P> +I felt afraid as I seated myself silently and with carefulness beside +Tim. I questioned him with a look; he replied with a nod. Neither of +us made an attempt to speak. He kept the boat's head close to the wind +as possible, but we drifted out farther and farther all the time. We +had no grapnel, and had we shipped an anchor we had not line to hold +the boat there. All Tim could do was to keep up until a fishing-smack +or some other craft could assist us. +</P> + +<P> +Meantime we hauled the sail in board, and then, having lashed the +tiller, we managed to roll it up and get it away from the body, which +lay in the small, sunk, stern-sheets, still half supported. Murry was +dead! My heart thumped in my throat, and a horrible feeling of +hysteria attacked me. I suddenly burst out crying, and then sniggered +in shame amid sobs. +</P> + +<P> +"That's how mother was took," said Tim at length. "Can't we carry him +in to the cabin place, think ye?" +</P> + +<P> +I nodded assent. With great difficulty we managed to place the fine +old man upon the lockers; the rolling and jumping of the boat was +excessive, and imparted a weird movement to the body of the sailor. +</P> + +<P> +He lay perfectly uninjured to all appearance. There was a blue mark on +his neck, and his jersey had been split. Those were the only signs of +dissolution. Poor Murry! He was a fine hearty sailor, and I am sure +all his mates missed him for many a day. +</P> + +<P> +This terrible incident affected us both deeply. Tim said a few words +only, but I could perceive that he was feeling deeply, though his +training and habit did not tend to sentiment. My intention was to get +back as quickly as possible, and I said so. Let us get home! +</P> + +<P> +"Whatever course are you steering, Tim?" I asked. "We're making <I>out</I>, +not home." +</P> + +<P> +"We shall never get home unless by land—unless we run ashore," replied +Tim grimly. "She's leakin' like old boots." +</P> + +<P> +"Leaking! What do you mean?" I asked in alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"I means leakin', that's plain enough, I think. She's takin' the sea +in fine, and I dessay in a few hours we'll see her beached." +</P> + +<P> +"Where?" I asked quickly. "You're keeping off shore now." +</P> + +<P> +"Can't land under these cliffs, anyhow. We must bail and run soon. +That's our only chance I take it, Mister Jule. 'Spose you looks and +bails; there's a dipper there. See to the well. Come, we'll lash the +tiller, and she'll lie up a while in the wind if the mainsel catches +her astern." +</P> + +<P> +"But surely we can get ashore well enough. There are several vessels +yonder; let us run out and board one." +</P> + +<P> +"And be swamped likely. No, sir; let's weather the point and then we +may get in on the eddy a bit. See here, we're driftin' now; we can't +signal, the weather's thick a'ready, and likely as not a fog will come +up to-night. There's bad weather about now. So let's try for the leak +anyhow, and fix it." +</P> + +<P> +We made an investigation which occupied some little time. We found the +vessel was leaking, not badly; and if we could set the mainsail we +could sail fairly well. The wind was unfortunately rising fast, and +the day had completely changed. +</P> + +<P> +I was surprised to find that time had passed so rapidly; it was three +o'clock already. We were some miles out then, and still drifting out. +</P> + +<P> +We determined to repair the gaff as a preliminary, so Tim set to work, +and I assisted him as much as I could. That was not much, however, and +all the time the day declined, the sea rose, the wind increased, and +the <I>Osprey</I> jumped so that our efforts were not quickly successful. +</P> + +<P> +"I say, Tim, can't we rig up the sail on the stump, and let her drive? +We shall surely run against something bound homewards, or to London, or +somewhere, and get ashore." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm thinkin' we must chance it! The drift is dashing up too thick, +and I'm feelin' like tea-time. Tell ye the truth, Mister Jule, I ain't +the spirit for this. Think o' father there! How can we go back with +that story? I'm gettin' 'down' over it." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I say, Tim, none of that, please! Cheer up! we mustn't say die, +you know. We have had a bad time, I know that, but we can't alter the +<I>facts</I>. It's Providence, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"Ye didn't say that this mornin' when you was savage about your +eyesight," retorted Tim. "There was no 'Providence' in that. It was +bad words and hanging people then." +</P> + +<P> +"I was savage then, I know, and sick of things. But 'there's worse +things happen at sea,' remember; and this is the worst I ever knew. +Besides, it's a matter of self-defence and preservation, Tim. So let +her drive; we'll be picked up certain. Let's do our best!" +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, sir; you're master! Only, just see the weather! If we +gets out yonder we'll never get back!" +</P> + +<P> +"And if we lie here dipping and leaking we shall get nowhere! We can't +hoist the sail, can we? No; well, then, loose the jib-sheet and drive +out, there's plenty of steamers in the offing. I don't want to go home +in such a hurry, and if it was not for"— +</P> + +<P> +I stopped suddenly, my eyes had rested upon the outline of the poor old +skipper's form, covered with the tarpaulin, amidships. +</P> + +<P> +"Beg your pardon, Tim; do as you think best. I'll say no more. Let us +lay to as you say, and try it." +</P> + +<P> +There was a pause for a few moments. The spin-drift drenched us anew. +</P> + +<P> +"Mister Jule," said he,—Jule being, of course, short for Julius,—"I +think I understand ye. But, sir, you're the 'boss,' and arter all, the +old dad—he can't hurt. He's 'done his bit,' and done it well! We'm +alive-like, and we mustn't give in, must us? No, sir; we'll trim the +boat, and run into the sea-way, and take what the Lord sends us. What +d'ye say?" +</P> + +<P> +"Done with you, Tim! Here's my hand on it. We'll sink or swim +together. Is that right?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir; that's hearty! I rather thinks it's sink more than swim. +What you says I dessay's right; we may sink, and lay-to that way. +Let's drive!" +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, indeed! I am inclined to make a run for it, and <I>do</I> something." +</P> + +<P> +Before I had finished speaking this <I>ultimatum</I> Tim had loosed the +jib-sheet, and I shifted the helm a bit. The wind was lashing us then +across Channel; the afternoon was glooming, the sun had disappeared to +our starboard beam, and the sea became higher as the tide turned and +carried us away from the "dirty cliffs." +</P> + +<P> +"We shall smile at our fears to-morrow," I said, in an effort to be +cheerful which my heart did not respond to. +</P> + +<P> +Tim Murry made no reply, and we still ran seaward silently. Then I +suddenly became dreamy—listless. I did not realise the circumstances, +the sea seemed rocking me to sleep. Tim approached and looked at me, +took the tiller from me, and I fell into a calm dream of home. I +remember it well even now. The whole dream was for me a reality. My +stepfather was looking at me, while I appeared to be on board a large +ship like a man-of-war. Guns were mounted fore and aft, a number of +men were running about, there was some great excitement. Yet I was not +on the large vessel long; I was on a steamship next. The large +man-of-war attacked us, I could not say how, and the ship I was in sank +with a roar of steam and whistling and— +</P> + +<P> +"Rouse up, sir, look alive! Steamer close aboard of us. She's +whistling; she's seen us. I waved to her. Now we must leave this +sinking boat." +</P> + +<P> +I started up. The evening had fallen. The <I>Osprey</I> was half full of +water. I had been dreaming of sinking—the reality was very near. +</P> + +<P> +"Let us shout," I cried. "Say we're sinking, Tim." +</P> + +<P> +"That's no lie, Mister Jule. The steamer sees us right enough. Will +she be in time?" +</P> + +<P> +"What a time she takes," I muttered. "Somehow I can't believe it all. +Is it <I>really</I> true, Tim?" +</P> + +<P> +"Rather!" replied Tim. "There's the boat launched! Don't you believe +the water's up to your boots now? Look at it!" +</P> + +<P> +I suppose I was still half asleep. I gazed at the swishing sea, and +had no fear. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, I can swim! You said we wouldn't, Tim!" +</P> + +<P> +"You're nearer sinkin'," he answered. "Dad will never see the home +again, arter all. Well, well, it's the Lord's will, that it is." +</P> + +<P> +It was a sad and painful ending to a boating excursion. But at least +we were saved, and going home. How delightful it would be to see +mother again, to tell her all my adventures, to confess my temper, and +to try to do all she had told me to please Mr. Bentham. Yes, I made up +my mind to behave well, and give up the sea—if I must. +</P> + +<P> +"Step in youngster," said someone. +</P> + +<P> +My reverie had been suddenly cut short. I looked up, the steamer's +boat was alongside. +</P> + +<P> +"Just in the nick," remarked the officer. "How did you lads get into +this pickle o' fish? Lucky we sighted you." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," I responded in a sleepy voice. "Is Tim there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Aye, I'm here," he said. +</P> + +<P> +"And your father's—body?" I asked. "Bring him out, please." +</P> + +<P> +"What?" exclaimed the steersman. "A body—a dead body! Not for us. +Push off, lads." +</P> + +<P> +"You won't take it?" I cried. "Won't you bring it ashore?" +</P> + +<P> +"No time to go ashore, youngster! There, you see, just in time! +See!—she's sinking!" +</P> + +<P> +I looked. The <I>Osprey</I> began to lurch and dip as the men pulled away. +I stared in dread suspense, half dead, I fancied. Then we increased +our distance. The <I>Osprey</I> lifted and fell, appeared again, +disappeared; rose again, and just when one expected to see it once more +the sea hid it and bore it out of sight for ever. +</P> + +<P> +I think I shouted; I know I leaped up in haste, but a firm hand was +placed upon my collar, and I sank back unconscious of all around me +save the darkness of sea and sky. My senses left me! +</P> + +<P> +So Murry had gained a sailor's grave. "There in the lone, lone sea—in +a spot unmarked but holy," he lies at rest until the last call for "all +hands" is piped. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE STEAMER <I>FÊNG-SHUI</I>, FOR CHINA—CAPTAIN <BR> +GOLDHEUGH—DISCIPLINE AND A ROPE'S END! +</H4> + +<P> +When I again recovered consciousness I found myself in a comfortable +berth, in what appeared an airy cabin on the deck of a vessel. The +distant churning noise which attracted my rather wandering attention, +and the shaking of the furniture, told me that I was on board a screw +steamer. From the cabin windows I perceived a dim light upon the sea. +The steamer rolled and plunged and shook herself with great energy, and +at times the lamp hung, apparently, quite sideways across the room. As +I continued to gaze rather listlessly about me, my eyes fastened +themselves upon two words, of which I could make no sense nor meaning. +These were painted upon a locker in golden characters, above some +peculiar characters, and read— +</P> + +<P CLASS="t3"> +FÊNG-SHUI. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +What was Fêng-Shui? I had never heard of it. I puzzled over it. Was +it a name, a motto, or a spell of some kind? It seemed to my still +obscured brain "neither fish nor fowl nor good red herring," and the +painted characters beneath the words looked even funnier than those +upon a tea-chest. FÊNG-SHUI! +</P> + +<P> +The letters burned into my brain; they kept recurring in a kind of +sing-song refrain, and finally adapted themselves to the "Tit-Willow" +song in the <I>Mikado</I>. <I>Fêng-Shui, Fêng-Shui, Fêng-Shui</I>! As I lay +staring at the locker my mind turned the song anew— +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +A poor little sailor-boy lay in a berth,<BR> + <I>Fêng-Shui, Fêng-Shui, Fêng-Shui!</I><BR> +And never could tell what was meant on this earth<BR> + By Shui, Fêng-Shui, Fêng-Shui!<BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +And so on, <I>ad infinitum</I>, till my senses reeled again. At length, +being almost desperate, I rose, and was in the act of quitting the +horrible cabin, when a man in uniform—merchant service—came in. +</P> + +<P> +"Hallo!" he exclaimed, "what are you up to? Sleep-walking? Get back +directly, d'ye hear? Smart now!" +</P> + +<P> +He aimed a blow at my back, and literally ran me into the swinging cot +which I had just vacated. +</P> + +<P> +"Are ye mad?" he inquired, with a touch of the brogue of northern +Ireland—a most amusing accent to my mind—which gave a comic turn to +his most serious remarks. +</P> + +<P> +I made no reply immediately, only by staring. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! the boy's off his head! D'ye hear me? Are ye deaf and mad?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," I replied; "neither, I think." +</P> + +<P> +"Ye <I>think</I>! Ye're not sure! Then bedad <I>I</I> think ye're mad. What +made ye jump out o' bed, then, like a lunatic?" +</P> + +<P> +"I was wondering where I was, and thinking of those queer letters. I +am better now. I was confused when I woke up." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, that's better! Sure it was a miracle ye woke at all; we all +thought ye dead as Kerry mutton. What's ailing ye?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nothing, except those queer letters." +</P> + +<P> +"What! The ship's name, is it? That's nothing but <I>Fêng-Shui</I>, and +it's written in Chinese besides." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, thank you, I see. I couldn't make it out. What does it mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Wind and Weather</I>, and a lot more, in China. Ye'll see in time. Be +easy now, I tell ye." +</P> + +<P> +"In time! What do you mean?" I asked, starting up. +</P> + +<P> +"What I say. In time! By and by,—when ye get there." +</P> + +<P> +"Get where? To China?" +</P> + +<P> +"That's it," replied my new acquaintance. "Ye've hit it plumb." +</P> + +<P> +"But <I>I</I> am <I>not going</I> to China!" +</P> + +<P> +"Aren't ye, bedad! Well, we'll agree to differ on that." +</P> + +<P> +"What rot!" I exclaimed rudely. "Surely you're going to London?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not till I get back, round the East. Then, maybe I will." +</P> + +<P> +"Do you mean to say that this vessel is bound to China?" +</P> + +<P> +"I do; and ye're bound to go with it." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I <I>won't</I>! I want to go home to Beachmouth. Can't you put me +ashore anywhere?—I don't care where it is." +</P> + +<P> +"Can ye swim?" he asked, looking at me with a funny wink. +</P> + +<P> +"I can, of course. Well?" +</P> + +<P> +"Then ye must swim home. We're away in the Channel, and France is on +the port-beam, if ye know what that is." +</P> + +<P> +"Of course I do. Do you think me an idiot?" +</P> + +<P> +"I did—a while ago. If ye're not a fool ye'll stay where ye are. Of +course, ye're a bit mad now, but by the mornin' ye'll be well. Lie +quiet now, and I'll send ye some food." +</P> + +<P> +"No, thank you, I am not hungry. I am thirsty and chilly, though. Why +can't I go home?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because, unless I stop to put ye aboard some ship, ye can't. I can't +stop now till daylight, anyway; and then we shall be about in the Bay. +By that time I expect ye'll want to stay where ye are. Lie quiet now, +I'll send the steward to ye with a lemon drink. Maybe in the morning +ye'll feel better. Anyhow, ye must remain here—for the present, and +keep yer claws in, like Tim Connor's cat." +</P> + +<P> +"Are <I>you</I> the captain?" I asked, with some deference. +</P> + +<P> +"So they tell me," was the quaint reply, as he left the cabin. +</P> + +<P> +The captain of the <I>Wind and Weather</I>! Perhaps I had been too +"cheeky." What would he do to me, I wondered. He seemed a nice man. +Then I began to wonder what had become of Tim. He had not been given a +cabin. Why had the captain taken such care of me? he had never heard +of me, I was sure. +</P> + +<P> +While thus groping in my mind for assistance and ideas, the steward +appeared with a warm drink, which smelt of lemon juice, and some +spirit—I think whisky. I had never tasted spirits, and declined the +draught then. +</P> + +<P> +"If you don't drink it the doc will come and fix you," said the +steward. "Better this than him. He's a 'nailer' at nastiness. Take +my advice, drink this, and you'll sleep like a top." +</P> + +<P> +"On one leg, do you mean?" I asked, taking the glass and smiling. +</P> + +<P> +"Anyhow, after that. There, you've some sense in you, I see. You came +up pretty limp from the boat. Now lie down, and sleep till mornin', +I'll come and see after you." +</P> + +<P> +"I say, steward, wait a second. What's the captain's name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Goldheugh—Martin Goldheugh—and a first-rate captain, too, I can tell +you. But you must do as you're bid, mind; no skulking. Now shut your +eyes and keep quiet. Good-night." +</P> + +<P> +I murmured something. The drink I had imbibed was mounting to my head; +I felt warm and comfortable. Then I began to count the distant throbs +of the engine, and just as I had reached three hundred and sixty-two +I—woke. +</P> + +<P> +It was broad daylight. I rubbed my eyes in surprise. <I>Day</I>light! Had +I slept (like Scrooge in the "Christmas Carol") through a whole night +in a few minutes. It could not be daylight, surely? I had only +counted three hundred and odd beats of the engine at supper-time, and +already morning had come. My first glance fell upon "<I>Wind and +Weather</I>"—the <I>Fêng-Shui</I> sign; and then my heart beat fast. I +flushed hotly. What would my parents <I>think</I>? what would they <I>do</I>? +</P> + +<P> +I confess I was miserable and greatly upset. I was at sea, and for the +first time very unhappy. My thoughts rushed to my mother, then to my +indulgent stepfather, and I compared them with other fellows' parents +who were so strict and stiff and severe. Neither my own father nor +mother, not even Mr. Bentham, had been really severe with me. Most of +my troubles had been caused by my own wilfulness and obstinacy; and, I +then confessed, my disobedience! Yes, they had advised and guided me, +while I, in my conceit, fancied I knew best, and consequently came to +grief at last. Punishments came at times, and I rebelled, got punished +again, and sulked. I perceived then that my parents had been just, and +I regretted now that I had been so rude, and had parted from my mother +so brusquely and unkindly. +</P> + +<P> +My melancholy reflections were disturbed by the entrance of the +steward. I was pleased to see him. +</P> + +<P> +"Good-morning," he said. "Sleep well?" +</P> + +<P> +"Splendidly! Where are we, steward?" +</P> + +<P> +"Off Ushant. We shall get a tossing presently." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you call this?" I asked, as the waves came rushing past the +bulwarks. I could see great mountains rising and sinking outside, and +white foam dashing up. The air was cool too, and raw. +</P> + +<P> +"That's nothing at all; wait a while. The wind's rising fast, and +we'll have a fine sea presently. Are you getting up?" +</P> + +<P> +"What's the time, please? I feel better now." +</P> + +<P> +"It's seven bells in the morning watch—half-past seven, you know." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I know <I>that</I>," I replied. "Can I have breakfast?" +</P> + +<P> +"Of course; whatever you like—in reason." +</P> + +<P> +"Where will you reach port and land me?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can't say; maybe at Gib—or Malta. We're in the Bay now. It's all +the Bay between Ushant and Cape Finisterre." +</P> + +<P> +"It's awful rough, I think I had better lie still," I said. +</P> + +<P> +"As you like. The swell comes in here from the west, you see. But it +isn't any rougher than the Atlantic between Ireland and America." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you have sailed all around England, and also abroad?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, I've been in a few places in my time. I was a schoolmaster once." +</P> + +<P> +"You—a schoolmaster!" I exclaimed, sitting up with a jerk. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. Then I left the business, and went to sea as a purser's mate in +the American trade. I saw a bit, and learned more geography than I +could teach. I suppose you know all the celebrated sea places?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh yes; Trafalgar, and all those, of course." +</P> + +<P> +"And Dungeness, Beachy Head, Harfleur, and Ushant close here, on the +great first of June. I could tell boys all about them better now. Ay, +ay; but let's not think of them. You want breakfast—all right." +</P> + +<P> +He disappeared, and in a few minutes another man entered with a tray of +good things, including marmalade and jam, toast, and hot rolls. What a +splendid breakfast I made. I <I>almost</I> forgot my home then. But the +reaction came, and I felt miserable once more. +</P> + +<P> +At half-past eight—I mean one bell in the forenoon watch—I said I +would get up. I received some assistance from the steward, who had +dried my clothes, but they had shrunk sadly. I made inquiries for Tim. +</P> + +<P> +"He's forward all right,—you mean the fisherman, don't you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Tim Murry. I should like to see him." +</P> + +<P> +"You can see him on the forecastle, if you like. You can walk forward +when you've found your legs. Gently does it." +</P> + +<P> +I was greatly amused by being advised to take care. Why, I had been +out in vessels in <I>very</I> rough seas often! The idea of the steamer +being so bad was ridiculous. So I stepped out on deck, and was just +about to gaze around when I was thrown forcibly against the port (lee) +bulwarks, and the breath knocked out of my body. +</P> + +<P> +Wildly I grasped at the shrouds and halyards within reach. I gasped, +turned blue and pale, and felt as if I was dying. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold up!" cried the steward, who had come out behind me. "Don't try +to kill yourself, young fellow! You're too venturesome. Here, let me +lead you to the companion, and sit there by the steps." +</P> + +<P> +He assisted me to the companion stair, and placed me in safety by the +entrance to the little saloon. +</P> + +<P> +The captain was on the bridge close by, over the chart-house. The ship +was flush-decked, broken only by the commander's cabin, the charthouse, +and the skylights, masts, and funnel. Forward was the men's berth and +hatch. I could only observe these points when the captain hailed me. +</P> + +<P> +"Hallo, my lad, are ye practisin' for the slack-wire? Would ye like a +sling for yer legs?" +</P> + +<P> +I blushed because the mate and steward laughed. The sailor at the +wheel grinned silently. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, captain," I replied, "I'll have a sling, please. Hoist +away!" +</P> + +<P> +The mate—I thought him the mate—on the deck laughed again, but in a +different key. The captain spoke to him in a low tone. The officer +came aft and beckoned to me to approach the bulwarks. +</P> + +<P> +I staggered up as bidden, and in a moment he had secured me with a rope +to a belaying pin amidships, beneath the bridge. The rope hurt me, and +pressed hard upon my waist in front. +</P> + +<P> +"Let me go," I cried, struggling to reach the deck, from which I was +just lifted by the rope; "I can't breathe." +</P> + +<P> +"You can shout, anyhow," replied the mate. "You'll find your level +presently. Then you'll walk circumspectly." +</P> + +<P> +"Can you spell it?" I sneered. I was annoyed then by the laughter. +</P> + +<P> +"I T," was the answer. "And you'll spell 'rope's end' if you're +impudent, my lad. So put that in your pipe!" +</P> + +<P> +"I don't smoke," I retorted. "Let me go, please." +</P> + +<P> +"Presently. Keep quiet, as the captain says. You'll be glad +presently. How do you feel now, eh?". +</P> + +<P> +"None the better for seeing you," I said rudely. "Let me go!" +</P> + +<P> +"No, no; you must feel better first. You see this rope's end, you'll +feel it presently. Just a little pleasant warming. See?" +</P> + +<P> +He then suddenly laid the rope across my shoulders sharply, and on my +back a few times. +</P> + +<P> +"That will keep you," he concluded, stepping forward and leaving me to +my reflections. "Now you know the ropes," he cried jeeringly. +</P> + +<P> +I was angry, and made up my mind to fight the mate when I got released. +The captain did not interfere at all, though he saw all that had +occurred. However, I suspected he would have said something had he +disapproved. I was very savage, though not really hurt—except in my +inmost feelings. I wriggled, and kicked, and yelled aloud, but no one +took any notice of me whatever. At length I subsided,—I felt rather +sick and faint. +</P> + +<P> +"Cut him down," said the captain to one of the hands; "he's had enough. +He'll lie quiet now." +</P> + +<P> +The man at once untied the knot which I could not reach; I fell on +deck, and felt terribly ill. +</P> + +<P> +"Come along o' me," said the sailor. "Just stand here to leeward! +You'll be all spry in a few minutes now. Hold up, matey! Why, you're +a greenhorn, and no mistake! Shave my cat's whiskers, but you <I>are</I>!" +</P> + +<P> +I felt too unwell to dispute the question. I considered that I had +been most unkindly treated; that the captain and crew, including the +mate most particularly, had been almost brutal! I longed to quit the +ship and to return home. Even Granding and Smith's, I believed, would +be more pleasant than the steamer. I began to <I>hate</I> the sea, the +waves, the voyage! Was <I>this</I> the beautiful Ocean on which I had +sailed so joyfully so often? What a mercy it was that I had been +plucked in eyesight! +</P> + +<P> +My eyes were open now, long before the usual nine days. I could see +things in a different light. No doubt the Royal Navy was different +from this "tramp" steamer, but it was all the same feeling <I>at</I> sea! +Oh, my head! my head! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +BOUND TO CHINA—THE VOYAGE AND MY EXPERIENCES—<BR> +<I>CASH</I> IN HONG KONG—RUMOUR OF WAR +</H4> + +<P> +"I've been thinking about ye," said the skipper, two days later, when +my head and legs became more easy, and obedient to my will. "When we +reach Gib ye must make yer choice—and I think ye'd better stay with +me." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," I replied doubtfully; "I suppose I must." +</P> + +<P> +"There's no must in it, youngster. I'm bound for Hong Kong and Canton, +and, further, I don't keep any idlers on board. If ye go with me ye +must look lively. Yer mate, Tim, yonder, is already worth his salt. +He tells me ye're a cadet." +</P> + +<P> +"I wanted to be; my eyes were wrong, the doctor said." +</P> + +<P> +"Then ye're fond of the sea? Now, here's my idea: I'll keep ye, if ye +like, aboard, and, please Goodness, bring ye home. If not, ye must +telegraph home from Gib, and I must send ye back in some liner, +somehow. Make up yer mind, it can't take long." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you think me a fool?" I exclaimed testily. +</P> + +<P> +"I do <I>not</I>," he replied, with the emphasis of the native Irishman; +"but maybe I will when I hear yer opinion." +</P> + +<P> +"Then, I'll stay," I replied, feeling rather undecided nevertheless. +"But what will they think at home? My mother will fret." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I'm sorry for yer mother, but I think she'll survive. I know +something about ye from the boy forward. Now, tell me the truth about +yerself. Who are ye, anyhow?" +</P> + +<P> +I told him the truth. He listened quietly, nodding at intervals, and +finally said— +</P> + +<P> +"All right. Now, my lad, listen to me. I'll be the making of ye, and +yer mother won't know ye when ye go back, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +I hardly fancied that this would be an advantage for my parents, but I +said nothing, and the captain continued— +</P> + +<P> +"I'll make a man of ye, so I will. I'll just wire to yer daddy, and +tell him I've got ye safe and sound, and will bring ye back. I'll +clothe and feed ye and teach ye something, and maybe ye'll come back a +second mate for the Company—the Shanghai and Hong Kong Tea Company." +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks," I said briefly, rising as I spoke. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold on a minute, there's one lesson first. When ye speak to the +captain, say sir; d'ye mind?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," I replied, blushing furiously as I stood before the master. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well, that's the first thing. Now, what can ye do? Can ye hand, +reef, or steer? Speak up!" +</P> + +<P> +"I can't furl a sail, sir. I can reef a fore and aft sail, and can +steer a little." +</P> + +<P> +"Very well. Look here, now, I'll keep ye, and put ye under my man; +he'll trim ye a bit, and Mr. Rose, the mate, will set yer lessons. By +the time we reach the China Sea I expect ye'll know the ropes. Ye must +work for your living here,—no skulking, now!" +</P> + +<P> +"No, sir," I answered respectfully. +</P> + +<P> +"That'll do; I'll take the responsibility of ye, and bedad ye'll have +to mind me! But I understand ye are a gentleman; so'm I, and ye'll be +taken care of. Ye'll be a man before your mother yet." +</P> + +<P> +This I believed highly probable, and nearly said so, but the looks of +the captain deterred me. He proceeded— +</P> + +<P> +"Just keep quiet till we make Gib; then I'll see ye fix'd up, and put +to work. My steward will berth ye and feed ye. Ye needn't go amongst +the crew, mind; and needn't keep watch—unless ye like—at first. Now, +are ye satisfied?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir, I am; and am very grateful to you for all your kindness." +</P> + +<P> +"That's bully, now," he exclaimed. "Here's my hand on the bargain. +Ye'll do, when ye get the starch out of yer collar. We don't want any +airs here, mind ye. What's yer name? Jule, is it?—what?" +</P> + +<P> +"Julius, sir," I replied, feeling terribly small. +</P> + +<P> +"Julius Cæsar? No, it can't be that, I suppose. Never mind, we'll +call ye Julius until ye become a mate. In my country they'd say if ye +wasn't the <I>mate</I> ye'd be the boy to <I>serve it</I>! D'ye mind that? Come +up now, and get a breath of the wind, young Cæsar." +</P> + +<P> +I laughed, and thus I became a sailor. But how different was the +introduction from that I had anticipated! I was rigged out as a +cabin-boy in the steamer, and carried away to the Far East, instead of +being trained on the <I>Britannia</I> and serving in a man-of-war. Many a +night I lay half-crying in my bunk, thinking of the change in my +prospects, but the days passed quickly, letters came from home, and I +had plenty of money afterwards, but the first step counted very much in +my career, and I grew fast at sea. I said so once to the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Mind ye don't grow fast ashore," he said. "Cut yer wisdom teeth first +here." +</P> + +<P> +I could not get much "change" out of the skipper. +</P> + +<P> +But I am anticipating. I was still a cabin lad, and under orders. I +was taught many things, such as knots and splices, heaving the lead, +the names of the ropes, and was sent aloft when I had become accustomed +to the vessel. We didn't sail much, but at times we hoisted a topsail, +jib, and spencer (or mainsail) when the wind was on the quarter, and +time was pressing. We steamed through the Mediterranean, and had I +time I could tell you my experiences and pleasure in seeing the places +which as a lad I had read about. +</P> + +<P> +What lad of fifteen would not have been delighted, as I was, by seeing +Capes St. Vincent and Trafalgar? The steward, the captain's man, my +chief, so to say, told me many anecdotes about them, and the battles, +the prizes, Nelson, and other heroes. Gibraltar, Naples, Malta, the +canal, where we saw mirages in the sand, Suez, the Red Sea, Colombo, +and away to Hong Kong, whence we proceeded to Canton. All these +experiences were delightful. I almost forgot home in the new and +charming scenes of the East, though I found some drawbacks in the +Chinese people and the climate. +</P> + +<P> +We voyaged and traded between India and China for eighteen months, +until I became, as the captain had declared, a mate under him, and +though acting, I could act fairly well! I was then a grown lad, nearly +seventeen, and full of energy. +</P> + +<P> +We were at Hong Kong in the year 1894, a place I always liked, and the +first visit to Victoria I never shall forget. It was in the end of the +year after leaving home. Hong Kong in my mind had been always +associated with a song which we used to sing in the bedroom at my first +school about a "gay cavalier" who, having been disappointed by the lady +he loved, declared, lyrically, that she "might go to Hong Kong" for +him! This fine and interesting ditty, as we then thought it, came into +my head that day when the <I>Fêng Shui</I> steamed into the harbour. +</P> + +<P> +What a beautiful scene! Perhaps you think that because I am young and +(a little) verdant I exaggerate the beauties of the panorama. Well, +ask your friends. Let them tell you of the blue sky and sea, with the +numerous vessels sailing and at anchor, the men-of-war with flags and +pennants of all nations, the sampans, the junks, the hundreds of +strange rigs and faces (and languages as of Babel all around you) +floating on the beautiful water, from behind which rises "the Peak," +the highest point of the mountain chain which dominates the town of +Victoria, which is built along the slopes. +</P> + +<P> +And, indeed, upon a steep slope it rests, in an apparently insecure +basis, inasmuch as the houses appear to be tending to the sea, as if +thrust by those behind; so that one almost expects, when one returns +after an absence, to find a row missing, and the larger houses lower +down on the hill. Above them are the woods or thickets of the +mountains, and, at times, the low clouds upon the Peak. Opposite is +China, bare and rugged. +</P> + +<P> +When you land in Hong Kong—at least this was my youthful +experience—you are inundated by coolies who will carry your baggage, +for a few <I>cask</I>, upon a bamboo pole, resting upon the shoulders of two +"porters." A single porter may be employed, but in this case your +(light) load will be balanced by him at the end of the pole and +sustained by a weight at the other, in the weighing-machine method. +These fellows trot up the hills with the burden which sways upon the +pole, and though you may wonder why the man does not walk quietly, you +will soon discover that the flexible bamboo is most easily borne at a +jogtrot when laden, because it adapts itself to the pace, or the pace +to it, as it swings. Try it, my young friends, and you will agree with +me that a swinging trot is the easiest mode of progression under the +circumstances. +</P> + +<P> +"Cash" in Hong Kong, and in China generally, is of course in +signification the same as in Europe, but in China it is specific, +definite. The <I>cash</I> is a bronze coin, in value about the tenth of a +penny, with a square hole punched in it, so that the purse-bearer can +string hundreds of them over his shoulder like a bandolier of +cartridges. The <I>cash</I> is usually slipped upon a cord, knotted in the +centre, and the money passed on over both ends. When a hundred <I>cash</I> +has been strung on each end a knot is tied, and two other hundreds are +added as before, up to usually one thousand <I>cash</I>, which then +represent a dollar. Three shillings and ninepence at most, if good +money, but frequently it is mixed. In some ports eleven hundred <I>cash</I> +equal a dollar.[<A NAME="chap04fn1text"></A><A HREF="#chap04fn1">1</A>] +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +<A NAME="chap04fn1"></A> +[<A HREF="#chap04fn1text">1</A>] <I>Cash</I> is very ancient, it dates to 2300 B.C. The "sword cash" was +in use about 221 B.C.; the circular, with square cut, is of David's +time in Israel. Value, 1800 <I>cash</I> = 1 oz. silver. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +The dollar and cent are the money values in China,—copper <I>cash</I> and +paper notes. A five cent piece represents about twopence farthing. +Provided with <I>cash</I>, and even sometimes with a purse-bearer, one can +"shop" in China if you are careful to give about one-third of the value +of the article demanded. Let me now resume my story in 1894. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center"> +<SPAN STYLE="letter-spacing: 4em">*****</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P> +"Jule," said the skipper to me one day, "take the belt and come with +me. I want to make a few purchases and to do a little bit of business. +I think we shall make money." +</P> + +<P> +I accordingly procured sufficient <I>cash</I>, and we were passing the club +of Hong Kong, which, by the bye, contains a nice library, when a +gentleman accosted the captain. The stranger looked like a Japanese. +He was short, intelligent, quiet, but decided in his manner, and spoke +English fairly well. +</P> + +<P> +"Captain Goldheugh, I believe?" he said, raising his hat in salute. It +was not the salute of an inferior, though; there was no servility in +the man's manner. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir," replied the captain, responding in kind. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you favour me with five minutes conversation?" asked the young +man. "Perfectly private matter." +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly," was the reply; "shall I accompany you? We may talk here." +They drew aside within the shelter of the house, and appeared to be in +earnest conversation, which continued for some minutes. Meantime I +strolled back and forwards watching the mixed assortment of people, of +whom there are specimens from India and Arabia and other lands in +abundance—negroes, Europeans, Parsees, Chinese, British, Portuguese, +and French, coolies, and some—very few—Japanese; so the gentleman who +had accosted my skipper was rather remarkable, perhaps. +</P> + +<P> +When the pair had finished their chat, the skipper came back to me, and +said— +</P> + +<P> +"Jule, my lad, ye need not carry the <I>cash</I> to-day. Unless I am +mistaken we are in for a fine deal. Mind now, keep your mouth shut. I +think we'll make a profitable business of this." +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" I asked, as we returned to the waterside. +</P> + +<P> +"Well I'm going to trust ye now, as a gentleman. What d'ye think of a +war?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"A war!" I exclaimed. "Where? In Europe do you mean, against us?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, here; in China perhaps." +</P> + +<P> +Such an idea had never entered my mind. The fact of impending war in +China had not been presented to me; all seemed peaceful. +</P> + +<P> +"Who is going to fight?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps no one. But ye saw that Jap there?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; a nice fellow I thought, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, he has made me an offer, and if my suspicions are correct we'll +make a little haul of cash. English cash—pounds—not this miserable, +crawling, centipede kind of stuff which wouldn't buy a scarecrow a meal +for Sunday. No, bedad, Jule, my boy, we're in luck." +</P> + +<P> +"I hope so, sir. How?" +</P> + +<P> +"Don't ye know I told ye about some business when we started that had +reference to a mandarin chap, one of the Company's customers, for whom +I had advices. Now, mind ye, this Jap has shown a hand—only a finger, +I may say, but a finger points somewhere; and it just indicates the +very direction in which I was going later. D'ye take me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir. It seems that the John Chinaman and the Jap have their +heads in the same direction." +</P> + +<P> +"Exactly. Jack and Jap is the business entirely. I have business both +in Japan and China. I know the seas about here, and they both know I +know them. So my friend has 'offered' me for the steamer. What d'ye +think of that? But he desires secrecy—a private cruise." +</P> + +<P> +"The Japanese man you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, the Jap. But I was going to-day to the Mandarin Johnny to hear +<I>his</I> business, and if he means the same, I smell <I>war</I>, my lad!" +</P> + +<P> +"But how will that benefit you, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"It will benefit the Company if the Government takes up any transports, +and makes a contract with the <I>Fêng Shui</I>. See? Now let us go on +board, dress, and see the mandarin later." +</P> + +<P> +We went off in a sampan to the steamer, which was lying off a little, +awaiting orders. The captain took me ashore, dressed in a neat +uniform, and I rather fancied myself in it. We landed, chartered two +"rickshas," or jinrickshas, a Japanese importation, and were trotted +out to the bamboo-shaded house, amid the scent of lovely flowers of all +colours and perfumes—frangipanni, jessamine, roses—which the natives +arrange in tasteful bouquets in the streets. +</P> + +<P> +The "ricksha," pulled rapidly by the coolies, passed along the hilly +thoroughfares under the hot and stifling sunlight. It was not a very +bad day either, and yet in our cool white suits, and under wide +umbrellas, the heat was quite sufficient that afternoon, and we were +compelled to change on our return from our "pidgin" with the "Number +One Johnny"—the high-class mandarin, to wit. +</P> + +<P> +This mandarin lived in a bungalow, and affected certain tastes in +deference to his neighbours—the English. He spoke the language well, +and though he was dressed in Chinese fashion, and was a perfect +Chinaman in appearance, he had risen above his people in many ways. We +entered the house, which was almost destitute of all the attributes of +British houses, no curtains, nor carpets, nor rugs, nor anything to +<I>heat</I> one to look at; on the contrary, all things were cool—bamboo +chairs, high casements, wide windows, stained floor, fans and punkahs +waving automatically, it seemed, but, of course, pulled outside. +</P> + +<P> +We were ushered in by a Chinese "boy," and into the presence of the +"Number One man." He was dressed in the usual well-known fashion—a +loose robe, with trousers, long sleeves to his garment, stuff shoes, +and of course a fan. His keen eyes were shaded by spectacles. His +shaven head and pendant pigtail and queer eyes betokened the true +Chinaman. +</P> + +<P> +After salutations, by rubbing his hands over each other, he asked in +what he had deserved the tremendous honour which my captain had done +him in visiting his most miserable hut. +</P> + +<P> +The captain in reply mentioned certain instructions he had just +received, and suggested that the "Number One man" knew something of his +errand. What did the mandarin think of the steamer <I>Fêng Shui</I>? +</P> + +<P> +"It is a solid vessel, and can carry soldiers?" he asked quickly, after +some other remarks had passed. The Chinaman dispensed with any +compliments just then; he offered us tea, but did not taste it then. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," replied the captain with deference, "she will suit for a +transport. <I>The Japanese wish for her</I>." +</P> + +<P> +The spectacles flashed at us, the fan waved, but no irritation was +otherwise expressed. +</P> + +<P> +"Has the Japan Government purchased the 'inside' steamer?" (screw). +</P> + +<P> +"No, highness; I declined the offer. I am awaiting yours." +</P> + +<P> +"Your terms for the steamship for three months, if we wish to send it +with your crew to Corea?" +</P> + +<P> +The captain paused a while, then he named a sum which made me look out +of the window, I nearly smiled. I did not know the value of steam +transports fitted for service; it meant hundreds a day! Hundreds for +that small steamer and crew—and, of course, officers. +</P> + +<P> +At length the transaction was completed. The tea was drunk then, not +before. We bowed ourselves out, and regained the <I>Fêng Shui</I>, where +the mate was in charge. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," said the first officer, "what's happened?" +</P> + +<P> +The captain told him our experiences, and mentioned the conclusions at +which he had arrived. +</P> + +<P> +"Look here," he said in a low tone, "mark ye this, there's going to be +a fuss between these two countries. They are both trying to get ahead +of the other, and I understand that Corea has a finger in the pie. +That Japanese I told ye of—the man I pointed out to ye," he continued, +addressing the mate—"ye know." +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, ay; but he's not a Jap!" +</P> + +<P> +"Not a Jap! What d'ye mean?" exclaimed the captain angrily. +</P> + +<P> +"What I say, captain; <I>he's</I> no Jap! He and his pal are Coreans. <I>I</I> +can see that. Look at his sleepy face under that 'bowler' hat—a +disguise! He isn't a Jap; and he wants a secret passage, you say. +Things are getting mixed all round. He's up to no good." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, maybe ye're right, Rose," replied the captain. "But why do ye +think the Corean men are cutting in against us?" +</P> + +<P> +"I only know what I have seen; I've seen two Coreans searching for a +vessel to-day—and on the sly, I hear. They are up to something; and +it's all round queer, because they have a Chinese and a Japanese with +them. Four together, and only the Jap looks honest." +</P> + +<P> +"They can't hurt us, so no matter. I'd like to know what they are +scheming, by the same token. There's war in it, and the Company's +agent knows it. I'll fix it, and we may have to steam for Shanghai on +sight. We'll get steam up, Mr. Rose; pass the word for Jenkins." +</P> + +<P> +Mr. Jenkins was the "chief engineer," and he came to confer with the +captain in due course. +</P> + +<P> +I obtained leave for the evening. Fancying that I could clear up the +mystery of the Japs and Coreans, I took a sampan, and went out on +search through the harbour for the hired, secret vessel. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A SECRET MISSION—KIDNAPPED!—THE SCHOONER—THE ASSASSIN +</H4> + +<P> +As I did not wish my chief to know whither I was bound, I went ashore +first, and strolled about in the cooler hour of the evening, and even +penetrated into the queer Chinese slums where little drums of the +peddlers, and the chatter and smells and heat, soon drove me back to +the parade, away from the houses of the natives. Their stupid faces, +so smooth and greasy-looking, their odd dress, long pigtails (of the +men), the coarse, rolled hair, pinned in masses (of the females), both +sexes being costumed nearly alike, quite put me off. Even some +experience of the country has not impressed me in favour of the native +of China. +</P> + +<P> +So I returned to the water, and calling a "sampan" got the number of +the man taken—for many people have been "missed" from a Chinese boat +at evening—and told my man to propel me across the harbour towards +Kow-loon. This is in China, where the change of the scenery is marked +and wild; but I did not come for the prospect, I wanted to search the +further side of the harbour, which is about a mile across and ten +square miles in extent. +</P> + +<P> +If the Coreans had an idea of secrecy, I imagined they would rather +seek a small sailing vessel—perhaps a junk rather than a steamer, +though, of course, the latter would be more speedy, and more certain if +a storm arose. But they would sail by the north channel, so I made for +the north point, the extremity of the peninsula of Kow-loon, which is +under British authority by lease. +</P> + +<P> +I passed amid the ships of all kinds, large and small, which crowd the +harbour; boat-houses (literally dwelling-houses) of the natives who at +Hong Kong, as at Canton and Shanghai, and other places, live in the +wherries in aggregate thousands. Small and limited is the +accommodation, truly, when a family, with a pig, and perhaps ducks, +live on board. The chances are in favour of drowning; but the <I>male</I> +children are tied to the gunwale; the girls are let to go as they +please, and if they disappear—it is "only a girl"! There is little +care for life in China—of the natives, I mean—and least of all for +female children. +</P> + +<P> +The evening was drawing in, and I had not found any vessel on which I +recognised the so-called "Japs." There were hundreds of ships of all +sorts, and I was pleased to hear a hail in English from a clipper +schooner as I was passing in the dusk. +</P> + +<P> +I pulled alongside the vessel whence the "hail" had come, and, when +close aboard, I recognised the speaker as a friend who had assisted me +once or twice in the past when I had been unhappy and in need. His +name was Eagan. +</P> + +<P> +Glancing along the trim and natty decks of the schooner, I gained the +gangway. The little ship was ready to put to sea, the anchor was +already weighed, and the schooner was only fast to a buoy, for the +breeze was light. I recognised the craft as a former smuggling vessel, +and named <I>Harada</I> by her late owner. She traded in "natives" up the +coast, and to Formosa, the Pescadores, and as far as Shanghai, or even +farther north. +</P> + +<P> +"Hallo! back again?" I cried, as I clasped Eagan's hand. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, certainly," he replied; "think I'd scooted? What are <I>you</I> +prowling about for?" +</P> + +<P> +"Simple curiosity," I said. "Thanks, yes, I'll have a 'peg," I added, +as he indicated refreshment by a nod in the direction of the cabin. +</P> + +<P> +"A tidy berth this," I continued. "Suits you, anyway." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, not badly. What's your <I>simple curiosity</I> led you to? I can +estimate the curiosity, but I don't see where the simplicity comes in." +</P> + +<P> +"Really?" I asked, as I watched him mixing a soothing draught. +</P> + +<P> +"No, really. What's your spot? What's your little game?" +</P> + +<P> +"My game! I'm just sculling around—that's all." +</P> + +<P> +"By accident. One of your freaks, o' course! Still acting on the +<I>Fêng Shui</I>, I suppose?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; but confirmed now—second." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! Going north yet?" +</P> + +<P> +"Presently—I mean by and by. When do <I>you</I> sail again?" +</P> + +<P> +"When I receive sailin' orders. Maybe to-morrow—maybe never." +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Eagan, you're mysterious, for <I>you</I>! Your anchor's a-peak, and +you are loosing sails. You are just off. What's the game? Whither +bound—honour bright?" +</P> + +<P> +He paused and looked at his tumbler, then raised it and looked at the +lamp through the liquid the glass contained. He slowly brought his +eyes back upon mine, and said— +</P> + +<P> +"Honour it is! Chemulpo perhaps—Shanghai certain." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" I exclaimed. "I say, Eagan, what's your <I>Jap</I> up to?" He +started and stared at me, then he replied— +</P> + +<P> +"I say, Jule, what's your <I>Chinese</I> up to?" +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Rats</I>," I replied. "What's the coil <I>here</I>?" +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Snakes</I>," he retorted. "What's your notion?" +</P> + +<P> +He suspected me; and I fancied that I had by accident hit upon the +Coreans' vessel, or of the vessel they had chartered, perhaps. +</P> + +<P> +I kept staring at the skipper; he was silently staring at me. Neither +would say the word he was anxious to say. A pause ensued. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," I said at length, "I must be off. No more, thanks. 'Pegs' are +likely to upset one in the dark; anyway, they don't steady one." +</P> + +<P> +"P'raps not," he replied. "Well, so-long, mate; we'll meet sometimes, +I hope." +</P> + +<P> +"Certain! I see your sails are loosed, Eagan. I'd better be going. +Ta-ta!" +</P> + +<P> +"Good-night. Hallo! where's your boat?" +</P> + +<P> +I rushed to the side. My sampan and the boatman had disappeared. +</P> + +<P> +"Hang it! I say, skipper, send me ashore, please," I cried anxiously. +"We may sail by daybreak." +</P> + +<P> +"I'm just as sorry as sin, but I can't. My dinghy's ashore, and I've +no time to man another. I guess you'll have to wait a while." +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean? Remain here? I can't." +</P> + +<P> +"Guess ye must, Jule boy, till morning. Say, there's a signal. That's +my boss comin' alongside. Show lights!" he called out. "Gangway!" +</P> + +<P> +Three or four men, dark-featured fellows, Chinese apparently, came +abaft, and a European mate came up from the cabin somewhere. +</P> + +<P> +I saw a light flashing from a boat which quickly came alongside the +schooner. I walked to the counter and watched it. The occupants were +two short men in the stern, two natives in the bow, and two sailors +rowing. +</P> + +<P> +The lanterns gleamed as the men stepped on deck from the stern-sheets +of the boat. They were wrapped up, but I knew one of them. He was the +quasi-Japanese officer whom my captain had spoken with. These men were +escaping perhaps—whither? What plans had they been maturing—what +plots had they been framing in British territory? +</P> + +<P> +The foremost arrival did not notice me, the second did,—he I did not +know at all,—but neither made any remark to me. The officer, as I may +term him, turned to Eagan, and said in English, clearly— +</P> + +<P> +"Stand out at once, please. Make for Shanghai direct." +</P> + +<P> +Eagan nodded merely, and said, "All right, boss." Then he gave a few +orders which the mate repeated, and in five minutes the schooner was +passing out by the north channel. +</P> + +<P> +"Eagan," I said, "where are you taking me? I <I>must</I> join my ship." +</P> + +<P> +He shook his head, and went to the wheel himself, leaving me raging. I +followed him. +</P> + +<P> +"Do you hear?" I cried. "This is piracy. I'll give the alarm if you +do not put me ashore. Hail a boat!" +</P> + +<P> +"Just lie low, Jule. Wait till we reach Shanghai, you'll find the +steamer there, I expect, and if not you can wire; so be easy, boy." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll make a row for this!" I cried, feeling enraged with him. +</P> + +<P> +"If ye do I'll put ye overboard. The crew are Chinese, and no one will +care except me. So, keep still, and I'll land you safely up at +Shanghai; best so, I tell ye." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you are hired to carry these fellows; I see. There is something +wrong here, Eagan, and you shouldn't do it." +</P> + +<P> +"It's no business of mine, lad. I'm paid for the passage, and when +they land it's finished. Your old screw will be in Shanghai before us. +There's nothing wrong in the case so far as I see <I>yet</I>; I'll tell you +more in a while. Go and have some supper." +</P> + +<P> +I was very much annoyed by this departure, and began to grumble at the +skipper; he only laughed at first, and then got angry in his turn, +until the mate came aft and dragged me below, where we supped in amity. +</P> + +<P> +"Take no notice of anything," said my new friend; "but, 'tween you and +me, there's going to be trouble about this. For one of these chaps has +been induced by the other to clear out of Victoria and to go to +Shanghai. I can understand some of the lingo, and it's plain to me +that the man named Oh Sing, or Kim,—I can't quite catch it,—is rather +frightened of the boss, whose name is Lung. The Lung man won't let him +out of his sight, and if a chance comes I suspect Mr. Lung will punish +the other fellow." +</P> + +<P> +"What's his object, then?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Can't say. Eagan is suspicious, too, of these Coreans. One fellow is +evidently nervous, and keeps his Japanese servant near him all the +time. The captain don't want any fuss on board this ship, you +understand." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I shall say nothing. We shan't be long in reaching Shanghai, +and there I can quit, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly—why yes, of course. Now, when you're finished, we shall go +on deck. The captain will want to go down then, and you shall watch +with me if you like. Keep your eyes skinned." +</P> + +<P> +"You scent danger then?" +</P> + +<P> +"In two ways. The glass is falling; that, after such a jumpy time as +we've had, means tempest. You know that?" +</P> + +<P> +I nodded, and he proceeded. +</P> + +<P> +"Then, again, we must never leave these passengers to themselves, +unless the weather's very bad, because there'll be trouble. If the +weather's bad they'll all be sick, and near dead anyway. So let us +pray for typhoon, mister." +</P> + +<P> +"I shall not," was my reply. "When you see the barometer waltzing down +to twenty-eight degrees or so you'll pray for something more +interesting to yourself! Keep an eye upon the Coreans by all means, +but watch the glass whatever you do." +</P> + +<P> +We were strolling up and down the weather-side of the deck. The wind +was off shore, and a bit abaft the beam. As we cleared the Channel we +spun along the ripples, sending the "phosphorus" flying around the +stern, and light-up the forepart to the chains. The sky was perfectly +clear, and the mate hoped to reach Formosa quickly with such a breeze. +</P> + +<P> +We were still strolling at four bells, ten o'clock, and then I felt +inclined to turn in somewhere. +</P> + +<P> +"Take my bunk in the inner cabin. If you hear anything, just let me or +the skipper know. Those fellows have a game on if I am not mistaken; +but no 'revenge' in this ship, I say." +</P> + +<P> +He nodded at me significantly in the soft light by the binnacle. The +steersman was a Lascar. The crew was composed of a variety of natives; +but in the cold weather of the northern sea the Lascars were as +dead—and died too. +</P> + +<P> +"Good-night," I said. "I'll find my way." +</P> + +<P> +I stepped softly down the stairs, and passed through the "saloon" or +eating-cabin. I found the berth close by, and tumbled in by the dim +light of a swinging candle-lamp of the spring-up pattern, as we used to +call it. The company in the saloon had dispersed; the captain had +quitted it some time before, and the two Coreans and the Japanese +servant, who stuck to Oh Sing, parted. The man Lung, I fancied, +disposed himself in the saloon. The other came and looked at me, and +perceiving that I did not stir, he, after a pause, <I>crawled</I> out, hands +and knees, on the floor, and vanished in the darkness outside the berth. +</P> + +<P> +The wind was rising, the sea was following suit. I slept lightly as +usual, when I was awakened by a breathing close to my face. I opened +my eyes quickly, and started up. +</P> + +<P> +A knife flashed in my face. I seized it, and shouted, "Help!" +</P> + +<P> +At the moment I cried out I sprang up. Someone at the same time +extinguished the already expiring lamp, and as I leaped upon the +deck-floor I distinctly heard <I>something</I> retiring. I called again, +and the captain came down into the dark and silent saloon. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the matter?" he asked. "Is that you, Mr. Julius? Had a bad +dream, I reckon, eh? What are you doing here, anyway?" +</P> + +<P> +He turned a ship's lantern upon my scared countenance as he was +speaking. +</P> + +<P> +"No; someone came into the berth and flashed a knife in my eyes. If I +had not called out I would have been stabbed." +</P> + +<P> +"Nonsense, nonsense," said the captain, who still blinked the light +upon my alarmed looks. "There are no murderers here, lad. But tell me +how you came in here; this berth belongs to the passengers." +</P> + +<P> +"The mate told me I would find a bunk in his berth." +</P> + +<P> +"Likely; but this isn't his. This belongs to one of my passengers—to +Mr. Oh Sing." +</P> + +<P> +"To him!" I exclaimed, recalling the hints of the mate. "Then perhaps +somebody intended to stab <I>him</I>!" +</P> + +<P> +The skipper looked at me steadily for quite half a minute, without +speaking. Then he replied— +</P> + +<P> +"Better come on deck, sonny; you'll see no knives there, and may bear a +hand for me. I think, somehow, a storm is coming up. Look slippy +now," he said, as he went to examine the other "rooms" astern. +</P> + +<P> +I looked as slippy as possible, but "look sleepy" was just then the +more correct expression, as I ascended the stairs to the deck. The +breezy, somewhat cool, night soon dissipated the feelings of sloth +which remained in my eyes, and I was able to grasp the aspects of the +surroundings, which were, after all, pleasanter than the revealed +dangers of the cabin. +</P> + +<P> +The mate was forward, and I took up my position by the wheel so as to +look well ahead and around. There was a low grating astern, on that I +stood and cast my eyes over the sails. +</P> + +<P> +The schooner was slipping away north-east, the wind still just a little +abaft the beam, and filling all our sails. The <I>Harada</I> was a topsail +schooner—that is, she carried small square sails aloft on the +foremast, and as I reflected, with a fast-beating heart, upon the very +narrow escape I had had below, my glance was fixed upon the topsail, +which seemed pulling hard at intervals. Then the wind would slacken +again, the cloths would remain at their former tension, and all well. +</P> + +<P> +The sky was beautifully blue-black and clear, and I calculated that we +should reach Shanghai in about six days, supposing no bad weather +intervened. I felt very happy and comfortable there, in command, +nominally, of the vessel, though I wondered why the skipper remained +below. +</P> + +<P> +After a while I became convinced that the breeze was increasing, and +more than that, in a jerky, uncertain manner which I did not like. We +had plenty of sail on the vessel, jib, stayforesail, topsail, fore and +aft foresail, and mainsail. I fancied we ought to furl the topsail at +anyrate, and I called the captain through the skylight. +</P> + +<P> +Eagan came up smartly, and after a comprehensive look around, said— +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Julius, just call the hands, will you? Watch will reduce sail," +he cried. "Be smart, lads!" +</P> + +<P> +The watch, who had been resting in the "shade" of the bulwarks, at once +arose at the summons, and I ran forward to call all hands, but the mate +anticipated me and turned the men up. +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Mr. Julius, will you lead the men aloft for me? I must get the +mainsail stowed and the jib down." +</P> + +<P> +"Aloft, boys!" I exclaimed, and was in a moment leading the hands up +the rigging. "Crikey," it did blow up there then! All of a sudden, as +it seemed, the wind increased, and when we attempted to secure the sail +it flapped and banged us about so that it was with great difficulty we +even commenced to secure it. But the six skilful hands managed it, and +by holding on "by our eyelids" and "legs and necks" we got the square +topsail secured to the yard in fair style. Luckily the true tempest +had not then broken, and we got the yard down. +</P> + +<P> +Then came the struggle. Sail after sail was reduced as fast as +possible, and came down rapidly, racing the mercury in the tube which +was leaping lower and lower. All hands were on deck except the +passengers, and the sea came drifting in foam and spray across the +ship. The <I>Harada</I> dashed into the short seas, which rose landward, as +if ejected by big hands underneath with no roller-force; but the wind +made noise enough in the shrouds and cordage to deafen us, and even the +boats slapped and almost danced adrift from the davits, and filled with +rain-water. +</P> + +<P> +I thought we would escape easily, but Eagan roared in my ear that this +was the beginning. He was right. The furious blast seized the sturdy +little ship at one moment, and snapping some ropes like whipcord, sent +them flying around our heads and beyond. The schooner dipped and +dipped, lower and lower; strake after strake disappeared, until the +planks seemed to become lost, and the vessel to be settling beam under. +The passengers set up a horrible scream, they were too greatly alarmed +to fight, no doubt; and even the best of us thought of the great and +solemn inevitable end. +</P> + +<P> +All this time the sea was most terrible, the wind and darkness were +awful, the foam simply a white mist around us. The vessel suddenly +rose up again, was again depressed, again lifted as the squall +subsided; and after four such experiences, each one bringing our masts +down to the waves, and the last one smashing the mizzen-topmast short +at the cap, we floated more steadily. The wind changed, smote us again +on the starboard quarter, after blowing in a circle for a couple of +hours, and we rested on a trembling sea, drenched with spray and rain, +and dishevelled. +</P> + +<P> +Most fortunately our masts stood the strain, and our ballast did not +shift. Had the latter given way we must have been swamped, or we must +have cut away the masts. However, we pulled through the cyclone, or +"typhoon" as they call it out there, and in seven days we ran into the +river at Shanghai not much the worse after all, though with a jury +topmast and spliced rigging. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +SHANGHAI: ITS IMPRESSIONS—MURDER!—A RESCUE, AND A HAPPY ENCOUNTER +</H4> + +<P> +The steamer had proceeded up the coast, threading the Chinese +Archipelago in the direction of the southern entrance to the +Yang-Tse-Chiang, as English people mis-name it. The Chinese name it +<I>Kiang</I>, or <I>Ta Kiang</I>, the former being the "river," the latter the +"great river" (Kiang-tsi being the province). The Kiang runs for three +thousand miles through North and Southern China, and is available for +steamers for a long distance inland. The contrast between the blue +ocean and the mud-tinged waters of the river is observable far from +land. +</P> + +<P> +To approach Shanghai we were compelled to proceed carefully in our +little ship, because the Woosung River, on which the settlement is so +well situated, is narrow and shallow in comparison with the Kiang. But +when the last corner is turned and the concession comes into view, with +its wharfs, brewery, cathedral, trees, fine houses, quays and streets, +well supplied with water, gas, electric light, post-offices, +telegraphs, and pillar-boxes; police of sorts, from the British +"blue-bottle" to the Chinese "copper" in knickerbockers and gaiters, +supplemented by the Sikh or Indian guardian of the peace in a blazing +turban, who would more quickly disperse any youthful gathering in +England by his mere appearance at the corner than the "bobby" of +British aspect at home, the visitor is astonished. +</P> + +<P> +The schooner anchored in the stream, and I was greatly surprised by the +evidences of wealth which the beautiful houses and the esplanade, the +wharfs and shipping, denoted. All these are so different from the +ideas which the average and untravelled Britisher has conceived of +China, that if he do not visit Hong Kong on the way out, nor stay in +San Francisco on the way round, he will be fairly astonished at +Shanghai, when he first views the settlements, and its prosperity. +</P> + +<P> +Three concessions line the river, namely, the English, the American, +and the French. The two former are united in their Government, and +separated by creeks and bridges. The English and American settlements +are well kept, clean, and well looked after. The French, which lies by +the Chinese outside-settlement, was rather badly kept, and even a +British "ricksha" was not permitted to cross the French line. A +roadway lined by trees, like a boulevard, runs between the houses and +the river, which is embanked, like the Thames in London. The Chinese +city of Shanghai is walled and separated from the "foreign devils'" +location, it is most truly Chinese, which means a great deal. Woosung +is the port. +</P> + +<P> +I was pondering upon my intended movements, when Eagan came amidships +to where I was gazing at the crowded river, and asked me what I +proposed to do. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose you'll go ashore and have a spree?" he said. +</P> + +<P> +"Can't I stay where I am?" I asked. "I have not much money, and am +ignorant of the place, though I hear there are boarding-houses for +sailors." +</P> + +<P> +"Hum—yes," he said doubtfully. "We're going into dock, and I think +you'd better go to the hotel. My passengers are landing, and are going +to the Japanese hotel in the American section, now. They won't mind +you anyhow. The place is cheap and good, I hear. If you stay there +to-night you may find the Consulate in the morning, and get a wire +perhaps, or letters, or any news possible." +</P> + +<P> +I thought Mr. Eagan wished me away, and I consented to his suggestion +at once. He seemed relieved by my assent. +</P> + +<P> +"See, now," he proceeded, "here's <I>cash</I> for you, never mind paying. +We're bound to refit, and you'll have twice the fun ashore than you'd +have with me in the 'muss.' You've never been up here? Laws! Then go +ashore with my passengers. Never mind the want of baggage, it's aboard +your ship," he said, winking, "but I'll lend you a change, and a few +things till to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +Under the circumstances I considered that Eagan's plan was best, and +besides he did not want me any more than the four passengers, and I did +not press the matter further. The skipper gave me some dollars and a +quantity of <I>cash</I>, and passed me amid the crowd of chattering coolies +who scented passengers and a job. After a struggle, in which Eagan had +upset several of the most unfortunate of the coolies, the valise he had +filled for me was hoisted by the chosen one of the mob, and borne by +him to the Japanese hotel in Honkiew, the "American" settlement, which, +with the British and French settlements, are entirely separated from +the Chinese city, though the rich Chinese prefer the foreign quarter. +</P> + +<P> +The foreign concession is surrounded by streams and ditch from the +rest, and is virtually an island isolated. The river bounds one side, +and brooks the others; one crossed bridges and ditches, and finds +change <I>and</I> decay! There is an Anglo-Chinese settlement, but all the +foreign side is clean, well lighted by lamps and electricity, with fine +houses, warehouses, and public buildings. Shanghai is no longer China +in the settlements. +</P> + +<P> +In the American settlement my friend Eagan, whom I suspected was an +American bred, had indicated the hotel on the Broadway. To this I +repaired, and was quickly furnished with a room which in itself was not +lavishly supplied in this manner. However, it was clean, and proved +comfortable, and I slept, rocked, in imagination, by the heaving sea. +</P> + +<P> +I awoke late, and was engaged in various "extension motions" ere +preparing to dress, when my calisthenics were suddenly brought to a +conclusion by the sound of a pistol shot. Was this imagination? I +hastily attired myself in pyjamas again, but before I had quite +finished, another, and another shot rang out in the corridor! +</P> + +<P> +I dashed out, but seeing no one, though inhaling the smoke of the +discharges, I ran to the head of the stairs. Three or four others came +on the scene immediately, and a number of persons came rushing up from +below. I pushed on, and stared in horror at the sight. A dead and +bleeding body lay before me! +</P> + +<P> +It was that of Oh Sing, or Kim, the smaller of the two Coreans who had +sailed in the <I>Harada</I>. +</P> + +<P> +I started back. Then Lung had been revenged! I began to appreciate +the danger I had escaped on board the schooner. Here was the victim, +shot dead in the "Japanese" hotel! Truly I had had a most marvellous +escape. Lung had evidently intended to assassinate his companion in +the berth which I had unwittingly occupied. What had been the object +of the murderer? These reflections hurried through my mind like +lightning, and the spectators began to compare notes concerning the +incident even while carrying the dead man back to his room. As we thus +retraced our steps, we managed to put the facts together, and when the +doctor arrived he asked me what I had witnessed. My testimony was +brief but important, and the Consul's representative arrived during the +interview. +</P> + +<P> +The unfortunate Oh Sing had been shot by three bullets, so all the +discharges had taken effect. He had been shot through the cheek—the +left—and again through the stomach—wounds which tended to prove that +the man must have been lying down when attacked, and that the assassin +had entered the bedroom. The left cheek being perforated tended to the +assumption that the poor victim had been lying on his right side, away +from the door, when attacked. He must then have turned, half rising +up, and received another bullet in front, and then he had fled. The +third ball had penetrated below the shoulder, and had found its billet +in a vital part, for the man had died at the end of the corridor, by +the stairs down which the man Lung had escaped. +</P> + +<P> +This was a most unfortunate occurrence for the hotel people, and I +fancied I knew then why Eagan had been so anxious to get the +passengers, including myself, ashore; and why he had kept the Coreans +apart when on board. He knew something—and guessed the rest. +</P> + +<P> +Having given my name to the Consul, and been advised to remain in +Shanghai for a while, I had breakfast, for which I had little appetite, +and sauntered out. My first visit was to the docks to acquaint Eagan +with the news, but I ascertained that the <I>Harada</I> had sailed at +daybreak, "leaving no address," so I was compelled to retrace my steps. +</P> + +<P> +I was now in a quandary. If the <I>Fêng Shui</I> did not come up soon I +might be arrested as an accomplice in the murder, and all day I +strolled about within the settlements listening to the strong +expressions of disgust for the deed. The murderer must be hanged—that +was only justice. The feeling against the Japanese was in a measure +increasing, and one knows how racial dislikes are fomented in the Far +East. I began to look around me cautiously. I had been already in the +witness-box, and some fanatic might think it proper to whet his knife +upon my ribs. This opportunity I did not desire to afford him. +</P> + +<P> +But for all my care I, of all people, was drawn into a dispute, and +concerning an arrest—or perhaps I should say an attempted arrest. I +was strolling up the road which turns aside from the Bund—a street in +which European wares are displayed—when I perceived two rather +peculiar Chinamen following a third Chinese, and evidently "shadowing" +him. Perhaps I might not have remarked them had not the "shadowed" man +halted beside me as I was looking at photographs displayed in a +well-known shop. I turned sharply to look at the man. He struck me as +different from the ordinary Chinaman, not a coolie, yet not a mandarin +certainly. A "middle-class" I may say; a trader, perhaps, but surely +not a native of South China. +</P> + +<P> +To my astonishment he addressed me in excellent English. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you permit me to accompany you, sir? Please be cautious." +</P> + +<P> +I stared at the fellow; then thinking that trouble might arise, I made +no reply. He spoke again. The men stood watching us. +</P> + +<P> +"Do not turn away. I am in danger in these clothes. Can you assist +me? I am a Japanese officer." +</P> + +<P> +"A Jap!" I exclaimed. "Why this disguise, then? What are you doing +here?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have been travelling in China. The Chinese suspect me in +consequence of the murder here. Can I accompany you a while?" +</P> + +<P> +I paused a moment, and at length consented. We proceeded to the +Consulate, and were seated upon the bench there, when my new +acquaintance replied to my request for information by saying— +</P> + +<P> +"I am a sailor—a Japanese junior officer. Those men intended to kill +me. I am searching for news. They are arming against us." +</P> + +<A NAME="img-087"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-087.jpg" ALT="WE PROCEEDED TO THE CONSULATE" BORDER="0"> +<P CLASS="capcenter"> +WE PROCEEDED TO THE CONSULATE +</P> +</CENTER> + +<P> +"Yes," I replied; "I hear as much. How can I protect you then, +supposing you are a Japanese officer? How can I tell that?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can produce my authority, sir," he said gently but firmly. +</P> + +<P> +"Will you disclose your identity to the Consul, then?" +</P> + +<P> +"I would prefer not." +</P> + +<P> +"How, then, can I protect you? I have no proof of your mission." +</P> + +<P> +"If you permit me to remain with you until evening, I can then meet +protection." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not address some other Englishman—a merchant or shipper? There +are many officers and sailors better than I." +</P> + +<P> +"The merchant would not credit a 'Chinese.' The natives do not mix +with the foreigners except in business-talk—'pidgin,' you know. If +they betrayed me I might be killed. I intended to leave here sooner, +but have found no vessel in which I can yet sail. The Japanese steamer +will arrive to-night. Let me remain with you. You will be sorry if +you do not, I daresay." +</P> + +<P> +"You speak English very well," I said. "You have been in London?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," he answered; "I was attached to the Japanese Embassy a while—at +least, I was a student in London, and met with much kindness. My +brother, who is in our army, was also in England at one time." +</P> + +<P> +"Can you tell me the names of any people in England who knew you?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, certainly," he said, smiling at me as if I had asked an awkward +question. Then he mentioned several people well known, and at least +one family with whom my people were acquainted, their residence, and +friends. I was almost convinced. +</P> + +<P> +"Very well," I said after a pause, "I will take you to the hotel; but +you must talk bad English, and attend me to the various places I want +to see." +</P> + +<P> +"Can do," he replied promptly. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" I asked, in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Can do; makee talk chop-chop. Alle same Melican-man." +</P> + +<P> +"Pelican? What <I>do</I> you mean? Are you sensible? What's Pelican? +Food?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," he replied, smiling broadly, "Melican-man is an American in the +pidgin. Melican." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I thought you said <I>pelican</I> first, not <I>pigeon</I>." He smiled. +</P> + +<P> +"I was chattering coolie-pidgin. 'Can do' means 'can,' simply. I +implied that I would attend you, that's all. Please be careful." +</P> + +<P> +"Of you, or of myself?" I asked, smiling in return. "All right, let us +go to the hotel. You can remain there a while, then we will take a +stroll, and perhaps by the time we have returned we may find your ship +in the stream. I am also expecting a vessel." +</P> + +<P> +"Which vessel? British?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, British built,—a steamer, <I>Fêng Shui</I>. Heard of it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not a steamer. <I>Fêng Shui</I> is Chinese—superstition. The men are +leaving us, see! But they will return. Shall we move?" +</P> + +<P> +We rose, and looked round us. I felt rather nervous. Suddenly my +young Japanese cried— +</P> + +<P> +"There she is! <I>Kyodo Maya</I>. My ship for Japan." +</P> + +<P> +"A merchant steamer!" I exclaimed. "Not a warship." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, 'Union Steam.' I go home. You have saved my life. Let me wait +until the boat comes ashore. I join my ship at Chemulpo." +</P> + +<P> +I was quite puzzled. Was this man true or false? If false, what could +he gain by selling me? He appeared honest, and certainly two men were +watching us still. He had laid himself open to suspicion, at least. +</P> + +<P> +"Come with me, sir," he said. "If you will come on board the steamer +you will understand this. I assure you I am true, and thankful for +your society." +</P> + +<P> +"I am also awaiting my ship. Perhaps your vessel may not wait to put +me ashore again, and"— +</P> + +<P> +"I am an officer," he interrupted. "The captain has instructions for +me." +</P> + +<P> +"But not for me. See, the men are approaching again. A boat is being +launched. Shall we go to the wharf now?" +</P> + +<P> +We hastened down. The sun was setting, and the Japanese had certainly +had an escape. Even then the bandits looked ugly and revengeful. The +"officer" was full of thankfulness and gratitude to me. +</P> + +<P> +"Remember," he said, "if ever we meet I am your debtor. My name is +Tomi Taijiro. My relatives are in the navy and in the mercantile +service. My elder brother is in the army. You will remember you have +saved my life." +</P> + +<P> +"I am pleased to think so," said I. "If so, I am truly glad. I hope +we shall meet again. If so, once more, I shall claim your promise. I +believe you." +</P> + +<P> +He bowed deeply, lowly fashion, and I wondered for the moment. But his +costume warranted the obeisance, and the boat came near. The two men +approached us through the throng, and Tomi whispered— +</P> + +<P> +"On guard! I dare not call assistance. Stand firm!" +</P> + +<P> +Meantime the steamer's boat was approaching, impelled by Japanese. The +Chinamen came closer. We shifted away amongst the people, and I hailed +the boat. The officer made a sign to the coxswain. The men pulled +harder. +</P> + +<P> +At that moment the assassins rushed in. In another moment we might +have been struck, or even killed. But we turned suddenly, and +unexpectedly separated. Each seized a "coolie"—so they appeared to +be—and with real luck avoided a stab. In a second both men were +swimming for life amid the shouts of the spectators, amid alarms and +cries from natives. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it?" asked some anxiously. "What has happened? Were they +thrown in?" +</P> + +<P> +"An accident," I replied, nodding at Tomi as I turned away. The boat +came up, and he was rowed away, to the surprise of the onlookers on the +wharf, who had not seen the struggle. +</P> + +<P> +Then I returned, and remained indoors next day till afternoon. +</P> + +<P> +As no one molested me, I became more easy in my mind as the day wore +on, and I began to look about me with more interest. From the fine +parade along the river,—the Bund it is called,—with its turfed +slopes, Shanghai is alive, right away to the men-of-war, local +steamers, and launches. The streets are full, even crowded, with +passers-by and rickshas—the original "Pull-man car of Shanghai." On +the Bund the business is performed, and its occupants are indeed busy. +It is a wonderful sight for the stranger from Europe, who expects +things to be Chinese-like. In the Maloo, or chief road, cabs, +broughams, barrows, and horsemen jostle each other daily. +</P> + +<P> +This is not China! It is London, Paris, New York. Fine houses and +broad pavements; banks, hotels, imposing buildings, a cathedral. Great +ships and little boats, sampans. Vessels loading and unloading, noise +and bustle, cranes and steam-whistles. Babel of language, and the +never-ceasing chatter of the Chinaman and his friends. <I>Cash! cash! +cash!</I> Merchants, coolies, rickshas, runners, porters; Chinese dodging +the carts, and avoiding the "foreign devils"; yet, at times, driving in +British landaus driven by a Chinese. Such a confusion, such fun and +variety; yet all over it, for me, hung the shadow of the crime of the +Corean which led to War! +</P> + +<P> +I crossed the bridge, and visited the Chinese-European sections,—not +the city of Shanghai,—and the French Quai des Fossés, and the familiar +notice of the continent of Europe—"defendu!" The Chinese possess in +their section no landaus, they hire wheelbarrows like Mr. Pickwick's. +Here one can examine the shops and the natives at leisure. You may see +the deformed feet, and the really unpleasant supplies of food which the +Chinaman consumes, and the frequent coffin which he will occupy later +when he dies of "carrion dishes." +</P> + +<P> +And all this primitive, conservative, old-world practice in the midst +of modern civilisation—electric light, steam, and even comparatively +broad streets, high houses, and wide roads,—but not China. +</P> + +<P> +I put in the three last items because Chinese natives have no roads, as +we called them, no high houses as in Europe, and no <I>streets</I>. The +streets are alleys; the houses deep, not high; the roads, paths! All +is topsy-turvy; even the house-roof is made and put up before the +walls; and politeness consists in depreciating oneself to the visitor. +The lady of the house is a nonentity, and the meaning of "wife" is +merely "<I>the woman who uses the broom</I>" or servant! In Shanghai +Anglo-China you may be amused and interested, but in a Chinese town, +such as Amoy, or Shanghai, or Hankow, you will be disgusted, and unless +strong in all ways, come away absolutely sick and ill. The sights, the +smells, the open drains, the filth, the putrid food, and the personal +dirtiness, will, in a quarter of an hour, repel all but the devoted +seeker and the confirmed and robust smoker.[<A NAME="chap06fn1text"></A><A HREF="#chap06fn1">1</A>] +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +<A NAME="chap06fn1"></A> +[<A HREF="#chap06fn1text">1</A>] The wealthy Chinese are yearly becoming less conservative in their +habits, and their wives are now in evidence in carriages. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +But when within European districts one may see something, and satisfy +legitimate curiosity; perhaps even in the peep-shows, though here again +the taste of the native is for "high" meats; and "blue" incidents, as +in the theatre and such places, are evident. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center"> +<SPAN STYLE="letter-spacing: 4em">*****</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P> +When I arose next morning I heard that Lung had been arrested, and that +the inquest was to be held at once. Lung did not seem in any way +interested, and declared that he had acted under directions from high +authority in Corea. However that may have been, he was not hanged nor +imprisoned, but handed by the consuls to the Chinese, and departed in a +man-of-war. +</P> + +<P> +Being much interested in the case, I kept watch, and discovered that +the man would be conveyed away by night to Corea. As I was wondering +how I could find out the fact, and conceal myself from the police, I +saw a well-known figure making for the Consulate, near which I was +seated. I rushed up and accosted the new-comer. +</P> + +<P> +"Captain Goldheugh! This <I>is</I> luck!" +</P> + +<P> +"Julius! By thunder! is it yourself entirely? Well now, look at that! +I was going to the Consulate for ye. Look at that!" +</P> + +<P> +This was an apostrophe, a favourite expression with the skipper. +</P> + +<P> +"And ye're not dead at all?" he asked, after a hearty shake, twice +repeated. +</P> + +<P> +"Not at all," I replied, laughing. "Delighted to see you, captain." +</P> + +<P> +"So am I, bedad! Why, the steamer was <I>crying</I> for ye, and wouldn't +steam scarcely, and we declared it was the name did it—<I>Fêng Shui</I>, no +less. I am thinking of changing it. I am so!" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, sir? Surely <I>Fêng Shui</I> is no harm?" +</P> + +<P> +"No harm, is it? Bedad, it may mean anything—in China; and as we're +Chinese now—a Chinese transport I think I'll make it, bedad!—I'm +going to the Consul to <I>report</I> the <I>Kowshing</I>. I never did like the +name <I>Fêng Shui</I>—in China. I was told it was unlucky." +</P> + +<P> +"Why? What does it mean?" I asked, as we continued our way. +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Fêng Shui</I>? I told ye it means 'wind and weather,'—but also their +influences; things which cannot be exactly understood, but which, like +electricity, are evident. In China <I>Fêng Shui</I> generally means a +grave." +</P> + +<P> +"That's cheerful, anyway," I muttered. +</P> + +<P> +"And whether the place is 'good' or 'bad' depends very much upon the +imagination or estimation of the persons interested. There are +'professors' who profess to understand <I>Fêng Shui</I>, but I needn't say +they are mostly humbugs, and only try to make money out of ye. But I +think China is getting much wiser, and less conservative in many ways. +Ye'll see ladies on bicycles soon—I mean Chinese women; and when ye +<I>do</I>, ye may depend the old restrictions are broken away." +</P> + +<P> +"Then the <I>Fêng Shui</I> is doomed, you mean?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, it will be; and the steamer must change her name. Look here, +Julius, between you and me and the bedpost, the mate and myself have +made up our minds to stand the racket for the Company, and chance it. +The agent holds off, but I see my way to profit by the fuss." +</P> + +<P> +"What fuss? This murder?" +</P> + +<P> +"Bosh!" exclaimed the captain. "The <I>war</I>! The Chinese and Japs are +already at loggerheads about Corea. This murder business will cause +the Japs to interfere. China has already sent soldiers to Corea, and +the Japs have the right to do the same. Now ye'll see sparks fly!" +</P> + +<P> +"I'm afraid I do not quite understand it." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, well! Can't ye understand the difference between Conservatives +and Progressives? Yes! Then Japan is progressive, and the Chinese the +other way. The Johnnies objected to Corea being made progressive, as +the Japanese tried to make it, because Japan is advancing to European +perfections. That very fellow who was killed two days ago was an +adherent of Japanese advance, and the old Coreans' style opposed him. +Some years ago (in 1882) the Japanese had to fly out of Corea; they +sent troops to punish the natives, the Chinese did the same, for the +sake of making peace. But the Corean Progressives attacked the Corean +Conservatives, who retaliated, and drove the Progressive party out in +1884. +</P> + +<P> +"Then it was arranged that both China and Japan, the Conservative and +Progressive motive-powers, should each send troops to Corea if the +other did, and the treaty between Li Hung Chang and Count Ito lasted +for nine years, till now—1894. And <I>now</I>," concluded the skipper, +"Mr. Oh Sing, or Kim, has again thrown the fat into the fire. He's +been killed,—he was a 'Progressive,' ye understand,—and the consuls, +or one of them, has caused the murderer to be sent by the Chinese to +Corea to the king, free and unpunished! Bedad, my lad, we'll see more +sparks out o' these flints yet!" +</P> + +<P> +"Then the Conservative Corean has killed the Progressive Corean?" +</P> + +<P> +"Just so; and the Chinese, being Conservative, have saved the murderer, +and sent him home in a <I>man-of-war</I>! In a Government ship! Sent him +home with honours! Sure the Japs won't stand that." +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose it was a planned thing?" +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly; a plot,—a decoy. You, somehow, came in the vessel, and, I +hear, got into trouble almost. If the King of Corea instructed the man +Lung, or Hung, and if he goes back unpunished, then ye'll see some +'fun,' as people call it." +</P> + +<P> +"And the Chinese expect something?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, they do. They're searching for transports on the quiet; and when +I have changed the <I>Fêng Shui</I> to <I>Kowshing</I>, and settled the bad luck, +then we'll just go up to the Yellow Sea, and look in at Taku." +</P> + +<P> +"Why at Taku?' +</P> + +<P> +"Because I <I>hear</I>, quite by accident (accidentally on purpose, as my +uncle used to say), that the troops for Corea will embark there, if +anywhere at all. My game is ready, and the steamer will be there. If +I can get the job, I makee much cash; if not, then perhaps one catchee +die, and get one piecee coffin, as Johnny Coolie might say. But alle +samee some day. Are ye hungry, Julius? Let's chow-chow, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed I am, sir; very hungry." +</P> + +<P> +"So'm I. I'm a'most dying with the <I>forgortha</I>—the hunger, ye +know,—myself. Come on then, and have bird's-nest soup and roast rat." +</P> + +<P> +"No thank you," I replied with a shudder, +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, come on, boy! Have lunch with me, and drink good luck to the +<I>Kowshing</I> and peace to the <I>Fêng Shui</I>. Come!" +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE <I>FÊNG SHUI</I> CHANGES HER NAME FOR LUCK<BR> +—THE TRANSPORT—THE JAPANESE<BR> +MAN-OF-WAR—SURRENDER OF THE <I>KOWSHING</I> +</H4> + +<P> +We were compelled by circumstances to remain a few days at Shanghai, +and almost every hour begat new rumours. Sunday itself was no day of +rest for the Spirit of Conjecture; she was busier than ever, and +whether on the Bund or on the concession road, where everybody met all +the world and his wife and family, the speculations were numerous and +important. Only the ugly Amas (Chinese "ayahs"), and their usually +pale European charges, were exempted from the general discussions. The +Chinese, too, were quite quiet, but also perfectly alive to the +situation. Those of the settlers who played lawn tennis or other +games, or cycled,—as most of the "foreign" men did,—paused to discuss +late events on the grounds, or on the Marine Parade. The Chinese +drove, or perhaps walked, but did not "go in for games" as the "foreign +devils" do; it is better, they think, to pay people to do all this to +amuse them. +</P> + +<P> +The steamer quitted Shanghai, and made her way into the Yellow Sea, +which is beautifully blue, and derives its name from the Ho, or Yellow +River. Near the land it is more muddy, but steaming at sea through the +ocean depths the water is blue as an Italian sky. We made our way up +to Taku, or Tien Tsin, the well-known port of Northern China. We +passed close by Yung Cheng, and rounded Wei-hai-Wei, passed the +islands, and steamed through the Gulf of Pechili to Taku at the mouth +of the Pei-Ho. +</P> + +<P> +I was very much interested in this place because a cousin of mine had +been engaged in the expedition against the Taku forts in 1859, and I +recollect my admiration when my cousin returned with some beautiful +Chinese robes, and other articles, which he had purchased, or found, in +Pekin after the capture of the capital. These spoils still exist in +the possession of my cousin's family. +</P> + +<P> +While embarking Chinese soldiers for Corea, we heard many reports of +the Chinese fleet, the attack of Japanese in Seul, and such +intelligence, which confirmed my captain in his impression that war had +already virtually been declared, and that the struggle would be fought +out by sea and land, between China and Japan, in the Yellow Sea and in +Corea. So he made haste to embark the soldiers,—some twelve hundred +men with twelve guns,—and, when they were settled on board, the +steamer followed the other transports, of which nine had already +sailed. There were two other English steamers employed in the service, +but we didn't think that any fuss would ensue, because we trusted to +the "red ensign." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Julius," said the mate to me, when we had crossed the bar at +Taku, "here we are on service." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," I replied; "but it is only transport service. There will be no +fighting. We can't fight, and no one will harm a British ship." +</P> + +<P> +"Let us wait till we reach Corea. When we reach Asan, and land the +troops, we shall be able to sing 'Rule Britannia.'" +</P> + +<P> +"What do you mean?" I asked, looking at the mate intently in the dim +light. "There is no danger, is there?" +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose you know that the Japanese warships are out in this sea, and +they expect to meet some Chinese vessels?" +</P> + +<P> +"But we're not Chinese; we're English." +</P> + +<P> +"Just so," said the mate. "Hadn't you better look after the troops, +and get them settled. If any storm gets up, or anything happens, they +will be like children, and <I>we</I> can't hold them." +</P> + +<P> +"Who's the major? He's not a Chinese, anyway!" +</P> + +<P> +"No, he's a German, I believe—a Von something—a good fellow, I think. +You see the Herrs are getting the thin wedge in in China, quietly. +Look at their travellers already—commercial, I mean—they are turning +<I>us</I> out! This major is teaching the army to shoot. They are very +young in the modern sense. Just see that the Johnnies are quiet." +</P> + +<P> +They were peaceful and resigned. So far as I could ascertain, none of +them, except the generals, had any notion of what they were sent to +do—except to fight <I>somebody</I>; but they were apparently quite passive +in the matter, and gave themselves no concern either way. They were +machines then; but later they roused themselves unpleasantly. +</P> + +<P> +It was early in the morning of the 25th July 1894; I had been on deck, +but came up again about eight a.m. because I was informed that the +islands were in sight off Corea. I knew the mate was on watch, and he +might want me. So I came up to him. +</P> + +<P> +"I say, Julius," he said, "just call the captain! There's an ironclad +ahead, and I can't quite make her out. She carries the Rising Sun, but +there is a white flag over the Japs' colours. Look alive!" +</P> + +<P> +Just glancing ahead I thought I could see the vessel referred to, but +of course I called the captain at once. +</P> + +<P> +"Where are we?" he asked, rising quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Oft Shopieul Island, I heard, sir; in the Corean Archipelago," I added. +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks," he replied; but whether he was sarcastic I could not divine. +I at once hurried on deck again, and searched the sea. +</P> + +<P> +The captain then came upon the bridge, and I heard him chatting with +the mate. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose she's a Jap," said the latter; "but I can't grasp the white +flag." +</P> + +<P> +"Dip the ensign, anyway; it's the proper thing. Hoist the red rag," he +said. +</P> + +<P> +The signal-hand quickly bent the ensign of the merchant navy; it rose, +fluttered out, dipped, and rose again to the peak, blowing out plainly. +</P> + +<P> +"I say, he takes no notice," cried the captain. "She keeps her course +to the north-east. Now what in thunder does <I>that</I> mean? It's an +insult, bedad!" +</P> + +<P> +"She's steaming at a fine rate, sir. Looks as if she was in a hurry." +</P> + +<P> +"Running away, bedad!" laughed the skipper, turning his glass upon the +large ship. "Ah! a man-of-war and a Chinaman,—a trick, I believe." +</P> + +<P> +"Really so?" exclaimed the mate. "If so, there's been a 'tit up' +yonder, and Jap has licked Johnny, but I heard no guns. Excuse me, +sir, what's that yonder?—a schooner, I say." +</P> + +<P> +I heard him, and got a glass from the signalman near whom I was +standing. But the schooner was not the <I>Harada</I>, so far as I could +see. She had no foretop-sail-yard. She was steering south-east, a +long distance away, and looked an old style of vessel getting away. +</P> + +<P> +By this time the news had spread through the steamer, and penetrated to +the Chinese intelligence forward. The soldiers came up in numbers, and +the officers, accompanied by the European passenger, began to chatter +and make all kinds of inquiries and observations. The Japanese flag +had evidently raised the "dander" of the Chinese. They understood that +the man-of-war was a Chinaman, but could not understand the white +feather of retreat or escape. +</P> + +<P> +By degrees the excitement increased, and the crew of the steamer became +very much interested. The native fireman even came up to look around, +and though unable to see anything, descended again, much impressed with +the result. +</P> + +<P> +Notwithstanding our native English assurance, one or two of us—I need +not make invidious comparisons—began to suspect danger. The captain, +mate, and the German military passenger were perfectly calm and +unembarrassed, and the <I>Kowshing</I> proceeded at a good pace to her +destination. The chief men were on the bridge. I was within hail, and +at times stood upon the ladder to see better, and to hear better, what +the prospects might be of seeing war. +</P> + +<P> +We still kept our course, and had approached within a mile or so of the +island from the north-west, when three men-of-war came out from the +land in our direction. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you make them?" asked the captain. +</P> + +<P> +"Japs," was the reply. "We are getting into a hornet's nest, I think." +</P> + +<P> +"The British ensign will surely protect the steamer?" asked the foreign +passenger. "There is no necessity to alter the course." +</P> + +<P> +"Precious little use, anyhow," remarked the mate. "We must keep going, +though I fancy the ships will not appreciate the Chinese troops on +board. We may be compelled to return." +</P> + +<P> +When the Chinese commanders perceived the Japanese vessels approaching +they became rather excited—the soldiers also crowded forward, and +there was no appearance of fear amongst them. There was some anxiety, +certainly, on board, and when the leading ship passed on and fired two +blank cartridges, there was a feeling of uneasiness evident. +</P> + +<P> +"Stop her," came the order when the two guns and the signal had been +interpreted. My heart beat loudly at the sound of the unshotted guns. +They meant heave to—anchor. +</P> + +<P> +The steamer hove to and waited, tossing gently upon the sea. +</P> + +<P> +"What are they up to?" was the question expressed or implied. "Tell +them we understand, Julius." "Ting, ting" went the telegraph to the +engine. +</P> + +<P> +The man at the signal halyards and myself sent the bunting aloft. The +flags said, "We have stopped"; and again we waited, lopping and +rolling, as the anchor plashed away into the blue sea at eleven fathoms. +</P> + +<P> +"I say, are we prisoners?" I asked the mate when he came back +amidships, having seen the anchor let go. +</P> + +<P> +"Looks like it," he replied crossly. "Must wait the Japs' convenience, +I see." +</P> + +<P> +The Chinese generals then began to plague the captain with demands +which the German officer translated and repeated. There was great +confusion. +</P> + +<P> +"That ship's the <I>Naniwa</I>," I heard someone say. +</P> + +<P> +"She's returning. All right, we may proceed, I presume." +</P> + +<P> +"She is only going to confer with her mates," said the engineer, who +had come up. "But the captain is asking something." +</P> + +<P> +I made out the signal as directed, and it spelt "May we proceed?" The +engineers anxiously awaited the reply, and the crew expected the order +to weigh. +</P> + +<P> +But to my dismay, and certainly to the disappointment of all on board +our steamer, the reply came from the Japanese, sharply— +</P> + +<P> +"Heave to, or take the consequences." +</P> + +<P> +We looked at each other, the Chinese commanders were furious. The men +made ready their rifles, and got up ammunition. Things began to look +black all round. +</P> + +<P> +The Chinese commanders demanded to know what had been said, and when +they had been informed a discussion arose. So greatly were they +exercised that the foreign officer suggested that the soldiers might be +sent below, because he feared a disturbance if any Japanese came on +board; and also, I think, he fancied we all were in danger if the +troops became mutinous. +</P> + +<P> +This advice, backed up by the officers of the steamer, was acted upon, +and when I had assisted in carrying out the order with the +quarter-master, Louis, we came on deck again, and we saw the same ship +again approaching us on the port side—on the beam; she took up a +position so that she could enfilade us with her starboard battery, and +we could see that she had prepared to fire her broadside. +</P> + +<P> +I really could not believe we were in danger. It seemed so absurd to +think that our Japanese friends could threaten a British ship sailing +under the ensign, and employed in transport duties. I said as much to +the mate. He shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"You see, we are in the enemy's pay, and the Japs must have the first +blow if they mean war. Still, I suppose they will take us off the +steamer, and make the Johnnies prisoners. Here comes a boat. We shall +soon find out all about this business." +</P> + +<P> +"The Japanese are armed," I said. +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly they are. They are on the warpath. I hope we shan't lose +our scalps!" +</P> + +<P> +I laughed at the idea, and the mate walked forward to keep watch and +order ahead, without echoing my misplaced merriment. He seemed to take +things seriously. How absurd! +</P> + +<P> +"Gangway!" came the order, and the captain went down to receive the two +Japanese officers who intended to come on board. They were received +with politeness, the lieutenant and his sub demanded to see the +steamer's papers. For this purpose they went into the chart-room. +</P> + +<P> +Meantime I was staring at the boat and the Japanese sailors, neat and +tidy fellows, and at the youthful officer keeping guard. My heart +leaped. I recognised him as the youth whom I had assisted that evening +in Shanghai when the feeling against the Japanese ran high. He +recognised me at the same moment, and smiled. I advanced and saluted +him; he replied in kind, and we exchanged greetings. It was Tomi! +</P> + +<P> +"May I inquire what your captain intends to do with us?" I asked after +a while. +</P> + +<P> +"I cannot say," he replied. "My officer and your captain will +doubtless arrange matters." +</P> + +<P> +"We are not at war," I persisted; "we cannot be harmed." I glanced at +the English ensign as I was speaking. +</P> + +<P> +His eyes followed mine, and he touched his cap politely, then looked at +me. "Will you come on board?" he asked. "I will assist you now, if +you like." +</P> + +<P> +"Why? What for?" After a pause, I replied, "No, thank you. I am on +duty, of course." But I thought it kind of the middy. He knew the +danger. +</P> + +<P> +"Stand back, please; here is my officer," he said quickly. "Be silent." +</P> + +<P> +He at once became distant as the land, and shut up like an oyster. He +perhaps was afraid to be seen speaking to me. +</P> + +<P> +The captain and the Japanese lieutenant then appeared. The latter +said— +</P> + +<P> +"I will convey your message, sir, I understand that this vessel is +under the charter of the Chinese Government to convey troops from Taku +to Asan. Is that correct?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perfectly," replied the captain. +</P> + +<P> +The lieutenant continued, "There are eleven hundred soldiers on board, +with arms and ammunition and supplies. Are you prepared to follow the +<I>Naniwa</I>, sir?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am willing to do so," replied the captain. "Will you favour me with +your esteemed name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Lieutenant Hitomi," was the reply. "Yours, sir, is Goldheugh?" +</P> + +<P> +The captain bowed; the lieutenant bowed in response, and was then most +politely escorted to the gangway, whence he was rowed to the <I>Naniwa</I>, +as he had named her. She was painted white, and had one funnel. +</P> + +<P> +She was, and is, a fine ship, and I scrutinised her size and guns and +equipage of modern appearance. She was armed with two 26 c.m. +twenty-eight-ton Armstrong guns; six 15 c.m. five-ton Krupps; besides +machine guns—a heavy armament for a ship of something under four +thousand tons, I estimated. She carried three hundred and fifty-seven +men, and could steam eighteen knots. These details I learned later; at +the moment of the lieutenant's departure I was fascinated by her guns. +It seemed so unreal to me. War was so unexpected by us, though I +gathered that it had been brewing for months. Still it is always +disturbing and alarming, even if one is <I>not</I> face to face with it, as +I was. +</P> + +<P> +When the Japanese officer had returned to the ship, the Chinese +generals came up with the German officer to make inquiries. The major +was not present when the explanation had been made, but he understood +that our captain had mentioned him as a "passenger." +</P> + +<P> +"I did so, sir; I told the lieutenant. Did you not hear what I said?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied the passenger. "If you had called me, as we agreed "— +</P> + +<P> +"Bless my soul, what time had I to call anyone?" exclaimed the captain. +"The man didn't wait for any explanations. He asked me questions, and +when I had replied he was off like a shot; and maybe he'll treat us to +one presently, though I suppose it isn't his fault. What are the +generals going to do?" +</P> + +<P> +"They declare they will resist. You should have stipulated to return +to Taku, they say; and they will rather die than be taken prisoners." +</P> + +<P> +"Bedad, they may have to do it!" muttered the captain. "Julius, hoist +the signal for a boat. The Chinese fellows are breaking loose, and +we'll be murdered in a minute. We're between the devils and the deep +sea now, and may go anywhere. Call assistance!" +</P> + +<P> +The German gentleman in vain attempted to influence the Chinese. He +could speak their language, but they did not listen. The officers +declared they would fight. They had eleven hundred against the three +hundred and fifty Japanese, and they could prevail! In vain the major +declared that the ship's guns must destroy the steamer if she fired at +us. The generals were obdurate. They directed their men to guard the +bridge and gangway, to kill any European who resisted, and to load all +rifles. +</P> + +<P> +"We have your protection," they said to the captain. "If you withdraw +it on the part of England, we shall shoot you. You have made a +contract with us, you must complete it. Take us to Asan, or back to +Taku, and forfeit the charter." +</P> + +<P> +This was translated to the captain, and he swore. He signalled for the +Japanese to send a boat, and the reply came—"Send at once." We then +waited in the greatest excitement, fearing for all on board who were +not Chinese, because the soldiers threatened, and made the most +horrible signs to us all the while suggesting death and torture. +</P> + +<P> +It is almost incredible, but it is true—no romance is here. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE END OF THE <I>FÊNG SHUI</I>—CAPTURED AND PRESSED +</H4> + +<P> +The tremendous excitement of the Chinese was due, as I then understood, +to a signal from the <I>Naniwa</I>, which we found out meant "Weigh; cut or +slip." This was rightly interpreted as a command to follow the warship +and surrender, and the Chinese absolutely declined. I wished we had +run away and beached the steamer. +</P> + +<P> +We were on the bridge then. I mean the officers; and the captain +attempted to persuade the Chinese officers to be quiet. But the +trouble increased every minute. Soldiers loaded their rifles, and took +up their positions as sentries at the ladders, so that at the first +symptoms of surrender the British would be shot; and when the Asiatic +begins to kill he becomes a fiend. +</P> + +<P> +Under these circumstances the captain made an appeal to the Japanese. +Goldheugh and the mate conferred with the German officer, who was a +"drill instructor" of the Chinese troops, and the cry went up— +</P> + +<P> +"Send a boat. Must confer personally." +</P> + +<P> +When this signal was perceived, and explained, the generals threatened +to shoot us all; the soldiers at once thronged the deck, and advanced +to the gangway, so that if the Japanese came on board again they ran a +great risk of being killed. The signal was replied to by "Send +immediately," and we waited amid a fearful uproar, and desperate +resolves upon the part of the Chinese to cut our heads off. +</P> + +<P> +We were silent and expectant. The explanation was agreed on by all the +Europeans, and it was with great difficulty that the Chinese leaders +were at length induced to order the men from the gangway. The Japanese +did not come alongside at once. They perceived the difficulty and the +risk for us. +</P> + +<P> +When the lieutenant did come up he was informed of the state of the +case. Captain Goldheugh and the German officer fully explained the +cause of the delay. +</P> + +<P> +"We can do nothing," said the former. "You desire us to weigh anchor; +the Chinese will kill us all if we attempt to obey. Cannot your +captain permit us to return? <I>We</I> had not heard of any declaration of +war before we sailed. We have not in any way broken the laws of +nations." +</P> + +<P> +"The Europeans must quit the ship," said the Japanese. "That is my +suggestion." +</P> + +<P> +"We cannot. You perceive the difficulty. What shall we do? You may +let us return to Taku. This is the Chinese demand." +</P> + +<P> +The Jap shook his head doubtfully. +</P> + +<P> +"I will inform my superior," he replied. "You must be ready to act +when the answer comes, whatever it may be." +</P> + +<P> +He then returned to the boat, and the crew gave way rapidly. All these +arrangements had occupied quite three hours and a half, and it was then +nearly "one bell,"—half-past twelve,—for I remember the bell being +struck at the time the Japanese boat was proceeding to the cruiser, +which lay about half a mile away. +</P> + +<P> +"Julius," said the captain, "tell the engineers and firemen to come on +deck; and hark ye, my lad, put on a life-belt." +</P> + +<P> +"A life-belt! What for?" I exclaimed. +</P> + +<P> +"Do as ye're bid," he said, descending from the bridge, and entering +the chart-room, and later, his cabin. Meantime I gave the order, and +the engineers and firemen came up, some went forward to wash. +</P> + +<P> +We had not much time to spare. The Chinese sentries had left the +bridge before this, and the "calm that precedes a storm" had settled +upon us. The pause was broken by the expected reply from the cruiser— +</P> + +<P> +"Leave the steamer at once." +</P> + +<P> +The captain shrugged his shoulders, and called to me— +</P> + +<P> +"Have you told the engineers? Signal, 'I am not allowed,' and ask for +a boat for us. Be ready all; there's mischief now." +</P> + +<P> +When the captain had made this reply, he spoke to the mate, who quitted +the bridge, and made some preparations to depart. The next thing I +remarked was a red flag at the foremast of the cruiser, and a signal +abaft—"Can't send boat." +</P> + +<P> +"Then we're done," said the chief engineer. "What's that red flag?" +</P> + +<P> +"Looks like 'Fire,' but it can't be that," replied his mate, who had +retreated aft with the mate of the steamer. +</P> + +<P> +"She's taking up position," said the mate. "See! What's that? By +thunder, it's a torpedo! That's another. Hurry, lads. Fly! Jump! +They intend to sink us with the Chinese fools!" +</P> + +<P> +I stood irresolute, not from fear, because I could not realise the +extreme danger of the situation. "A torpedo," the engineer had said. +I had never seen one before; and was it possible that this black thing +which was rushing like a small porpoise at us was intended as a +destructive weapon against a friendly vessel? What would happen if it +struck the steamer? +</P> + +<P> +Before it touched us, however, a fearful thunder of guns rang out at +one moment, and a curious sound of grinding or rattling. +</P> + +<P> +"A broadside!" shouted the chief mate, rushing forward. "Leap, Julius; +jump overboard!" +</P> + +<A NAME="p121"></A> + +<P> +He rushed at a belt, and disappeared as the steamer heeled over under +the fearful impact of the shot or shell, and I also dropped in the blue +sea behind him. The effect of the broadside was to depress the steamer +upon the starboard side. +</P> + +<P> +The crash was fearful! Even as I fell into the water I felt the +concussion, and the roar of the discharge was terrific. Since then I +have heard "guns going off," and have been startled by them, but this +hurricane of shot was fearful. When I again rose, supported by my +belt, the air was enveloped in steam, and thick with dust, while the +sea was sprinkled with coal ashes. +</P> + +<P> +The "quick-firing" guns were peppering the survivors on the doomed +ship, flashing from the <I>Naniwa</I> like crackers. The Chinese kept +firing in reply at anyone in the water, and at the ship's boats, which +had been lowered, but not with the intention to save life at first. +The Japs fired without mercy at the wrecked and sinking steamer and the +Chinese troops. +</P> + +<P> +Mechanically I swam in the direction of the island. I had no time to +fear the bullets, but perhaps I owe my life to the small ladder which +supported me, and beneath which I managed to float, and propel myself +at intervals, while the firing continued. The Chinese replied +aimlessly from the steamer, killing their own people on the principle +of the scorpion which attacks itself when in imminent danger of death. +Numbers of Chinese were swimming, and were slain in the water; a few +were saved, with three or four Europeans, by the Japanese and by a +French vessel which came upon the scene, but the vast majority perished. +</P> + +<P> +I learned these details afterwards; at the time the noise and shouting, +the crackling of the machine-guns and the rifle fire, were most +bewildering, and how I managed to keep afloat and unharmed is to me, +even now, astonishing. Had I not been perfectly at home in the water I +think I must have drowned from sheer nervousness; the exertion itself +would have exhausted me before the boat came and rescued me. As it +proved, I kept my head and my life-belt. +</P> + +<P> +Then I saw the unlucky <I>Fêng Shui</I> rise up a little, roll a bit, and +plunge down by the stern suddenly, carrying hundreds of living, +wounded, and dead Chinese into the vortex of the Yellow Sea. The +<I>Naniwa</I> had struck a decisive blow in the war. Then my mind sprung +back to the evening on which I had been rescued by Captain Goldheugh +from the sinking yacht, in which I had dreamed of a sinking steamer +attacked by a man-of-war, amid steam and the roar of artillery. Was +this prophetic? +</P> + +<A NAME="img-124"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-124.jpg" ALT="I SAW THE UNLUCKY <I>FÊNG SHUI</I> PLUNGE DOWN BY THE STERN SUDDENLY" BORDER="0"> +<P CLASS="capcenter"> +I SAW THE UNLUCKY <I>FÊNG SHUI</I> PLUNGE DOWN BY THE STERN SUDDENLY +</P> +</CENTER> + +<P> +A murmur of strange voices aroused me for I swam mechanically, as I +ascertained later, in the direction of the Japanese cruiser. I raised +my head, and perceived a large boat closing upon me gently. A word of +command; I was seized and dragged on board the launch amid the Japanese +crew, and to my delight I perceived Mr. Rose, the mate of the steamer. +There were some other boats afloat with Japanese and Chinese occupants, +but the former fired upon the latter at every opportunity. +</P> + +<P> +We were carried to the <I>Naniwa</I> and, I am glad to say, well treated by +our captors, who supplied our wants, and those of the others rescued. +We received no apologies, however, though food and dry clothing were +supplied. The captain also was rescued by another boat, but we did not +"chum" with him; and we found that a sentry had been placed at the +doors of the cabins respectively, to avoid and prevent any comparisons +of our treatment. +</P> + +<P> +During the evening we were asked separately many questions, and desired +to make a statement to the captain of the cruiser. At eight bells we +anchored for the night, and I slept thankfully till the morning. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center"> +<SPAN STYLE="letter-spacing: 4em">*****</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P> +Very early in the morning of the next day I was awakened by the noise +of a brief and sharp conversation outside the cabin wherein I was +lying. There was a sound of firearms, a clash of a sword, and in the +dawning light I perceived a young officer advancing from the door. +</P> + +<P> +Impulsively I arose, bracing myself for an encounter, but the +ambassador was on peace intent. He was my young friend the midshipman +to whom I had been of some assistance at Shanghai. He began directly, +without any preface. +</P> + +<P> +"How are you feeling, Mr. Julius? I have been thinking about you, and +have ventured to see you. What are your plans?" +</P> + +<P> +"I have no plans. My captain and mate are prisoners, and I am in +custody," I replied. "Why ask a prisoner what his plans are?" +</P> + +<P> +He put up his hand deprecatingly, and shook his head. +</P> + +<P> +"You are not a captive," he replied; "at least only until we can +restore you and your officers to the British ships. Your captain will +return to Nagasaki, I believe, and thence to Hong Kong, perhaps. But +if you have liberty to remain, why not stay with this ship?" +</P> + +<P> +"Enlist in the Japanese navy?" I exclaimed. +</P> + +<P> +"Not enlist; join us. My uncle is commander here now, and he is +already pleased with you, and grateful for your assistance to me. He +himself has suggested your joining the ship. You were intended for the +English navy, you said; and you may do us the honour of accepting the +offer." +</P> + +<P> +I made no immediate reply. The suggestion was pleasant to my ears. +Perhaps I might volunteer if Captain Goldheugh had no objection. +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" asked the young Japanese. "I must request a reply, as my watch +will be called at eight bells." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I will volunteer if my captain will permit me. But must I +actually join your service?" +</P> + +<P> +"I presume not. The idea is merely one to enable you to see some +service, and I am certain you will be a credit to the <I>Naniwa</I>." +</P> + +<P> +He bowed and smiled. I jumped up and responded. +</P> + +<P> +"You are too kind, Tomi," I said. "Please tell your most honourable +uncle that I will, if permitted, be most happy to join his ship, though +he nearly drowned us in the <I>Fêng Shui</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"That would have been a misfortune," said Tomi. +</P> + +<P> +"The steamer was always unlucky," I replied. "Her very name is a +reproach, and the captain changed it to <I>Kowshing</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"Which was even a greater ill-luck. But I am on duty. We weigh at +four o'clock this morning. I will tell the commander of you." +</P> + +<P> +He retired quickly. The time was passing, and the hands were about to +weigh anchor. Before I had finished dressing in the sailor's clothes, +with which home-made (Japanese) attire we had all been supplied, a +message came for me, and I was released politely from the surveillance +to that time observed. At this point I may say that all the officers +and men, and later the Japanese ashore, treated us all most kindly. +But all the same I think that in war they would be most formidable +antagonists, because they "go" for their aim at once, risking all for +country; even killing themselves if they do not succeed as they intend +to do, and they spare neither themselves nor their opponents, not even +to the farther verge of cruelty, if aroused. +</P> + +<P> +But I did not know so much of the Japanese character then, and I admire +it still. In all my dealings with them—and I have met many +influential Japanese and others—I have found them polite and +courteous, with a fine tendency to business, and to "take the turn of +the market" for themselves. +</P> + +<P> +Soon after eight bells the warship weighed anchor, and I was permitted +to go on deck amidships, or forward of the bridge, and while I was +gazing alongside my midshipman friend accosted me. +</P> + +<P> +"Your captain is aft," he said. "Perhaps you would like to see him." +</P> + +<P> +"Is he a prisoner?" I asked, as I gazed at a Chinese gunboat close by, +which had been captured when conveying despatches. "What's that +vessel?" +</P> + +<P> +"She's a Chinese boat, <I>Tsaokiang</I>," replied my friend Tomi. "We have +caught her, and shall send her captain and crew with your officers in +the transport. You can visit your captain if you wish." +</P> + +<P> +This was my desire, and accordingly I proceeded astern, under escort +and by permission, to the cabin in which Captain Goldheugh was +interned. He welcomed me gladly from his cot. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! my son, so ye've got free of the Japs, have ye? Sure I'm still in +limbo, though I must say the fellows are civil enough. We're steaming +to the rendezvous, I'm told." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, sir. I came to ask your permission to stay on board here." +</P> + +<P> +I rushed at my fence, you see, and yet in trepidation when I realised +the obstacles. +</P> + +<P> +"What!" exclaimed the captain. "Remain on board the Jap's cruiser with +the fellows who smashed us into smithereens, and made a 'holy show' of +the <I>Fêng Shui</I>? Bedad, a March hare isn't in the same run with ye. +He's mad this time, anyway," concluded the captain. "Stark and +staring! Are those straws in your hair?" +</P> + +<P> +"No," I replied, smiling, yet nervously. "The fact is the captain of +this ship has offered me a berth, and"— +</P> + +<P> +"By the powers o' Moll Kelly this beats the world!" cried the captain, +relapsing into native idiom. "The Jap captain offers ye a berth. Ah, +go out o' that! He wants ye to take the cruiser into action, so he +does! That's what he means. Well, well," he sighed resignedly, "look +at that!" +</P> + +<P> +He nodded his head up and down three times, as if perfectly, but +unwillingly, resigned. I felt smaller by degrees. +</P> + +<P> +"All right, <I>admiral</I>," he said suddenly. "By all manner o' means. +Won't I make them proud at home when I tell them that the young runaway +is the admiral of the <I>Naniwa</I>—what's that mean? In Ireland 'Nanny' +is an old <I>nurse</I>—and she here is your wet-nurse, bedad! Oh, it's +grand entirely, <I>your honour</I>!" +</P> + +<P> +This affectation of manner puzzled me. The captain was "putting on" +this, I perceived. +</P> + +<P> +"If you object, sir," I began. +</P> + +<P> +"Is it me object! Not at all! Go and leave your ship—she's left +ye—and your friends. What for?" he asked suddenly and almost +fiercely. "What d'ye want to do?" +</P> + +<P> +"To serve in the Japanese navy," I said, "as a volunteer, and see some +service for a while. The captain here has told his nephew, who asked +me to tell you too." +</P> + +<P> +"The dog began to bite the pig, the pig began to go, and the old woman +(that's me) begins to get over the stile. I see! Well, do as ye like, +Julius, my boy, I'll not stop ye." +</P> + +<P> +"Really? Oh, you are kind, captain! Still, if you order me"— +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! go on! Ye won't stay long I expect. But if ye <I>do</I> it will do ye +good. I don't understand why the captain of the ship has made ye the +offer, but as he <I>has</I>, and ye are already dressed up in Japanese +clothes, maybe he wants to see whether ye're worth your salt! All +right, Admiral Julius, 'Go where Glory waits ye,' as Tommy Moore says, +and 'when Fame elates thee, then remember me,' that's all. Here's the +lieutenant." +</P> + +<P> +The officer came in, we saluted, and the captain accepted the polite +invitation to breakfast by and by, and the lieutenant retired. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, admiral, quit, if ye please, as I'm going to 'draw on my +stockings,' and—dress myself. I suppose <I>ye'll</I> breakfast in the +cabin, while <I>I</I> am pigging in the ward-room. Be off, I tell ye! +Don't stand there staring like a stuck pig. Hurry, now!" +</P> + +<P> +I obeyed, feeling that the captain was annoyed, but my feelings of +adventure rose in me, and as he had consented, however unwillingly, I +decided to assume his acquiescence in the matter, but he apparently +feared the future. +</P> + +<P> +There was another interview with my captain afterwards, and a chat with +the mate and others, who subsequently were transferred to the transport +<I>Yayayama</I> with the Danish gentleman,—also a captive from the despatch +boat,—the Chinese crews of it, and the surviving soldiers of the <I>Fêng +Shui</I>. I need not dwell upon the parting. I felt sorry to leave my +messmates, but against this feeling came the knowledge that I was +adrift already, and must go to Nagasaki first, then find conveyance to +China and perhaps to Europe. I had no money, and no chance of finding +any then. My parents, particularly my dear mother, would be much more +pleased to receive a telegram announcing my entry into the Japanese +service, than a wire for money and announcing shipwreck! The captain +(Goldheugh) had promised to write about me, and I found out afterwards +that not only had he done so, but had spoken well of me to Captain Toyo +of the <I>Naniwa</I>. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Tsaokiang</I>, which had appeared before the sinking of the steamer, +was a prize to the <I>Maya</I>; and all her officers and crew having been +transferred as indicated above, the <I>Yayayama</I> steamed away for Japan. +I remained in the cruiser while she sent boats to search for the +fugitive Chinese vessel, which had fled away ashore. She was found and +destroyed by the Japanese boats' crews as she lay beached. +</P> + +<P> +Then the cruisers joined the fleet, and war was declared on the 1st +August 1894, "after the ball" at Phungdo. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE BATTLE IN THE YELLOW SEA—THE EVIL <BR> +GENIUS OF "FÊNG SHUI" +</H4> + +<P> +It would not be interesting to the reader to peruse the details of our +cruise off the Chinese and Corean coasts after the declaration of war +till the middle of September, but a passing reference to the actions of +the squadron may be made. +</P> + +<P> +The fleet was under the command of Admiral Ito,[<A NAME="chap09fn1text"></A><A HREF="#chap09fn1">1</A>] who later made an +attack on Port Arthur and Wei-hai-Wei, which are opposite each other in +the Gulf of Pechili, the latter port being in Shangtung, and the former +in Manchuria, North China. The admiral did not communicate his ideas +to many people, but it leaked out in the fleet that he was keeping the +Chinese in check while his transports were carrying the Japanese troops +to Corea. Meantime the Chinese fleet remained in harbour at +Wei-hai-Wei, and the Coreans assisted the Japanese troops. So the +Chinese soldiers were marching southwards, and the Japanese northwards, +the respective fleets being in the Yellow Sea. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +<A NAME="chap09fn1"></A> +[<A HREF="#chap09fn1text">1</A>] Now "Marquis" Ito, Prime Minister of Japan. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +The Yalu River separates China from Corea, and by that entrance the +Chinese came by sea, the land forces came from Manchuria. The Japanese +from Chemulpo, Gensan, and Fusan, the fleet having left the Taidong +River, which is across the peninsula, opposite to Gensan, cruised along +the Corean shore searching for transports; and the <I>Naniwa</I>, in which I +was, was one of the First Flying Squadron, composed of four ships, +<I>Yoshino</I>, <I>Naniwa</I>, <I>Akitsushima</I>, and <I>Takachiho</I>. +</P> + +<P> +This was the arrangement in September when, on the 16th of the month, +we left Taidong River, our division being commanded by Rear-Admiral +Kozo in the <I>Yoshino</I>. The main squadron, commanded by Vice-Admiral +Ito Sukahiro, was inclusive of the flagship <I>Matsushima</I> and five other +ships, with a couple of small vessels of no great importance. +</P> + +<P> +While in Corea I managed to get a kit and outfit, and though feeling +strange in my new surroundings, I was treated well, and in a most +friendly manner as an Englishman. Many of my messmates in the fleet +had been to England, and some had studied there, so they knew that a +naval cadet was not an upstart, and if he were he would be quickly +brought to his bearings. At anyrate I got on very well with the +Japanese officers and "subs," though the crew were not so friendly. +</P> + +<P> +"When shall we find the Chinese fleet?" I asked one day, when after +cruising about not even a trail of smoke had been visible. But the +reply was a half shrug and a smile; no one knew when, but everybody was +evidently impatient. All were prepared for action,—well disciplined +and trained. The admiral had confidence in officers and men, and they +obeyed orders calmly and smilingly; and if they looked unenergetic, and +at times listless, they quickly "perked up" when "business" was +"toward." +</P> + +<P> +It seemed to me curious that the ships had not fallen in with the +Chinese as everyone anticipated. Every "Jack"-Jap was full of fight, +strong language (<I>not</I> swearing), and disdain of the Chinese. But we +ascertained that the astute John had landed his soldiers in transports, +under the protection of his warships, while the Japanese fleet had been +temporarily refreshing themselves in the Taidong River. The Chinese on +the 16th September landed their troops at the Yalu, and returned home +thence—at least they started back homewards across the Yellow Sea. +</P> + +<P> +The Japanese vessels made for Hai-yang, a large island off the +Manchurian Peninsula, and considerable irritation was displayed when +the lookouts declared that no Chinese ships were in sight. The chief +officers were on the bridge or in the tower, and as the morning wore on +and nothing appeared, the disappointment increased. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly a hail startled some of us, and the Japanese smile widened. +</P> + +<P> +"What's the news?" I asked my neighbour. +</P> + +<P> +He could not reply in English, but pointed to the horizon over the +port-bow. We were proceeding under easy steam, the day was fine and +pleasant, and I managed to make out a darkening or smudge upon the +horizon in the north-east. +</P> + +<P> +"Smoke!" I exclaimed aloud. "The Chinese ships, I expect." +</P> + +<P> +My Japanese friend at that moment came up to announce to me the great +news. The Chinese fleet was approaching! +</P> + +<P> +Then the discipline of the Japanese sailor was observed. At once, at +the word "beat to quarters," every man and officer was in his place, +and the proper arrangements were made for disposing of the wounded and +supplying ammunition. In fact, so far as I could ascertain at the +time, and subsequently by inquiry and reading, the condition of the +Japanese navy is equal to that of any European nation, if it is +deficient in the size of the men and in numbers. The cool and yet +defiant manner of the crew struck me greatly, and all the vessels went +into action like bulldogs. +</P> + +<P> +The day was beautifully fine, with a calm, almost quiet, blue sea, over +which twenty vessels at least were approaching each other. In the +arrangements I was in a measure overlooked, and kept out of sight of +the officers as much as possible, watching ahead. All the ships had +cleared for action and beat to quarters. Eight bells,—noon. +</P> + +<P> +There's a signal! I wondered what it meant, but I soon saw the object +of it. The flagship <I>Matsushima</I> was quickly making the arrangements, +and our ship, with three others, was commanded to proceed to attack the +Chinese. These "flyers" steamed ahead, the <I>Yoshino</I> in advance, +against the great Chinese ironclads, ten or twelve immense vessels, of +different sizes and speed, like the Japanese, but two of the Chinese +ships, named <I>Lai-yuen</I> and <I>Ching-yuen</I>, came first, the rest +extending behind them like wildfowl. +</P> + +<P> +As the four Japanese vessels went on they did not fire. Then a most +fearful roar arose in front, a mile off, and the sea became alive with +spray and jets of water. +</P> + +<P> +"Shell-fire," whispered my friend as he passed, carrying an order below +astern. Shells! I had heard of shell-firing, but never had expected +to see it. The sea was torn up all around the Japanese as they steamed +swiftly on, but certainly our vessel was not hit, and I did not see any +man touched. +</P> + +<P> +But soon after all the vessels began, and such a fearful din and such a +pall of smoke it is impossible to describe properly. The concussion of +the big guns deafened me, the spitting of the smaller ones irritated +me; and yet we passed the enemy with little damage to the <I>Naniwa</I>, and +without a single casualty amid the crew. If anyone had told me at the +time that the ship would escape serious injury I would have derided him. +</P> + +<P> +Now, how shall I describe this naval battle, as I am not one of those +wonderful correspondents who see everything at once, and that amid the +smoke and thunder and crashing of shot and guns and shells, 'mid the +shouts and cries of victory and the shrieks of the dying, or the more +ghastly wounded? I could see the other ships coming up behind us in +our wake, the <I>Naniwa</I> was the last ship of the leading squadron, and +the Chinese phalanx advanced, firing steadily and punishing us. I +heard fearful thuds and crashes beside me, and saw, amid the white and +murky smoke of the guns, flames shooting up and flashes from the +broadsides and tops of our opponents. +</P> + +<P> +I sheltered myself as much as possible, and waited while the heavy +smoke drifted away slowly. We could see signals above it, astern, from +the flagship, and I was thankful when our speed carried us on beyond +the Chinese vessels, though the din and the smoke became more fearful +each moment. I had no real idea, or rather had no idea of the reality, +of war. I had read of sailors <I>seeing</I> cannon-shot coming towards +them, and of others ducking before shells; but I saw no missiles, and, +until I saw the result, did not know where to look for them. +</P> + +<P> +After passing the Chinese ships, and firing like demons until the ship +actually quivered on the glassy water, we all—I mean the first four +vessels—left the enemy on the starboard quarter, and turned to port. +We had passed thus along in front of, and to the starboard side of, the +Chinese, and now, in response to signals, rounded back, starboarding +the helm, and came <I>behind</I> the advancing Chinese, having driven the +small vessels away to the north. +</P> + +<P> +Then the conflict began again for us, while the main squadron were +attacking in front. I could perceive that some of our ships were +getting badly hurt. One of the Japanese vessels came through the +Chinese line most bravely, but came out shattered and in flames. Her +bulwarks were smashed, and her deck shambles enveloped in fire, as she +had met two Chinese dragons, veritable monsters, iron-cased. +</P> + +<P> +Then we came in behind the main squadron, as the Chinese swept on and +round to starboard to cut off our stragglers, and the main line of our +ships came on on their quarters and gave them none. The "Rising Suns," +their rayed naval ensigns, blowing out in the draught—for there was +little wind—advanced with deadly intent, the flags floating proudly +amid the smoke and flames. +</P> + +<P> +Close came the fire, and still closer, as the Japanese "circled" in two +divisions, and in opposite directions, around the Chinese ships. +Shells crashed and shot thundered, bullets whizzed and sang in all +directions, and over all the flame-streaked smoke of guns and furnaces +poured out and hung upon the scene, as if to conceal man's awful +passions and fierce conflicts. Through this Gehenna we rushed at great +speed, tossing the water upon our sterns and bows, to leave it seething +astern jotted with plunging shot. +</P> + +<P> +One Chinese vessel, in particular, I noticed, which was most fearfully +punished. We dosed her well, and passing on saw her sinking slowly, +certainly, her decks battered and bathed in blood, her dead and wounded +left, and her living crew shouting for the aid which never could come, +as the ship heeled over and sank helplessly, the cries of the doomed +Chinese being audible even above the fearful roar of the opposing guns. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-144"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-144.jpg" ALT="ONE CHINESE VESSEL WAS MOST FEARFULLY PUNISHED" BORDER="0"> +<P CLASS="capcenter"> +ONE CHINESE VESSEL WAS MOST FEARFULLY PUNISHED +</P> +</CENTER> + +<P> +We, the <I>Naniwa's</I>, continued our chase of two Chinese ships for a +while longer, and would have destroyed them willingly had not our +captain seen a signal of recall. As he had both eyes—and not one +blind side—he was compelled by discipline to return to the main +squadron. It was then about half-past three p.m. In all these +encounters the <I>Naniwa</I>, being last in the line, did not receive any +damage, nor did I see a dead or severely injured man. +</P> + +<P> +But when we came near the flagship I learned what war was. +</P> + +<P> +We had come back as ordered at full speed to the main body, and found +them all in full conflict, the terrible effects of the heavy guns being +visible to the unaided eye, and the shells were still causing flames to +break out in the opposing ships. One of the big Chinese ships tried to +ram us, and we had a narrow escape. I ran forward to my young Japanese +friend, and stood by him. But the ships made such a tremendous attack +upon her that she was almost helpless. +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose she <I>had</I> rammed us?" I said nervously to my friend. +</P> + +<P> +"We should have been picked up," he replied carelessly; and this cool +reply from a Japanese lad is deserving of mention. It was worthy of a +young Nelson, who in such surroundings could quietly contemplate the +sinking of the ship, in full assurance that his mates would pick up all +they could even in the midst of the battle. +</P> + +<P> +This faith was justified in some degree, for the great Chinese ship was +shot through. Time after time the Japanese shot and shell struck her, +battered her, splintered and dinted her. Her inner fittings must have +been shattered, and her guns dismounted. Still she persevered. She +pluckily retaliated until we perceived she was listing to starboard +more and more, her port-side being less exposed. She was sinking. +</P> + +<P> +Sinking! Yes, I could see she was settling amid the smoke, and she +herself in flames. An awful sight! We, with other ships, kept our +circular course around the poor vessel; it seemed cowardly. She was +burning fiercely; great masses of smoke rose up and drifted over the +ships, and yet she did not strike, but fought it out, until at length, +blazing, she plunged suddenly down, and slowly disappeared, hissing at +her enemies, shrouding them in what seemed a deep shadow after the +brightness of flame. It was like the sudden sunset on the sea. +</P> + +<P> +Then I felt almost sick and angry with my friends. The fearful +destruction of life which I had witnessed made me feel "bad," and +savage too. I was curiously placed, and was debating with myself, when +a great shell, and then another, from the big guns of the Chinese +flagship came plump upon the Japanese flagship. No one, I think, who +has not witnessed the effect of modern artillery can conceive of the +destruction which these two shells caused in the ship attacked. My +reflections were suddenly banished. +</P> + +<P> +Fancy a mass of metal discharged into a warship's steel armour, and +bending it, shattering it, smashing the gun behind the shield, and +dashing on almost unchecked, plunging almost into the magazine, +exploding the ammunition near it, and killing all there. Then, not +satisfied, it set fire to the ship, which burned for a long time. The +other shell apparently had made a big hole in the port-side, by the +lower deck, struck upwards to the opposite side, and sent a gun +overboard, or tumbled it below. The loss of life was tremendous; about +eighty killed and wounded by these two discharges alone, besides the +other damage done by the explosion of the quick-firing ammunition which +lay around. Had the fire thus caused reached the magazine, the +<I>Matsushima's</I> career must have ended then and there, and the Japs +would have had to lament a terrible loss in their admiral. As it was +the guns had to be manned by marines and recruits afterwards. +</P> + +<P> +But the <I>Ping-yuen</I>, which had done this damage, was also seriously +injured and "fired." Had not other ships come to her assistance, I +think she must have been destroyed. Thus the battle raged until the +Chinese, outmanoeuvred, separated themselves from their enemy and +dispersed. +</P> + +<P> +The evening was by this time closing in. It was already five o'clock. +The great Chinese ironclads continued the contest as long as possible, +their action being directed by the German officer—the same, I was +given to understand, who had been released with the passengers in the +<I>Kowshing</I>. Why this German soldier was intrusted with the control of +the Chinese squadron was one of the topsy-turvy "Celestial" decisions +which happen in China, where the admiral himself had served in a +military capacity. +</P> + +<P> +The firing slackened. The Japanese ships had quite outmanoeuvred their +opponents, and at length they steamed away from the fatal circle on +which the "Rising Suns" threw a lurid light. The circling vessels +moving to the attack in opposite directions gave the Chinese no +quarter; the latter became confused and fought independently, while the +Japanese, as I can testify, kept touch with each other, and implicitly +obeyed the signals of Admiral Ito. +</P> + +<P> +So the Chinese fleet was crumpled up, the great ironclads alone +displayed confidence, and they, at dusk, retreated, followed by the +Japanese at a respectful distance, fearing torpedoes, of which the Japs +had not one in action, having left their boats in harbour. +</P> + +<P> +At six o'clock the battle was ended. Then, while slowly pursuing the +enemy, the doctor's report was presented. To my unbounded astonishment +the <I>Naniwa</I> had absolutely not one man reported dead or even wounded. +No doubt there were some contusions, but the hands assembled later, and +not a man was missing at quarters. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as I could, I joined my young Japanese friend and engaged him +in conversation. +</P> + +<P> +"Have the Chinese cut and run?" I asked, after some few remarks and +congratulations had passed. "What shall we do now?" +</P> + +<P> +"Pursue them. You perceive we are following them in a parallel course. +They will take shelter in Wei-hai-Wei." +</P> + +<P> +"But has not some change taken place in the ships. I see the flagship +has been doing something." +</P> + +<P> +"Your eyes are pretty smart," he replied. "The admiral has transferred +the flag to the <I>Hashidate</I>. The <I>Matsushima</I> requires repair, and is +lying up for Japan. We have gained a victory." +</P> + +<P> +As if to accentuate his declaration, at that moment the admiral +appeared upon the deck of the <I>Hashidate</I>, amid lights, and cheering, +marines presented arms, and all the crew uncovered dark heads in the +dying daylight. From ship to ship the cheering spread, and speeded +many brave souls to heaven in the excitement attendant upon the martial +strains of the solemn "Kimi-ga-yo," the National Anthem. Far over the +now quiet sea, and amid the still evening air, the music died away in +the distance. The lusty singing accompanied by the band made all +pulses beat as fiercely as in action; and as a good omen a falcon flew +down and perched upon the <I>Takachiho</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"Look, look!" cried my friend. "The falcon alights. He rests upon the +main topsail-yard of the ship. Surely someone will capture it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not very likely," I replied, "unless it is tired or tame it will +quickly escape. We shall not be able to ascertain at anyrate till the +morning. What a curious incident!" +</P> + +<P> +"It means good luck," said my friend. "For hundreds of years our +philosophers have agreed that the falcon brings good fortune to the +Japanese. So this is a splendid omen for us, and a bad one for our +enemies." +</P> + +<P> +"I am pleased that I am a friend, then," I replied, laughing. "The +bird, I hope, has nothing evil in store for a <I>volunteer</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"I do not think so," he replied, joining in my humour. "But here's +something to interest us both," he continued, as a marine approached +and saluted. +</P> + +<P> +A few sentences were exchanged, and my young friend turned to me, +saying— +</P> + +<P> +"Here's an opportunity for a volunteer. Do you understand the Chinese +language?" +</P> + +<P> +"I can make myself understood in it, a little," I answered. "Why do +you ask?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because someone has suspected you of being a <I>spy</I>," he replied. "You +must see the captain at once, and explain matters to him. One of the +officers has sent me the message; I must speak to the lieutenant. Wait +here for me; someone has been talking about you. Wait a while." +</P> + +<P> +Then he went aft, leaving me to think of this new misfortune. The +trail of "Fêng Shui" was over it all. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A TRANSFORMATION SCENE—I BECOME A "CHINESE" +</H4> + +<P> +While I ruminated upon this most unexpected incident, my ears were +almost insensible of the shouts and singing, the cries of "Nippon +Banzai!"—Japan for ever!—the music, and the general enthusiasm. Who +had been so base as to state that I was a Chinese spy? Perhaps one of +the crew who had rescued me from the sinking steamer, and had noticed +me in the company of the German officer, a well-known adherent of the +Chinese. If so, my fate was sealed. The yardarm on which the falcon +had perched appeared to me to be my ultimate destination, or to suggest +it. The more I ruminated upon my prospects, the less I liked them. +</P> + +<P> +Meantime the <I>Naniwa</I> pursued her course, the lookouts keeping a most +careful watch for torpedoes. I kept an equally anxious watch for the +midshipman. +</P> + +<P> +At length he returned, having had an interview with the captain. His +expression puzzled me, because it gave me no assurance of relief, and +yet did not suggest despair. +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" I asked, as soon as he came within speaking distance. "Am I to +be boiled in oil?" This was an attempt at levity which my heart did +not respond to. +</P> + +<P> +"No, not yet," was the alarming answer. "But you will have to leave +the ship." +</P> + +<P> +"Leave the ship? Why?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because you must. A rumour has arisen about you, and the men do not +regard you with favour. An opportunity will occur to put you ashore, +and then you will be landed with others." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you think me a traitor!" I exclaimed. "I swear I am not! Why, +you must know yourself that I an Englishman and honest." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; I said so." +</P> + +<P> +"Won't the captain believe you, then? What can he think of <I>you</I>?" +</P> + +<P> +"He believes me, certainly." +</P> + +<P> +"Hang me if I understand you!" I exclaimed irritably. "What is the +fuss about? What is to be done? Let me know the worst?" +</P> + +<P> +"The fact is as I said: you will be sent ashore. You understand some +Chinese?" +</P> + +<P> +"But the dialects differ. Surely your <I>clever</I> captain knows that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; and there lies the point. Four men—our men—are going ashore. +They are interpreters of the fleet. The men have an idea that you are +mixed up with the Chinese. So the captain thinks it better to send you +ashore with the interpreters, who intend to search the places and +report upon the country." +</P> + +<P> +"Really, your captain is very kind, but I can't travel in China as a +Japanese, or perhaps as an Englishman in your service." +</P> + +<P> +"No," replied my friend calmly. "You must go as a Chinese." +</P> + +<P> +"A Chinese? Play the spy, you mean? Never!" +</P> + +<P> +"Then you may be shot; because the impression amongst the crew, as +reported, is hostile to you." +</P> + +<P> +"But the captain can settle that. What's the use of his being captain +if he can't quench this falsehood—if he wishes?" +</P> + +<P> +"His wishes are not concerned, his ship is; and <I>his orders</I> are to +land you with the explorers from the fleet. No one will harm you in +our service, because you shall have a permit. When you meet the army +you will be safe." +</P> + +<P> +"But why not put me aboard a British vessel? There are several in +these seas. That is the most sensible plan. Ask the captain that?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am afraid his mind is made up on the subject. If you had not been +suspected of Chinese inclinations, you might have got sent away easily. +You rather favoured the Chinese, you remember?" +</P> + +<P> +I then recalled some expressions I had used after my release on board +the <I>Naniwa</I> respecting the conduct of the Japanese ships in respect of +the steamer <I>Kowshing</I>. These remarks must have been heard and +commented upon. I felt annoyed, and said— +</P> + +<P> +"Then I quite believe there are Japanese spies on board. When am I to +clear out?" +</P> + +<P> +"When opportunity occurs," the young man replied, rather coldly. "You +need not think you are under arrest meanwhile." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank you," I said; "I will try to deserve the clemency." +</P> + +<P> +Then he left me to my reflections, and I remained staring at the sea, +and thinking of the future, until the hour and the change of the watch +warned me to seek my hammock. +</P> + +<P> +We had sighted nothing during the night, and in the morning the smoke +of the retreating warships was all we discerned. Whether the Japanese +squadron had had enough fighting I cannot say. At anyrate, the admiral +did not hasten the pursuit, he returned in the direction of Talien Bay. +</P> + +<P> +The combined squadron now discovered some remnants of the encounter of +the day before, at which "all hands" gazed with satisfaction and +interest. As we advanced to Hai-yang Island the distant smoke of some +steamer caused the admiral to despatch a cruiser to intercept the +vessel, but whatever she was she escaped. My interest in the chase, +and in the general surroundings, was keen, because I knew not what fate +might befall me; and if the steamer had been a Britisher I might have +been transferred to her. +</P> + +<P> +But no such luck was mine. As I gazed around the ship, and realised +the effects of the action, and recalled the remembrance of it, I felt +depressed. The roar, the smoke, the flames, and the rattle of the +great fight had all died away and disappeared. The heavy black pall of +smoke which had shrouded the vessels had been lifted long before, and +nothing but a stranded Chinese vessel and fragments of the encounter +remained. +</P> + +<P> +A signal fluttered, and the <I>Chiyoda</I> was sent upon its ghoulish errand +to destroy the wreck of the stranded ship. This proved to be the <I>Yang +Wei</I>, which had run aground. A torpedo effected the desired result, +and shattered the vessel to atoms, after which brilliant episode the +<I>Chiyoda</I> came pelting up to the squadron again. Then the whole array +proceeded to the anchorage, where some of the disabled Japanese ships +had repaired. There we ascertained that the falcon which had flown on +board the <I>Takachiho</I> had been easily secured, and placed in a cage; +and when, later, one of the imperial chamberlains came to convey the +Mikado's congratulations to the admiral and the fleet, the bird was +committed to his charge for conveyance to the Emperor. I heard, long +afterwards, that the bird was named after the cruiser, and was then +living in the imperial aviary at Tokio. +</P> + +<P> +However, this is by the way. My personal adventures were at the time +much more interesting to me, and yet I was neither kept in bondage nor +for a while put ashore. But one day the verdict was delivered, the +sentence pronounced, and my farewell was made. The circumstances were +as follows:— +</P> + +<P> +A lieutenant came into the berth with my friend, and by him I was +informed that I must prepare for departure. We had been acting as +escort to a number of transports in Japanese waters, and any chance of +escape had been carefully prevented. So when the lieutenant came in +with his interpreting junior, I was almost pleased to meet them and +hear my fate, though it was tinged with despair. Anything then +appeared to me better than submission to the polite suspicions to which +I had lately been enduring, and even thus my position as an Englishman +and a sailor preserved for me a greater degree of toleration than would +have been granted to most other foreigners. The recital of my +adventures and training, particularly my rescue of the young Japanese +officer, pleaded in my favour; but the rumours from the forecastle, +which had penetrated to the ward-room, compelled attention, and in +war-time any underhand practices, if only suspected, always bring +disaster. +</P> + +<P> +The fleet, as I have said, had for some time patrolled the Manchurian +coast, seeking for a landing-place for the lately raised army, of which +Marshal Oyama was appointed general-in-chief. The division had landed +in Corea near the Taidong River, and thither the men-of-war proceeded +when the arrangements for the disembarkation had been concluded. +</P> + +<P> +It was on the 23rd October that the whole array of transports, escorted +by a number of warships, left the river; and next day, an eventful day +for me, they anchored off the Manchurian coast at some little distance +from shore, in thick and misty weather. All hands were alert, though +nothing had occurred to alarm us, but when the vessels became +discernible from the shore some excitement was manifested, because the +natives had never seen such an array of force, and could not believe in +its advance. They knew the water was shallow, and though their junks +could come in, and lie at ease under the shadow of the hills, the great +vessels would be wrecked, they knew. +</P> + +<P> +The <I>Naniwa</I> had anchored when the two officers came to the berth in +search of me, and made the final proposition, as I anticipated. My +young friend interpreted the decision. +</P> + +<P> +"The captain and officers," he said, "have no alternative in this +matter, though I am instructed to say that in their opinion you have +not willingly transgressed nor plotted against his Imperial Majesty. +Therefore they offer you the opportunity to go ashore with our scouts, +and to act with them. Will you accept the offer?" +</P> + +<P> +"Pray accept my thanks for the courtesy. But what if I decline it?" +</P> + +<P> +"Then you will be dealt with in a more severe manner." +</P> + +<P> +I paused before I replied to this. My temper rose, and I felt that any +dispute was to be avoided. Still I could not withhold a protest. +</P> + +<P> +"Your captain can, of course, hang me, but I am perfectly innocent. +Cannot he send me aboard some American or British ship?" +</P> + +<P> +"We have no means of doing so," he replied, when this renewed demand +had been translated. "You must decide at once, and, if you do accept +the offer, make your preparations." +</P> + +<P> +"Well then, I must accept, I suppose. What preparations do you refer +to?" +</P> + +<P> +"You must appear as a Chinese, and accompany the interpreters ashore, +and bring back the intelligence to the Commander-in-Chief." +</P> + +<P> +I was staggered. My heart beat loudly. Was this Japanese method? +Then the punishment was really intended to fit the supposed crime. I +was accused of being a spy. The Japanese would make me one in fact! +This was carrying the war into the enemy's country with a vengeance. +</P> + +<P> +"Impossible!" I gasped. "I cannot. You surely will not compel me to +play the spy?" +</P> + +<P> +The lieutenant perceived my indignation, and said something to the +junior officer. +</P> + +<P> +"You must decide quickly," he said. "The troops will soon be landed." +</P> + +<P> +This was a form of speech which I discounted. The vessels were miles +away from shore. +</P> + +<P> +"Who will be my companions? and shall I be treated well?" +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly. One of your associates can speak French, you can also +speak a little Chinese. They will be told that you are an English +correspondent of a newspaper. You sketch?" +</P> + +<P> +"A little." +</P> + +<P> +"Then your arrangements will be easily made. You will go as a +traveller, as many of your compatriots have already done in Asia-Minor +and farther East. Put aside the idea of 'spy,' sir; think of your +safety only. You will be a traveller, and can move as you please." +</P> + +<P> +"You do not expect me to return?" +</P> + +<P> +"No, indeed! Pardon me, we want to get rid of you." +</P> + +<P> +I smiled faintly. "Very well," I said. "How can I find the dress?" +</P> + +<P> +"Very easily. You shall see. This is settled then?" +</P> + +<P> +"Decidedly!" +</P> + +<P> +"That is good. The captain will supply you with <I>cash</I>, and give you a +pass to roam as you please; but the Chinese may interfere with you." +</P> + +<P> +"You will give me a revolver?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; and plenty of ammunition. A knife may be useful—or sword." +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps; but why a sword?" +</P> + +<P> +"To kill yourself, if necessary, and save yourself torture," replied +the young man calmly, as he retreated in the wake of his superior. +</P> + +<P> +I shuddered, and stood staring after them as they ascended to the deck; +then followed them, and looked around me once again on the Yellow Sea. +It had never warranted its name before in my eyes. It did then. +</P> + +<P> +We were anchored off a village almost as primitive as some in Cornwall; +and the sandy beach, the cliffs, and the more distant hills, somehow +reminded me of England, though the junks destroyed the illusion, and +the costume of the astonished natives dissipated any resemblance to the +sturdy west-country fishers of my own land. I wondered how the troops +would manage to embark; but I soon perceived a party of Japanese had +landed in a small boat, and had planted a flag on one of the hills. +</P> + +<P> +As we were all watching them, some soldiers quitted one of the +transports, and then the ships, in obedience to a signal, moved in +closer, feeling their way, and steering "for the flag" on the hill. +The soldiers had included a party of engineers, and after a while they +began a long pontoon-bridge in the shallow water, to land the artillery +and horses. I was intensely interested in the calm and deliberate +manner in which the Japanese set to work. They had apparently no fear +of interruption by the enemy, for I saw some of the men-o'-war, +scouting in the offing, capturing a few junks, and finally a small +steamer, which proved a great assistance in towing and landing troops +and supplies. +</P> + +<P> +These arrangements were not made nor completed in a day, nor in ten. I +think a fortnight elapsed before I was once more warned for service, +and a complete suit of Chinese dress procured for me. +</P> + +<P> +My young mentor brought it to me below. +</P> + +<P> +"Here is your uniform," he said; "your travelling dress. Don't look so +angrily at me," he continued; "indeed I cannot help it." +</P> + +<P> +This pacified me somewhat, and after all the change was nothing more +extraordinary than Burton's. I began to perceive that the Japanese +captain was, perhaps unwittingly, doing me a good turn, for some +Englishmen were certain to turn up with the army, and with them I could +be assured of protection. Unfortunately, I could not "have it out" +with the captain, either to thank him, or to condemn. +</P> + +<P> +The Chinese dress is so simple, that one wonders it is not adopted more +generally. The night-suits and day-suits are almost identical, and the +dress of ladies and gentlemen, in pattern and material, are almost +alike. The trousers, tunic, or kirtle, need no decided measurement, +for one measure is sufficient for each garment, as from hip to ankle, +or from neck to the knees, as the case may be. In winter, wadding is +quilted into the clothes, and several suits worn over the innermost, so +that a man may be apparently stout until unrolled, or undressed. The +suits wear for years, as the fashion of the Chinese passeth not away; +and when the old suit is discarded, it is relegated to night-duty—goes +on the "night-shift," as the miner says. +</P> + +<P> +There was no difficulty in arraying me over my body-clothing in Chinese +costume, and in a few minutes I was transformed into the outer +semblance of a Chinaman <I>with</I> a crop of thick hair. The dresser then +shaved my face, and made me up, and he began to shave my locks. This I +resented, and was about to resist forcibly, until the young officer +interfered and made peace. +</P> + +<P> +At length I was attired, painted, and coiffe; my delicate skull was +shaven; a long lock was retained, and to this a proper pigtail was by +artifice attached. When this caudal appendage was fixed, and my whole +appearance touched up, I caught sight of myself in a mirror, and, after +a struggle with my pride, burst into a roar of laughter. +</P> + +<P> +It was too ridiculous! The "coolie," butcher-blue suit, the queer +shoes, the long sleeves, the wide trousers and loose tunic, made me +feel as if dressed for a fancy ball, and my amusement was only checked +by the presentation of the revolver and some cartridges. I was +instructed to rely upon my chosen companion for all else, and for +example. We were to travel in pairs, and I was to keep silent, as much +as possible, for my own sake and his. My young friend, the middy, gave +me several hints as to behaviour and manners, and my own experience +dictated several more, which I could employ with advantage. +</P> + +<P> +When my costume had been completed by a cap, I was taken on shore by +the young officer, Tomi, and put under the care of a Japanese +interpreter, who seemed to be a good sort of fellow. Tomi urged him, +with much native eloquence, to be vigilant, and to look after the +Englishman, who was one of those "crazy creatures" who risk their lives +in the search of information. The Japanese apparently understood the +nature of the animal. A Chinese would have thought me a lunatic, for +even a man who hunts, or "sports" in any way, is regarded by Celestials +as stupid. "They should get men to do all this for them," they say of +the British athlete. +</P> + +<P> +The natives were perfectly quiet, and we (the scouts) were directed to +proceed across the isthmus, first along the coast to Putsewo, or +Pittozo-wo, and thence across towards Fuchow. The former place is +about twenty-eight miles from where we had landed, and in the direction +of Port Arthur. The other two scouts were directed to proceed further +in the direction of Kinchow, which is at the opposite side of the +peninsula, where it is narrowest, there being only about two miles +distance between the shores of Talien Bay and the Nan-Kua Pass. The +peninsula then expands. Port Arthur occupies the eastern side in the +bay, at the extremity. +</P> + +<P> +My companion, named Hoyo, or Hoko, took a rather nervous farewell of +the officer. Tomi clasped my hands, and repeatedly assured me that my +life had been frequently in danger, and had I remained I must have +fallen a victim to the enmity of the Japs. He again protested that he +was for ever my debtor, and had even volunteered to accompany me in my +expedition, but had been refused. +</P> + +<P> +"Take this badge," he concluded, "it is a private token of a Japanese +naval officer. If ever in the company of our fleet, or even with the +army, and in trouble, produce it. It is the Emperor's gift, and will +assure you of safety. Farewell!" +</P> + +<P> +He wrung my hand, touched his cap, and turned away to the boat, while +Hoko and I mounted the sandy shore which ascended beside the river +Hua-yuan. +</P> + +<P> +Thus I was again "dismissed" from naval service, and cast upon my own +resources, and slender they were indeed! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +CHINESE LANGUAGE—"HELD UP"—BETRAYED! +</H4> + +<P> +We started in the gloaming, carrying small packs and some supplies, for +we did not know whether the natives would suspect us, or assist us, +even if they were not distrustful. Hoko "cheered me up" by relating +slowly, for my benefit, the list of likely tortures which the Chinese +practised upon the enemy. The list need not be recapitulated in full, +but cutting-up (alive), beheading, and hanging, first by the heels, +were amongst those most usually inflicted upon the prisoner, and +perhaps the most "merciful." +</P> + +<P> +My spirits were not thereby elated, and scarcely had we reached the +road when a picket of Japanese soldiers accosted us. They were quickly +satisfied by my companion, and laughed at us as we parted with them. +This interview was succeeded by others, and in each case we got away +safely. At our last halt Hoko consulted his map, and gave it to me to +ponder in the lantern-light of the picket guards. Again we resumed our +journey, and this party proved to be the last post of the Japs at that +time. Thenceforward all was dark and unknown. +</P> + +<P> +When we had proceeded a few miles, hunger assailed us, and after a +short time we agreed, chiefly by signs, to rest in the glade into which +we had wandered from the road. The Chinese tongue never seemed to me +so wanting in expression as then. My command of language is not +despicable in English, and on board ship; but in that glade in the +society of the Japanese scout I felt kinder dumb! There was no need +for silence. The Chinese language embraces about forty thousand +strokes or letters (or signs rather) in writing; while only about three +hundred and fifty are spoken. Hence the same <I>spoken</I> word represents +a number of different—vastly different—things in writing; and the few +hundreds of words represent so many more thousands of characters or +signs! Even a Chinese may communicate with a friend in another +province by <I>writing</I>; but he very likely will not understand his +<I>dialect</I>. +</P> + +<P> +The Chinese language, I may state, depends really upon the <I>tones</I> of +voice, not upon the actual pronunciation of the words, and these tones +are even increased in the Mongolian dialect. In Manchuria, perhaps, +the bulk of the population is of Mongolian descent, a superior, a +braver, race than the ordinary (I don't say "pure and simple") +Chinaman—for "John" is not that. But practice and tone of voice will +teach much; and this tone will entirely alter the sense of the speaker +if he misapply it. In some languages one may speak by "ear." Ear is +of no account in China. There are certain "radical signs" and a number +of "primitive" signs; characters are made by combining both, and are +written downwards. +</P> + +<P> +As may be anticipated, I had not made much progress in the Chinese +language, but I could chatter "pidgin" English, which is so useful in +the Treaty ports, and so useless in China proper, which is arrived at +by changing every "r" to "l" and adding the "e" doubled when it is +single, as in "alle samee," "makee laugh," "alle samee Elopean man," +"no wantchee." "Number one" means "proper," and "chop-chop" "quickly," +in this language; while "play-pidgin" is merely "talk," and "top-side +pidgin" is religion, or religious converse. +</P> + +<P> +One soon becomes conversant with the business talk, for "pidgin" means +"business" in the mind of the trader and the coolie (or labourer). But +let me resume my narrative. +</P> + +<P> +The night was very chilly, and the early morning misty, as my companion +roused me up and told me that we must be going. Let it be remembered +that our conversations were only carried on piecemeal, and when I +mention them you must understand that signs assisted us greatly. But +the man was honest, I believed, and had no thought of any treachery +towards me. We conversed in southern dialect a little, and made signs. +</P> + +<P> +We presently reached a river which I learned was called Pilu (or +Pihliu), and proceeded to a small village where we got some food, which +I did not relish, but had to eat in order to keep up my character. We +learned that the invaders were expected, and that it would be better +for us to keep away to the north-west, else we might get into trouble. +We therefore assented, and passed on for a while, intending to change +our route as soon as possible, but fate had ordained otherwise. My +companion had intended to proceed in the direction of Putsewo, and then +strike westward again, marching by a compass and map which I had +secured in my tunic, but when we took the advice of the well-meaning +villagers we left our former direction, and when again essaying to +recover our route we came to grief. For a long time we wandered amidst +the hills and rough country seeking a track, but finding nothing +promising, until almost suddenly we descended a hillside and found +ourselves near a rather substantial village, from which there was no +escape without questioning from the natives. +</P> + +<P> +Hoko quickly gave me to understand that I was his brother, that we were +South Chinamen seeking a ship at Port Arthur, and that we had been +north and intended to return to Chefoo.[<A NAME="chap11fn1text"></A><A HREF="#chap11fn1">1</A>] We had rehearsed this +little play before, and my South-China lingo was supposed sufficient to +deceive the Mongolians. If necessary, my guide informed me, a little +"geomaney," or "wind and weather" fortune-telling, would keep suspicion +at bay. So, primed with a few simple maxims, I braced myself for the +encounter. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +<A NAME="chap11fn1"></A> +[<A HREF="#chap11fn1text">1</A>] Chefoo or Chifu.—H.F. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +The natives were decidedly of the race of Didymus. They did not credit +half our assurance, and we—at least I—wished we had more of it. +Certainly the interpreter remained as cool as possible, and his calm +method of lying would have discredited Ananias of old, and deceived St. +Peter himself. I give my impressions of the examination to which the +interpreter was subjected. +</P> + +<P> +"Your name?" demanded the chief of the villagers. +</P> + +<P> +"Ho-wuh-Chang." +</P> + +<P> +"Where do you come from?" +</P> + +<P> +"Panchwang, in the province of Fuhkien." +</P> + +<P> +"Where have you been?" +</P> + +<P> +"At Takushan." +</P> + +<P> +"Whither bound? +</P> + +<P> +"Chefoo and Shanghai." +</P> + +<P> +"Who is this man?" +</P> + +<P> +Here the interpreter made a pretence of great reverence and respect, as +he answered— +</P> + +<P> +"My all-enlightened brother of <I>Tau</I>." +</P> + +<P> +This reply drew attention to me, for Tau is the "priest" of Chinese +theosophy or magic art, and is accordingly respected, for every +Chinaman fears Tau, the more so as he has no idea what it is, any more +than its votary. Tau is "The Right": what one cannot see, nor hear, +nor seize. It is a kind of "<I>Fêng Shui</I>" in its essence, and Tau is +the true Reason for all things in the universe, the Great Primitive +Cause in the world, not a religious dogma. +</P> + +<P> +The Tauist, then, becomes by inheritance, or profession, a kind of +priest, a miracle-man, supposed to be versed in ancient lore, able to +tell fortunes, and decide social questions with authority as regards +the work and operations of nature, and "Fêng Shui"—the effects of wind +and weather. Superstitious as the Chinese are, these attributes confer +great authority upon the adherents and practice of the Tauists. Hence, +if I was not found out, my companion concluded we should escape. +</P> + +<P> +Unfortunately one of the villagers perceived the accent of the Japanese +interpreter, and declared him a Corean! This at once gave cause of +mischief, and my companion was searched, his small knapsack, or pack, +was turned upside down, and all the while a rush of epithets assailed +us both. I carried no pack, but had the compass and map and revolver +in my possession. If the suspicious and antagonistic villagers had +found those articles our fates would have been sealed, and a cruel +death must have ensued. +</P> + +<P> +While the natives were thus examining the Japanese, I was not molested, +though several glances were directed at me, and some remarks +made—which I did not notice. All the time I was endeavouring to +discover some means whereby I could satisfy, if I could not alarm, the +villagers, but for a while no idea appeared to my mind feasible. The +pack had been examined, the Jap had been interrogated freely and +rudely, and now my turn was approaching. Fortunately the villagers had +been informed that I did not wish to be disturbed, but they had evident +intentions of finding things out for themselves! +</P> + +<P> +Luckily, I possessed one of the attributes of the Tauists, perhaps +quite as sincere as theirs—the knowledge and anticipation of the +ordinary phases of weather. The morning had been misty and almost +frosty, and a change of wind, I noticed, had been causing a fog to +arise. Hitherto it had been almost imperceptible even in the hills, +the vale was clear; but while looking about me I noticed the vapour +gradually creeping down the slopes behind the men who barred our way. +My plan was quickly matured: the mist would serve us well. I +remembered Fennimore Cooper, and the eclipse as adapted by Haggard in +<I>Solomon's Mines</I>, and hoped for success. +</P> + +<P> +I calmly approached my companion, and managed to give him a hint, in +French, that he was to make me out a necromancer; thus I intended to +play upon the fears of the natives, and he must back me up. Meantime, +if we were attacked, I would shoot as many of the assailants as I +could. My suggestions and gestures were understood, and when the +natives advanced to search me, demanding some explanation, the +interpreter motioned them to stand aside. He told them to be careful. +I was a necromancer—one who had the weather "in the palm of his hand"; +was related to the <I>genii</I>, and if I (and he) were interrupted further, +and our peaceful progress barred, the immediate consequences would be +serious, and the future disastrous for the village. Their graves would +suffer, their families die; and I could change them themselves into +stocks and stones, and cause them to disappear from the village. In +fact, I could transform them! When once the Japanese Ananias had fully +embarked upon the marvellous, his imagination carried him away more +completely than ever the villagers could be. If we were properly +treated, he added, money might be showered upon them! +</P> + +<P> +While the interpreter was thus hoodwinking the villagers, one or two of +whom seemed sceptical, I bethought me of a simple trick which I had +practised in "parlour magic" at home. If the fog did not serve my +purpose I could convince the natives, so I beckoned to the chief +sceptic, and taking a piece of money from my wallet, which contained +little of value, I placed the coin in his palm, pressing it firmly into +the hand and closing the fingers. He looked pleased, and retired, +keeping his fingers closely shut as directed; my "assistant" hinted if +the man were unfriendly his coin would disappear, at which the villager +called up a smile or grimace as a protest, evidently hypocritical, and +his associates also watched him. +</P> + +<P> +Seeing the gift, they came forward with much curiosity, and as I +examined their features I found that some of the men were fairly +honest, and a "tip" would not be thrown away upon them, though it must +be merely a token, not a gift. So while bestowing these "tips" I kept +my eyes upon the weather, and by the time I had given all the men small +presents, as they fancied, but only a few of the most influential +actually received money, the mist came rolling down thickly. To escape +was now my intention. +</P> + +<P> +It was rather amusing to see the party of men standing in a row +helplessly with their right hands guarding the magic gifts thus +bestowed by the "Tauist." The interpreter had already grasped the +situation, and at my request desired the natives to turn at the +necromancer's order, step ten paces, and open their hands. The order +was impressed upon them by myself. I waved my hands and made as if +impelling some invisible force to urge these simple superstitious men. +They moved in obedience to my order, slowly, and when I had counted +six, pausing between each number, the interpreter and I rushed away +through the glade, and into the mist, which perhaps the Chinese may +have fancied I had induced. The last I saw of my dangerous adherents +was a line of stupid-looking men each gazing at his closed hand, and +speculating upon what it contained for him. +</P> + +<P> +I am afraid most of them were disappointed when they had released their +grasps of the magic gifts, and they found money in only four palms, and +those of the most influential of the party. +</P> + +<P> +Meantime my faithful companion and I hurried away into the mist, which +effectually shrouded us, and pursued a devious course, now and then +halting to listen for the pursuers, for we did not doubt they would +pursue us. But we heard nothing to alarm us, and made good progress +when the mist lifted later. +</P> + +<P> +We congratulated ourselves greatly upon this ruse, but it would not +serve us again. I managed to explain the trick to the Japanese, who, +when I had finished the laboured sentences, told me of some far more +intelligent tricks which he had seen performed, and tried to explain +them to me. But I was a very simple amateur in these matters, and +could do little beyond the easy <I>legerdemain</I> of the drawing-room at +home. +</P> + +<P> +"It was a dangerous game," said Hoko, "and if any of the men meet us +again they will kill us." +</P> + +<P> +"But they won't catch us," I replied, with all the fine assurance of a +sharp "hare" in the schoolboy paper chase. "We can turn, and return on +our path. How do you propose to travel?" +</P> + +<P> +"I am considering," he replied. "Please lend me the map and compass. +It was well they did not search you, because you would have been +killed. The map would have betrayed us." +</P> + +<P> +"You can keep it," I said with great magnanimity. "By all means keep +it. I can steer by the points of the heavens, and by my watch, and the +sun and stars." +</P> + +<P> +The Japanese nodded, and concealed the articles in his dress. +</P> + +<P> +"The pistol?" he asked presently. "Is it ready?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. I think I will keep it, thank you. Shall we continue our +journey?" +</P> + +<P> +He nodded again, and we proceeded cautiously for several miles, bending +and twisting the route until we were both certain that we must have put +miles between us and the enraged natives, whom I had some reason to +fear notwithstanding my assumed influential character. The interpreter +proposed a halt, and being hungry I gladly acceded; then, having eaten +a few cakes and refreshed ourselves, we rested. I slept soundly for +some time. When I awoke it was dusk, and I was alone! Alone! +deserted! betrayed! +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +ABANDONED!—I FALL AMONG THIEVES, BUT FIND <BR> +SOME "GOOD SAMARITANS" +</H4> + +<P> +Raising myself upon my elbow, with sleepy eyes I looked around me. I +was half hidden by brushwood, and did not recognise the place as that +in which I had lain down. I at once scrambled to my feet, and made the +unpleasant discovery that my companion had quitted me, and had managed +to abstract my revolver. Then a great rush of blood flushed my veins. +I had been betrayed! The Japanese had managed to extract from me the +compass and map, had stolen the revolver, and had dragged me into the +brushwood to die, perhaps. +</P> + +<P> +I stood, utterly depressed; I cursed the fellow who had thus betrayed +me, and the officers who had sent me to my doom. I swore that if I got +back I would be revenged upon the treacherous Japs, who after ridding +themselves of me had sent me to die in the wilderness. Yet the +interpreter had really saved my life, I thought, at first. "Yes," +replied Reflection, "because you were armed." Yes, that was so. Still +why, if he had desired my death, had he not shot me at once when he had +stolen the revolver? +</P> + +<P> +I cast myself down in despair, and again looked around me. I had been +hidden evidently, dragged when asleep into the small thicket and thrust +out of sight. What then had become of the interpreter, and why had I +been concealed? These were questions which I could not answer, nor +could I conjecture any reasons for the man's conduct. Perhaps he had +been instructed to get rid of me, and not to kill me, and had taken +this opportunity. +</P> + +<P> +This was maddening. Here was I in a perfectly strange country in +disguise, and certain to be taken prisoner either by Chinese or Japs, +and in either case sure to be ill-treated. To be sure the Japanese do +not kill their prisoners, and they appeared lenient to the natives so +far as I could ascertain, but in those cases the natives were +submissive and frightened. I doubted not that amid the excitement of +battle the little sleepy-looking Japs would quickly arouse themselves +and slay without compunction. The Mikado's men are quiet and polite, +pleasant and kind; but under any superficial polish, even under the +influence of real kindness, there lies a strong and determined, slowly +and surely rising determination, which when it rises to "boiling-point" +cannot be stayed. An explosion must ensue, as the enemies of Japan +will find out some day. +</P> + +<P> +Lying there in the chilly darkness, which an already waning moon only +partly dissipated, I reflected upon my condition. I determined to find +my way to Port Arthur, avow myself an Englishman, and if questioned +declare the advance of the Japanese. Why should I keep their faith +when they had betrayed me? I would "give them away," as they had +forsaken me. That would be my revenge. Some of the Chinese officers +surely could speak English or French, and even a little German, picked +up at a tutor's, might assist me, though my knowledge of the last-named +tongue was limited to phrases. +</P> + +<P> +Having made up my mind, I curled myself up in the brushwood and lay +undisturbed, rather hungry and excessively miserable, until kind sleep +overtook me about midnight. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as daylight enabled me to see, I examined my dress and pockets, +and found that, with the exception of a sum of money in my belt, I had +been regularly "cleaned out." Everything of any value, except the +belt, had been stolen, and I marvelled how the thief had succeeded. +Perhaps the liquor which he had given me had stupefied me; the "rice +spirit" is somewhat "heady." At anyrate there I stood, a coolie in +appearance, untidy, unshaven, bedraggled, cold and hungry, and quite +unable to help myself. I could only draw in my belt tightly to appease +my hunger, and prevent the qualms I dreaded. Luckily I found a stream, +washed and drank of it, and then made my cast south-east again. +</P> + +<P> +The air was frosty and fresh, and I walked rapidly to warm my chilled +frame, but had not proceeded more than two miles, as I judged, when +three men who were coming across an adjacent path from another +direction espied me. I had no chance of retreat, they saw me at once, +and to my dismay I perceived others behind them. No doubt a village +was near, or a large farm perhaps, though single farms are not frequent +in China. The villages are walled, and every foot of ground belonging +to these farmers is utilised and fertilised, so that the best results +are obtained by continual attention; and the land is of course taxed, +the taxes being paid to the public exchequer. "Anything," even the +shaven hair of the villagers, is put into the ground; vegetable and +animal refuse is of course in request. Tobacco is used to kill +insects, and the zebu, or buffalo of the country, is the labouring +animal, which takes the place of the horse or ox; and milk, butter, +etc., are almost unknown. There are ducks, and fowls, and hogs, the +last especially are plentiful, and in China the "black hog," instead of +the "black dog" of the British nursery, may very likely "get upon the +children's backs," and cause ill tempers. The dog and the cat here +pass their time pleasantly, but the stranger must <I>cave canem</I>. +</P> + +<P> +The villagers—farmers—came upon me, and stood a little away, staring +in wonderment at me. Then they surrounded me, and made inquiries which +I ignored,—not from pride,—and then they tried more questions, and +searching ones. Fortunately they found nothing, but they conferred +together, and indicated that I must return with them to the village. +Of course I had no alternative, and accompanied them, where, in a kind +of shed, I was commanded to strip! In the most emphatic fashion I +declined, folding my arms and exclaiming, "Englishman," and added—what +they knew already—"Fan Quei" (foreign devil). +</P> + +<P> +They then paused, but suddenly seized me, and while some held me down, +the rest dragged off my clothes, until they came to the belt around my +waist, that they did not take away, perhaps thinking it was something +magical, it being ornamented and worked, but they felt it, and +evidently discussed it. Finding nothing in it—luckily the distributed +coin escaped them—the fellows gave me my clothes, and sent for another +person. While I was dressing, the person arrived—a true Chinese of +Canton breed, such as we may see in East London, England. +</P> + +<P> +He, in turn, stared at me curiously, and asked a question. I made a +lamely expressed reply in Chinese as I understood it; but the man, to +my great delight, asked in "pidgin," "Wantee go sea? Melican-man?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," was my reply, greatly relieved; "England. Elopean man—wantchee +Shanghai. What fashion man here?" +</P> + +<P> +"Alle samee, Melican-man. Sabee <I>cash</I>, chop-chop, eh?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," I nodded; "plenty much <I>cash</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"Alle light; no watchee long talkee. One piecee man wantee <I>cash</I>. +Chow-chow?" +</P> + +<P> +I nodded again. I was hungry. "See dless?" I said. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! dless come more better! Makee laugh, not number one." +</P> + +<P> +No, it certainly was not proper then, but I laughed, and the villagers +were surprised at the conversation. The coolie understood my "pidgin," +and I felt much happier. I had cash, and even silver, so I could +reward him if he assisted me; but suppose he tried treachery? +</P> + +<P> +This seemed probable, but I must risk something. He said something to +the villagers, who replied vehemently. The coolie, who was a waiter +from Port Arthur, as I understood, said to me— +</P> + +<P> +"Number one topside-man say plis'ner! No can do: walkee!" +</P> + +<P> +"Cannot you get me away then?" I asked in "pidgin" of the coolie. +</P> + +<P> +"No lun away. Too much, man—no go long; no tink! Get dless, +chop-chop!" +</P> + +<P> +This was unfortunate; escape seemed hopeless. So far as I understood +the coolie, he found that we could not escape from the villagers at +once. He was quite willing to assist me, knowing that I would pay him, +but the farmers were very suspicious. Had they found out the little +pocket in my belt in which I carried the Japanese permit, and my small +store of coin, they would have killed me. Cowardice is usually cruel. +</P> + +<P> +My captors quickly gave me to understand that they meant business. +They produced a bamboo pole, which they passed behind me, and under my +arms, to which they tied it. They left my legs free, because they +intended me to walk, as I understood, to Putsewo, where the "pidgin" +man said the Chinese troops were quartered. I hoped the Japanese might +come up there meanwhile; but then, between Jack and Jap, I would be +fixed between two stools, and either might cut the support. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as I had been fully dressed, and the pole fixed, I was put in +the care of two of the men, with the coolie acting as the go-between. +The last mentioned told me my destination; had he known that my captain +suspected me of being a <I>spy</I>, I knew my fate would have been sealed. +I begged him to release me. +</P> + +<P> +"No can do!" was the reply. "Too mutchee fear! Maskee!" (by and by). +</P> + +<P> +I was obliged to be content with this, and when the men had given me a +meal of rice and water we set out. The coolie held the end of the rope +in his hand, and the farmers walked close behind me, one on each side, +so that at the first attempt to escape they could intercept me. +</P> + +<P> +The rope was so twisted and so taut around my hands that I implored the +coolie to loosen it. After consultation, he complied, saying, "Maskee, +maskee," and evidently willing to assist me, but hinting at cash. +Making an excuse to halt, I managed to hand him a little silver, as a +guarantee, and to my delight found my bonds slackened. Still the other +two men kept watch, and took turns at driving me like a pig to market. +</P> + +<P> +The day was already waning, and I began to speculate upon release +during the evening. There had been several delays since breakfast, and +again my escort halted to advise themselves of the route, the +cross-country direction, before night fell. As we were all standing, +three of the party chattering like magpies, in the dusk, I felt the +rope twitch and then slacken. My senses were at once awakened. The +Port Arthur servant was keeping me alert, and I saw he was pointing to +some huts below us. Another village! I must act! +</P> + +<P> +I looked around me in all directions, and made up my mind to rush the +hill beside me and hide amid the boulders. I had no thought beyond +escape, and when some minutes later "my coolie" dropped the end of the +rope suddenly, exclaiming, "Kinchow!" I knew my chance had come, and +the direction. The yellow fellow gesticulated in the face of my +captors. I was free! +</P> + +<P> +With a leap aside like a deer I darted away up the slope, and slightly +turning my head I perceived that the coolie had got mixed up with the +farmers, and was hindering them. Never were a few pieces of silver +better bestowed, I thought, as I bounded up the hill, pursued by my two +captors, while "Kinchow" rang in my ears—where or what Kinchow was, +unless "Chincow" was meant, I did not care. I was free; free in the +gathering darkness truly, alone and unarmed, but even so, unharmed and +with a chance for life. +</P> + +<P> +I was in dread lest the dangling rope would trip me up, and as I ran I +tried to get it up higher. Luckily it trailed behind me and did not +touch me. So I sprang up, leaped some small streams, not thinking of +any definite direction but doubling like a hunted hare, disappearing +behind rocks and again striking a new course, but always away from the +twinkling lanterns which I could now distinguish below me, and I +fancied I heard dogs barking. +</P> + +<P> +This was most alarming. Though I had not heard of bloodhounds in +China, the ordinary dog when accompanied by his master was quite +unpleasant enough, and in bulk formidable; when at last I rested upon +the hill, and listened intently, I felt assured that the alarm had been +given, and that my captors had sent to the village for assistance. +Then I girded up my loins indeed, and though terribly handicapped by +the rope around my shoulders, I made a desperate effort, and kept +through a wood and around the boulders near the summit of the hill. +Kneeling down, I placed myself between two rocks facing the ascent from +the village, and could distinguish nothing at all below me. After a +while I saw a few roving lights <I>descending</I>, and then knew that until +the morning pursuit had ceased. Fervently I thanked God for my escape, +and, feeling rested, began to attempt release from the rope. +</P> + +<P> +I do not know whether any of my readers have ever attempted the "rope +trick" when bound by one of a sceptical audience, but my release was +far more unlikely. The rope had been knotted with a will, and though +"where there's a will there's a way," I could find no way save by +rubbing my arms against the sharpest edge of the next convenient stone, +and a nice way it was! Suffice it that I succeeded in cutting the +bonds, and in scraping my shoulders, in a manner suggestive of the +lash, or birch rather; but the relief was worth all the pain and +exertion, and when I lay down to rest, not on my back, I fell asleep +with a thanksgiving upon my lips. +</P> + +<P> +Morning was hardly putting a candle in the east, when, stiff and numb, +I attempted to rise. At first waking I was apprehensive whether I +would be able to get up, but by degrees I unlocked my muscles, and +extended my limbs. Then as soon as there was light I quitted my stony +shelter, and proceeded through the wood. But when I came to an opening +in the bushes I for the first time perceived what a terrible risk I had +run. The rocks under which I had sheltered had fallen from above, and +only paused in their descent over another precipice which ended in a +stream strewn with boulders; beyond the stream lay the village deep in +the millet-fields, lately harvested, bristling with stubble, and higher +up the cliffs whence the rocks had fallen. +</P> + +<P> +The situation reminded me, distantly, of Beatenberg in Berne, when once +I lay beneath the cliffs, gazing below at the rocky mill-stream which +makes its way to the lake of Thun through a narrow, precipitous gully. +But what an escape I had had! +</P> + +<P> +My first care was to put as great a distance as possible between the +village and myself, and so I clambered up and across the hills, having +seen no one and heard nothing to alarm me. I descended the rocky, not +precipitous, slope on the other side, and struck into a side valley, +but whither it would lead I did not care. It led me to water and +refreshment, and then I hid the rope before resuming my journey to +Kinchow. +</P> + +<P> +For hours I wandered on, meeting no one, and fearing to encounter +anyone. Some unpleasant-looking birds kept me company for a while, and +gave me "the fidgets." I began to think of vultures, and shuddered +when they seated themselves at a little distance and blinked, as I +thought, at each other, nodding at me at intervals. I maintain now, in +defiance of bulls of Ireland, these were the most "beastly birds" I +ever saw! They laughed at the stones I threw at them, for they simply +rose half a yard when I made good practice, and settled again at once, +till I gave up stoning them, and disinterred the rope thinking to lasso +them, or one of them. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-195"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-195.jpg" ALT="THEY LAUGHED AT THE STONES I THREW AT THEM" BORDER="0"> +<P CLASS="capcenter"> +THEY LAUGHED AT THE STONES I THREW AT THEM +</P> +</CENTER> + +<P> +But they were as 'cute as a weasel, they could not be caught asleep; +and finally, tired and hungry, I wandered on, cursing the birds, the +Japanese, the Chinese, and my ill-luck which had been the cause of my +adventures. As evening approached the "beastly" birds disappeared. By +that time I was half silly, and felt inclined to do something +desperate. Still I tramped on till dusk, when a light in a small +house—one of four such—beckoned me to cheer up. +</P> + +<P> +I perceived that these were farms, and the usual crops were in +evidence, such as rice, sugarcane (which the coolie is fond of +chewing), pulse, potatoes, wheat, tobacco, and some vegetables. The +rice crop had been gathered,—the late sowing I mean, for sometimes +three crops are reaped, the last reaped in November, when vegetables +are planted. Rice wants water, cane does not, and this is, therefore, +profitable, as irrigation is dispensed with. Rice is the stable food, +and even the landlord is paid in rice, which may amount to as much as +three hundred and fifty pounds, or perhaps more, per acre. +</P> + +<P> +Fortunately for me, on this occasion, a woman was washing some article +outside the house, and though as a rule the Chinese female is ignored +and secluded, the peasant, the labourer-woman, is in evidence. To this +peculiar specimen I addressed myself in a language she had never heard, +and could not understand. But she could interpret signs and pantomime, +while she seemed inclined to assist me. When she disappeared I was +left in doubt, but after a while she brought me food in a saucer, the +origin of which I was too madly hungry to discriminate. Whether rat, +dog, or snake I cared not. I am sure it was horrible at the time, but +I managed to eat it, and was not ill, though inclined thereto. She +supplemented this mess by a dose of rather bad salt fish and pickled +cabbage, with some rice plainly boiled; and this I did enjoy. There +was plenty of water; and when I bestowed upon my host the magnificent +sum of one penny (English value), she believed me a wandering idol. +Her pleasure was marked, and she actually indicated a place where I +might rest in quiet under a thick coverlet which she brought me to the +shed she pointed out. +</P> + +<P> +Then I was "in clover," and when I had ascertained that I was in no +danger I asked for "Kinchow" and its direction. The female drew some +lines with her finger on the ground, and pointed in a direction in +which I had been advancing. Then shutting me in she left me to sleep, +which I did gladly for some hours. +</P> + +<P> +But next morning I felt quite unable to rise, and when yet struggling +to get up, the farmer and his wife and son all appeared, and stood +staring at me. I begged for mercy, thinking they meant me +harm—perhaps the farmer had suspicions; but he evidently had heard of +<I>cash</I> from his wife. He was polite and kind, brought me food which I +could <I>not</I> eat,—the supper had already upset me,—but consented to +leave me quiet to sleep, as I begged them by signs to do. Briefly, I +remained there three days, and spent several pennies in <I>cash</I> (about a +hundred) in making myself perfectly "at home." +</P> + +<P> +On the fourth day I engaged the lad to be my guide by a promise of +<I>cash</I>, and started for Kinchow feeling in good company and in good +spirits. For the farmer had been paid, and he and I had managed to +make each other understand. He had got the idea into his head that I +was a Russian seeking Port Arthur, and agreed to put me on my way. +Three whole days had been passed in coming to this understanding by the +aid of a friend of the host, a rough map, and of course <I>cash</I>. At +length I saw my way to liberty. +</P> + +<P> +Alas! I was checked at the outset. The weather changed, and while I +had anticipated snow perhaps, and frost later, the wind brought up big +clouds, and a thunderstorm arose with pelting rain. The young farmer +declined to advance until the weather moderated, so we waited, and then +in the pauses of the tempest retraced our steps to the hospitable farm. +There two more days were spent in picking up Chinese and dropping +<I>cash</I>. Meantime my spirits fell, and at times I felt seriously +depressed. The chances of escape through the Chinese and Japanese +lines seemed to me to become less and less, and the situation was the +more intolerable because I could not freely express myself, and gain +protection or assistance. +</P> + +<P> +During my enforced further sojourn with the farmer's family I +endeavoured to induce them to lead me direct to Port Arthur (or, as it +is called by Chinese, Lü-shun-Kou; by Japanese, Ryojunkõ). But the +guide demurred to this. He evidently was afraid of the invading army, +and it became increasingly evident to me that I should have to look +after myself if we came within shot of the Japs. With such forebodings +I set out again with my fearful guide, and struck the telegraph posts +upon the Pulantien (Port Adams) Road. +</P> + +<P> +If the reader will examine a map he will perceive that there are two +main roads in the Sheng-King peninsula, both leading to Port Arthur, +the western from Fuchow, and farther north still the other along the +coast road by Putsewo and Talien Bay. Above the place which the +British called Port Adams in 1859, the roads unite. These two tracks, +stony and rugged, through and amid hills, wind their way to Kinchow, +near which the peninsula becomes very narrow, and, in fact, is only +about two miles wide—or less. +</P> + +<P> +It was the All-Hallow's Eve when we came cautiously into the first +village, and found the peasants much alarmed at the near approach of +the Japanese. Scouts had reported the advance, and a number of carts +and men were bringing supplies for the army in the town, and for the +cavalry outside it. My guide had a brilliant idea,—no less than one +for the supply of vegetables, and he managed with my <I>cash</I> to lay in a +stock, which he suggested we should carry into Kinchow, and go through +it to Port Arthur. +</P> + +<P> +His leaden face lighted up when I praised his plan, though I have +reason to think now that I rather called him names in my imperfect +vocabulary. However, he seemed pleased, on the whole, and we set out +on the 1st November to penetrate between the line of formidable forts +which defended the approaches to Kinchow, on the hills along which the +stony track meanders. The whole aspect of the country through which we +had lately travelled is undulating; seamed by depressions, or ridged by +hills, so that we were rising and falling all the time with our hopes +and fears. I was particularly nervous, because if anyone chanced to +clutch my artificial pigtail I would be a "lost mutton." The moral +character of the Chinaman depends upon—or shall I say <I>in</I>—his tail. +A Chinaman <I>sans</I> pigtail is an outcast. The Manchus live and dress +like the Chinese, and supply the best food for powder in China. +</P> + +<P> +We had some trouble—more perhaps in my imagination—on our way to the +town, over whose walls the terrible Dragon was waving on banners and +flags in most defiant fashion. If the Chinese resistance would only +accord with their preparations and defences, the little Japanese would +certainly be repulsed, I thought. As we advanced I felt like a man +forced into a trap, for if discovered I had no chance for life from the +Celestials, while the Rising Suns would have no quarter for those taken +"in arms." Chinese pickets were scattered amongst the hills, and some +fine men were in the ranks. +</P> + +<P> +No doubt there were hundreds of men within these forts, though we saw +few of them, and I wondered whether they kept watch at night carefully, +for indeed they appeared rather sleepy in the morning, though ready +enough with their rifles. They could thus command both roads into +Kinchow from a distance over the hills and dales. +</P> + +<P> +I had fancied that I heard guns during the night, but perhaps it was +thunder. At anyrate the night was boisterous, and the morning chilly +and wet. A long column of carts met us, and we with the natives winded +our way down the track, passing two villages of few houses, and nearing +the city, for from the hill we came close to it, and entered by the +northern gate. Assuming a most "fearful" carelessness, which in less +anxious times might have proved my undoing, I walked by my guide's side +watching every movement, and scarcely noticing the glances cast upon +us. Luckily my companion was recognised and well known, and our +mission was patent. We had brought food, and entered the town by the +Gate of "Eternal Tranquillity," a misnomer as it proved. +</P> + +<P> +We made our way into the town amid soldiers, horses, and peasants. The +walls were lofty and solid, the gates well defended, and I understood +that all the approaches were mined, so that the attacking force would +be blown up outside <I>if the mines exploded</I>. At anyrate, it seemed a +very formidable place, and capable of a successful resistance. The +guns were mounted on the bastions, and all ready for a siege. The +soldiers were swarming in the streets, quartered on the people whom +they had come to defend, and swaggering as much as they could. +</P> + +<P> +My guide escorted me to an eating-house, a small, and, I thought, very +dirty place, amid the peasants; and there he heard the news, for though +all seemed on the alert and not alarmed, they knew the Japanese were +approaching rapidly. We managed to get some satisfying food, and in +escaping observation amid the soldiers who were enjoying themselves, +and in excellent spirits. My guide was amused, and when I had paid for +our entertainment, he made for the south gate, guarded by Manchus. +</P> + +<P> +There we found exit denied, for the soldiers were stationed there in +force, whether to run away first, or to prevent the townspeople from +doing so, I could not determine. But we were stopped and questioned +and searched. My heart sank to my shoes. The end I considered had +come. What defence had I? I could not even reply to the questions +which the "sergeant," so I deemed him, put to me. My guide had quickly +cleared himself, and was standing chattering to the officer of the +gate. My time had come, and I braced myself to meet the inevitable +fate which was impending. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +KINCHOW—ARRESTED BY CHINESE SOLDIERS—CAPTURE OF THE CITY +</H4> + +<P> +As I have said, my heart sank as the sergeant came up roughly and +prepared to strip me again. Such an indignity I was unable to resist, +and when the man indicated a spot apart where my costume could be +conveniently removed if needful, my anger rose, and I made some +remarks, which, as a fancy display of Chinese, may have given rise to +curiosity, but as a means of release were void of effect. As I +continued to address the "sergeant," he stood still, and gazed at me in +as much surprise as a Manchu soldier usually exhibits. Seeing this, my +anger and expostulations grew more fierce. I waved my arms, +gesticulated, performed <I>sleight-of-hand</I> movements with my fingers, +and in fact exhibited such manifest tokens of ability to take a +"first-class" at Earlswood (England), that the man retreated to make +inquiry respecting me, and I breathed again. +</P> + +<P> +What was my late companion doing all this time? He had apparently +deserted me, and this after all my lavish—in a Chinese +sense—expenditure of <I>cash</I>. Again my bad feelings predominated, and +I felt truly disgusted with my "luck." There was no loophole for +escape, and though the disappearance of the sergeant was a blessing, it +might really result in death. +</P> + +<P> +The man had left me alone in the hut,—I cannot call it house,—and +when my ill temper had quickly evaporated I began to think of escape. +The door was open to the passage or side street, and when I peeped out +I perceived a soldier, armed, standing sentry at the end of the <I>cul de +sac</I>, as the alley was. Escape seemed impossible. I was again a +prisoner; whither could I go, what could I do were the thoughts which +surged through my excited brain. The Chinese (or Manchu) soldier had +me in his keeping, and perhaps had orders to kill me if I attempted to +escape, pending the return of the lieutenant of the guard. Meantime, I +was absolutely helpless. In any "civilised" country one might have +managed to intercede for oneself, but there in Manchuria the case was +different. I was lost!—strayed! +</P> + +<P> +During the minutes already at my disposal I considered all the +available plans of evasion I had heard of. Captives in stories, and in +all the imaginative books which I had devoured, always had a friend +who, whether a Freemason or not, had means at hand to circumvent the +villain! But there was no villain in my case; nothing unusual, nothing +out of the way in my circumstances, and this dead-level of experience +appeared devoid of any person who could undertake the role of the "god +in the machine," and release me. Here was the sentry, there the lofty +gate, its platform surmounted by a two-storeyed tower, from which the +advance of the enemy was doubtless perceived, or would shortly be +perceived. Neither sentinel nor entrance seemed likely to afford me +passage. Ah! the sentry was approaching. I shrank back into the hut, +and peeped through the opening of the door. The sentry came on slowly +and somewhat limply. +</P> + +<P> +He had a rifle and ammunition, and seemed well equipped. He passed the +place of my concealment, and I began to hope that he would pass on, and +permit of my escape to the main street, which, being full of people, +might afford opportunities for it; but to my disgust he turned, and +came directly towards me. As he came nearer I retreated into the gloom +of the hut, and not perceiving me, he came in. Still uncertain, he +advanced carelessly, I fancied, and at that moment something prompted +me to make a decided effort at release. +</P> + +<P> +He was carrying his rifle on his arm above the elbow, not in any +European soldierly manner; a sword or bayonet was at his side. +Suddenly I made a spring like a tiger upon the man, and in a second had +him thrown. He struggled manfully, and attempted to strike me with a +knife, but I was half-maddened, youthful, and strong. I hit him +violently between the eyes, and dazed him; then wresting the rifle from +his relaxed grasp, I banged it upon his head in a manner which I +afterwards regretted, and darted from the hut. As I ran into the alley +I encountered my late guide, who was then coming in search of me. +</P> + +<P> +His surprise was genuine, and he made some inquiries by the pantomime +method, assisting it by a few words, which I interpreted to indicate +surprise at my escape. I told him in the same tongue what had +happened, and he was aghast at my temerity! He dragged me back at once +hastily, and I was unable to resist him. When he saw the unconscious +soldier he became calmer, but still apparently greatly in the same +haste, motioning me to assist in taking off the man's outward dress. +Seeing some prospect of escape, I helped him, and then putting his own +clothes upon the soldier, who never stirred all the time, but lay +passive as the dead, my guide quickly dragged me out with him, a +prisoner, having first hidden the rifle and ammunition, keeping the +sword of the sentry. +</P> + +<P> +But I understood his plan. Armed he might assist me, and quit the town +in the dusk of the evening. Proceeding by side streets, and avoiding +the largest—all very small—thoroughfares, my rescuer reached a house +at which he was recognised as I supposed, but I was wrong. He had +merely brought me to an opium-house, where he intended to remain a +while till an opportunity arose for leaving the city. +</P> + +<P> +This was a most dreadful experience, because, of course, the idea of +opium smoking to me was abhorrent. To lie there upon one of those hard +bed-planks, inhaling a pipeful of sticky stuff, which though +exceedingly minute, is always—at first at anyrate—most sickly. My +guide seemed to think it essential, I supposed, to my safety, and I +made shift to comply with his suggestions, but speedily became +unconscious, which, I presume, he desired. +</P> + +<P> +My sensations were <I>at first</I> unpleasant. As a smoker of tobacco I +have had my most deadly experiences when learning to smoke, but +certainly in my case the attempt I made was not so unpleasant in +Kinchow opium smoking. But the moral effect of the surroundings was +bad, and even though acknowledging the risk and my guide's anxiety, I +would not attempt opium again. The flavour is not unpleasant, and is +rather aromatic perhaps. The smoke is inhaled as usual, and expelled +by the nostrils. Before I became unconscious I felt quite happy, and +full of a pleasant sense of content, as if "I wouldn't call the Emperor +of China my uncle"! This happiness lasted into oblivion, into which I +was lulled that evening by the sound of cannon-fire. +</P> + +<P> +Unfortunately I cannot tell how long I remained in the den, because the +Chinese have no clocks, and those which are imported from America and +elsewhere are not in favour with the people. The day had died, and I +felt rather "seedy" when I made an effort to get up. The cannonade and +firing continued at a distance during my sleep, and later, when I made +a serious attempt to rouse myself, I heard the roar of distant guns. I +suppose that when the effects of the opium had passed away I had slept, +and in my dreams heard the noise. Daylight was near then, and when I +could plainly discern things I discovered that I had been carried into +another room, and was alone. +</P> + +<P> +This did not alarm me, because all was perfectly still in the house. +Possibly the Chinese were sleeping, and my Manchurian guide had placed +me in a place of safety. I began to understand his good nature, which, +whether the result of <I>cash</I> or not, was quite praiseworthy and +opportune. So far as I could perceive I was free and unfettered. I +rose and looked about me. It was about five a.m. +</P> + +<P> +There was nothing remarkable so far as I could discern. The day was +breaking rather sadly, and still the sound of firing continued from the +direction of the hills, across which I had already passed, on the +Fuchow Road, and I considered that the Japanese were already shelling +the forts. If they succumbed there would be no chance for the town +under assault, and under the circumstances I deemed it desirable to +prepare for my departure. +</P> + +<P> +My simple toilet was quickly arranged, and I descended to the narrow +alley, hesitating, even when I reached the street, whither I should +bend my way. Perhaps I could manage to get out of the town by the +north gate, at which I had entered; and made my way thither amid the +press of civilians and soldiers, the latter of whom seemed to be +impressing men to convey ammunition to the upper portion of the gate +and the castle walls. These coolies were quickly at work, and were +directed to ascend the walls in places, or to bring the rifle +ammunition to the men lining the loopholes. +</P> + +<P> +Amongst these labourers I soon discerned my guide, and had just made +myself known to him when he by signs suggested that I should assist +him. As an officer was approaching I deemed it politic to comply, and +thus escape detection. So I willingly seized a case of cartridges, and +assisted my friend in distributing them to the sharpshooters. While +occupied in this way I caught sight of a means of ascent to the +battlements above, and at once ran up to the upper platform, where, in +the still dim light, I remained in hiding, peeping from behind an angle +of the wall through an unoccupied loophole. +</P> + +<P> +I was now above the firing line, and as the daylight increased I made +out the condition of affairs. All this time musketry, or rather rifle +fire, had been accentuated by big guns, and I could perceive the +Japanese struggling over the hill (Mount Potau), and advancing upon the +fort. The advance had been made in the dusk of the dawn, and now when +the day was clearing and a bright morning was promised I could make out +the Chinese retreating before the Japanese, in a panic. So far as I +saw, the Chinese did not make any decided attempt to withstand the +attack. They streamed from the fort, delivering a feeble fire, a +volley, and a dropping fire, then another volley; but all the time the +Japanese assailants kept charging into the confused mass of Dragon-led +men, who suddenly broke away, and "pelted" in the direction of the +castle. +</P> + +<P> +But the Manchus were not altogether defeated. They had been taken +napping, no doubt, but they made an effort, assured by the +reinforcements which came from the other forts. Across the road they +halted, and began a terrific fire upon the advancing troops, and from +the rocky redoubts the Chinese also began to make good practice. +</P> + +<P> +This was getting "warm"; the smoke rose slowly from the guns and +rifles, as the white-banded caps descended the slope where they had +captured the forts first. There were other forts upon the rocks nearer +the town, and I could not think that these, perched three hundred feet +above the road, in rugged and difficult positions, would be taken, or +indeed reached. The Japanese tried, however, and the Celestials above +pelted them with shot in a fearful manner as they advanced; but when +the Japs reached the bases of the cliffs they simply climbed up like +schoolboys, ignoring the leaden hail, some of which passed over their +heads. +</P> + +<P> +This seemed madness; but another force was at the same time climbing on +the left (my right) side of the picture, and was making a line so as to +ascend to the left rear of the redoubt. Still another regiment +ascended behind the first, and all the time these Japanese men were +being tumbled off the rocks by the bullets of the Chinese above. I +could see bodies falling and striking heavily on the rugged and pointed +edges of the rocks; but still the Japanese climbed, and when the +artillery found a chance they "chipped in," knocking corners off the +Chinese and their defences. +</P> + +<P> +There was a pause for a little, and some arrangement appeared to be +made by the Japanese troops, who kept climbing, climbing. Then came a +sudden rush upwards and sideways, and I could see no result until the +cannon ceased firing gradually. Then I saw the defenders rushing away, +pursued by the Japanese, who shot and bayoneted them unmercifully. The +fugitives fell by dozens, and were killed. Dark spots lay thickly upon +the summit of the hill, and in the ravines near, while the Dragon +standards were displaced, and the Rising Sun uplifted in their place. +Such a stampede I never expect to see again, and the killing was done +systematically, because when two advancing bodies of Japanese troops +took the entrenchments by storm, a third company did not enter the +redoubt, but went on in chase of the flying enemy. +</P> + +<P> +While I was thus sheltered, the soldiers in the town were all in +readiness to repel the expected attack. The dispersed Manchus, or +Chinese, were cut off from the gate; and it seemed to me that a strong +column, with guns, was approaching from Fuchow. The question was now +serious for me. I did not dare retire because the Chinese were +immediately below. I did not venture to go up higher because I must at +once have been seen and shot as a deserter; or perhaps cast down from +the walls. Meantime time was pressing. The exterior defences of the +town and citadel had been taken, and after all I had witnessed it +seemed to me that Kinchow was doomed. The assailants were converging +upon the town, in which uproar and dismay were already rife, while the +advancing troops were being shelled by the Krupp guns mounted upon the +Chinese fortifications. The situation was, at least, embarrassing. +</P> + +<P> +It was, I suppose, about nine o'clock that morning, when I grasped the +fact that the artillery was getting into position. It was difficult +for me to make out these arrangements, situated as I was a full mile +from the advancing troops, though in an advantageous position for +witnessing the attack from the top side of the north gate, built like a +railway arch in the surrounding wall of the town, a wall twenty feet +high, and surrounded by the edifice already mentioned—a kind of pagoda +erection. But when I beheld puffs of steely smoke rising from the +hillside, and heard the shells—at first a few, and then incessantly, I +crouched behind the masonry, and did not dare to look out. +</P> + +<P> +My head seemed to swim as these furious missiles came hurtling along +over the wall and gate, crashing, bursting, killing, and maiming all +out of shelter in the streets, and even in the hospital buildings +erected inside the gate, which yawned like a small tunnel in the wall. +The unfortunate donkeys, and more unfortunate men in attendance, were +blown into atoms at times, the streets were filled with dead and +wounded, and on them lay ruins of the town; while the defenders, though +firing steadily, could do little because the black smoke of the +bombarding guns shut out all except the ploughed-up earth, the +shrieking shells, the dead and wounded by the wall, and within the +"castled city." Outside, the ground was ridged by shot, and the noise +of the contest was simply indescribable. The bursting and cracking, +mingled with the fearful detonation of the guns, of which I should say +forty assailed us, at once gave me a sensation of splitting headache +and a giddiness which I had never experienced. Stones split and +fractured, wood disappeared in gigantic matches and splinters, the iron +gate resounded and shook, the noise of the arch below being +thunderous—yet it stood; and when the salvoes ceased a while, and the +smoke cleared a bit, I looked out and saw some soldiers advancing +closer amid the furrowed ground, and the dead Japs who lay outside. +</P> + +<P> +The Chinese in shelter fired still from the loopholes at the Japs, and +the Japanese came running up to the gate, while the guns again sent +messages of iron into the town. The Japanese soldiers managed to reach +a small cluster of houses—a deserted kind of village, if one may so +call it—facing the gate. One of these huts was standing in advance of +the rest, a peculiar position for a house, and so the Japanese thought, +because the officer in command must have sent a party to examine it, +right before me, and some of the venturesome ones never reached it. +The men ran up amid the rifle fire from the wall, and judging by the +time it took to gain entrance, the hut was barricaded. The men fell +fast, but at length the survivors gained admission, and apparently +found nothing.[<A NAME="chap13fn1text"></A><A HREF="#chap13fn1">1</A>] +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +<A NAME="chap13fn1"></A> +[<A HREF="#chap13fn1text">1</A>] It was ascertained afterwards that the wires of the "mines" were +cut there.—H.F. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +My attention had been directed to this hut, but then the Japanese +troops advanced in masses, rushing at the walls. But they could do +nothing. Chinese of all sorts, soldiers and coolies, rained bullets +and missiles at them when they reached the walls and attempted to climb +up. It was impossible to scale these smooth surfaces, great masses of +brick eighty feet thick, from the summit of which the people were +hurling stones, and firing guns and rifles. In this I saw my +opportunity, and joined the defenders on the ramparts. +</P> + +<P> +What immediately followed is a little confused in my mind. We could +see the soldiers retreating, leaving their dead and some wounded on the +field, while crashing shells came, again devastating the defenders' +ranks. But the Chinese stuck to it and replied in kind. We all seemed +wild, and even I became careless in showing myself in the excitement +and the roar of the battle. I actually saw men cut across their blue +clothing in an instant, steeped in blood, and yet they seemed to move +and writhe. Their associates took no notice of them. Life in China is +of no value apparently, and when the spectator in his turn falls in +silent anguish, the survivors thrust him aside, and seize the weapon +they themselves require. Many fell over the wall and died amid the +enemy, when they <I>slipped</I> from the ensanguined battlements, or +platform. +</P> + +<P> +At length the defeated stormers retired baffled. But while the +defenders were perchance congratulating themselves, another band rushed +up. The crowd of assailants had been defeated, the yelling multitude +at the base of the smooth walls were chagrined, but they sent another +force. Meanwhile we kept up the fire, and I saw a few Japanese lying +close to the west end of the wall, apparently dead, but occasionally +stirring as if in pain. I pointed them out to some soldiers, who +glanced and took no further notice, because the attack was about to be +renewed; but I wished I could have put the poor fellows in safety, or +tended them. A vain wish, and one later repented. +</P> + +<P> +Again the Japanese advanced carrying boxes. Some of them then ran in +close to the great iron-lined gate, and, notwithstanding the furious +firing, remained under the shelter of the arch until they had +accomplished their design. It was evident. These were engineers, and +they intended to blow up the gate. It was a most terribly anxious +moment when the men hurried off, not unscathed, and some of us waited +for the result. The Chinese mines had failed, would the Japanese be +successful? I retired to the west side, where the bricks of the wall +at the corner project a little, as we see in isolated brick houses. To +my consternation, at that moment I perceived three Japanese <I>mounting +the "ladder" of bricks</I> to gain the summit of the walls. I shouted, +but at that moment my voice was drowned in the uproar of the explosion +under us, and I, with others, was thrown down amid the ruins of the +masonry. +</P> + +<P> +The tumult was fearful. The great gate was rent, the stones flew far +and wide, the wall bulged, and at the same moment the apparently dead +Japanese, who had been lying in wait, came rushing up, and cut down the +gunners before them. One soldier, the leader, pulled away the Dragon +flag, and shouted "<I>Banzai</I>!" I saw no more. Struck by a glancing +bullet I sank back, almost insensible, behind the western parapet; and +the last sounds in my ears were the vociferous cheers of the Japanese +as they poured through the dismantled gate, and took possession of the +"castle-town" of Kinchow. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE SACK OF KINCHOW—RELEASED—"CASTLED"—A CHECK +</H4> + +<P> +When my scattered senses returned, I could not quite understand my +position. Had I been wounded? Yes, I remembered something striking me +on the head. Whatever it was it had grazed my temples, and my hand +sought the wound involuntarily. My fingers came away tinged with +blood, my head felt very uncomfortable and dizzy, but after a while I +sat up and began to wonder what was the matter. +</P> + +<P> +The Chinese soldiers—all those left alive, I mean—had disappeared. +Dead or wounded men lay around me, but few of the latter moved, and I +began to suspect that the victors had killed most of them. My own +escape from death seemed marvellous, for I lay almost helpless. The +shouts, shots, and shrieks below in the town told me of the fearful +scenes, the pursuit of the vanquished, the death of the fugitives. I +attempted to rise to my feet, and had just supported myself by the +parapet, when a Japanese picket approached. The men were almost +savage, their weapons were bloodstained, their dress disordered and +dusty, and splashed with blood; they were shouting, and indulging in +what seemed to me fiendish merriment; they were drunken with excitement +and the spirit of slaughter; they bayoneted the few living Chinese +within reach, and then levelled their rifles at me, laughing still. +</P> + +<P> +Holding up my hands, I called out the few words I had heard on board +the <I>Naniwa</I>, "Long live Japan!" and added in English, "I am no enemy. +Look! I am a friend." +</P> + +<P> +Whether the appeal touched their hearts or they recognised the English +tongue, they certainly perceived that I was not a native Chinese or +Manchu. They examined my appearance closely, saw my stained and +painted face, through which spots of white British skin appeared, and +my blackened features, which could not belong to any Celestial being, +and they looked surprised. One fellow, in sheer brutality, as he +intended, seized my pigtail and wrenched me round to torture me, when, +behold, it came away in his hand! +</P> + +<P> +A shout of laughter succeeded at the expense of the brutal soldier, +whose face was a study for a caricaturist, and his profound surprise +saved my life. At this juncture I recalled the badge and permit which +the captain and officers had given me. In a moment I had grasped them, +and even as the angry soldiers advanced with sanguinary threats to +bayonet me, the priceless permit, and, even more than it, the badge of +the naval officer, arrested my would-be murderers. +</P> + +<P> +I was saved! The levelled rifles were shouldered, and when the men had +talked together, they intimated to me that I must accompany them—to +their officer, I presumed. Securely guarded, I proceeded, taking care +not to exhibit any of my disgust at the many terrible scenes I noticed, +until we met an officer who was wearing white gloves, and appeared +almost a dandy in the midst of slaughter and destruction. +</P> + +<P> +My "pass" and badge were shown to him, and finding I could not +understand his language, nor even "Corean-Chinese," he bade me +accompany him to the general's quarters. I paced the streets, closely +followed by my original captors, the observed of all those by whom we +passed, maddened soldiers triumphant, Chinese civilians despairing, and +dead heaps of fugitives, who received no quarter. It is true, as a +Japanese told me, "We do not kill our prisoners, as the Chinese do." +No, they do <I>not</I> kill prisoners in cold blood—but they leave as few +as possible to survive the battle. +</P> + +<P> +We passed through the narrow streets, now thronged with Japanese, past +the shops with their suspended lanterns and long scrolled signs, but +had not reached the officer's destination, when a Japanese saluted, +and, glancing at me, said a few words to my leader. I gazed at the man +in surprise, and some diluted pleasure, because I recognised him as my +former associate Hoko, the scout with whom I had been travelling, and +by whom I had been robbed. +</P> + +<P> +Our eyes met in mutual recognition. He made signs to me, and uttered a +few sentences in French, asking whether I had presented my permit, and +how I came to Kinchow. He informed the officer; and the man being an +accredited interpreter and trustworthy, the officer dismissed my unruly +escort, and bade the interpreter take care of me pending his own +arrival at headquarters. +</P> + +<P> +We exchanged few remarks during our passage to the general. I was +stiff and sore, aching in head and limbs, weary and dishevelled. +Besides I had a grudge against the interpreter, and anxious for +release. He seemed quite careless of my feelings. In this manner I +accompanied my preserver to headquarters, where as an interpreter he +was welcome, and in a few minutes I was introduced into the presence of +the general. My conductor briefly explained matters, mentioning the +fact of my having been rescued from the <I>Naniwa</I>, and the manner in +which I had been received by the officer as an English gentleman and a +seaman. A Japanese officer, who spoke English fluently, was able to +confirm this statement by my interpreted account, and thenceforward all +was plain sailing. +</P> + +<P> +"What did the general wish me to do?" I asked the officer in English. +</P> + +<P> +"He will send you to Port Arthur when we go there, and when we take the +place he will no doubt permit you to find your way to an English ship." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I am again a prisoner?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not at all, you can proceed whither you please. There is not the +least objection to your getting shot, if you prefer that end." +</P> + +<P> +"I understand; you think the Chinese will oppose your forward movement?" +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly they will. The fleet is at Talien Bay, though, and we have +the enemy in a sack. They may resist, but they must be beaten; there +is no cohesion. We are united, firm, and drilled. The Chinese cannot +stand against us." +</P> + +<P> +I acquiesced, but continuing, I said— +</P> + +<P> +"Suppose any Power comes to the assistance of the Chinese?" +</P> + +<P> +"Then we shall still fight," he replied. +</P> + +<P> +"Even Russia or Germany?" I asked quickly. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, that is a different matter! Russia is dangerous—she wants so +much. But, unless she is <I>too</I> intrusive, we shall not oppose her. We +do not <I>fear</I> her even, though she intends to rule the East some day. +She shall never rule Japan. Come with me, I have the pleasure to +convoy you." +</P> + +<P> +"You think the Chinese will not resist you?" I continued as we +proceeded to his quarters—or rather, to the house where he had +temporarily taken up his lodgings by right of sword. +</P> + +<P> +"No, I do not say they will not resist; I say they will not win. We +have had a very simple and easy task hitherto." +</P> + +<P> +"Port Arthur is almost impregnable, I hear." He smiled,—the Japanese +frequently smile. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, the Chinamen will not stay. Our preparations are already being +made. In less than a week we shall secure Port Arthur. You shake your +head? You will see." +</P> + +<P> +When we reached the house which the officer had made his own, by +conquest, temporarily, he gave orders to a soldier, who I supposed was +a tailor, for he came and took my measure with his eye, and walking +round me made his notes in his mind. When he had departed, my kind +military friend caused me to rest, sent me food, and had my clothes +removed and sent me a supply of fresh water, in which I revelled. My +shaven hair caused him some amusement, but he supplied me with a cap +which the useful tailor had procured, and when I awoke from my sleep +next morning I found a new semi-European suit awaiting me, with some +underclothing. +</P> + +<P> +My thanks, and some suggestions respecting remuneration to the tailor, +were laughed aside, and the officer then informed me that he knew my +acquaintance the sailor Tomi well, and the interpreter had informed him +of my first meeting with him, as had been related on board the +<I>Naniwa</I>. On further inquiry, I ascertained that my military host was +Tomi's brother, and this quite accounted for the manner in which he had +received me. The brother had been in London, and had met much kindness +there, so they had in my case repaid it in full towards me. +</P> + +<P> +This officer, whose kindness I shall ever remember, sent me a note to +say that the army was advancing, and the interpreter would accompany me +towards Port Arthur. I was pleased to hear this, and anxious to +interview the man again, but he did not appear till evening on the 7th, +when he brought the news that the army from Kinchow had taken the forts +above Talien, and the Japanese fleet had arrived in the bay. +</P> + +<P> +This seemed to me incredible, but I ascertained subsequently that the +Chinese garrison had retired, and the fleet had fired at empty forts +until the troops displayed their flags upon the deserted ramparts. +</P> + +<P> +"Is the <I>Naniwa</I> in the bay?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, she and the other vessels are there now. +</P> + +<P> +"Can you send me away from there?" I said. "Can Lieutenant Tomi" (I +called him lieutenant) "find a passage for me to Chefoo?" +</P> + +<P> +"Will ascertain," was his reply. But he came no more that evening. +</P> + +<P> +Meantime I made my plans for escape. I had had enough of war and +battles in strange countries amid strangers. With my own countrymen a +campaign would have been comparatively pleasant, but under my present +circumstances the adventure was not very enjoyable, and though I had +been singularly fortunate in my cruise, I considered prudence the +better part of valour, and a timely retreat was advisable, so I +determined to elope at the first opportunity. +</P> + +<P> +Provided with clothes, and possessing cash; furnished with a permit +like a special correspondent, I made my way about the cantonments and +bivouacs of the Japanese army, and heard a great deal respecting their +exploits, yet in no boasting manner. Certainly the officers and men +were elated, but that was but natural under the circumstances. It is +true they were very much incensed at the Chinese, and swore fearful +vengeance upon them when they again attacked; but that was not +surprising when one saw the Chinese proclamations for so much for the +head of a Jap—as if for a savage wolf in Old England—and an increased +reward for the body of a prisoner. +</P> + +<P> +Mind, these placards were displayed upon the walls, printed in +character, in yellow, and signed by the chief of the district in the +name of the Emperor of China. Japanese soldiers were decapitated, and +hacked when dead. Even the trees were bearing ghastly fruits of savage +warfare at times. So one can hardly wonder if the Japanese retaliated +upon their foes, however much we may regret their subsequent vengeance. +When one sees prisoners hanging by the feet to the branches of a tree, +and fearfully and horribly mutilated besides by the Chinese; and, when +dead, pelted by lads "for fun" as the bodies swing in the wind, one +hesitates to dub the Chinaman a decent <I>savage</I>! But this is Chinese +warfare, and must end in clearing away the nation from the earth which +advocates and practises such barbarities. +</P> + +<P> +The army was under the command of Marshal Oyama. The general who had +released me was General Yamaji, a rather sleepy-looking man, wearing a +moustache and long <I>goatee</I> upon a rather fat face; his hair was thick +and long, and his ears appeared to me very long and big. He wore +medals and stars, one in the centre of his chest; he had a profusion of +lace in curling cords, so to speak, upon his sleeves, epaulets and +shoulder-knots. The marshal, when I saw him, was decked with +stars—quite a galaxy. He had rather a humorous face, and it was quite +devoid of hair. Some of the other officers appeared as well set up and +"groomed" as British officers, their short hair, shaven cheeks, and +trim moustaches, all aiding the resemblance, with bright keen +expression and smartness of manner. +</P> + +<P> +While making these observations, which I have recorded as they occurred +to me, I lost no opportunity to escape to the sea, but though I was +permitted to wander about, and even assisted in my searches, I found no +opening for retreat. There were correspondents of European, and even +Japanese, newspapers and illustrated periodicals, but though they were +most polite and sympathetic, none of them assisted me in the way I +desired. Whether they credited my narrative or not one cannot say, but +they—perhaps wisely—did not seem actually anxious to get me away by +stratagem. On the other hand, they were not unkind. +</P> + +<P> +On that memorable 7th November the guns of the Japanese warships were +heard outside, and speculation was rife. The troops had already +advanced to Talien Bay, where forts protect the peninsula of the +"Regent's Sword," as the narrow isthmus is called. If the invaders +captured these forts, the road to Port Arthur would be open, and +Shing-Ching would be at the mercy of the Japanese. They did not +hesitate to advance against these strongholds. Three detachments +marched bravely on, supported by artillery and cavalry, and I followed +as a spectator, well in the rear, but not out of range. +</P> + +<P> +The troops advanced full of determination, and were received with an +equally decided fire—for a short time. The assailants took no notice +of these rounds, but, dropping a few of their number, rushed on; I, +surprised at myself, followed, keeping under shelter as much as +possible from fragments of soaring shells, which were few and far +between. The troops reached the forts, and with a volley mounted to +the walls, protected by their artillery. Then came a pause, then a +distant cheer, renewed again and again. The Japanese flag was waving +over the forts, and the Chinese, pursued by bullets and shell-fire, +were running away as fast as their feet could carry them. The +fugitives had quitted their guns—in many cases undischarged—and were +"cutting away" to Port Arthur, their flying forms looking as unlike +soldiers as possible to European eyes, their heads being bound up as +with silk handkerchiefs—perhaps to keep the pigtail out of harm's way, +for I noticed this head-dress was almost general with Chinese. +</P> + +<P> +The Talien forts were thus captured, to my extreme surprise. I climbed +up the hill and reached one of them afterwards; and while seeking a way +to the seaside, considerating which path I had best pursue to escape to +the outlying fleet in the bay, a friendly hand was placed upon my +shoulder firmly, and held me. I turned suddenly, startled by the +sudden arrest. Five Japanese soldiers had come upon me, bringing two +unfortunate Chinese prisoners. They bound me in silence, and led me +away, making no reply even by gesture to my complaints. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +AN ADVENTURE ON THE HILLS—THE VALLEY OF <BR> +THE SHADOW OF DEATH—TALIEN-WAN +</H4> + +<P> +For a while I was passive. Then, realising the danger of this new +situation, I made violent efforts to escape my captors. A prod of a +sword-bayonet was the only reply, and the sharp steel point caused a +cry of pain to escape me. What had I done? I looked at the men who +had captured me. They did not appear to be regular soldiers. They +were armed indeed, but they lacked the uniform, the gaiters, and the +knapsacks, so heavy to be borne, which the Japanese regular infantry +wear. Where were the white-crowned caps or the white bands of the +regiments I had seen? nor was the grenade-star of the engineers +visible. Then I guessed that these men were +camp-followers—coolies—robbers, perhaps, who had got out of hand and +intended to kill or torture the Chinese. Finding me in the fort, and a +stranger, they had seized me too. No one amid all the hurrying +soldiers took any notice of my escort save to glance at us. The +spectacle of Chinese prisoners was too common then. +</P> + +<P> +"The Japanese never kill their prisoners." These soothing words came +into my mind as the party of camp-followers descended the hill—not in +the direction of the camp which I had quitted, but in that of the +seaside. As we advanced I could see the warships shelling the villages +along the coast, punishing the innocent natives. My captors also saw +them, and gesticulated savagely. Then the idea struck me that I was in +the power of banditti! Men who made war equally upon both sides, and +in Japanese garb or in Chinese dress plundered or murdered all alike. +The two Chinese, my companions in misfortune, wore buttons on their +hats. They were perhaps mandarin officers. The buttons seemed to me +to be of glass or crystal, and the men were perhaps of moderately high +rank. The coral button is the highest token, and descends to blue and +lapis-lazuli, to crystal and gilt buttons. +</P> + +<P> +These officers made no reply to the remarks which I supposed were +addressed to them, if they understood them. But when we had reached a +retired ravine amongst the twisted hills which bound that coast, our +captors raised their pistols and evidently demanded money, tearing at +our dress, and searching our garments and persons. All this time the +Chinese gentlemen submitted to the insults with a truly Christian, or +Chinese, patience. But one could discern the flash of the eye and the +movement of the face which spoke of the passion within. When we had +been robbed, we were bound by our ankles and made to stand against the +slope of the hill, half-naked, wholly chilled, and destitute. Verily, +between Jack and Jap I was having a cheerful season. +</P> + +<P> +My belt and all my money, my "pass" and badge, which I prized most +highly, were confiscated. The Chinese officers were even worse +treated—their clothing was appropriated, their rings and distinctions. +All this time no one had taken any trouble about us. Everyone +apparently was occupied in fighting or pursuing the fugitives, of whom +a number had been taken to the rear. +</P> + +<P> +When the robbers had completed their work, and prevented our escape, +they slowly retired to the end of the ravine, covering us with their +purloined rifles as they went backward. At times these pleasant +gentlemen halted, aimed at us, and again retired, till I began to think +they would leave us, bound, to die there of cold and hunger. Then +again I fancied they intended to shoot at us as targets, and practise +upon us, and this idea was almost confirmed by the way in which they +separated into a line; they took up positions apart, and looked to +their arms. The suspense was torture! +</P> + +<P> +I looked at my fellow-prisoners of olive complexion, they were +perfectly passive, and apparently unconcerned by these manoeuvres. But +I was not. After the first glance at them I concentrated my gaze upon +the robbers, who evidently wished to put us away to the place where no +tales can be told. I watched the levelled rifles, I heard a voice say +something, I saw five faces laid upon the gun-stocks, and uttering a +cry fell flat on my face as a heavy body came hurtling down the ravine +and kicked up a furious dust beyond us. The roar and the detonations +arose simultaneously. Then more guns, but perhaps blank—at least they +did no visible harm; and then, after a while, silence: deadly, thick +silence in the solitary ravine near the village on the cliff! +</P> + +<P> +I lay still, half-suffocated, breathing with great difficulty, but +quite afraid to move. The shells had ceased, the "blank shots" had +stopped resounding amid the hills, the robbers had fled—for I could +not hear them, and the Chinese I knew were habitually silent. But the +silence was particularly impressive after the late uproar, and even +though I was glad to lie unmolested I began to wish for a change from +the death-like silence of the now gloomy ravine. The sun was +disappearing into the clouds beyond the farthest hills, and still no +one came. I determined to rise. I moved, and felt rather dizzy; +perhaps I had been asleep! I sat up. What had happened? +</P> + +<P> +I gazed around me in all directions, unable to comprehend the result of +the adventure. The first objects which met my wondering eyes were the +five camp-followers lying in all sorts of attitudes, dead and +mutilated; their rifles lay at their feet or rested upon the bodies. +They had been instantly killed; and, indeed, partly destroyed. +</P> + +<P> +Turning my head seaward I beheld the ships at a distance, and close by +me the Chinese officers resting limp and lifeless against the rocks, +wearing the same stolid expression upon their now pale-yellow features, +their eyes being nearly closed altogether. Again I asked myself what +had happened? What—who—had killed all these men and yet spared me? +</P> + +<P> +My first movement was directed to my feet. I managed to unbind my +ankles, and after a while was able to walk steadily. Then, moved by +curiosity first—not by compassion, I regret to say—I advanced +cautiously towards the camp-followers, still clad in the leggings and +loose blouses, a kind of undress uniform. I went up and stood over +them. They were dead, blown to pieces by a shell, I decided; their +rifles lying upon their chests, or beside them. But what had killed +the Chinese officers, then? They, too, were dead. It was not possible +that the shell would have slain them also and left me alone alive! +</P> + +<P> +I took up one of the rifles and examined it. It had been discharged. +Another, and another! Yes, all five were empty! Then the fellows had +fired at us as I had anticipated. Anticipated is the correct +expression. I had anticipated the discharge by one second, when I +beheld the flying body—the shell—in the air dark against the sky and +flaming. I had fallen flat: the bullets had struck above me; the fiery +message had completed the tragedy of the day. +</P> + +<P> +That was all! By some impulse I had flung myself on my face, no doubt +in fear you will say—perhaps. I was very young, and did not wish to +pose as a hero when there was no gain in bravado and no dishonour in +stooping. I have read of soldiers "ducking" at a cannon-ball, and why +is it blameworthy in me—a lad almost—if I winced at the bullet of the +assassin? At anyrate I didn't see the good of being killed, and I +"ducked" to the shell, and to the expected bullets. +</P> + +<P> +What could I do now? Evening was closing in, and to wander amid those +hills alone would be to woo death once more. Yet to remain there with +the dead was worse. So I took a look at the robbers, and ventured to +search the pockets of the leader of the party, from which I took my +precious "passes" and the money, which were still in my belt. Then, +having secured them as before, I quitted the scene of slaughter, and +made my way across the darkening hills, thankful to the Providence +which had preserved me from a horrible death. +</P> + +<P> +All the night I wandered aimlessly—fancying that I was near the camp +and the fires, but finding deep and black ravines between myself and +them. At length I gave way, and seating myself in a deserted spot, not +without qualms concerning wild animals, and commending myself to +Heaven, I slept and dreamed. +</P> + +<P> +My dream figured a kind of Robinson Crusoe incident. The savages were +preparing their feast on the desert island, I thought, and were passing +back and forward in front of the flames. Even in my dream the air "bit +shrewdly"—and I shivered and looked on. A vivid dream indeed! I +could almost fancy I was awake. I could see the men and the fire, and +distinguished dark forms carrying others and throwing them into the +flames. My senses were leaving me. Was this a dream or a vision of +the fiend's concoction? Was I <I>mad</I>? Had my trouble unhinged my mind? +</P> + +<P> +I shut my eyes and tried to think. I pinched myself, and thumped my +chest. I was awake! Opening my eyes I sat up. Still the same weird +scene: the black mountain glade, the bright, cold sky studded with +stars, the great leaping flame surmounted by thick vapour which rose +slowly and crawled along the hill inland. What could it be? I lay for +a while, and then crept nearer and nearer to attempt to distinguish the +actors in this Walpurgis night-drama enacted on the Manchurian Brocken. +</P> + +<P> +Nearer and nearer I came, lying still a while and then proceeding. The +actors were <I>men</I>: I decided that; but their occupation? I lay and +looked. +</P> + +<P> +It seemed to me very astonishing that these funereal figures should be +thus occupied in such a stealthy manner in an outlying spot amid the +hills. What they were destroying I could not discern, because all the +surroundings beyond the glare of the fire were more intensely dark than +the atmosphere, but I could see, time after time, that the men carried +burdens, and cast them into the flames. Then the fearful reflection +came into my mind— +</P> + +<P> +These men, Japanese, were thus disposing of their prisoners by torture! +Yet I heard no cries, nor saw any resistance. +</P> + +<P> +Again I crawled nearer, nearer. I was then within the circle of +leaping light, and lay as still as possible. +</P> + +<P> +Two men appeared near me. They looked around them, and, horror of +horrors! saw me extended upon the coarse herbage, my staring eyes +reflecting the glare of the flames, no doubt. They at once came +towards me, their blackened faces and untidy dress causing them to +appear absolutely repulsive. They might have posed, in such +surroundings, for fiends incarnate. +</P> + +<P> +Without a word they raised me by shoulders and below the knees; in a +careless, rough manner they advanced towards the fire, which was +blazing fiercely at a little distance. I could feel the heat of it, +but so upset was I, and so perplexed, that I could not utter a sound. +My tongue was a piece of dry stick in my mouth, my lips were parched +and cracked, and I was almost in a fever. The whole seemed a horrible +nightmare—the fire and smoke, the blackness of the more distant +surroundings, the black inquisitors, like the assistants pictured in +illustrations of the burnings under Queen Mary, which I had seen in the +<I>Tower of London</I>—a favourite book of mine. All the accessories were +frightful, stupefying, maddening! yet I could utter no complaint, nor +was I able to resist my captors. +</P> + +<P> +But fortunately this hypnotic trance did not continue. The smell of +oil (petroleum) penetrated my half-conscious brain, and aroused me from +my stupor. The oil was blazing in the fire, the receptacles—and +bodies, I had fancied them also—were steeped in oil, the pungent smell +of which had aroused my faculties. I wriggled in my bearers' hands, +and they let me fall suddenly and heavily with some loud exclamations. +</P> + +<P> +Other assistants in this holocaust came up at this, and all of them +chattered and stared, but I understood none of their remarks or +exclamations. Left to myself, I rose to my feet, and stood there in +the circle as if the victim of some usury game. To my requests for +information they only replied in the Japanese language,—so far I could +understand,—and then again the pass and badge proclaimed my identity. +These relics were passed from hand to hand, and I felt what perhaps a +custodian of the Bank of England feels when he first sees a lump of +uncoined gold passing from hand to hand amongst privileged spectators +to the door of the vault, and wonders whether the precious sample will +return to him. Thus was my attention directed to my credentials. They +did come back; and when the men had burned all the bodies and coffins +they took me to the camp again. +</P> + +<P> +Then I understood the scene I had witnessed. The Japanese habit is to +burn the bodies of the dead after an engagement, for sanitary reasons. +The coffins are steeped in oil, and then burned in some remote place, +after certain rites performed. I had wandered into this Gehenna, and +had been rescued from the fire into which I had been so nearly cast. +</P> + +<P> +When we returned to the camp my identity was firmly established. My +acquaintance, Hoko, the interpreter, was summoned, and he again +constituted himself my guardian. Well it was that he did, for in +twelve hours I was in a high fever. My brain had been overtaxed, and +my body so reduced, that recovery seemed almost hopeless, as I +afterwards was informed. But the attack was sharp and short. In less +than two weeks I was on my legs again, tottering indeed, but useful, +and my first question asked of the officer who spoke English was— +</P> + +<P> +"Can I get away from Port Arthur?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps. We have not taken it yet." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah!" I said, "then it is different from what you imagined?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; we have been compelled to await the heavy guns." +</P> + +<P> +"When will they arrive?" +</P> + +<P> +"They are expected immediately. When they are planted we shall assault +the forts and seize the port." +</P> + +<P> +"Has there been fighting?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; outposts and pickets have been engaged frequently." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that artillery now? I hear firing." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; there is another attack developing. We do not fear." +</P> + +<P> +There was a pause, then I asked— +</P> + +<P> +"What day is it, pray?" +</P> + +<P> +"In your calendar it is the twentieth of November." +</P> + +<P> +"The twentieth! Then I have been here ill for thirteen days? How can +I ever repay this kindness and care? Most heartily I thank you, sir, +and"— +</P> + +<P> +"But say no more, please. I am glad. Farewell." +</P> + +<P> +He hastened away, leaving me overwhelmed with gratitude, and highly +appreciative of the courtesy and kindness of the Japanese officers both +of army and navy. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +PORT ARTHUR—THE MASSACRE IN THE TOWN—RELEASE +</H4> + +<P> +When the Japanese officer had retired so modestly from my outburst of +gratitude, I made up my mind to see all I could of the affairs of the +war, and to reach a place of safety. I soon found that I was premature +in this, because, though an engagement was actually taking place then, +I had no chance of seeing it. The afternoon was advancing, and, as a +matter of fact, the fight lasted in all only a couple of hours +altogether—chiefly a matter of artillery. +</P> + +<P> +During the same evening, and part of the night, the rumbling of the +heavy guns was audible. These had been actually dragged by bands of +coolies across the hill-paths and tracks for two successive days and +nights incessantly; and when these fellows, whose pay is infinitesimal, +were regaled with little bags of rice and some fish rations, wrapped +carefully in paper, they waited in the most disciplined manner +patiently, until their turns came. Their dress was not uniform, but +here again, I must say, the Japanese are wonderfully amenable to +discipline in all services. +</P> + +<P> +I had already made some observations about Port Arthur, and +subsequently I was enabled to supplement them. The defences of the +place were, and are now, doubtless, almost impossible to surmount. It +is the "Gibraltar of the East." Around, and high above the harbour, +which has a narrow and difficult entrance, are forts, on the mutual +assistance principle of chained defence, on the hills from west to east +on the northern shore there are, in all, thirteen forts of heavy guns, +including the two near the shore. Again, at the west, is +Huang-chin-shan, or Golden Hill, a fort which can sweep its guns in all +directions. "Shan" is "hill," so Chi-huan-shan is Cock's-comb Hill, +and I-tzee-shan, Chair Hill. The first three by the west (northern +side at Chair Hill) are very important forts. +</P> + +<P> +If we cross the strip of water at the mouth we reach the Tiger's +Tail,—a piece of land, long and narrow, just opposite the West Port +(the East Port is the dock-basin, or harbour, as contrasted with the +ordinary harbour, West Port). On this Tail of the Tiger stand eight +more forts, and all these twenty-two important defences were armed with +large and quick-firing guns, perhaps more than three hundred in all, +with an army behind them of twenty thousand Chinese nominally, but most +likely many thousands less in fact, perhaps not more than twelve +thousand or fifteen thousand effectives—if one may describe the +Chinese as "effective." +</P> + +<P> +The Japanese had one hundred cannon, and these were quietly placed in +position during the evening and night of 20th November, on high ground. +The forts to be assaulted were those by Chair Hill on the land side +(north of harbour), and then those more eastward—Pine Hill, Dragon and +Cock's-comb Hills. These forts were really the most important from the +land side assault, and when we consider that the elevation of the land +is great,—from 350 to 1500 feet, though, of course, less a great deal +near the shore,—the difficulties of the assault can be imagined. +</P> + +<P> +I awoke early, about midnight, and "dressed," which means wrapped +myself up, and stepped out to listen to the tramping of the battalions, +which were already taking up positions for the assault. As the morning +advanced, the moon rose up, and shone clearly. The Japanese soldiers +had no doubt of results, and the forts were to be attacked in a +specified order, while a counter demonstration was threatened at the +farther side. +</P> + +<P> +It was impossible to rest, so I staggered to the limits of the camp in +the darkness, the lanterns shining like fireflies as the troops +advanced. They were all in readiness at two o'clock a.m., and just as +dawn was due the artillery opened the attack, and awoke the slumbering +Chinese in the town. If the men in the forts were asleep, they quickly +arose, and replied in kind from all directions, and the flashing of the +guns indicated the fearful fire which was being directed at the +Japanese artillery, the camp, and the troops,—the last now just seen +climbing up the hills, or crawling in the grass, to the attack, by +ravines and slopes and gullies. +</P> + +<P> +The roar was simply awful! The thunder was incessant. The shells came +blazing across the sky, tore lines in the advancing troops, and +ploughed the hillsides in all directions. This cannonade continued for +quite an hour; it really seemed as if the fearful firing, noise, and +thick smoke, would never cease around us. Daylight came, and then the +Chinese played havoc with the assailants, who fell fast. But the +Japanese guns were silencing the Chinese by degrees, and the men crept +up to the forts, compelled to halt at times and take breath,—the last +which many of them ever drew,—for the fire was fearful, and no command +could be heard. +</P> + +<P> +At length the three doomed forts were reached by the rear approach, and +the only mode of capture was by climbing the thirteen feet walls! This +was a feat in any case, but when the attempt was made amid a continuous +fire, the situation seems impossible. The Japanese, however, succeeded +by fixing their bayonets into the wall, and climbing by those impromptu +steps to the top of the parapet, where they engaged the Chinese hand to +hand. Others, again, were hoisted up by means of a rope, which a +private soldier had let down after climbing up to the top by the +inequalities in the masonry of the wall. These acts of heroic bravery +were to be seen frequently, and at different points. +</P> + +<P> +The assailants fell by hundreds at a time, but as soon as the survivors +gained the advantage, and reached the platforms, the Chinese fled +helter-skelter out of the forts, down the hills, in the direction of +the sea, and the Japanese dashed after them, firing, or bayoneting the +stragglers. Here were mandarins, officers, and soldiers, armed and +unarmed, flying for dear life, and in numerous instances losing that. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as the Chinese had evacuated the defences on the western side I +essayed to climb up, but was forced to pause, not only from physical +weakness, but because of mental disturbance. Already the Red Cross was +in evidence tending and succouring the wounded and dying, and +despatching the former to Kinchow, and subsequently to the Port Arthur +Hospital. The Chinese, who did not understand, or certainly did not +practise this humanity, frequently fired at the devoted bands, who thus +suffered for their devotion. +</P> + +<P> +As I advanced I rendered some assistance, I am pleased to think, but +the numbers requiring aid were beyond expectation. The Japanese +suffered greatly. Tens and dozens of dead bodies lay in groups in many +places, and this slaughter was all around one. When the forts were +stormed the Chinese became the victims and paid heavily for the +Japanese dead. A terrible revenge was taken, and when the Pine Tree +fort blew up there was a loud shout of victory. Thenceforth the +invaders had all their own way. +</P> + +<P> +And such a way! Midday had struck, as the phrase is, when the first +forts were taken—Inland, and then the remaining forces came on to +reduce the coast line of forts and redoubts, including the large Golden +Hill fort already named, which by its cannon turning in all directions +had caused much loss in the distant Japanese ranks. Preparations were +made to storm this place late in the afternoon. The Chinese were still +resisting under all possible cover in rifle-pits and trenches and +redoubts, but all the time the Japanese were encircling them and the +town—their usual method. I noticed that at sea the fleet circled +round the Chinese ships, and now on land the soldiers came up on three +sides. +</P> + +<P> +Following the troops I watched them from a distant height forming a +<I>cordon</I> around the devoted town, which contains about a thousand +houses built Chinese fashion (usually in one storey), two theatres, +temples, hotels, and banks, besides the extensive docks fitted with all +modern appliances, torpedo factory, a railway, cranes, workshops, and +basins for ships and boats. The place is well supplied with water, and +later I witnessed a curious scene in those docks. +</P> + +<P> +When I had struggled as near as I deemed prudent, armed with a Japanese +rifle, cartridges, and a cap, I fancied I could hear a band playing. A +musical welcome from the Chinese was perhaps the most curious of the +many curious and contradictory things in China, but it was certainly a +military band in the town, while the brigade beyond was storming the +forts. I made inquiry as well as I could, and ascertained that the +Japanese had already occupied the town, and the band was playing them +in with their National Anthem, which I recognised as having already +heard on board ship in the hour of victory. +</P> + +<P> +The day was now coming to a close. Golden Hill remained in Chinese +hands, and the fighting was for a while suspended. Still Port Arthur +was in possession of the Japanese, and the remaining fort when attacked +next morning was found empty. The garrison had deserted it in the +night. +</P> + +<P> +That night of the 21st November 1894 will be remembered by all who live +to think of it. Why? you may ask. Simply because the Chinese were +slain in the most savage and unrelenting way in the town. On the hill +a chill and piercing wind rose that night, and the sufferings of the +wounded must have been terrible. I made my way at dusk, under shelter, +behind the hill I had scrambled up before, and found the Japanese lying +on their faces still, thickly. The Chinese were lying anyhow on that +hill, and on the other slope; half-clothed, nearly always unarmed, and +seldom in any "uniform" dress. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-255"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-255.jpg" ALT="THE CHINESE WERE LYING ANYHOW" BORDER="0"> +<P CLASS="capcenter"> +THE CHINESE WERE LYING ANYHOW +</P> +</CENTER> + +<P> +These are common instances which indicate the temperaments and courage +of the two nations. The Japanese shot in the forehead or chest falls +<I>forward</I> and dies. The Chinese I saw were fugitives who had cast away +their weapons and clothing the more easily to escape and to be mistaken +for civilians. I must add that the Japanese wounded never seemed to +complain or cry out. Their fortitude under the most deplorable +conditions, amid terrible injuries and wounds, was Spartan-like—heroic. +</P> + +<P> +That cold night, for which all were unprepared, found those on the +hills badly off, though wearied to death they lay, some beside +watch-fires some in the darkness, dead asleep; while the soldiers in +the waking town conducted themselves like absolute fiends. As already +stated, the soldiers were exasperated by the brutality of the Chinese, +but that was scarce a reason for the wholesale and deliberate murder of +civilians, women, and children in cold blood. +</P> + +<P> +Next morning, under the guidance of a soldier and the interpreter, I +essayed to reach the town. We descended the hill, my companions +looking triumphantly upon the devastation and the evidences of death, +which, though now familiar to me, were none the less terrible. +</P> + +<P> +The town was reached, and we entered it near the dock where is a +reservoir of water, a kind of lake, one may say, at the foot of the +sloping ground. There even my callous companions halted. The pool was +full of dead bodies floating in all kinds of attitudes, head downwards, +or extended on the back or face bleeding or bloodless, many women, and +even young children. There they lay, some floating, as I have said, +some pressed down by others, some lying half in and half out of the +bloodstained water, all killed by violence, by the rifle-shot or +bayonet, and hacked as savages would not have thought of doing. +</P> + +<P> +And this was the act of the merciful Japanese! I turned sick and faint +with horror, rushed away into the town to escape from this most fearful +scene. Presently I was compelled to seat myself in sheer illness, my +companions were also ashamed I believe. +</P> + +<P> +After a while I rose and made my way through the streets, but here +again were horrors piled up even if possible more awful than the first +experience. Houses, shops, inns were pillaged, fired, plundered! Men +and women dead—mutilated—every possible shame had been inflicted, and +even then, in daylight, the Japanese soldiers were looting and killing +all in their way, binding up bundles of plunder, or chasing an +unfortunate Chinaman to death amid the laughter of his fellows. +Fortunately I was properly protected, else my doom had been sealed, for +the dead lay so thickly in the streets and passages, that one had to +tread carefully for fear of stepping upon a body; and if a Chinese was +discovered seeking his dead friend, relative, wife, or child, the first +Japanese butcher would kill him, and then slash him into slices with +his sword. +</P> + +<P> +For true barbarity the inflamed Japanese countenance in a passion of +killing is the most repulsive. What the night had witnessed I tremble +now to think. Of what we witnessed of the awful results it is +impossible even to do more than name, the details are quite unfit to +describe. The dismemberment of the bodies even of children and women +will always remain a stain upon the Japanese, on the soldiers for +executing such awful rapine and murder, on the officers for not +stopping such scenes of bestial violence. +</P> + +<P> +Amid such scenes in the docks next day the field-marshal presided at a +grand luncheon, where hundreds of officers attended, and numerous +newspaper correspondents assisted, and drank the health of the Emperor +of Japan. Whom of those hundreds who stood at the long tables spread +in the dockyard, and feasted upon potted and tinned food, thought of +the massacred Chinese? Even then, perhaps, dark and silent murder was +being done while the bands played stirring airs, and officers +congratulated each other upon their own successes while the curses of +the dying natives were heaped upon the savage soldiery. +</P> + +<P> +"Find me a way from this fearful place," I begged at last, when I had +vainly sought escape by boat. "Is there no junk, no vessel, in the bay +which will shelter me and carry me to Chefoo?" +</P> + +<P> +My despairing appeal was carried to the ears of the officer who had +already befriended me. He came towards the ruined inn, where I was +resting, and inquired what I wanted. +</P> + +<P> +"Means to leave this horrible place," I said briefly. "The <I>Naniwa</I> is +in the harbour. Cannot you manage to communicate with your brother? +He may assist me to reach the opposite shore." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that all? Why, there are several British vessels in the gulf." He +then quickly said a few words to my companions in their own tongue, and +left me. I am glad to think that he and some other officers had been +staying the massacre of the night. "I will follow you," he added. +"Wait beyond." +</P> + +<P> +As we made our way through the narrow streets westward to the Port, the +natural harbour, the sights were beyond description. Even there dead +lay in the streets and shops, which, still hung with the Chinese signs +and open as in a fair-ground, were wrecked and dabbled with blood. +Fortunately the weather was cold, and when we reached the harbour, or +West Port, the soldiers were dragging dead bodies from the water, where +they lay thickly.[<A NAME="chap16fn1text"></A><A HREF="#chap16fn1">1</A>] Men, women, and children had been hunted down and +slain in the water. The few junks on shore were also filled with dead +bodies of fugitives and crews. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +<A NAME="chap16fn1"></A> +[<A HREF="#chap16fn1text">1</A>] Should any reader need evidence of these days let him see the +illustrated papers of the time. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +My interpreter shook his head. He could do nothing. Remembering his +former conduct, I began to fear that he had some sinister object in his +mind's eye. I asked him what I should do, and then as he paused in his +reply, I demanded why he had robbed me before. My fears were then +allayed, because I saw the Japanese officer, Tomi's brother, +approaching. But the interpreter remained perfectly calm to all +appearance. He merely deprecated any reference to such an unpleasant +incident, by a shrug of the shoulders, and an appealing movement of his +hands. +</P> + +<P> +"Then you intended to destroy me!" I exclaimed. "What do you propose +now? May I ask you, sir, to question this man about his conduct while +in my society, when, as I have told you, I was robbed by him and left +alone to find my way across the isthmus." +</P> + +<P> +The interpreter's nimble tongue was at a loss for once. He could not +advance any excuse. +</P> + +<P> +"Did this man rob you?" asked the officer. "Speak, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," I replied. "Let him deny it if he can." +</P> + +<P> +The Japanese officer turned to the interpreter and said something to +him, motioning to the soldier who had accompanied me to advance. +</P> + +<P> +The traitor fell upon his knees, Chinese fashion, but what he said I +could not understand. He produced the revolver, however, and some +papers. +</P> + +<P> +"He declares he was instructed to take these from you, for fear of your +safety if they were found upon you by the natives. Is that so?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not at all. I was given the pistol and money by your brother for my +protection. He had already defended me, and the captain of the ship +urged my departure as a scout, knowing some Chinese. They hoped I +would remain with the army, reach Port Arthur, and so get away." +</P> + +<P> +"Then you <I>were</I> suspected on board?" he asked sharply. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, because I was sailing in the Chinese transport, I think. Your +honourable brother assisted me, and intended to send me to the British +fleet." +</P> + +<P> +"He had no authority to do so. But I am sure the captain would have +landed you at Chemulpo had you desired it." +</P> + +<P> +"I did not want to be landed. I am a sailor, and wished to continue on +board until I could be sent to Shanghai or Chefoo." +</P> + +<P> +"It appears to me now that you did wrong. You had better have landed +and made your way, with the assistance of your consul, to China. But +matters seem also to have been against you. As for this man's +statement respecting the robbery, I do not believe it. He has traduced +my brother." +</P> + +<P> +Then followed a few sentences in the Japanese language, which sounded +particularly harsh. I saw the man seized by the soldier, and cried +out. The officer turned to me inquiringly. +</P> + +<P> +"What do you intend?" I asked. "What punishment?" +</P> + +<P> +"I shall strike off his thievish hand." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh no!" I pleaded. "There has been slaughter and hacking enough! Let +him go free!" +</P> + +<P> +"He has lied concerning my brother. He deserves to <I>die</I>! I shall +only prevent his robbing in future. Take him, and keep him in guard." +</P> + +<P> +The soldier tied the man's hands together with his belt, and drove him +away before him, leaving me with the officer. My appeal had been in +vain. As a fact, I had no energy to continue the question, because my +bodily strength was waning fast. The excitement which had so far +sustained me was already disappearing, and the disgust which had +replaced it did not tend to keep me up. +</P> + +<P> +The Japanese officer perceived this, and beckoned me to accompany him. +I saw he was anxiously looking at my pallid face. What would have +become of me had he not come to my rescue I did not venture to think. +I followed him closely, and retraced my bloodstained steps through the +lately prosperous-looking streets, then well furnished with shops, now +a terrible line of dismantled houses; goods lying upon the ground amid +the dead, and accentuating the desolation. +</P> + +<P> +My conductor took me to an inn, or hotel, in which resided, +temporarily, several Japanese. These gentlemen, I ascertained, were +journalists and artists employed by the newspapers and others, for the +Japanese people took the greatest interest in the struggle with China. +Two of these men spoke English quite sufficiently for conversational +purposes, and they made me welcome by request of the officer. +</P> + +<P> +"When opportunity occurs," he said, "we will send you home. Perhaps we +may despatch you to one of your men-of-war vessels. Farewell!" +</P> + +<P> +I had only time to thank him for the idea of such a happy despatch, +when I felt faint and sick. My new friends immediately removed me to +an upper chamber,—a rather unusual thing in China,—and laid me upon +the couch or bench which was then being warmed by the hot air from the +fire or "furnace." Handing me a thick counterpane, which the +increasing cold made acceptable, my friend left me to recover +myself—my strength and my self-possession. +</P> + +<P> +It was long before I was able to rise. The day passed. Food was +repugnant to me. My brain reproduced all the horrors I had witnessed, +and I shuddered as with ague. The night was still more dreadful, as my +solitude was invaded by three of the company, and I was thankful when +morning again dawned and left me alone, if listless and ailing. +</P> + +<P> +I must pass rapidly on, for nothing occurred to alarm me. I lay quiet, +eating and sleeping and thinking. My new companions amused me by +telling me their adventures, and listening to mine. They taught me +some of their language, and I imparted to them some English. The +weather grew worse, frost and snow set in, with bitter winds; and I +learned that the headquarters of the army had been fixed at Kinchow, +till the second army—Port Arthur force—made northward for Kai-ping. +The Japanese fleet was in Talien Bay. Winter had set in in earnest, +and transport was very difficult. +</P> + +<P> +Christmas passed. Such a Christmas it was, too. I felt like the boy +who had been left at school while all the other fellows went home for +the holidays. Most of my companions had scattered, but two stayed, one +for some Government business, and the other awaiting orders as to the +disposal of the quantities of plunder and stores, before leaving to +join the fleet. We conversed in a mixture of Japanese and English, a +dialect which did more to keep up my spirits than anything save +release, because we laughed at each other's mistakes all day. The +weather became very cold, and as the year came to an end I began to +feel "hipped," and really uneasy. But the New Year caused a change in +the troops' quarters, and indirectly in mine, for when the second army +advanced, or rather a portion of it advanced, to the north, to join the +Yalu army, I was very agreeably surprised by a visit from the officer I +knew as Tomi's brother, and, best of all, he was accompanied by Tomi +himself. This visit was paid in the month of January 1895, when I was +feeling extremely "low." +</P> + +<P> +My astonishment was great as my pleasure at the meeting, and in my +delight, being also conceited about my new attainments, I exclaimed in +"dog" Japanese— +</P> + +<P> +"Tenno Heika Banzai! Nippon Yüsen Kabushiki Kaisha! So glad to see +you again!" +</P> + +<P> +Somewhat to my astonishment the two officers touched their caps, and, +looking at each other, burst into a hearty peal of laughter. I stared. +What had I said? I felt guilty and nervous, then annoyed at the +laughter. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, gentlemen, what's the joke?" I said. "Have I in any way +offended you? Pray accept my excuses—in English. I assure you"— +</P> + +<P> +"Please excuse <I>us</I>," said the naval officer, seizing my hand. "We are +delighted to learn that you have mastered Japanese as well as Chinese +and French. Thank you for Emperor <I>and Company</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"I think you do not quite understand," remarked my military friend. +"Do you know what you <I>did</I> say?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes—at least I think so. I intended to cheer your Emperor and you, +and to wish success to the Japanese united arms. I suspect I made a +little mistake." +</P> + +<P> +"No, no!" cried the young lieutenant Tomi. "It was beautiful! +Splendid! It sounded so well, too. Didn't it?" he asked, turning to +his brother. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; and so exactly to the point," added the captain, laughing again. +"You are already an interpreter, Mr. Julius." +</P> + +<P> +I felt rather "at sea" at this renewal of the merriment, but the +officers quickly subdued their laughter, though it occasionally burst +out in spasms while they alternately announced their business. +</P> + +<P> +"We have another mission for you, Julius," said the younger. "A +pleasant little trip to an English man-of-war perhaps." +</P> + +<P> +I leaped to my feet in delight. "Really?" I said. "You mean that?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh yes, certainly. <I>We</I> understand English," he said, laughing. +</P> + +<P> +I blushed, and felt annoyed with Tomi. But I dare not show this. +</P> + +<P> +"When you and your brother have <I>quite</I> finished laughing"—I began. +</P> + +<P> +But this attempt at dignity set them off again, and though really +angry, I was compelled to join them. The whole business seemed so +ridiculous. +</P> + +<P> +"Pray pardon us," gasped the elder officer. "This is really +business—from the admiral." +</P> + +<P> +"The admiral!" I exclaimed. "Does he know anything about me?' +</P> + +<P> +"Of course, certainly; and when you talk to him in <I>Japanese</I>"— +</P> + +<P> +This caused another explosion, and I made condemnatory remarks +concerning the native smile. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," I asked coldly, "any further <I>joke</I>?" +</P> + +<P> +"This is no joke, indeed," said the sailor. "The Admiral Ito wants a +letter conveyed to the <I>Severn</I>—what you call it—cruiser, for +conveyance to Admiral Ting, the Chinese naval commander. The little +difficulty arose about the messenger being a Japanese, and then I +reminded my captain that you were in Port Arthur, and trustworthy. My +brother had already told me so much. The immediate result has been our +presence here, and our request to bring you to the admiral. Will you +come? we will fit you out again." +</P> + +<P> +"And I am to join the <I>Severn</I>?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps. At anyrate if you carry the letter, and bring back an answer +or not, you can act as an ambassador." +</P> + +<P> +"With pleasure," I cried, delighted to think I was again to be restored +to British protection, and to see English faces. "I will accompany you +at once." +</P> + +<P> +I made some few—very few—changes in my appearance, which was a bit +remarkable for an English youth, or "man." My stubbly hair, my thick +wadded costume,—<I>a la Chinois</I>,—for your Chinaman pads his garments +until his bulk, in winter, vies with Mr. Daniel Lambert, of pious +memory. Thus, something like a clean scarecrow, crossed with the Fat +Boy in <I>Pickwick</I>, I accompanied my deliverers. +</P> + +<P> +As we quitted my quarters, I said as pleasantly as possible— +</P> + +<P> +"Tell me the mistake I made when you came in?" +</P> + +<P> +They smiled at the recollection, and the sailor-boy said, nodding at +me— +</P> + +<P> +"It was all right, really. You only said, Hurrah for the Emperor! and" +(here he choked)—"and called out for the '<I>Japan Mail Steam Company</I>.' +That's all." +</P> + +<P> +I laughed aloud at the connection. What I intended to say I have now +no idea, and my Japanese friends never enlightened me. +</P> + +<P> +This was my last attempt at Asiatic languages—on service. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +EXPLANATIONS—ON BOARD THE <I>NANIWA</I> AGAIN—<BR> +THE BLOCKADE OF WEI-HAI-WEI—ON SERVICE +</H4> + +<P> +During our journey to Talien Bay, which had become the Japanese naval +base after the demolition of Port Arthur, I put a number of questions +to Tomi and to the military officer, his brother, whom I now learned +was attached to the army staff. Several of these inquiries had +reference to the movements of the army and navy, but some questions +were personal to myself. At last my kind friends threw off their +official reserve, and cheered my heart with the prospect of release. +</P> + +<P> +I began by asking how the young lieutenant had found me out, and why, +having sent me adrift, he had thought of seeking me again. I told my +adventures briefly. +</P> + +<P> +"I am sure you did it for the best," I concluded, "but all the same +your plans nearly cost me my life." +</P> + +<P> +"We had no choice, I am sorry to say. The report that you were a +Chinese spy had been so insisted upon that even Japanese discipline +wavered on board. When you confessed to knowledge of Chinese, the plan +of sending you as a scout with the interpreter was adopted, and I gave +you all the assistance I could." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, indeed. But the interpreter proved false. He robbed me, and +left me helpless." +</P> + +<P> +"True; he has paid for his treachery. Yet, had you been taken +prisoner, and the map and pistol found upon you, your life would have +been forfeited and awful tortures inflicted," added the elder brother. +</P> + +<P> +"I did not realise that contingency," said Tomi, "nor did I imagine the +interpreter would be false. He evidently regarded you as an enemy; +perhaps he thought he was serving us by putting you in danger. On the +other hand, he did you a service by concealing you and taking the +compass and revolver." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, that is one way of looking at it," I said. "Let the matter rest +there. Now, may I inquire why, and how, I have been sent for? and how +I have been discovered?" +</P> + +<P> +"The second question is the easiest to answer. Inquiries and letters +are awaiting you. The English captain from Shanghai"— +</P> + +<P> +"What! My skipper, Captain Goldheugh?" I interrupted. +</P> + +<P> +"I think he is the same. The captain who commanded the Chinese +transport, <I>Kowshing</I>." +</P> + +<P> +"Rather <I>Fêng Shui</I>," I said. "The same man. What of him?" +</P> + +<P> +"He has come up in an American steamer, and has made inquiries about +you all around the coast—at Chefoo and at Talien-wan. He boarded the +<I>Naniwa</I>, and we told him all we knew. My brother had previously told +me something about the interpreter, and a Britisher in camp. So we put +our ideas together, and decided then you were the missing man." +</P> + +<P> +"And the captain has letters for me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Several; and despatches also, I understand. Inquiry from the consul, +too; so your Government think you are of some importance." +</P> + +<P> +I laughed, and said, "I suspect my father and mother, were alarmed, and +set the diplomatic wheels moving. Then I am to go home?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes; but meantime we have a favour to ask, and we had considered it +possible you would assist us on the way back." +</P> + +<P> +"Certainly; when I have announced my safety at home, I can do all you +require, I hope." +</P> + +<P> +"It is merely to convey a letter to the English admiral in the gulf +outside Wei-hai-Wei. You have several ships there, and Admiral Ito is +sending a squadron to keep watch on Tengchow and Wei-hai-Wei."[<A NAME="chap17fn1text"></A><A HREF="#chap17fn1">1</A>] +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +<A NAME="chap17fn1"></A> +[<A HREF="#chap17fn1text">1</A>] Pronounced Way-hi-Way.—H.P. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"Then you intend to capture and occupy Shengtung?" +</P> + +<P> +"So it is understood, but we cannot decide that. The <I>Naniwa</I> or other +vessel will convey you to Tengchow, close to Chefoo. There you will +find your friend Goldheugh, or perhaps at Chefoo." +</P> + +<P> +"That seems good enough," I said. "But why send <I>me</I>? Why not one of +your own officers?" +</P> + +<P> +"You are neutral," replied the young lieutenant, "and the communication +is to the Chinese Admiral Ting. Both Chinese and Japanese respect +English good faith, and any intervention by your force will prove its +honesty of purpose." +</P> + +<P> +I could only bow to this compliment, and did so with becoming gravity. +"I am quite ready," I said. "When properly equipped and clothed I +shall be at your admiral's service." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I must bid you farewell," interposed the soldier, as we came in +sight of Talien Bay. "We shall never meet again, perhaps, but I trust +you will not judge all the Japanese soldiers from the specimens at Port +Arthur. They were exasperated and triumphant, they were victorious all +along the line, and irritated by the execution of prisoners." +</P> + +<P> +It was on the tip of my tongue to ask what the Japs would do if they +were beaten, but fortunately I did not raise the discussion. It will +be time enough to ask that question when they are pitted against a less +yielding enemy. At present the Japanese have much confidence in +themselves, and are most enthusiastic. Time will show results. +</P> + +<P> +My parting with the staff-officer was most friendly and regretful. He +had nobly paid his debt to the English lad whose countrymen had +accepted him as a friend. And for my own part I think the English +would do well to ally themselves closely with the Japanese nation, +which is a coming factor in the Eastern world. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center"> +<SPAN STYLE="letter-spacing: 4em">*****</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P> +I need not dwell upon the details of my mission. Let it suffice that I +accompanied the <I>Naniwa</I>, one of the three ships composing a flying +squadron to bombard Tengchow if necessary. On the 18th January 1895, +the three ships sailed—the <I>Yoshino</I>, <I>Akitsushima</I>, and <I>Naniwa</I>, and +after a trial engagement of blank cartridge they shelled the place. +</P> + +<P> +When the feint was made the snow fell thickly, and so bad was the +weather that any attack was out of the question. The bombardment was +also delayed next day by a snowstorm, but in any case the ships were +only employed to divert the attention of the Chinese fleet and army +from the main attack of the chief Japanese squadron, and the army, +which was landing in Shengtung. The Chinese sent their men to support +the force at Tengchow, and meanwhile the Japanese troops landed at +Yingching Bay, at the eastern extremity of Shengtung; and I did not see +Captain Goldheugh. +</P> + +<P> +When the Japanese arrangements had been carried out, and the army +landed, the navy being concentrated in the Bay of Pechili, I was +enabled to convey my missive to the admiral, and by him sent, per the +<I>Severn</I>, to the Chinese admiral at Wei-hai-Wei. The letter itself was +afterwards printed in the <I>Japan Mail</I>. It urged the Chinese to +surrender. Admiral Ito stated that his "friend" Ting would be well +treated if he would yield, and save much bloodshed. "I entreat you to +credit my sincerity," he concluded. "I address this letter to you in +pure friendship, and if happily you accept my counsel, I will, with +your permission, address some further remarks to you on the subject, +giving practical effect to the idea." +</P> + +<P> +Admiral Ting did not reply, and when the 29th of January came, the +fleet, which had meantime been making preparations to attack, began the +bombardment. The army had already been feeling its way on land, and on +the 30th it advanced and encountered the Chinese troops on the +headlands, and drove them down to the seaside by Wei-hai-Wei. But then +the Chinese fleet in the harbour came into action, and we heard the +guns at ten o'clock a.m., and it was supposed that the Japs had +retired, as indeed was the case. +</P> + +<P> +But the eastern forts were taken later by the Japanese, who manned the +captured guns. We subsequently heard many interesting and even +romantic accounts of this attack, which succeeded so well that when the +boats from the fleet made an attempt to break the east boom in the +harbour they were fired at by the Japanese, thinking the <I>Chinese</I> were +attacking from the sea side. This was on the night of the 30th January. +</P> + +<P> +These incidents were related to me later, but I can tell something of +the attack by sea, and I never wish to join in such another under such +circumstances. It was not because I had any fear, that was not in my +mind; but I did not at first take any real interest in the business. I +wanted to be landed at Chefoo, and sent home, or, at anyrate, back to +Shanghai. Instead, I was in the midst of storm and stress—winter of +the most terrible, fire and cold, both almost equally deadly. As luck +had it, the First Flying Squadron, in which the <I>Naniwa</I> was included, +was "left out in the cold"; but I warmed up later to war-pitch. +</P> + +<P> +Before I proceed with my narrative I must give you an idea of the +surroundings. Wei-hai-Wei embraces a wide bay, perhaps twenty miles in +extent, with hills crowned by forts and batteries on land. On the sea +front it is protected by two islands, one (Lui-kung) of fair size, and +inhabited; the other, Sih-tao, is merely the foundation of a fort. The +former island separates the harbour into two entrances, in the eastern +of which lies the smaller island-fort. At the opposite side is deep +water, and in all directions on mainland and islands, on sea and shore, +are defences—forts, batteries, mines, and ships of war—all Chinese. +The Chinese fleet consisted of fifteen men-o'-war and gunboats, and +thirteen torpedo-boats. The Japanese fleet numbered twenty-four ships +and sixteen torpedo-boats. Besides these latter ships were numerous +other vessels "looking on" and watching the struggle with the greatest +interest. The captain of the <I>Naniwa</I> offered to send me on board an +English ship, or convey me to Chefoo, but I thought I would see the +match out—the end was not far off. Having gone so far I thought I had +better complete the tale, and curiosity was at length aroused; my poor +services were even enlisted on one occasion. +</P> + +<P> +Besides the defences already mentioned, the Chinese had fixed two +substantial booms across the bay. Steel hawsers, supplemented with +great baulks of timber of immense thickness, anchored by chains and +grapnels, were supplied with torpedoes on both sides, in addition to +the mines outside. Had any European or Japanese soldiers been in +possession of Wei-hai-Wei, or Port Arthur, it must have been +impregnable, and if Russia seizes either place we shall find this out. +</P> + +<P> +It was evident that the capture of Wei-hai-Wei depended upon the +destruction of the boom; and this seemed to be an impossible feat. +When the strength and position of the obstruction were considered, the +desperate nature of the service might well have daunted the Japanese, +who would be exposed to the fire of the forts and batteries in nearly +all directions. But if the assailants hesitated it was only in order +to make sure of the result. +</P> + +<P> +The weather continued very bad, but worse was approaching. I had had +no further news respecting Captain Goldheugh, and no one thought about +my departure. The Japanese vessels were divided into five squadrons. +The main squadron consisting of the flagship <I>Matsushima</I>, the +<I>Chiyoda</I>, <I>Itsukushima</I>, and <I>Hashidate</I>. The four flying squadrons +included first the <I>Yoshino</I>, <I>Takachiho</I>, <I>Akitsushima</I>, and <I>Naniwa</I>. +The other three flying squadrons and the three torpedo-flotillas may be +mentioned generally. +</P> + +<P> +On the 30th January 1895 the Admiral Ito decided to attack. All the +vessels united outside Wei-hai-Wei, and began patrolling the coast. At +intervals, and later more constantly, we heard the heavy guns as the +eastern forts were attacked by the troops ashore, and these continuous +roars made us impatient of inaction. +</P> + +<P> +"I wish I could do something," I said at last to Tomi. "Can't I join +you if you go out in a torpedo-boat? Wouldn't your captain give me a +chance to do something?" +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps he might. He would not refuse a volunteer; and you could +steer the boat I suppose? Shall I ask the lieutenant?" +</P> + +<P> +"Please," I replied. "Anything will be better than loafing here!" +</P> + +<P> +"We shall not 'loaf' as you call it. The admiral has signalled us to +be ready to support the attack, and no hammocks will be slung to-night." +</P> + +<P> +"All right," I said; "the sooner the better! Where are we making for +now?" +</P> + +<P> +"For the western entrance. The main and second squad are guarding the +eastern. That island with a fort upon it may give us a hint presently." +</P> + +<P> +We continued to steam slowly to and fro all the morning. The roar of +the engagement increased every minute, and all hands became excited. +It was like a cat watching a mouse in a cage. We were so many cats +prowling about the cage in which numerous Chinese "mice" were calmly +seated watching us, while the dogs of war inland were worrying the dogs +ashore. We could do nothing at our end, though it was pleasant to see +the No. 3 and No. 4 squads had begun to throw shells at "long bowls" in +the direction of the eastern batteries to support the land attack. +</P> + +<P> +It was aggravating to see the big Chinese "mice" steaming inside the +harbour, followed by some small craft—like micelets—between the +islands, and assisting the forts, yet never venturing out into the +gulf. But as the day wore into late afternoon a great white smoke +arose on shore, and a fearful explosion rang the knell of the fort; +with telescopes we could see the Chinese running away. +</P> + +<P> +The admiral at this time signalled our No. 1 fleet to join him, and we +went back to the long line, spreading ourselves all across the harbour +outside. Then an order went out to try the boom that night, and the +Chinese began to find our range from the islands, whence they began +"pilling" us at frequent intervals, with the setting sun behind them, +which interfered with the Japanese accuracy of fire. We managed to +creep in to the east side and keep up the watch. Tomi was right; there +was no hammocks slung. The men lay around the guns on mats. +</P> + +<P> +That night was cold, and when I rose, shivering, I was glad to get warm +clothing. As the day passed the snow and sleet came heavily down, and +at last the storm hid everything. The wind and sea rose, and the +thermometer and barometer fell fast. The ships were then fully exposed +to the fearful storm on a lee shore; the thermometer was below +freezing, and all chance of reducing Wei-hai-Wei more distant than +ever! The climax for us came when the admiral, with three squadrons, +retreated to the shelter of Yengching Bay, leaving us—the first +squad—on guard in the snow and storm. +</P> + +<P> +Yet not a single murmur arose from the ships which continued to watch +the harbour, though the chances of the escape of the Chinese in such +weather, and in such a gale, were infinitesimal. So the last day of +January and the first of February passed in fearful discomfort, and +without any opportunity of distinction, though all the other Japanese +ships were in shelter, and thus left the Chinese to their own devices. +When the cat is away the mice will play, and this proverb was fitly +illustrated in this case, for on the 1st of February Admiral Ting +destroyed all the guns in the western forts. +</P> + +<P> +This was a very sensible move on his part, because he knew that if the +enemy attacked and captured them the Japanese could have turned the +Chinese guns against his fleet in harbour! So while the storm raged +the Chinese sailors spiked the guns,[<A NAME="chap17fn2text"></A><A HREF="#chap17fn2">2</A>] and thus caused a breathing +space for the beleaguered inhabitants of the forts and ships. On the +3rd there was some exchange of "civilities," but the snow again caused +a truce. That evening we had a little consultation on board the +<I>Naniwa</I>, and the speculations as regarded our success were numerous +and varied in their way, but the ultimate result was never doubted. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +<A NAME="chap17fn2"></A> +[<A HREF="#chap17fn2text">2</A>] An Englishman led the sailors that time. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"We must win," said one. "We hold the place now. We have seen the +Chinese retreating. We have captured most of the forts. The Chinese +may as well surrender!" +</P> + +<P> +"They are too proud," said another. "The eyes of Europe are upon them." +</P> + +<P> +"And on us," interrupted a third. "Shall we give way now? Certainly +not!" +</P> + +<P> +"What can we do then?" I ventured to ask (Tomi translated). "Cannot we +attack by sea and break the boom? such things have been done." +</P> + +<P> +I had read of this, and though I could not at the time recall the +historical incident, the fact was impressed upon my mind. +</P> + +<P> +"We must await orders. But it must come to that," said a senior. +</P> + +<P> +"Mr. Julius will help when the time comes," said Tomi. "He will be on +board one of the boats, I daresay." +</P> + +<P> +"If permitted," I said. "When the weather moderates we shall see." +</P> + +<P> +In this way we tried to cheer ourselves, and in other ways we managed +to pass the terrible days of wind and snow. The ships were completely +covered with snow, an inch thick, at least, even though the roll of the +vessels shook off the flakes continually. The thermometer went down to +twenty-five degrees below freezing, and that was quite sufficient for +us at sea. When on the 3rd the weather improved we heard the news +announced that the torpedo-boats were to have an innings, and I became +excited. +</P> + +<P> +I had never actually witnessed the attack of a torpedo. When formerly +in the <I>Naniwa</I> I had seen a Chinese vessel sunk off Hai-yang, but had +only seen the effects. Now, if permitted, I would perhaps see +something new! A very novel experience indeed, because torpedoes had +never been used in warfare before then. At intervals we had been +exchanging shots and experimenting upon the boom, but none of us in our +ship had been engaged. We were policemen, and little else. But the +attempt had to be made, and, by what I may call accident, I was in the +first attack. +</P> + +<P> +There was an officer named Kosaki—a splendid fellow—who had done +excellent service under fire before in a torpedo-boat, and he was +attached to boat No. 6. There were ten boats employed, and the news +was known that day, and there was talk of volunteers trying to proceed +in her, for they all knew that "No. 6" was bound to do something! Tomi +told me this. He had been ordered to carry a report to the main +squadron, and suggested that I should accompany him. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps you may have a chance to join the torpedo-boat," he said. I +thanked him, and muffled up we were rowed to the flagship, where Tomi +delivered his message. Then we perceived that the first squadron was +closing in, and we waited on board the greater ship, which was firing +at the Lui-kung Island as well as the smaller one. Lui-kung is +precipitous and unassailable: the batteries were concealed, and some of +the guns, I think, were depressed and raised, like the Moncrieff +carriages at Woolwich long ago. The ships could not reach in close: +the water is shallow, and the guns were well served. Meantime the +Chinese rested behind the shelter of the boom. +</P> + +<P> +"I hear we shall attack the boom to-night," said Tomi. +</P> + +<P> +"Is there any chance of my finding a berth in the flotilla?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Ask the commander," said my friend. "The captain of No. 6 is a +warrant officer. He might consent. Shall I try for you?" +</P> + +<P> +I nodded assent. Perhaps it was a silly ambition! Tomi had a chance +and grasped it. As the "captain" of the boat was descending the side +Tomi arrested him, and made the request. Something was said, and then +Tomi returned to me. +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" I asked, feeling rather "half-hearted" about the result. +</P> + +<P> +"You may join as a correspondent, but must not tell your experience +till the place is taken—if you survive." +</P> + +<P> +"He said so?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes. 'Let him come and die, if he wishes it,' he said." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I just <I>will</I> go—and chance it!" I said boldly. +</P> + +<P> +"All right. He is waiting. Good luck to you." +</P> + +<P> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +ON BOARD THE TORPEDO-BOAT—BREAKING OF THE <BR> +BOOM—CAPTURE OF WEI-HAI-WEI—CONCLUSION +</H4> + +<P> +My first impressions regarding a torpedo-boat were, firstly, that the +deck rests dangerously near the water; and secondly, that the craft +itself is unsafe—at least, unsteady. Then the vessel,—or "ship," as +I believe it is called,—is, if cabined, certainly "cribbed and +confined." There is not much space to live in; perhaps the sailors who +man her are not expected to live—much. Where they usually sleep, +unless in the coal-bunkers or in the engine-room, I do not exactly +know. They did not sleep at all while I was on board, and I understand +that they never change nor wash (or "hardly ever"), under service +conditions. So far as my rather limited experience goes, existence on +board this ship is by no means enjoyable, save when in harbour, and +then it is useless. When at sea in roughish weather, and on service +particularly, the "pleasure" must be deadly-lively. +</P> + +<P> +The torpedo-boat is about one hundred and twenty-five feet long, and +perhaps twelve feet at beam. There are larger craft than this, I +think, but these dimensions will suffice for the usual limits. The +torpedoes are fixed from the tubes, which, in my "ship," extended one +on each bow and astern. There is a steering-tower, or "conning-tower," +fore and aft, and very small space for living in. There are no +bulwarks to prevent one sliding away into the sea in a calm, only a +rail with stanchions, upon which a wire rope is stretched as a +protection. But in bad weather the sea does not wait for the sailor, +it invades him, and washes everything overboard which may be loose, +carrying the men off if they do not go below or lash themselves. The +rolling is absolutely fearful, and I am informed that when the officers +eat they must feed each other like infants, one holding the cup, or +plate, while the other drinks, or eats, from it. All the services are +tinware, and the food is also tinned, and water is plentiful inside and +out, and leaks. +</P> + +<P> +To this kind of experience I was quite new, and the haggard spectre of +<I>mal-de-mer</I> presented itself all the time. How the sailors usually +manage I do not know; they must suffer, I imagine, at sea. But a dozen +sick men in that boat! Well—curtain! +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center"> +<SPAN STYLE="letter-spacing: 4em">*****</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P> +February the 3rd was the most anxious night I had hitherto passed. I +was assisted on board, and I think Tomi introduced me to the officers +as a British newspaper correspondent. At anyrate, I was politely +received, fed, and entertained so far as possible, but the +accommodation was decidedly very limited—much more than the welcome. +</P> + +<P> +I managed to understand that we would not actually attack. The idea +was to make the breach sufficient to admit other boats next time; so, +after all, we should not run any fearful risk, I fancied. But I did +not know then that we were to go inside the boom,—into the +harbour,—as I had little opportunity to talk, even had I been +acquainted with the Japanese tongue, I made only mental observations—I +was afraid of making mistakes in my language again. +</P> + +<P> +The day died; the moon rose and disappeared; then came the turn of "No. +6." When blackness fell upon the water—a darkness in which the boat +was almost buried—the engines began to beat silently, the screws +revolved almost noiselessly, and we skimmed away towards the places +already determined upon. The men lay close, only the helmsman, the +officer himself, was visible. I lay by him, by permission, and two men +watched forward. This was no torpedo attack, it was a survey. +</P> + +<P> +An hour passed. There was no spot at which an entry could be made on +the west side, and a long search only revealed a small space between +the rocks on the eastern side and that end of the enormous boom which +stood up threatening us in the dark. This barrier seemed bigger than I +had ever imagined, and its mass seemed, from our small craft, so +enormous, that I almost despaired. Dynamite could not injure it from +outside. Perhaps gun-cotton or powder would, if applied inside the +harbour where the resistance was less. +</P> + +<P> +At last! Searching closely, the boat found the spot where the barrier +ceased,—a very small passage, through which it seemed almost +impossible to drive the boat in safety. But the hands which held the +helm were incapable of nervousness. No tremor shook those iron muscles +as the boat's head was turned rock-wise. It was sink or swim then—a +torpedo in the path would end it for us. But unheeding, or rather +disdaining, the danger, the skipper turned the boat's head to the small +space in the sea. +</P> + +<P> +The rocks grumbled at us as we slowly and deftly passed. The sullen +murmurs of the waves were supplemented by the swishing of the revolving +screws, or drowned perhaps by the former. Still the boat skimmed on, +and then almost noiselessly brought up in the harbour, within the range +of the Chinese torpedo-squadron, which speedily perceived the intruder. +</P> + +<P> +The situation was peculiar. We were in hostile waters; the ships and +torpedo-boats, and even the forts, quickly woke up. Shells came +whizzing in our direction. We could see them streaking the blackness, +like meteors, then flying shrieking over our heads, and plunging or +bursting in the sea beyond the boom, or within it. But not one touched +the Japanese boat, which lay dark and silent by the boom, though had an +electric searchlight been used by some approaching vessel we must have +been discovered at once. +</P> + +<P> +The cold was intense as the devoted vessel cracked the ice which lay on +the agitated surface of the harbour, but we did not mind it. The sound +of the ice, one imagined, must have announced our whereabouts to the +Chinese, but as we moved swiftly the aim was not accurate, and we lay +alongside the barrier, silently, to prepare for the charge which the +master had determined to explode against it. +</P> + +<P> +The mine was laid with great difficulty, not only because of the +darkness and the penetrating cold, but because of the unsteadiness of +the little craft, which surged against the boom, and crackled loudly at +every concussion. At length the job was complete, the charge was laid, +the battery by which it was intended to explode the powder was +prepared, the wire already extended. +</P> + +<P> +Now the critical moment approached. A few directions, a few words of +warning, a caution to the engineers, an order to the steersman, then: +Ready? Fire! Away! away! Get out of reach as quietly and as quickly +as possible. +</P> + +<P> +We made tracks, noisy ones too. The island fort burst into fire, and +more shells came tearing around us, but nothing else happened. The +mine had failed! +</P> + +<P> +Investigation at once discovered the reason. We had not proceeded far +under the star-shower of shells when the report was made. The wire was +cut! cut by a fluke of the anchor, which had chafed through it. There +was no alternative, we must return. +</P> + +<P> +In a few moments the boat was heading back, careless of the meteoric +display around us. The skipper sprang up from the wheel-shelter and +refastened the wire, unheeding the increasing storm of projectiles, +which flew around us and pitted the icy water like hail. But again he +was met by failure. The charge refused to ignite, and there was no +other chance now save handwork,—that is, by doing it himself, amid the +greatest danger of death by shot or shell, or drowning from the boom, +or explosion,—and all this in the black darkness, relieved only by the +gleams of murderous shells. The crew worked well and bravely, excited, +as one may say, perhaps, by the coolness of their chief. The shot came +leaping, ricochetting over the harbour; the shells screamed most +unpleasantly in our ears; fingers were numbed, and our breathing was +like steam amid those exertions. But the skipper landed on the boom, +fixed three very destructive charges, and resumed his post at the +wheel, ready, when the engines were moved full speed ahead. The deed +was done! +</P> + +<P> +Then the line was pulled taut, the detonator exploded, the three +charges flared, the boom was rent, and the torpedo-boat No. 6 sped away +over the sea, past the staring flotilla at a distance, keeping her +perilous course, past the narrow entrance, amid such a cannonade as I +had had never dreamed of,—a duel now between the victors and the +victims of the outrage. But the boat returned, unharmed, in the +darkness, and in a short time showed her lights in the offing, out of +reach of the hail of shot and flaming shell, to enjoy the rest which +the gallant crew had fairly earned when the report had been received. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-295"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-295.jpg" ALT="THE DEED WAS DONE! TORPEDO-BOAT NO. 6 SPED AWAY" BORDER="0"> +<P CLASS="capcenter"> +THE DEED WAS DONE! TORPEDO-BOAT NO. 6 SPED AWAY +</P> +</CENTER> + +<P> +This was an expedition conducted with great intrepidity, and crowned +with immediate success, the results of which proved most disastrous to +the defence. Next night two flotillas penetrated the harbour through +the wider breach No. 6 had made, and a fearful engagement ensued. In +this two torpedo-boats were lost, and in No. 6 the tubes were frozen, +so the torpedoes were not discharged. One of the first two boats +referred to was blown up by a shell, but the great man-o'-war, +<I>Ting-yuen</I>, was scuttled by a torpedo or torpedoes, and next day sank +slowly in sight of the fleet. The Japanese had had two boats lost and +two injured. The latter were sent to Port Arthur to repair. The boat +I was in was struck fifty times, once by a shell. +</P> + +<P> +This was "warm" work, but next night it became warmer still, for the +leader of the expedition reported that the admiral, with tears in his +eyes, had told him of the necessity of destroying the rest of the +fleet, and the danger of it. On that second night, the 4th, we knew +that many men had been killed by shot, that many besides had been +scalded, and many actually frozen to death in the water, even under +comparatively fortunate circumstances. The admiral and his captains +knew the danger, and the latter fully appreciated it when next day a +further attack was determined upon. +</P> + +<P> +"You may be unable to return through the breach," said the admiral. +"The Chinese will be prepared and alive to the danger." +</P> + +<P> +"I am quite ready," replied the officer addressed, calmly. +</P> + +<P> +"I am grieved to order the attack. But there is no help for it. It +must be done for our country's sake. Do your best, as I am sure you +will, and emblazon your name upon the scroll of fame." +</P> + +<P> +With these words the admiral dismissed the commander of the flotilla, +and with a touching farewell. They "could scarcely have expected to +meet again," says the narrator of the interview. +</P> + +<P> +When the officer rejoined his boat he communicated his orders, and did +not hide the danger. Death was almost certain, there were no lanterns, +no plans, no orders, no signals. The boats cast off everything not +necessary for the attack, as a forlorn hope goes into action unfettered. +</P> + +<P> +"Our boats and our bodies are the enemy's." This was the signal. But +little hope, and less alarm, was displayed. At a quarter to three a.m. +(February 6th) the boats left the fleet to destroy Chinese ships, but +our torpedo-boat came back, having collided with the boom in the dark. +So I returned unharmed. +</P> + +<P> +We, outside, could not see the results until daylight, but the roar of +the cannon, the flashing of the sweeping search-lights, and the +bursting of the shells could be perceived in the darkness. We saw +rockets signalling in the harbour, but until the boats returned great +anxiety was felt. At daybreak they all returned safely, and reported +three ships sunk. These were the <I>Wei-yuen</I>, <I>Lai-yuen</I>, and <I>Pao-Hwa</I>. +</P> + +<P> +On the 5th I had rejoined the <I>Naniwa</I>, by permission, and saw that the +contest could only end in one way soon. When the news came on the 6th +February that the three ships had been sunk there was great rejoicing, +and many congratulations were exchanged in the squadron. On the 7th we +all took part in "the ball," shelling the forts and firing for a couple +of hours until my head seemed splitting, and I was perfectly deaf for a +while after. +</P> + +<P> +We were in the middle of the smoke and din when a signal was made high +above the vapour that the Chinese torpedo-boats were escaping by the +western passage in the direction of Chefoo. The First Flying Squadron +was ordered to pursue them—the <I>Yoshino</I> leading us. She is a very +fast cruiser, her speed being twenty-three knots, the rest being not +much more than eighteen. We spun along, full speed, and some alarm was +caused in the <I>Naniwa</I> by a shell which plumped into the coal-bunker. +Fortunately the protection afforded by the coal prevented any serious +damage being done, and the Chinese boats were all destroyed save two, +which managed to elude the pursuers, though crippled, and to reach the +treaty port—Chefoo. +</P> + +<P> +I was anxious to go there too, as I believed I could find protection, +but of course the <I>Naniwa</I> could not land me at that time. The ship +returned to the blockade; the attack and bombardment was resumed on the +8th February, when the combined squadrons, having silenced the fort on +Sih Island, destroyed some hundreds of yards of the terrible boom, and +cut it up. +</P> + +<P> +These tactics were continued during the next three days, when the ships +attacked with flags flying as if in anticipation of victory. The +severe bombardment was continued, the Chinese pluckily replied; they +did considerable damage to the enemy; and the attack was continued +until night. Still the Chinese admiral resisted, though the losses he +had sustained in ships and boats were most serious. The once large and +formidable Peiyang Fleet had dwindled away, and now only four ships and +a few gunboats represented the former powerful array. The end was at +hand. +</P> + +<P> +We heard afterwards some particulars of the concluding days of the +contest, which must have been severely trying for the Celestials. In +our fleet the termination of the war was everywhere discussed. Port +Arthur captured, its forts denuded of guns, Kinchow, and other places +inland in Japanese hands; Wei-hai-Wei on the brink of destruction—what +chance had the Chinese admiral and generals? Better had they accepted +the offer of the Japanese and surrendered at first. +</P> + +<P> +We were all awake early in the morning of the 12th February, because +experience told us that the enemy must either resist to the death that +day or capitulate. The blockade was so close, the odds against the +Chinese so great, that we had already wondered at the sustained +resistance, The extreme limit of Celestial endurance had been reached, +though we did not anticipate the result as it actually happened. +</P> + +<P> +As the grey winter day rose out of the sea to port, all eyes were fixed +upon the batteries and the ships in harbour. Telescopes swept the +hills and platforms, the traces of the wrecked boom, the almost +deserted islands, the shattered forts. As men gazed in silence, broken +only at intervals by duty orders, a sense of depression fell upon me, +as if something unpleasant awaited us. Yet precautions had been +taken—nothing could harm us. Nevertheless one <I>felt</I> something was +approaching. The snowclad hills lay silent and cold over all—a shroud +spread over dying Wei-hai-Wei. Surely that small Chinese gunboat +cleaving the lumpy water had nothing to do with the <I>dénouement</I>. One +boat amongst so many ironclads and torpedo-boats could not do any harm. +It was only eight o'clock then. "What do you say, Tomi? A <I>white +flag</I>! Surrender! Never! never!" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes it is," said Tomi, laughing. "Hurrah! you would say in England. +The admiral has surrendered. There goes the message of peace. He is +making for the <I>Matsushima</I>. We win! we win!" +</P> + +<P> +We looked again. All the ships' companies were on the alert, but +though every mind had at once grasped the position, scarce a mouth yet +betrayed the feelings of delight and satisfaction that must have been +experienced. What would the admiral's reply be? Three torpedo-boats +at once came to escort the stranger, and to make inquiry concerning her +business—at least so we interpreted the conversation which seemed, +judging from gestures, to be proceeding. A boat left the Chinese +vessel, and the messenger was carried on board the Japanese flagship. +</P> + +<P> +The message must have been important, because some officers were +quickly summoned from other of our fleet. Subsequently a steamer +quitted the squadron for the eastern shore, presumably to acquaint the +Commander-in-Chief of the army of the incident, but these were only +surmises at the time, though afterwards verified. +</P> + +<P> +That afternoon the news ran through the ships that the Chinese had +surrendered, and Admiral Ito had accepted the offer. He trusted fully +to Admiral Ting to act as he desired, promising safe-conduct. But when +next day the gunboat again appeared she carried her flag "half-mast." +Ting and his generals had committed suicide. They could not face the +disgrace,—a disgrace which they knew would be visited upon all their +families, for in China retribution is exacted from all the family for +the fault of one. Ting had taken opium. +</P> + +<P> +The melancholy signal to the fleet was received with honest regret. +There was no exultation over the fallen enemy, no music brayed out +triumphal strains of victory, only the wailing notes of funeral marches +in saddened plaints echoed across the water. The gunboat was returned +to the Chinese so that it might convey the admiral's body to China, and +the place surrendered with all its contents, its troops, sailors, +ships, and material, to the Japanese, who will retain it till the +English come. +</P> + +<P> +Thus fell the fortunes of Wei-hai-Wei, the details of which may be read +in many published books and Eastern newspapers. +</P> + +<P> +The Chinese troops were sent to Chefoo or to other places of safety; +and the ships captured, not including the released gunboat, ten in all, +were manned by Japanese sailors, and proceeded under these prize-crews +to Japan. The released boat, <I>Kwang Tsi</I>, was employed as a transport, +and in this way I found safety at last. +</P> + +<P> +As soon as the arrangements had been concluded, I made application to +be sent to Chefoo, where I anticipated to meet Captain Goldheugh. I +had had no messages from home for some time save those delivered to +friend Tomi, and now that the excitement of war and adventure had +subsided I was anxious to leave. Perhaps had I made application to the +British commander he would have given me a passage to Shanghai, but I +had been expecting to meet my captain at Chefoo, and determined to +proceed thither. As the gunboat was sailing I requested a "lift" in +her, but was warned not to go. +</P> + +<P> +"Your life would not be safe," said one of the officers. "Try a junk, +the distance is nothing, and a junk is safe enough. You pay him when +he returns with a letter saying you are safe." +</P> + +<P> +"But I have no money—at least, hardly any." +</P> + +<P> +"Quite so," replied Tomi cheerfully. "That is my affair. You will see +your captain, no doubt, and he will assist you. We will signal a junk +somehow—presently. The fleet is returning westward." +</P> + +<P> +I thanked my kind entertainers heartily, and protested against their +thus paying the piper. But Tomi was a favourite, and the captain's +nephew. The captain himself at once "shut me up," good-naturedly, and +though he could not send me in one of his boats to Chefoo, he managed +to procure me transport to the port, and sent a sailor with me as +surety for my safety. +</P> + +<P> +Having taken a regretful farewell of my kind friends I embarked on a +junk in the harbour, such a queer craft she seemed. Tomi was in +command of the ship's boat which put me on board, and we had quite an +affecting parting. But both hoped to meet again, promising to +write,—a promise since kept up, when newspapers do not sometimes take +the place of letters. (Tomi has sent me much information since, and +has translated several articles accompanied by pictures.[<A NAME="chap18fn1text"></A><A HREF="#chap18fn1">1</A>]) However, +we parted rather sadly, and on the 19th February I lost sight of the +fleet, and reached Chefoo before dark. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +<A NAME="chap18fn1"></A> +[<A HREF="#chap18fn1text">1</A>] These are mentioned in the Preface.—H.F. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +A cruise in a junk is not unpleasant, but she seems to a European a +very queer boat. The size varies, of course, from a thousand tons +downwards; the particular craft I engaged was about half that burden, +or perhaps less, teak-built, and carrying a high poop; she had two +masts, the mainmast with a large sail was very lofty indeed; and she +carried a crew of, I think, twenty men—I believe there are more at +sea. At anyrate she suited me, and so I came to Chefoo in the <I>Ching +King</I>, and was landed near the English houses. +</P> + +<P> +Chefoo or Chifu is the name of the treaty port, which is in fact the +"European" settlement as distinguished from Yen Tai the native town. +The port is open all the year, and being also a healthy place is more +or less frequented by others than business men. The English settlement +is on the left, the Chinese town on the right, and in the centre rises +the "signal hill" which divides them. When we reached the "stranger" +town we found several vessels sheltered there, and numerous junks, +boats, and small craft lying darkly in the water, while the hills above +were thickly covered with snow, giving quite an Alpine aspect to the +surroundings. Chefoo is a kind of "suburb" of Shanghai, though +"outside the radius," and hither come the ships to their haven under +the hill, to the sandy shore, to deal in cottons and "shirtings" with +the Celestial inhabitants of the (as usual) dirty Chinese town. +</P> + +<P> +My heart beat more rapidly than usual when I stood upon the poop-deck +of the junk and surveyed the harbour. The signal was greatly in +evidence, but the trim, even, respectable houses of the English quarter +fixed my attention first, and then my eyes wandered to the shipping, +particularly to the agitated red ensigns, which made me thrill with the +hope of seeing English faces and clasping English hands, speaking the +familiar language,—very familiar in ships,—and of once more meeting +Captain Goldheugh late of the <I>Fêng Shui.</I> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent" ALIGN="center"> +<SPAN STYLE="letter-spacing: 4em">*****</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P> +I was landed safely, and sent my acknowledgment by the junk, which at +once made her way back. As I watched her gradually disappearing, now +lost, now evident, amid the vessels, I reflected upon my late +adventures, and made up my mind to write them down, and, in the +familiar words of the hymn, to make "Bethel" out of "my stony griefs," +to improve the occasion and to profit by the trouble I had endured. +Then I turned half sadly to the hotel, and was almost immediately +hailed loudly in unmistakably British accents. +</P> + +<P> +"Young Julius! ahoy! Hallo there, ye half-bred Jap!—come alongside +and speak me, or I'll run ye down. My stars! here's a caper. By the +powers o' Moll Kelly! is it yourself? It is so!" +</P> + +<P> +The speaker was standing behind me. Had I not sheered off to port I +must have collided with him. I had gone ahead and left him in my wake, +when I was suddenly brought up all standing. My assailant was +Goldheugh himself. Good Paddy Goldheugh! I was truly delighted, +though not greatly surprised, because I had been expecting to find him +at Chefoo. Still the meeting was most cordial. We shook hands in the +most hearty manner, and when, after some moments of this exercise, we +adjourned to the hotel, I told all my news, and awaited his—after I +had made a few inquiries for letters, and for Tim, who had gone home. +</P> + +<P> +No black edges! Thank goodness! No ill news? No! In fact, the +contrary. My captain was in command of a tidy steamer belonging to his +old company, and temporarily on the coast. He had the berth of first +mate for me with him, and a "lump of compensation," he said, for +shipwreck. He had been satisfied, and hoped I would be. I was! +</P> + +<P> +When he reached his ship he handed me a batch of letters and papers of +domestic interest, and a welcome draft upon the Shanghai Bank. All +these composed a sort of pastoral symphony which made me feel contented +and happy amid the voices and murmurs of congratulation and admiration +at my experience. Three days passed in perfect peace, reading, +writing, and adding up my ideas—and funds. Then we quitted Chefoo, +and steamed past Wei-hai-Wei, then in Japanese hands, toward Shanghai, +and my war experience 'twixt Jack and Jap—'twixt China and Japan—was +ended. +</P> + +<P> +We heard that the Japanese fleet sailed to the Pescadores, and annexed +them, and the campaign was continued after a while in Manchuria. A +treaty of peace was agreed upon by which Japan was to receive an +immense indemnity to retain Formosa, the Pescadores, and the possession +of Port Arthur and Wei-hai-Wei. But Western ideas could not admit this +in all its bearings. Russia induced France and Germany to force Japan +to relinquish the Liao-tung Peninsula or face war. Japan retired from +Port Arthur, and, as will be seen,—indeed it is already evident,—that +the kind "protectors of the Chinese Empire," the wolves from the north +of Europe, are now about to enjoy the dismembered carcass of the most +ancient kingdom, when they have bled it to death. +</P> + +<P> +Captain Goldheugh brought me back safely to Shanghai, and there I at +intervals succeeded in putting my experiences on paper. Even while I +have been revising these pages news has come concerning various +advances made by Russian diplomacy, which, having ousted the Japanese +from Port Arthur, has apparently decided to occupy the place itself for +the Czar, "to show there is no ill-feeling." What may be the issue of +this intention one need not opine. What the Chinese think of any such +advance, was expressed, when I was there, in fear, if not trembling. +Japan, I think, will have a few words to say unless she be "squared." +But these political ideas may be suppressed. My narrative must close +here. +</P> + +<P> +Perhaps this experience may interest some youthful readers in England, +where the serious aspect of matters in the East is always discussed. +Before this tale is in type the whole aspect of these events may have +changed, but the facts remain as I have attempted to picture them in +the foregoing pages. The story is told—my tale is ended; but the +final word is yet to be written concerning the struggle of 1895. The +end is not yet. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="t4"> +<I>Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, London and Bungay.</I> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of In the Yellow Sea, by Henry Frith + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK IN THE YELLOW SEA *** + +***** This file should be named 38406-h.htm or 38406-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/4/0/38406/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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