THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH, SATURDAY, MAY 26, 1900.
THE SPECTRE OF THREE UKIM- Syatow, fishermen, who have their grounds about five miles off the coast, right in the NEY BLUFF
track of the steamer lines, as many a coaster's niate knows bi bis sorrow,
A TALE OF TRE CHINESE GUSTOMS SERVICE.
BY JULIAN DALZIEL..
{Specially Written for the Hongkong Telegraph
wcr.
Suiting the action to the word, as the story books say, I jumped to other earth and stood leaning against my bicycle, defiantly facing the enemy as a British maiden should.
The wretched Boer approached. To my ex- cited fancy be appeared the greatest raflan had ever been my ill-luck to gaze upon.
it
This was not bad for a Boer, and I confess softened me.
What is it? I asked, uone too gratiously for an angel.
Let me sleep for two solid hours, then itwaken me, give me a day's rations, and, if you can find it in your tender heart to do so, wish me God speed."
in any way aided the Customs' employees. rule, light chestnuts all light bays are nervous The Commander had no compunction about and delicate. A rusty black's a sulky pig nine giving them their freedom, The Customs' times out often. Then, again, there are white officials sellom or never make prisoners; stockings,' as they call it. You know the old It was nearing the hour of four in the mornas, having themselves no power to inflict saying, "One white leg's a bad 'un, two white legs you may sell to a friend, three whitelegs you ing, and the watchers had long since concluded punishment, they are forced to hand the un- that their night's vigil had been in vain, when fortunate men over to the native authorities, may trust for a time, four white legs you may
"Horses take "curious dis- If you want to make me a prisoner," I cried, the Second's sudden cry. "There it is; wake the barbarity of whose tortures would disgrace lay you life en."
"That's true, both to 1 am willing to go quietly if you will only up men galvanised the slumbering crew into the savages of Central Africa, and the fiendish likes sometimes," said 1.
men and to each other. The Tenth once find a permit me first to carry this food to a sick man, lightning activity. In a momem the oars were ingenuity of whole methods pale to common- shipped and the boat gliding swiftly towards place the records of the Inquisition, or the dark brute that was nearly cast for temper. He'd who otherwise will die of starvation, is only hardly let a 'man come into his stall to feed him, abou à quarter of a mile from here to the the shore. With many a fall, and much pro imaginings of the melancholy Poc. (Continued from bail Spiurday,),
fanity in two languages, they clambered over All being settled the prisoners were freed; and as for grooming-well, it was ich im-lause You can accompany me so bar to verify
one was helped up and disappeared into the possible. There happened at the time to be any wards." "Now gentlemen," said he, when the three the rocky beach, here in deepest shadow; and,
The wretch slouched up. Dirty, ankempi," were in lus cabin," Pee decided to capture the extending into line, swarmed up the smooth interior of the cairn, and the other five led the man in the regiment who was as wild as they
with ragged hair and beard, and clothes Buividual who is kind cuough to signal to the side of the hill, Ross and MacAllister, lending way to the beach. After scrambling a hundred make 'em, always before the colonel for some smugglers from Three Chinney Bluff, as I've their men with what breath; they had left, at the yards or so along the shingle, they paused fool's trick or other. Well, he was given the several sizes too big for his gaut fame, so doubt that, with him a prisoner, the rest of double actoss the grassy crown of the Bluff, they beside a large oval rock weighing many tons horse, and they took to each other at once he joked a perfect specimen of the tn rau the arns of the Third Officer and his boat's that lay against the foot of the cliff, bere almost One day he went reeling across into the stable speakable Boer. He speke decent English, the gang will soon be in our hands Land I sunt
perpendicular. Two man placed themselves and fell by the side of his horse in a drunken but that is no uncommon thing. He was pro- for you that you might hear my plans to that crew just at the foot of the stone erection erec end: Pos preity nearly certain the light will be tions that give the cape its name, showing that at each end; the other hunted about until he sleep: but when the guard came to take him to bably a despicable spy. Have you get for seen to night. This is what I propose. The the manoeuvre had been correctly executed by found a wedge-shaped piece rack to his liking: clink, bless you, they couldn't get near him, there?" he asked, fixing tas blood-shot eyes and the officers and crew of the Mai-Kanis horse stood over him with his ears bek, on my parcels with the glare of a ravenous woll. I had always heard that the Beers were twn boats, instead of patrolling the stand, will both parties,
Seen anything, Ross?"shouted the Third came stumbling over the gravel to gather round and sort of dared them to come on! Then, He at anchor with bunys on their moorings
and wonder at thesa strange preliminaries. At again, horses will get some bad blood between desperately" greedy; now I was sure of it. ready to slip at a moment's antice, one on the Officer, breathlessly,
Not a thing tilf we met you," was the ans a word from the leader the twn at one end them and fight whenever they get a chance,"Give me fond," he continued. Give it me Jandirard and one on the seaward side of the
threw their weight on the stone, which to the They tell a story of two Arab chargers we once quickly. Do you hear? Hand-me over some- Muff, at a distance of about one cable from the
. "That's funny: They must have got away amazement of the onlookers moved-perhaps had which got such a hatred of each other that thing to cat and I will let you go free shoe. That should be far enough, if to-night, is as dark as inst night, to make you invisible pretty quick. Scatter about, men and search an inch. The two at the opposite end then did they were always separated. One night on a the plain he cried, turning to the crew who the same, and thus imparted to the immense troopship one of them broke loose and jumped from the beach, bat near enough to chable
clean over the back of the steady old chap next you to land in a very short time when you had gathered round, utterly at at a lose to nc mass, which was now seen to be very accurate.
to him to get at the other," count for the disappearance of the light. They balanced in a cleft between two houlders, a receive the signal. Here is a chart on which 1
plater, even by the gloom of night, showed bald slight rocking motion. Surely, but very slowly, have marked the position I wish the boats to take up. Kindly make a note of the bearings, as a billiard table; and it was rather with a view the distance travelled by the rock in cach geus men, as I wish no mistakes to be made of keeping the men employed than with any oslation increased. The single syftable from
I wasn't going to let ban have Jack's brandy going, with the Gamer hew, in the hopes of their finding baything that the Second the leader, that at first had given the time to
the swingers, was extended to a melancholy it was really a tight place. The servants of 1 could help it. Besides, it might madden lach, wich will take up this position"--
Ginde God Look the Quiet, boys:hantey; and man after mat, as if against his had all scooted for fear of the Boers, who were him, and an infuriated on would be a grue
some companion on, the lonely veldt. ind ating a pentilled cress on the chart with las dividers where she will be visible to quict, everybody!" cried old MacAllister, sul- inclination, juined in the resonant chorus. daily expected to cross the harder and annes our setdement, The British lines were sull
Cone with me to my lammi,” I said, " and I both bears, and about two miles of the Bhundenly, in his most impressive tones, pointing When the length of the are travelled by the
too far away to offer any protection from pussi-will get you some hot enize and a good square Now terember, from what Mr. Sims says, the
at the same time to the top of the centre caim ends of the sine had increased to a fout, the
bie raiders. Brother Jack Bay in a high fever meal. You have promised, mind, to let me go snuggle's fight will not be visible to you, so
abom which played adim and ghostly radiance. lower edge of a beam began to be uncovered
that precluded all possibility of moving him to free. You will keep your word ?” keep a girl watch, on the inungh, i the
Before they had recovered from their astonish on the the face of the diff behind. A wo
safer quarters, and there was, as the old song moment she shows two white lights, one above ment, he was at the foot of the monument and, fest part of a strongly made door was visible the suber, slip your anchors and make quickly getting a back from a stalwart sailor, had sprung and the watchers cheered the swingers with serves, "No one to help him but me Pos but quietly for da: beach. Landing simuliane with the agility of a bay of sixteen for the top, much ironical encouragement fligher and visions, too, were running short, and the brandy ously on opposite sides, and spreading the of which he just managed to grasp the ledge higher swung the stony curtain, and louder was exhausted. Now to get through the lag crews well out before you advance, you ought Then, with small appearance of effort, he drew and more enthusiastic waxed the song, till with hours of the night with Jack in his present condi. to make certain of the mysterious signalman himself slowly up till his head rose above the one fiercely accentuated "Sab-Ich the rock tim, and with no brandy, seemed, to my exit Make sure before you land that the men kous coping, Hers he hung for what could not tipped to the height required; the leader slip-ed fancy, an ulter impossibility; 1 determined
to take the bull by the horns. perfectly what is expected of them, and, if there really have been a minute, but seemed a long ped his wedge beneath and there remained is no bungling, we hight put an end to this hour to the anxious group below. Then he exposed a well-built wooden duer about four Even as the last soporous syllable monotonous business to-night.".
dropped lightly to the ground, and commenced feet square. calmly to dust his clothes, which had collected vibrated among the rocks the door flew open; considerable amount of lime as he dragged and the mystery of Nama Island was a mystery
no longer. himself up the column.`.
The old man scenis cock sure the light belongs to the smugglers," said-the Third, "a6 soon as the three were out of hearing of the cabin.” What a stickler he is for having every- thing cut and dried-his instructions are ex- plicit chungh, tad knows!" he gmwled, with n junior officer's fondness for having a fling at his superior.
"I hope we'll have no trouble with the men," the Gunner said, dubiously, "You know that old yarn about these chimneys. being pirates graves. If they get an idea there's 'deblo misent up with that fight, we'll never got theur to climb the Bluft”
"Don't you slander the men, Sima:" said the Second "If you'! been as long shipmates with the cured on this emift as I have, you'd know they'd go anywhere the almighty dollar Mex. called them. Why they're been twice as keen as usual since we've been on this Namoa picnic, just because the wealth of the Namoa smugglers is proverbial, and they're looking
forward to big seizure money,"
The Gunner, silenced butnot convinced, went to his quarters; the two young officers went below; and, sitting down to an excellent dinner, did their best to fortify themselves against the longnight vigil to come,
When the Commander stepped from the brightness of his, cabin into the gloom on deck at seven the evening, the first man he saw was the old Chief Engineer.
Well, Mr. MacAllister, up to see us of chhe exclainied.
"
"No exactly that, Sir," was the reply. I'm thinking,' if ye her no objection whatefter, I wad like to gang in Maister Ross's boat. I'm afrait the laddie must feel lonely in the boat awi nicht wi' only the Cheenamen."
"That Sallright, Mac," said the Commander, who knew the stalwart old highlandman's fondness loga serinnage, "but what's that you 've got hold of? Been getting up your muscle with a litle Indian club exercise, th 21
"Na, Na, Captain, ma muscles are awl richt inteed, but yeken the instructions say no ploodshed, and metfer halli po said that Tonalt MacAllister of malice aforethought prake the Rules of The Servics. So ye see I'm going teetotally unarmed; but surely nobody wad "touch a harmless old mun like me," he concluded, whimsically, making the weighty club whistle round his head as he finished speaking.
Let us hope not for their own sakes!" said the Commander, dryly, “but of course, your young countryman, 3. Ross, will look after you.
the
"Of course, of course, Captain. A dangerous man he is too wild Wi'a revolver. I only hope I'm no near him when he turns it loose," he added, throwing his arm with a kindly gesture across the lad's shoulders, then crying cheere fully,,
Come on, laddie I've a presentiment there's a month's pay in this niche's wark."
An hour afterwards the boats bad arrived at their respective stations. It was just. change of the monsoon, and, except for a hardly perceptable swell from the South, the sea was without motion. The, night was of the kind described ambiguously by the mariner, as dark but clear. There was no moon, for which our friends were duly thankful, but at long inter- vals a faint luminosity, scarcely to be called lighting, played in the Northern heavens, out- Jining for an instant the rugged coast line and the jagged Lamock Rocks far out at sea. A cluster of lights, travelling slowly along the horizon, denoted the presence of one of the grent floating hotels, and the Second muttered sofily to his old companion."
"The English mail-for home.” "Aye, laddie-for home. I wonder if I'll ever frouble to take a passage in her. Thirty years ago last-june-came to China-1 hardly think its worth my while," the old man thought fully replied.
gave the order.
a
Come on, Mac, what did you see?" cried his companions, excitedly.
"Dust ma back, like a gude Inddie was the reply
Oh, damn your clothes cried the aggra; vated Second, "tell us what is up there or I'll go up myself!"
"Patience, patience, ma mannie! Patience iss a ferue; calmly replied the old man; and then being dusted to his satisfaction, he went on, "A-seel, that's them and told what he had seen.
AN AWFUL DOER.
"Jack," I said, *1 am going ; ut for about a couple of hours. Could you manage to bar the door behind me, and if anybody" calls in my absence, shout Not at huse
Jack's mouth squared itself into a ghastly, grin that made his darling old face uglier and dearer dan ever. He tapped the barrel of his Lee-Meliord
1 guess, Bab, I'll give 'em a wander recep- tion than Not at lume," he returned. Then he fell back, utterly exhausted by the effort of expressing this blood-thirsty sentiment,
I gave him a hasty, kiss, and, tunning out, jumped on my bicycle, which had placed in readiness. I heard the door locked behind me, and, kissing my hand in my airiest manner in case Jack taight chance to be looking through a peephole, I sped away as fast as two wheels bumping violently over the roughest of roads could carry me.
The smuggles who had entered from the cairn cowered in the doorway he had just opened; and at his feet a dingy paper lantern flared yellow in the searching morning light.
"Lead on, MacDuff" cried the Com- mander, laughing; and closely followed by his expectant officers and crew, he entered the
*All right, old boy," I said, as carelessly as tunnel. By the dim light it could be seen that the passage huid been kept in good repair, they choked tears would allow me. "But don't, siles and roof heing carefully timbered with by inistake, shoot me on my return. Remem split bainbons, and the door paved with large her, my password will be Xil desperandum
Never say die. Good-bye, dear old chappie. fat stones whose smooth worn tops scenied in The caim was bollow; a bamboo ladder jed indicate that it had been in use for ages. The Gul bless you! Keep up your pecker til
come back. uplasilo it from what seemed a large chamber stooping pusition which the lowness of the rout excavated in the bill, from which also came the denunded, and the unevenness of the pavement made the journey a far from pleasant une; and light that showed dimly above the stonework.
Just as he got to this point in his narrative, a running discharge of ejaculations and re the boom of a heavy gun rose from the sea; marks uncomplimentary to the architects of and there, in the grey light that preced is the the sub-way coming from his rear told the dawn, they saw the thunch charming along in Commander who had at least the benefit of pursuit of a large junk, about half a mile such light as came from the guide's lantern- from the shore. As the wind was light the that the navigation was giving his devoted fol. sailing craft's case was hopeless; but the des- lowers considerable trouble. Suddenly it seemed to the Commander that the monotonous pm. perate manner in which her crew plied the large
-lo at the stern, showed that they had that cession of bamboo uprights were growing on board which would render capture extremely further apart; then the guide raised his lantern above his head; and straightening him. inconvenient. However it could no longer delayed. The launch, ranging close up, fired self up the Commander saw that they had a well-directed shot from her how gua which reached a chamber in the hill, but of what size severed the junk's mast a few feet above the the light was too poor to give any idea. The deck, and brought the enormous sail down en guide was occupied in lighting a number of torches, one of which he banded to the Com. the rowers, enveloping them in its folds. At the same moment, when the attentions of all maader. With this in his hand he turned to were fixed on the chase, an immense body, survey the place, but immediately sprung back an being. confronted by a hideous frowning, clouds with a terrifying yell among the face, which on closer inspection proved to be smelling strongly of garlic descended from the watchers on the hill, landing chiefly on the long to the deity of the cave, large bronze pre- sentment of the l'ama-Raja, the Regent of the broad shoulders of old MacAllister. Before the others had collected their senses, the old an Buddhist hells. The Crew, as they enterged was sitting on the chest of a large limbed and from the passage seized the torches and scattered evil looking Chinaman; the handle of his about the cave; but not then nor for many days redoubtable club well down the visitor's throat after, did they realise the magnitude of their forming an effective gag. Five more ill-condi-haul. Of opium, arms, and even salt, they tioned rascals shot out of the cairn and dropped found immense quantities, proving that this into the arms of the expectant search party, to was indeed the store house of the smugglers of
North Kwang-lung. be expeditiously trussed and gagged; and them the productive human volcano seemed exhausted,
The launch meanwhile had taken the junk in tow, anchored her close in shore in charge of a prize crew, and landed the Commander and his party.
"I see you've made a haul," said he eyeing "Have you solved the probltin the prisoners. of the light?"
"Better than that, sig, said the Second, and told him what they had discovered.
Well, that accounts for the ghostly lights, eh!" said he, "but they must Irave some other entrance than through the cairn. That junk we captured was loading in a cleft among the rocks and your landing disturbed her, so the main entrance will be somewhere about the foot of the cliff. This cairn would be very useful for a watch tower and signal station. It would be quite simple too, to regulate the light so that it would leave a dark zone of a mile or so round the tower. Really, a most ingenious arrangement altogether and I've no doubt when we once get inside the smuggler's storeroom, we'll find something to repay our trouble. Place a guard on those calrus and let us start our seach!”.
"Don't you think, sir?" the Second com- menced, then pulled up in confusion on finding that he had been about to commit the un- pardonable crime in naval etiquette of anaking a suggestion to the Commander,
Go on, my boy 1" said that officer, in- dulgewas only going to suggest, sir, that one
"if you've any plan, out with it!" of the prisoners might perhaps by induced to show us the entrance."
"A good idea," said the Commander. Then turning to the crew he asked, "Who says this man's talk who asked
"If I've any luck, I'l take leave the year after next," said the second, my sister writes that the old man's getting pretty shaky. Pd There were no Namoa islanders amongst them, so a Swatow man was pushed forward, like to see them all it for you, Ind; you've as being the likeliest to know, the dialect. The
"Aye, that's all right got your folks! Me, I've got none not a soul at extent to which dialects are multiplied over the home to miss me if I pegged; out to-morrow. vast,Chinese empire is incredible the inhabit Keep up your connection wi' the old country; ants of two villages but twenty miles apart be- it's the best thing I know to keep a young feling seldomable exchange ideas intelligently. low straight. Look at me, from pure laziness Then followed an hour's chaffering, that let it drops and now what am 1 a social must have driven and one unaccustomed to parlah nothing more not less. Hullo, was the peculiar mental characteristics and talent that a licht?" he added sharply, starting the for misunderstanding of the native to the Becond from the reverie of home into which verge of lunacy. Kot so did it affect the Com- mander and his officers. The interpreter, their talk had plunged him.....
having been told the conditions on which free
You might as well he civil," I exclaimed, A arms length I outraged at his manner. handled him a rammed tungte. He instantly hattered open the tin with a big stone and rav cuously devoured the contents.
"Have you got anything to drink ? be nest *quired.
1 swear it Are you Duich, Rovi, Free Surter, or what?"
"Oh, Burch." I returned, glily. My name is Van Troms. I sympathise entirely with your people. I think that the Boers are a down-trodden, long-suffering, oppressed, ruble
face."
He looked at me sharply. "What do you think I am he asked.
Ola great and noble Beer of course" I said A Boer who would fight for fiberty in the death. A Boer who would, scorn to cphuis the A Boer who would never, never hoist a treacherous white tag to lure the trusting the to dire destruction."
*You think that, do you?" he inquired That's all sight. How many are there at your farm, all told : "
"Two on an average, Only one at present. The servante have all cleared on."
"Yourself and your husband ?"
nodded. A husband seemed amare protection than a brother, and, after all, I did not actually tell a lie. If he chose to draw inferences from a mere bend of the lend it was his own fault.
"Well, look here, I don't want to be seen in these parts just at prosent. You give me a good feed and a sleep and some provender to help me on my way, and I will promise to leave you and your husband unmolested. Other wise-"
He lapped the barrel of his Mauser signi. fcantly.
1 will go your first behests," I answered.. "Please do not press the fisul one."
Before bad gathered up the debis of the repast the wretch was fast asleep. linked at him for moment. He was really very hand- some, and if he had not been a hateful Boer I could have felt glad to assist him. As it was I had to choke down'a feeling of galling bumilia- tion that I should owe my life to him, and,
At the end of the two hours I was again in with a sere heart, I returned to minister to fack. the stable, a goodly packet of provisions and a flask of brandy and water in my hands. I had some difficulty in waking the bruse, but at last he started up and gazed at me in amazement. 1 dreant I was back in-" the stopped him. self, and, jumping quickly to his feet, looked to the barrels of his revolver, plcked up his gum, and then took the rations from my out. stretched bands.
God bless you for a good woman," said, with estrange catch in his viñce,, Will you tell me your Christian name?" "Barbara," I said, "Good-bye, Barbara." He took my hand and. kissest it reverently.
"It will make you.none the less happy in the fature to know that you have saved a fellow creature from starvation, and that if in this bitter war he has to lay down his life. he will die blessing and revering your. memory,"
The next moment he was gone, and I stood. alone in the tins light of the lantern, violently tubling from my band the horrible contamina- tion of a Boer's kiss.
The next few days, poised uneventfully, Jack grew better, the fever left him, and he was able to crawl into the genial rays of the early morn ing son. I was occupied one day with my household Rufigs when I heard his voice call-
ing me excitedly.
Bab! Bah!" he cried; "I hear the sound of heavy guns, The English must be advan- cing
I rushed out. The boom of the cannons was plainly audible, alternating with heavy ralleys of rifles shots. The sounds grew more and more distinct, until, at last, 'on the far horizon, we could plainly discern the explosions of the lyldite shells.
on
"Our dear old Toningies are coming on," I cried. "See, the Boers are already in retreat. Look, Jack, the cavalry are cutting thein the right. In less than an hour. our then will he here. They'll be so parched with thirst, poor fellows, in this baking sun! I will get something ready for them to drink. Oh, how good it will be to see an honest, brave, straight- forward English face once-more."
1 prepared quarts of tea and coffee, which I set to cool, and 1 stond great pitchers of well- water in the shade ready for the advancing squadron. But all my careful provision was in vain forthe niain body of the detachment suddenly wheeled off to the left, leaving only
two or three who had outridden the rest. And.
then something happened. A Boer, hard pressed by a Hussar, waved his white hand- kerchief in token of surrender. The Hussar lowered his weapon and rode leisurely up, when, lo and behold, the treacherous brute he was approaching fired three shots at close range, and then turned and galloped off scot free. The Hussar fell from lils horse, which tore madly away after the main body.
A smothered curse fell from Jack's set lips. With a strength-born of rage and excitement he rushed to the side of tho wounded man. 1 followed, and between us we lifted the un- conscious soldier and carried him to the house, where we laid him on Jack's bed,
A spasm of joy seized any heart, to be follow I could gladly have shot him where he stood.ed by a pang of intense ageny. It was my "I am not a murderess,” I said coldly. Boerapy. He was an Englishman 1 Wounded, "Forgive me," he cried. There is truth perhaps mortally. In a tumult of happiness in your face as well as sweetness and beauty, and grief 1, almost involuntarily, raised my Pray forgive my unworthy suspicions, I will hand to my lips and frantically kissed the place willingly place myself in your hands, knowing his lips had pressed. that I shall have nothing to apprehend."
1 Promise-I promise," I cried, hastily "For myself, you knew, of course. 1-can't Things did not look clicerful. Now that
answer for my-my husband. He might not there was no father necessity for keeping up care to be mixed up in compounding a felony, Jack's spirits I was fain to confess that they
or harbouring a spy, pr-oh, please don't shoot, looked about as black as they could possibly didn't mean anything, really, Only, if you look. Jack and I, in the hope of saving our wouldn't mind a shakedown in one of the farm, which was our little all, had determined stables I need not say anything to Jack about to sit tight, trusting that the British army
and it would be altogether so much would advance faster than the Boer invaders.
soother and straighter, don't you know."
* can trust you ?" he asked, hesitating. But hope, so long deferred, was fast merging into despair, The British forces were still In what way?" I inquired.
"Not to put a bullet through my head while apparently far, for away, and rumours of the
I am sleeping," approaching enemy floated thick upon the air. I thought sadly of the peaceful little village in dear old Russetshire, where jack had sworn that it would shortly be impossible for the English farmer to provide any butter to put on his bread. In an evil hour we had deter- mined to emigrate to more fortunate climes, and now, lo and behold, it looked very much as though we should have no isread on which
I bowed in response and we pursued our way, for the most part in silence. If he had not to put the butter, I thought of the kind friends we had left in the old country who would be been a horrid Boer I might have unboat so sorrowing over our possible fate, and I envied
far as to enjoy the adventure, hit it was galling them the peace and comfort of an existence
to my pride to accept my life and liberty from which, in my crass ignorance. I had always the lands of one of the miserable race.
Arrived at the farm I showed the creature to stigmatised as deadly dull. Adventures and hair breadth escapes are so delightful to read a stable, where there was some clean straw, and about. In reality they are not nearly so amus-indicating, at his request, the whereabouts of
the pump that he might, as he expressed it, have a jolly good wash, I left him to prepare the promised meal. It struck me as odd that a Roer should have any desire for ablations, but I concluded that he must be one of the brilliant exceptions that are supposed to prove the rule.
I fancy I was about reduced to the verge of cars when I reached the little outlying station where there was a store kept by the ubiquitous who is ever to be met with where Scotchiman
But this labyrinth of underground apartments for such it proved to be held evidences of occupation by more interesting folks than the smugglers. The great poop lantern of an East Indianan, and a bundle of silver bracketing lamps hearing the name London, told of a long-forgotten tragedy on one of John Company's ships. An immense camphor. wood chest packed with a litter of tawdry altar cloths and painted images of the saints spoke of the sack of some Thillipine village by the warriors of Li-Ma-Hon, the terror of these Eastern seas in the far off sixteenth century. A deep-sea mystery of a date nearer our own day, the disappearance of the good ship North Aye, Miss Ollphant, an' what brings yersel Star, was solved by the discovery of her bell pot in sic troublous times? Where is Mr. Jock, and other relics. Generations of pirates had the whiles, that he lets a bit of a lassic like stored their plunder and made their plans, and yersel rice into the very jaws a hell, as a body smoked and gambled spare hours away in the micht say? Dinna ye ken that the Free Staters womb of that lonely cape, while the hollow are expected in the toon ilka meenut?" cairns above kept watch and ward.
Now the pirate's joss sits in the hall of the Commander's bungalow on the Caine Road and frowns woodenly on the children who play about its knees. An iron plate, invisible fron beneath, blocks the orifice of each cairn; and that part of the beach where the rocking stone curtained the entrance to the cave has been visited by a landstip of unusual dimensions. The shattored appearance of the rocky fragment lying around might lead some to infer that the change in the contour of the cliff had been caused by the use of explosives, rounds its work with n secrecy only equalled But that the Imperial Maritime Customs sur by the efficiency with which it is carried out, we might know more of these things.
So it happens that to the native world the Bluff is the same as ever. Still the trading junks give it a wide berth; still the Joss papers smoulder at the base of the cairns; still the spectre lights appear to scare the credulour fishermen i still the uneasy spirit of Chen A-Pou haunts the headland. But you and I know that the spirit is exorcised, the ghost is laid.
SOMETHING ABOUT TROOP- ·
HORSES.
•
there is a bawbee to be made. I pulled myself together and entered the apology for a shop with a swagger air of don't-care-a-hang-for-anybody, which, ain, much afraid, sat-rather ill upon
me.
2
"My brother is laid up with the fever, Mr.
McDougall," I said, smiling amiably. "Give me some brandy and pack up the groceries in I want to get this list as quick as you enn. home before dark."
"Ma certes, ye had better," he ejaculated. And to do the man credit he had the goods together in an incredibly, short, space of time, and he even took the trouble to fix the parcel securely on my handlebar for me.
"Now ride like the deil himsel, Miss Bar bara," he said, "if I may use sic a term to a young leddie. But in times like these one can't stop to be mealy-mouthed."
I laughed and paid my score. Then, jumping on my trusty bike, I wheeled rapidly away, and in a few seconds Mc'Doug all and his shop bad become mere specks in the far distance.
|
"Nil desperandum-Never say die," I cried, striking several blows on the door. Jack managed to drag himself from his couch to open it.
"Anybody been here?" I asked, just as though we were in Old England, and I had returned from a pleasant little stroll.
"Oh, some hounders who hammered at the
dear and called me to open, I said I would see them d, hanged first. They asked if I had seen an escaped prisoner. I said I hadn't seen a strange face, except their ugly mugs, for many a day. They discussed the desirability of looting the shanty, and eventually decided it would not repay them for the delay and that they would look us up again on their return when they copped their man."
"Good old fack!"I said. "The butle bit of excitement has done you a world of good, 1 have brought you some quinine, and, batier still, some brandy. And now I will get some- thing to eat."
"I prepared a jorum of hot coffee, and carried a steaming jug of it, together with a great hunk of beef and half a home made loaf, to the Boer creature in the stablo, He had washed and smartened himself up to such an extent that I hardly recognised him. He was really quite decent looking for a Boer, in spite of his I was riding a bit carelessly, being tired with ragged beard and moustache. "There" I said, my exertions and the emotion to which I had somewhat brusquely, putting down the come- so foolishly given away. Recalling the old stibles on the floor. "Some of your com- saying that a joyful heart can go all day while patriots have been here in my absence threaten a weary one tires in a mile--I plucked up ing to loot the place. You might, in return for heart of grace and determined to put a better my hospitality, tell them to hold their hands. face on things. The worst of Jack's illness This farm, poor as it is, is all that stands be was over now. The Boers, if they did come,tween us and starvation. would not kill us, and, according to some "Do you mean somie Boers have been here ?" Accounts, they ware hot quite a black "Of course," I replied, as they were, painted. And our Tommies were not in very far off now, and once. they had passed our fann we should be
safe. from further
inolestations. his mouth.. quite
I bit my lip. Evidently was not accom Oh, these raiders don't care," I said bitterly Pison, these raider dor "Friend or foe, it is all one to them where lani is concerned. They said, they were looking for an escaped prisoner."
"Did they really? And what did your husband say?u
In Cassell's Magazine for April Mr. Fletcher Robinson tells of a chat with a sergeant in the Tenth (Prince of Wale's Own Royal) Hus. "Only a fishing boat's flare," said that officer dom wan to be offered to the prisoners, the when I was introduced to my friend the ser|simistic? Things were never so bad but they sars: The Tenth were quartered at Canterbury What was the use, after all of being pes-
after a long stare through his night glasses,
Hour after bour phased but no signal showed in the gloom to seaward. The night air was sitting down on a grassy mound, smoked calm nild, fresh, and agreeable, and invited strongly ly into the eye of the sunrise. The truculent to slumber; and the second but expressed the looking ruffian, who had lead the human crup feelings of all when he said, "I could do a tion, and who seemed the leader of the gang, Enooze The water was perfectly smooth was partially loosed of his bonds and seated except when the ripples from a fish, Jumping with his back to the cairn. In due time, after a few yards off, twittered against the sides of much of that noisy argument, vehement gestic the boat. Now and again water snake came ulation, and apparent vituperation that seems to the surface, gave an astonished, wriggle on inseperable from the making, of an agreement discovering his proximity to the watchers, and among Astatics, the prisones concluded to open tank swiftly, like falling star, into the their subterranean store-house to their captors, phosphorescentdepth The wuner, in a fishing on condition that they were given their freedom Pillage to the South, pent up an occasional and the captured junk to make them from tap long-drawn howl, and a dull booming of island as they contended that their lives wooden gonge came from the distant feet of would be unsafe if it was known they had
county and was a profound admirer of his re- bump, that nearly pitched me head foremost giment predisposed him towards ine. When he over my handle bar, made me pull myself discovered that I was also something of a con- together. It jerked up my head, which had been bent reflectively, and made me look round nuisscur in horse flesh his last trace of reserve vanished. "A good horse, sir, is like a good for further possible obstructions. That look wife," said the sergeant sententiously: they're aent my heart into my mouth, for over the top both precious hard to find. Sense! Why, of a neighbouring kopje I saw the crown of a there's horses in my squadron as sensible as you slouch hat and the cold, deadly, gluter of the and me." I told the sergeant I could quite muzzle of a rifle. But, in that awful moment, believe it. On course, regiments are restricted I was able to note that the weapon was pointed in the matter of colour," he continued; but low and aja.ed not at me, but at the wheels of give me a free hand and I should pick a roan my precious bike.. that is, for good temper and gly strong and voice. Don't apoll my mécking, I will die Don't fire 1 yelled, at the top of my Dark greys and blacks are mostly hardy, and so are dark chestnuts. As a genera! | mount"
จ
4)
The excaid you were Dutch sympathisers," |
the
edge
of the
looking curiously at me over jug of coffee which he held to
"My husband? Oh, yes, he told them to go to a warm place. Jack is not choice in his vocabulary when he is a trifle annoyed."
"How long is it to eight fall unde “In hulf-an-hour it will be as dark as pitch." "Will you do me another service? Upon ask you. It is your angel face that lures me my soul, I don't know how I've the cheek to
on, I suppose.",
When, aided by Jack's slight knowledge of surgery, had nursed the soldier back to life, my patient fell into a state of hopeless despon ciency, I decided that a good scolding would best meet the case. You are very ungrate full." I observed, one moming.
'you have quite recovered your health and strength, and to-morrow you will be able to rejoin your res giment. What more can you desire ?"
"The impossible," he replied, with a weary sigh.
"That is feeble,” I returned.
"Utterly feeble," he assented, "What is this impossible thing you covet ?" "My neighbour's wife,"
I coloured hotly,
"And who is your neighbour?"
11
Who but that good Samaritan, Jack Olipham,"
My voice almost deserted me, "He has no wife * I murmured. "What!" in stentorian accents.. "Then what--who-?"
"I am his sister,” I said, meekly. "But you said-
"No, I didn't. You said. I only nodded. took you for a Boer, and I hadn't the courage. to contradict a Boer. I did not know what the consequences might be."
"What made you think I was a "Boer?""in · tones of deepest disgust.
J
"Well, you were dressed like one. And you were so dreadfully-er-untidy,"
"Ah yes, of course. I hadn't washed for'a week. I had escaped from Pretoria Then there is hope for me. As you are not Jack's.. wife, say that, some day, you will be mine."
I laughed with sheer happiness.
"I don't even know who you arejo.. "Well, out here I am only (bed for powder. In England I am a blooming Baronet Will: you give power to my strong tight arm to carve a way to fame by promising to. reward my efforts with this pretty hand
"You kissed it just there," I said pointing to. a dimple, "I rubbed the kiss off because thought you were an awful Boer."
"Then I must replace it immediately," he laughed, suiting the action to the word hy
"Promise never to think me an awful Boer. again," he whispered,
But how could I promise anything when he stopped my lips in such an audacious why? -Rangaon Times,
AN APPEAL.
HE SUPERIORESS" of the ITALIAN.
TCONVENT, LAINE ROAD, bogs most respectfully to APPEAL to the Realdents of Hongkong and the Post Porta, for their kind patronage and support, and desires to state that she will be pleased to receive orders for all kinds
NEEDLE WORK,
of
Gentlemen's Shirts made to order, and Cus and Collars renewed on old ones, o
Ladies and Children's Under-clothing La dren's Dresses, and all kinds of Embroidery,. Materials can be supplied, if required:
The Superioress will also be most gratefal for any PAPER, or old ENVELOPES to be made into Books for the Children of the Poor School how are taught by the Sisters.
Hongkong, sand April, 1892,
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