502
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
say whether they had more than one drink during dinner. I saw Captain Toulmin take several drinks-probably three or four-after this. There was a bottle containing whisky on the ice-chest on the bridge, and I saw the captain, who was pacing backwards and for- wards, stop and take a drink three or four times. I don't know how much whisky the bottle con- tained, but when the vessel auchored another bottle was brought up. We had scarcely got out of Wuchow when Mr. Woods said he was tired and went and lay back. I cannot swear that the first bottle contained whisky, but I know the second did because I tasted. The captain complained about the ship being an- chored without his giving the order. He said, "that's the way they do with me on this ship. They don't come to me for orders " He added that he had stood it long enough and he was going to put a stop to it. He was cap- tain of the ship and the ship would have to be run as he orderal. The captain did not specify any particular individual As having disobeyed him at the time, but immediately afterwards the captain went over to the pilot and told him that he was captain of the ship and the ship must not be anchored unless he gave the order, adding that if anchored without his orders he would kick him all over the ship and that if he ran the boat aground or struck a rock he would pat a hole through his head, as ho had got it (slapping his pocket) right here." He said, "I did not have it this morning, but I have got it now." Within a few moments of this conversation the vessel anchored. The compradore spoke to me in the hearing of the captaiu with reference to the anchoring in answer to a remark made by the captain. He came running up to me and said, Mr. Randall, I told the captain we would have to anchor until the moon rose, as it was too dark to travel, and the captain did not forbid it." This was said in English. The captain made no reply. Mr. Woods at this time was sleeping on a chair to the left of the pilot-house on the port side. Directly after we had anchored, and after the conversation with the compradore, I thought it adrisable wake up Mr. Wools, in consequence of the strange conduct of the captain, who I thought might carry out some of the threats he had made. I accordingly awakened Mr. Woods, and he joined me and the captain. Drinks were called for, and while we were sitting there discussing things the captain and Mr. Woods had several drinks. I only took one drink myself. Up to two years ago I was a total abstainer. The conduct of the captain from the time I went on board was very peculiar. While we were sitting there the capt in aud Mr. Woods probably drank a pint of whiskey. I do not consider that Mr. Woods up to the time of the shooting acted as though he was under the in- fluence of drink, but the captain both then and before acted in a very peculiar manner. To give you an instance: soon after we left Wuchow the captain asked the captain of the troops if he did not consider it would be a wise thing to put sentries about the ship, seeing we were go- ing into a hostile country and we did not know what was before us, and the captain of the troops laughed and said he did not see that it was neces- sary. For my part I thought the captain's suggestion a foolish one, because we were not near the hostile country.
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Mr. Goodnow-Mr. Randall, you are a man of the world and you know what you think. I am going to ask you a direct question, you can answer it yes or no. In your opinion, judging from the amount of liquor drunk and the actions of the man, was the captain in your opinion at any time during that day and also during the evening under the influence of liquor as we com- monly use that phrase ?—I consider he was.
At what time, or was it all the time ?-I
attributed it all the time.
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[December 17, 1898. was at the firing of the first shot or at the firing of the second.
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Did he raise it to strike ?-He raised it. Im- mediately after the firing of the second shot Mr. Woods called out, "Oh my God, I'm shot, I'm shot." As soon as I hear this I went. along and tried to assist him to his own quar- fers. As I was stepping from the bridge a third shot was fired. It came from where Cap tain Toulmin was standing. I then saw the compradore stumble and he fell at the feet of Mr. Woods and myself. I assisted Mr. Woods down to the mess room. I did not hear the compradore speak. I could not say whe ther he groaned or not, but he fell and did not get up again. To a certain ex- tent all my attention was on Woods to get. him out of the trouble. When I had got him down to the mass-room Woods said to me, "I depend upon you to get me out of this." I replied, What do you want me to do ?" He said he did not care what I did if I only got him out of that" and got him to a doctor. I asked him if he meant by that I had to take command of the vessel, and he replied,
Yes, take command of the vessel and get me back as quickly as possible," Captain Toulmin, who had come into the mess-room, heard him say that. I then turned to the captain and said, You have heard Mr. Woods has put me in charge of the vessel and you had better go to your room. At first he refused, saying he was going to take her back, to Wuchow. He seemed to be afraid and I told him to remain in his cabin aud strike no light but to leave all dark and be would be perfectly safe, as no Chinaman would tackle a desperate man in a dark room. I ultimately rot him to go to his room. Then I went out to see what disturbance might have, arisen among the soldiers, and if necessary to quieten them. I told the captain of the troops that I should bold him responsible for the con- dact of his troops, and he said he would do what he could to keep them quiet. I also asked him if he preferred to return with the ship to Wu- chow or to be put ashore and proceed to the front averland. He replied that he did not know the country and would remain on the I also spoke to a portion of the crew; telling them I wanted them to get it up. anchor as I wished to get back to Wu-: chow as quickly as possible. They said they were afraid to do anything, and I toldi them they had no need to be as I had charge. of the ship and everything they did would be all right. One of them asked me if the compra dore was dead. I told him I did not know but I would see, and I went up the steps and pat my hand on him. I returned immediately, and said it was very hard to say whether the man. was dead or not. I, however, told them that Mr. Woods had interfered on behalf of one. of their countrymen to save him, and that ou his account they should get back as quickly as possible; 80 we put about and started stream. I then asked. Mr. Woods to go deck. While we were there the captain, a up with a rifle in his hand. He said he afraid the Chinsmen might throw him o board if he kept down below and we know ing about it. I told him that if the Ca wished to kill us they could kill all the of ns. On his promising to put the rifle dowwever, I consented to his remaining on dash. quently Mr. Woods said to the canteiin did yon shoot him, what did you do Toulmin called the compradore a vile said "he deserved all he got." or him,"
Do you think he knew what he was doing P- I do not doubt he knew what he was doing.
Witness, continuing, said-The captain said he did not think it right that the owner of the vessel (Mr. Woods) should stand there while there was a third chair on board, and he added. "I know who has got the third chair. It is the compradore. He has let his room to the officers down below and now he has got the shair sleeping on it and leaving the owner of the vessel standing on the deck. I am going to have the chair." He made several other remarks. which caused Mr. Woods to say, Never mind the chair. I don't need it. I am quite comfortable here. There is no neces- sity to bother about the chair." Captain Toul min said, " Never mind, I am not going to have a Chinamau sitting on the chair while there is a white man standing on the deck Mr. Woods remonstrated several times. He said he was perfectly comfortable. Ultimately the captain called a Chinaman and said, "You go and get that chair," and the man went away. Shortly afterwards Mr. Woods's boy came up and the captain turned round and said, “What about that chair? You go and get that chair and hurry up about it. I thought he was speaking in an excited way to the boy and I said, "Captain, the boy does not understand what you say." He replied, You tell him." I then said to the boy, You know where that chair is. You had better go nud get it."
The boy said. "Lei San has the chair and I am afraid to say anything to him about it." Then I turned round and said, "If you cannot get the chair go away and don't come back auy more. He went away and the captain cou- tinued to talk about the chair. Mr. Woods again remonstrated, saying he did not used the chair. The captain said, I am going to have that chair. I know who has got it. The chair belonged to Captain Sherman, and Cap- tain Sherman on putting me in charge left the chair to me, and I am going to have that chair." After. he had made that remark Mr. Woods stepped from the starboard side-the captain and I were ou the port side-on to the gangway and I followed him. Then for the first time I knew where the chair was situated. As I looked forward beyond the forecastle I saw a chair and a man reclining upon it. At that time Mr. Woods was standing at the foot of the chair. Mr. Woods said some- thing in a low tone to the Chinaman, who said in reply, Mr. Woods, the chair does not be- long to him; it does not belong to the vessel; and it does not belong to Captain Sherman. I bought this chair, and it belongs to me." By this time the captain was standing by my right side on the forward part of the bridge facing the gallant forecastle, and the chair was under the gallant forecastle on the starboard side 15 or 20 feet from us. The compradore said he had a right to have the chair, but that if the captain would ask for it in a proper manner he would send it. Immediately afterwards the captain went to the gallant forecastle, As he went forward I noticed Lei San rise from the chair. The captain passed me and went to the head of the chair; and said some- thing about throwing it overboard. Mr. Woods put his foot on the chair and remonstrated. The captain tried to raise the chair and I saw the Chinaman, who was at the foot of the chair, put out his hand to take hold of the chair. Then all three got hold of the chair and a short scuffle ensued, but I did not see anyone get hold of anybody else. It was a squabble as to whether the chair should go overboard or remain on deck. The squabble continued for a few seconds and then I saw a pistol shot fired. Mr. Goodnow-Do you know who fired that pistol, and if so how do you know know the pistol was fired from the direction of Captain Toulmin and towards the compradore. Did the flash come apparently from his hand
Mr. Brutton-Do you consider he knew what he was doing or what he was about ?—Well, I don't know whether I can answer that after answering this.
Yes you can. A man may be under the influence of liquor and yet be quite capable of knowing what he was doing. I want to know if the man was capable of knowing what he was doing? If he knew what he was doing he must have known he was doing some things
which were foolish.
—Yes.
OD
I
You saw the flash ?—Yes. Apparently from his hand ?—Yes. And heard the report ?-Yes. Then what happened?--Almost immediately afterwards a second shot, which seemed to come from the same quarter, was fired:
vessel.
Mr. Goodnow Did Toulmin, or that he shot the compradore
a8
oth
amen
Subse
Why
it for? name and
all I gave
er admit to
Witness-When we were rat
ning to Wu- chow Toulmin said to Mr. Woods
“You cannot swear I shot that man P Mr
Woods did not answer at first. He tried to put him off, but last Mr. Woods said, "Well, I could not say the captain insisted on his answering and at that I could swear to it." Mr
Woods did not
say he did not shoot him. Toulmin" then put I tried to put him I wished to have er at all. Captain nathing to the effect, "" or "I wonder how aptain asked me if [ shot, and I said I did probably in the back. I had hold of his hand
the same question to me.
nothing to say in the matt off and finally I told him
Toulmin said afterwards sor "He must have shot himself Did Captain Toulmin still have his hand up ? he shot himself."
The I did not see that. Almost at the some time knew where the man was that Captain Toulmin raised his hand Mr. not know, but it was Woods raised his hand. I won't say whether it.The captain then said.
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