1909-12-31 — Page 4

A CARGO ÓP CHINÄMEN,

[BY K. L. CAMPBELL IN THE "HOVEL

MAGAZINE.")

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH FRIDAY DECEMBER 31 1900

When this formality was completed, the pair went off to look for a boat. The captain kad one in his wind, the “ Formosa,” “ a rotten old tob," at he'said, but suitable for the purpose, She had previously been in the South African coolie transport bu'ipers, and was already Sited to carry human, cargo without farther alteration.

It was early afternoon, and Digby's Saloon, Fich lies near the Princesi Docks, in Hong koog, was unteosoted save by a few somnolent loafers. Suddenly a tall, dark mao in white drill walked in, saluted the company with a cuit ned, and sat down at an isolated tablet in a corner. There he ordered a cocktail, noda zave himself up to reflection and a cigar.

This was Captain James Braddon, better known as Black Braddon on account of a

· somewhat sinister past and a very forceful pra 18nt. Everyone from Singapore to Samon, from Canton to Melbourne, bad heard of Brad. "don and his ship the "Sea Gull."

There were many tales abroad of wild do legs on the high seas, of "black-birding" in Polynesia, of pearling, in close water, and muggling on a gigantic scale. No one knew exactly what Braddan's occupation was; every one know that he sailed, ar rather steamed, pretty close to the wind, and on occasion for ther than "pretty clos"; but, so far as courts of law went, nothing had ever been sheeted

home to Captain Braddon,

p.

The afternoon word on. Braddon bad con sumed a second cocktail, nnd was lighting a second cigar when a short, fai man entered the waloon, glanced round, and went up to the cap. tain's table.

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'Captain Braddon, I think ?" he said. The captain looked at him, "You're right," he replied. But I don't know that I have the pleasure of your acquaintance," Very likely. But, you see, most people in this part of the world have heard of Captain James Braddon. I was wondering if you and could do a bit of business."

**"I'm always ready to do business-If it pays me well enough," replied the captain without enthusitem.

A

"You know the north-west coast of Australia," proceeded the other. "Of course, you've just come from there. My partner and myself, Grey & Collinson (I'm Collinson), have got some' claims fifty miles east of Korombi It's going to be the biggest gold show since Mount Mor- gan. The ground simply reeks with ft"

"You're lucky men," commented Braddon drily.

"I don't know so much about that." We can't gat anyone to work it. There aren't a thousand men in a radius of a thousand miles, "and they wouldn't come. You know the place, Captain, absolute desolution-nothing but sand ́and spinifex, 'und blacks." /

"Bring 'em from Queensland."

"It can't be done. Cost too much. They'd want a touner & wask, besides their transport and food. Grey tried, and everyone talked about the bad climate, dangerous blacks, no water, and so on. It's no go."

"Wall," said the captain, "your troubles are very interesting, no doubt, but I don't see what I can do. You don't want me to come and dig for you 2"

"No," said Collison; hera.his voice sank to a whisper. "But we want you to belp us to get labour. We want to get three hundred Chinese coolles landed there, and we think you're the man to do it for us."

There was silence for a few moments. Then the captain said:

|

Negotiations were soon concluded, and the pair separated to make their arrangements for

speedy depaiture.

But that night, as. Braddon was giving Pym, kie mate, instructions concerning the now ven- ture, n'stormy scene was being enacted in the office of Messrs. Grey & Collinson..

Grey (his real name was Jacob Levlustelu, avd had only become Grey after various viçin situdes) was in a violent rage. The terms ar ranged by his partner seemed too generous for bis economical soul, Collinson sat in the corner, apologetic yet a little defiant,

"Well, Captain," said the other, "theme saam all right so far as they go, but the fact is' we got a cable from Hongkong warning onthar men asar Point Gascoigne. You may be a boat was going to drop thres hundred China going to Lamon all right, but you can't deny that you're too far south and you've got any amount of Chinamen. So if you don't mind. Til stay bare till you're well clear of our 'coust. My ship can lie off alongside." steal tough you're giving youre the cable Certainly, sir. We'll be charmed. I'm

trouble for nothing. Have you got the cabla on you?!? glanced through it. AA**

The customs officer produced it, and Brad'on

This is probably a hoax,” he said coolly, Who is Jenkins

He's something to do with shipping in Hong- I don't think so. Jenkins is all right: kong."

di

They went on deck, and the "Formosa" proceeded on her way. Shortly after. Braddon. found Collinson near the companten way,

"What's the matter?" sald the latter anxiously,

A STAY IN SAGHHLIEN.

ACCOUNT BY AN AUSTRALIAN LADY, Miss E. M. Baird, of Melbourne, writes in- forestingly in the Australasian of a stay in the island of Sagħalion.

The stores in the dwellings, saya Mios Baird, reach from the floor to the celling they are cylinders, which fit into one another. A good built of bricks, surrounded by great round tin

fire of wood or coal is kept in them for a few hours, till x bed of red sphen is formed. Then the stove-doors are screwed up tightly to pre went any air goiting in, and the stoves soon be come very hot, and retain their heat all night.

"The Russians surprised us very much," con- tinues Miss Baird, by the.free add easy way in which they insisted on wandering in and out of our house. They thought knocking quite upbecessary, and several times we found strangers in our rooms having a look round, The women were patricularly inquisitive; they

if they happened to meet us, and then go calmy

portunity of shaking hands. I believe if you everything. No Russian ever misses an op- through the rooms, examining and inspecting

met the same man a hundred times in the day, be would solemnly bow, take off his glove, and shake hands each time. After the free and easy manners u Australian workmen, it struck us a very slinge to see the courtesy with which the Russian workmen treated one another; they seemed to be continually shaking hands, er Bowing to each other,

"You don't know the man," he was saying. "It's all yery well to talk, but he just sat there could get my hands on him. Someone from would stroll in at any open door, shake hands

as if he didn't care à bean either way.. 'Take. it or leave it, be said. You can't baggle with |a chop like that."

"Still, £7,500 and a ship," reiterated the other. Why, man, we haven't got the money, Good Heavens, you could have picked up a beachcomber to do it for a few hundreds, an* how are we to pay him? The gold's all right, but we won't touch the profits for a year or more. All we've got bas to go to working it."

Some wins has blown on us. I with I

Hongkong."

Collinson shuddered.

"Who was it, d'you think?". except your people. There must have been "It wasn't my olan, and so one else knew some talking in your office.*

Collinson protested, but the captain weat

On :

or may not, for all I know. But I do say that I don't say you had a hand in it. You may you're responsible. It strikes me that there's been some dirty work somewhere. Anyway, I'm going to land those men komehow to-night, Mr. Collinson, if I have to make 'em swim for It,"

And the captalo strode away to the bridge, Collinson turned to Pym, who had come up while the captain was speaking. question."

"How can be, Mr. Pym? It's out of the

"Well, back out, then, if you don't like it.". "That's just where your curied folly comes is. You must go and put the job down in writing. You've got us prafty well caught. Of course he can't sue us on it, but he can publish the thing. I'd look nice, wouldn't it?. Gray & Collinson made a contract with a man who's "Speaking as a man," said Fym judicially, practically a pirate to help them in a flagrantly "I dunno. Speaking as his offices, when the illegal bit of work. Our record is none too

captain says he'll do a thing, it goes." clean as it in. I wish to Heaven I'd seen to itself exceedingly affable.. The customs office! On the bridge the captálu was making him- myself."

might have been an honoured guest instead of an unwelcome intrader. But all the time the captain was thinking hard.

This and much more objurgation, garnished with various epithels which need not be re- corded.

At last Collinson grew tired of it. "Well," he said, "we can't back out, and wa haven't the money to go on. What's to be

dooe?"

Grey stopped pacing up and down the room like an infuriated tiger, and picked up the paper on which the agreement was wiltten.

"In consideration of every coolie landed at or pour Point Gascoigne before May 25th," he read. "If we could only stop him landing tham by then we'd be all right. We can do that."

"How?"

"Send a cable to the customs people at Port Darwin tolling them to look out for a ship that's going to drop Chinamen about the middle of courie~Japkin■"wg'uld do. The custonte beat'll be there, and he won't be able to land them. Then we'll be quit of our part, you see?

·

"That's a dirty trick, isn't it?" said Collinson. "Dirty trick? Why, there's not an ounce of morality among the three of us. He'd do you and me like a shot if he had the chance, it's a case of diamond cut diamond.".

sent,

་

By and by he excused himself on the ples of felching some choice cigars. Below be sum moned Pym and gave him some orders, at which the latter opened a cavernous mouth for sixty seconds, and then closed it with a soap, That was his way of laughing. Then the cap reappeared on the bridge with the cigars. tain went to the carpenter's stutes, and soon

"Plewl" he said; "it's hot!".. And, taking off his cat, be carelessly hung over the rail by the compara. A perfectly ascent action this, but seeing that the pockets It appeared. were fall of bolts and nuts less harmless than

"As soon as things were settled in the houre we engaged a Russian laundress to come and wash a few of the things which had accumulet the house without knocking, and shook hands ed on the voyage. Of course ahe marched into

with us all before beginning her work. She was a picture, too! Cind in a very fall skirt, made of the brightest imaginable yellow print a bright blue spran, scarlet blouse, and purple handkerchief tied over her glossy locky, abo made quite a cheerful spot in the house. She seemed to know nothing at all about our methods of boiling and starching clothes, and whenever we altëmpled by signs to show her what we wished her, to do, hurled a torrent of Russian at us, and seemed badly in need of, something which she termed Rekab. Her repeated demands for this mystery induced me to search vainly through the Russian-English book for the word. We offered har soap, starch, blue, and indeed everything we could think of, but she still clamoured loudly far

DIPLOMATIG LONDON,

STORIES OF FOREIGN AMBASSADORS. "Of the various distir guished representatives of foreign Powers in London," writes Mr. T. P. O'Connor in M. A. P., for October 23rd, "osa la mora popular is Society than the

When he was quite a young man he rather un- Ruslan Ambassador, Couni Banckendorff, one of the mcsi brilliant diplomatiste to Europe expectedly left the diplomatic service; he was then an allod at Rome; rumour declared that he had fallen in love with a beautiful lady, and that he had left the service of ble country to devote all his time to winning her; if he suc- coeded in doing so (at least, so it was said), it 'was the aliashk'sļutention to return to his cous

try's service again. Whether this little rom. ance be true or not. I cannot say, but what" actually occurred was that three years later

is now so distinguished an ornament. Count Berckendorff married and subsequently re'urred to the diplomatic cervice of which ha

"The Russian Embassy in Chesham Place

ing of three houses knacked into one. is, by the way, the largest in London, consists

HETHOD IN HIS MADNESS. The Frorch Embassy at Albert Gate is presided over by the man who has the reputa. tlon of being the most cautious diplomatist in Europe. A rather amusing story is told of M. Paul Cambou when be was secretary to M. Ferry, his first chief.

"M. Ferry was a keen chess player and so, was his secretary. The two were playing a game one night, and at a certain point to it the young secretary delayed a considerable time over a move, and then made a bad one which lost him the grime.

11

**! That was a poor move,' said an onlooker to the secretary afterwards, you thought too long over it.

INFANT PRODIGIES,

THEIR ROCKET-LIKE · CAREER AND DECAY,

calated at Harvard, read Latin and Greek for A boy of eleven years, who recently matri

amusement at seven years old; spoke German, French; and Russian at tan, and long before

States people think him a "miracle, and that age could tell on what day of the wook any given date would fall. In the United prophesy grand achievements for his adole scence, if crust fate will only spare him." Ex perience teaches us, who are so much older, that he ti pot very wonderful, and that he will do nothing in particular, probably, whatever the length of his days. For we know cases in- finitely more remarkable...

For instance, William Wotton matriculated at Catherine Hall, Cambridge, when nine yasrı aud aine months old, graduated before his thirteep birthday, and took a Fellowship at sventeen. The record of that small American becomes almost pitiable, beside his, William read Greek to familiarly at five yeare that he impatiently, turned to Hebrew, and mastered it before reaching his sixth birthday. At that aga be was examined by Fallow of Cam bridge, who gave him a formal certificate of proficiency in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, Fur ther, Sir Thomas Browce himself, of "Religio Medici" was tempted to look into the marvel at this stage, and he fully confirmed the

lestamar.

OMNISCIENCE AT ELEVEN,” Wotton's in the standing case, but that of Richard Clench surpasses it, and is much more interesting, 100. At eleven years old, John Evelyn and Samuel Pepys examined this phenomenon togather-one-longs to have been present. Richard left his questioners behind, proling-with their torgnes out, as vulgar little boys might say, "There was not anything of

toms of astronomy, courser of the stars, chronology, history, or geography, ike several

creeks, harbours, eminent cities, boundaries, and besringe of countries, not only in Europe, but in any other part of the earth- which ha did not readily resolve and demonstrale, draw. ing out with bis pen anything he would dea

Cambon, by his clever handling of tether a responsible witgear if one could be. Bet that "It was an Prefect of the Doubs that "M.cribe.* Se Jaha Erslyn wrote, and hi wasa

delicate and difficult situation, made his rawas little more than a preliminary canter for putation, and from that time onward his sise the prodigy, who, by the bye, was as beautiful in the diplomatic service was assured.

as an angel, "full of play, running about the "Count Metternich, who controls the Gor- room, and toying with a parrot always smiling man Embassy at Carlton House Terrace

and exceeding pleasant" The leased sapiora found him "able not only to repeat the most

bassador slyly, if I had not thought over it, "No, I did not,' replied the budding am- I might have won the game. And his critic understood at once that the move was not so stupid as it appeared to bs, for it would not have been diplomatic for the new young se cretary to have beaten his chief.

The man at the wheal policed the compass. Rekab, Just as we were in despair, I saw the has spent more of his life in London than any i fámous sayings which are left to us in my

from the north and remain deflected. But hav. he contended himself with winking at the ing sailed'ander Captain Braddon for five years, horizon.

By the way!" said Braddon as length to the customs officer, it's beastly bad bavigation round here. Are the charts all right?

"Well, you ought to know, replied the other He got up and glanced at the one by which the

Formosa was steering. the latest one. But these waters have never "Yes, you've got

traffic. You keep on wast by north-west and beap properly surveyed. There's not enough you clear Point Gascologno. Say. Look It's coming up thick there."

cloud. It was rapidly growing dark, and a To the north war a great bank of purple wind was rising.

"Yes," said the captain. full blow a bit, I daresay. Not enough to hurt,

They sat down again and chatted on. No one could guess from the captain's demeanour At last it came,

him, and explained in my bad German that the bad nout. Wite a hut of laughter he ex washerwoman was dying for "Rekah,' and wo claimed, Rekah is river; she wants to wash the clothes in the river. We had seen Russian women beating clothes vigorously with great sticks in the water, and no intention of allowing our things to be treated in that way. Sa Gapardine Ivapautonish came back, and told seemed quite amazed, and every time she the woman we objected to river washing. She caught sight of either of us. abe informed or, to go to the river. However, she got her own Rekab Surrashow,' and begged to be allowed

way in the and for while we were at dinner. proudly marching along the river bank will a he escaped, and we saw her in the distance big bundle of our unfortunate clothes in ber arms.

London as Second Secretary to the German other foreign diplomatist. He rat came Embassy in 1885, and was transferred thres other things, the tennis of the Gnostics, years later to Brussels; he rotorand here Sabellians, Arisou, Nestorians, etc., etc." - A again in 1890 as First Secretary, and since atupendous account, as Evelyn Justly says, then he has been almost continuously in Lon-winding up with "some particulars of the Civil don: He was made Ambassador in 190).

"An amusing story is told on excellent authority, about Count Metternich which is worth re-telling. When the Coust was no at ashe at Vienou, he was under a chief who was a confirmed woman-bater. One night at a dinner party at which the attache and his chie/ were prosent, a very chrming and beauti. ful women asked the attache if he thought that a man should ever, in noy circum stances, be rude to a woman. Now the young diplomatist knew quite well the oplaton his chief held on this question, and he did not want to express as directly contrary opinion; at giving offence to his fair questioner. It was the same time, he certainly wished to avoid father a difficult sitastion for a young man to very happily by saying, without the least hesita tion: Certainly not, not even when she asks And the young diplomatist's chief, who bad him the most dis'ress ngly awkward questions heard the question, smiled a grim approval at the reply.

"

"Of course you know that you'll be breaking business has Just looked out; these things that he was anxiously waiting for something. clathes by filling her mouth with water, and be placed in, but Count Metternich got eat of it Į raculous ability. William Wotton at thirteen

the law, How does it go: Anyone allowing any person subject to the Aliens' Restriction. Act to land upon the shores of Australia is. llable to a fine of 100 for each such person,' That's the drift of U, anyhow."..

"I know it's breaking the law, Captolo, I thought--we thought-

"Go on; out with it. You thought that f wouldn't object to that. I don't. I'm as big rogue as you are, and you're as big a rogue on am. I haven't the slightest scruples in break ing the law, but before I do it I want to be sure there's monay in it, an' 1 want to realise all the risks and be paid proportionately. I take it the situation is this: You've a gold mine which you can't work for lack of labour. So want me to smuggle is for you-a cargo of Chinese, who'll work for you cheap. If I'm caught, I'm food Lico a head, and pro- bably a few years' hard into the bargaio. Of course you'll say that there's not much risk of that, or no one evergees up there. But you can't tel. Lately those customs people are always poking round. I'll tell you what I'll do for you. 'it take you three hundred coolies at £35 a head. And there's apolber thing. I'm or going to have my "Sea Gull" made into a stinking coolin ship, with the risk of forfeiture thrown in. You supply me with a steamer.. There are a dozen rotting in the docks Dow You can charter one cheap, and I'll provide the crew and everything else. Those are my terms. Not a pandy loan."

"My dear Cpatale! £7,500 and a ship,

That's absurd | "

cable?"

"But suppose he find out who sent the "He'll probably never know that a cable was If he does we're the last people in the world that he'll suspe.t. He'll think that the always do.

Anyway, it's our only chance.". "And what'll be do with the coolios.?" + "The coolies? He can throw them ovar board, for all I care. So long as be doesn't laud them before the 25th we're all right."

"I suppose it's the only way," said Collinson. Thus it was that a few days later, when the "Formosa" cleared for " Apia, Samoa," with three hundred collies, the inspector of customi kong to the effect that a ship had left, whose at Part Darwin received a cable from long probable destination was to land Chinamoo at Point Gascoigne somewhere before Mayasth It was signed "Jenkins-Gray's confidential clerk. When the inspector wired back for further details, Jenkins gave them.

was good, the coolies well behaved and the The voyage was uneventful. The weather "Formosa," old tub though she might be plug. ged along with a fair amount of reliability.

It was already quite dark, and the captain was a violent shock. The "Formosa" stop- had suggested going below for food when there ped, then ground on for a moment, then stop ped again, her bows high in the air.

"Corte t1" said the capinin "We've run Bground!"

16

"But even her bad washing was excellent when compared with her ironing, and she had a most objectionable method of damplog the then blowing it over them. She seemed grieved when told she deed not come agala Sha thanked me by bowing so low that her that to console her i gave her an old jacket. herd almost touched the ground, and then kiss ing my band. away, and went inside. Half an hour after she I hastily snatched my hand suddenly pounced on me from behind a wet sheet on the line, seized my hand and kissed it again. Fortunately I had my gloves on than, sol let ber enjoy herself as she liked. Rus sinas are, wonderfully demonstrative. It is quite a common thing to see two men kiss one

hostess on entering or leaving her hous another on both cheeks when saying good bya,' and most of them kiss the hand of their

mail steamer, bringing very welcome letters 'Our first excitement was the arrival of the and papers from Australia. The captain and ashore for a couple hours, and we thoroughly one or two English-spraking passengers came enjoyed being able to speak our mother tongue again to anyone outside our own bousehold. Every fortnight the mail boats brought us lot. Colters as they passed ou the way to Alexaudrov. sky, and called again for our mails on their return journey in two days' time. The first of her return journey, the judge, doctor, and chief these boats brought up thres Russian guests on

The Spanish Embassy in. Grosvenor Place is the only Embassy in London which is the private property of a foreign Sevaraiga: It merchant, who bequeathed it on his death to was occupied several years ago by a Spanish

mant had previously offered to buy the boase the late King of Spain. The Spanish Govara for the purpose of using it as an Embassy, but the owner then declined to part with it.

diplomatic position at Washington; how wo THE PREMIER DIPLOMATIC POSITION. Britain, by the way, occupies the premier scored it is a rather interesting story. Until adors, the foreign representatives being re- 183 the United States did not receive Ambas caived only as Ministers, a like diplomatic rank being accorded, of course, to the United States

représentative,

[

ceive Ambassadors; the late Lord Papucefote "In 93, however, Congress decided to re-

importance that we should secure the premier and Lord Rosebery deemed it a matter of such was then our representative at Washington

Cleveland, but the President decided that they diplomatic position that he offered to cable Lord Pauncelole's 'credentials to President should be presented in person in the usual

MEDDET.

A special massanger was then sent off in hot hast from London with the wriites creden-

Law, the Digest and Coda,”. Where is tha young hero of Harvard in this 'competition? But I have not told balf the accomplishments of the English champion. 'GREAT PROMISE, BUT SMALL FULFILMENT.

And what came of it all 1-for the moral lion there. A child's genius may confound our views of the human intelligence, but it cannot be more than a promise of achievement in the future. Has that promise been carried out generally? - One 'must answer, Vary, soldom a rule, but we are dealing with lostsocos of mie indeed. Great men bare been clever boys an

"perfectly understood Hebrew, Greek, Latin, Arabic, Syriac, and most of the modern lan- guages, heildes a consummate knowledge of law, history, science and everything else. But what shall be said of him at fifty-thise simply that he had. led a blameless life (a-a country parsonage, and had written some books. equally blamolass, no doubt, if one could and them. As for Richard Clench, 1 bava a vague, similar; but the. Dictionary of National Blo recollection of reading that bis after ite was

graphy does not confium my impression. After repeating the facts set down, that highest an thority adds. "It is gratifying to know that

oud. no pressure was brought upon him "—and thera

THE PENALTY OF GIFTS "LIKE THESE Among the uncanny powert altributed to the young undergraduate of Harvard is ability

to name the day of the wask on which any the tale implicitly, for similar feats have been historical event occurred. We may believe

Europe. The Royal Society (taolf lovestigated performed by scores of children all over

cipher, but could achieve such miracles as the care of Jedediah Buxton, a shepherd boy of Derbyshire, who could not read, write, or adding up or multiplying column of twenty figures in a few seconds without aven weaing And he told the result backwards and forwards with equal ease.

•

The whistle went for quarters, and in a mo- meat everyoan was in his place. All around the thick gloom made it impossible to sen where they were. Aud Pym, coming up with aa agitated expression, reported three feet of discipline prevailed The roar of escaping water in the engine-roam.

The captain rose to the occasion. Perfect steam (the chief engineer bad thoughtially turned on the valve), the whistle of the wind in the rigging, the confused babble of the Chi nese, all made a highly melodramatiq scene, But the disembarkation proceeded in perfect pirg out authoritative orders. order. Prin concealed a broad grin by rap

Captain Braddoo, thawed into something like

When the last boat was fall, the bulk of the amiability by the prospect of making a very

Formosa's borden was all on board. lisson, pale and trembling, asked Pym Į lucrative voyage, proved a most entertaining

"What are we to do?"" companion, much to Collinson's surprise. The the tide fall, you can walk to Australia with me. "Da? If you'll wait a couple of hours till fatler had not wished to go. In the first place But the boatsll be back in a minute." be feared to he involved in the scandal, when Sure enough, bick they came with the in-

magistrate of Alexandrovsky. They had come the "Formosa" was in'crrupted by the Ge- formation that land was only two hundred dreaded the ordeal of having to entertain them, down to hold as inquiry. Mrs. Mather vemen bat, and in the second he was yards away, and the disembarkation went on. if Braddon got wind of the authors of the in-captain was the last to leave the ship. Before representative, Gaspardine Stepanoff, took a great deal more afraid of what would happen

but they seemed quite happy as long as they As is right and proper en'these cccasions, the had plenty of vodka, and Mr. M's Russian formation. But Gray bad pointed out that one doing so he threw the tell-tale cast overboard, charge of them most of the time. On the third of them must go. Not to do so would be and also west below to the asgice-room and day of their visit we had a very pleasant excur. practically telling Braddon. who was responsi- turned of a stop-cock. ble, whils if one of them were there to share When ha leached shore he whispered to

sion. About fifteen of us went in Mr. Mials, which Lord Pauncefoto presented to the the unpleasantness, their past would not be

steam lauuch to the Japanese fishing village, President on April 11th, 1893 being the first Dictionary of National Biography to learn suspected. And as Collinson's folly had beos

Collinson':

three miles down the coast.

diplomatic representative in Washington to do the cause of everything, he must be the victim. My part's done. They can sterea for all I care, made a pretty picture as we glidad swiftly alone. The French representailvo, M. Patenatre, who It was a perfect so, and thus we secured the premier position. There, I've landed your coolies for you,day, and the sun shining on the blue waters At last, about four o'clock one afternors, But you'd better got them away to-night if you saw on the starboard bow a long expanse of when Collision came on deck after a siesta, bs dat want them roped in."

"When we landed we were met by a smiling the disgust of his Government, was benten in was married to a charming American, much to little Japanese mao, clad to a kimono, So, covered by the night and the roar of the many boss he lasisted on the whole party low, sandy, scrab-covered shore two miles wind and waves, the rest of the Chinamen siple entering his tiny homes. He took us into

| the race by twenty-four hours, away. Captain Braddon was in a good temper. silently away. The majority had already dis spotless little room, carpeted and lined through-

"Here we are," he said, "we'll coast along,persed. Bd by the time we get to Point Gascoigne.itii alded by bis satellites, had driven them into koff, Mrs. M, And myself-being the only de Soveral, the Portuguese Minister, who basing of a scientias society at seventy-three years

As each boat-load ardived Pym, out with pure white matting Madams Kontza both feel happy." be dark enough to land your men. Then we'll the scrub, where pursuit was useless.

Next

ladies—were given the only three chair in the had entire charge of the arrangements in con- the "Formosa" high and dry on a sand spit, leg, and threw her on the floor, so then there country.

found the Chiasmen vanlated place, but Mrs. M's chair promptly lost a morning

nection with the visit of King Mastel to this and the Revenue boat a mile out in the offing, were but two. The men saated themselves in The customs officer was frankly suspicious, rows round the wall on the floor: They did

"The Marquis de Soveral has been for years victim of misfortune, yet what was there to go sergeant in their gorgeous uniforms. The ser-him in the highest regard, and at nearly every on terms of considerable friendship with King He could not believe that Braddon was the look so funny, especially the judge and his Edward and Queen Alexandra, who both bold been on the bridge at the time. There were oa? As for the "shipwreck, he himself bad geant had wide sky-blue trousers, and a sword, house party asked to meet their Wajastles the

grounds even for an inquiry.

The fiule Japanese and, his wife gave us Marquis is one of the guests. He is as extra- such a funny meal. First we had toy glasses mely good bridge player, has a fund of amusing The customs officer wrote a long and apolo- different kinds of fish were passad round with As the newcomer drow abreast, a string of getic report to explain matters, while the crew li the glasses of beer. We bad no bread and only

may be placed, always appears to be thorough. ped. From the bridge a mau in uniform hulled plate for the benefit of outsiders, floated their

popular

diplomatist in London, them through a megaphone,

ship off at high tide, and set sail for Hongkong Formosa, Hongkong to Apia," repiled the capiala.

What are you doing down here, then)"

Oriental Bank Calais Braddon went to the Oriental Bank and preasated the cheque which Collinson had gratefully handed him before he left, it was returned. with "Refer to drawar" The offices appeared to consider.. Theo- written across, So it was spl down in black and white that,

"I'll come on board and look at your papers." in consideration for each coolie landed at or sailors were clambering up the "Formosa's

A boat put out and soon the officer and two Dear Polat Gascoigne, Masse, Grey & Collinside. The boat returned to the sisemer, son were to pay Captain Bräddon the sum of

etc. Bles

"Absurd! Not a bit of it. If I'm caught it' be rather a tough proposition for me. Besides, on your own showing, you can't get men for less than a tener a week plus transport, Why, It's dirt cheap. Anyway, take it or leave it. I don't care. And Mr. Collinson, I may say that my time's valuable. To half-an-hour it be £30

■ bond."! Collinson produced a bit of paper and made - some rapid calculations. At last he looked up

and said t

Well, Captalo, you've got the big end of

or nobody. So we'll call it a deat,"

Collinson tried hard to look pleased. He wandered if the customs people had failed them, ad a long, low, white steamer, flying the Aus Suddenly from behind a headland in front dari towards them. She came rapidly traliao customs

Curse it said the captain. "The Re them off, Mr. Collinsos, but you won't get your men Isdded to-night"

With

A POPULAR MARQUIS,

past few weeks has certainly been the Marquis "The busiest diplomatists in London in the

the stick. You know quite well that it's y vetus boat. Jost my Jock'' We may sbake | no! B Revenue bout steamed of discomfted, I of waak tes and Japanoss sweuis ; then ting of | anecdotes, and, in wkatäver circumstances ba

"Right you are," sald the captain. "We'll have it on paper,"

So

"Why? This contract wouldn't hold in any Alage Antiared from theʻmast, Both beats stop. | of the “Formone,” after tinbaring with a started plates. All were expected to dig out hits of fish oying himself. He is, perhaps, the most

law const."

"Perhaps not, but we're ocliker of us irres proachable, and, if either feels inclined to back

aut, it would be rather handy for the other man"Drive scath by a local cyclase to kava. "I personally.haven't got much to lose,"

***bat you bavo.”

Log, undertaking furiber to supply a steamer,

That looks bad," commented Pym. ity. He conducted the omcer to the saloon, However, Braddon was all smiles and affabil, and there they want through the ship's papers,

When be hurried round to the offices of Grey To Lat" card prominently displayed. The & Collinson, he found the doors locked and birds bad down.

Fym," he said half-an-hour later to that business with honest people. That's my worthy, "If you can't be honest yourself, de advice." -

with their own forks, and pop them straight

The reception of a new Ambassador by a into their mouths. We confined onmelves to Sovereign fa, nowadays, a simple affair. In this the sweets, but the Russians seemed to enjoy country & Beverage sende a couple of carriages the fab, and had objection all Embassy obliged to use the-same-fork-to-eat-and-help--Ambassadors to convey the Busive themselves from the fin or dish,

Palace, W

where they are presented to the

Becretary,

The Ambassader

The next time the 'Selun called the brow, ht by the Foreign two Chinese men servants. We hailed their pen hands bis credentials to the Sovereign, of housework, But the cook could all cook, mal words of welcome, the ceremony is over, arrival with delight, for we were hearilly sick who reads them through; and, after faw for and the house boy was a wicked-koking creature, with an insatiable appetite for cheap Ambassador to arrive, with a long retinue of In olden times it was customize for the

when he was asking the beds, and we were ad to and from the Palace by a military guard, cigarettes, which be avan apled to smoke gorgeously attired servants and he was ascost * glad when hir, Mt mesmeedismissed them both.” bat these coramonials have now laard/w

|

Again 1. hava consulted the Invaluable what became of Jedediab, but it does not even mestion him. We may conclude that the blossom never grow into fruit. Indeed, the power, superior to reason, which guides these mathematical wonders abandons them general, ly after boyhood. Babbage and Bidder were exceptions. The latter made a fortune, though it in fold, however, that he attended the mast- bis calculating instinct had no share in that.

of age when the question arose how many vibrations of the sther are useded to produce the colour red. Whilst others were handling their pencils Bidder answered: " 444,443,051,300,200) which is correct.

FREDERICK BOYLA,

MADMAN WHO BARKS LIKE

'DOG.:

Roma, Novembar 21,

At Oresplan, a village in the neighbourhood of Pisa, a young mag samed Giacomelll outraged

an image of the Madonna, which he forced bla

own dog to kiss. He had hardly accomplish. ad this act when be down and acquired the slaidity of death

Giacomell was 'codvayed to hospital, and og him, but discovered that hakwas raving the doctors with difficulty succeeded in, távly. mad and basking like a dog. The doctors cannot, arplain the phenomenon, which thứ villagers attribute to à miracle?

Giacomelli la continually barking and refores hospial and listen to the parking-dering all food, while crowds assecoble in kant of the Leading