In the Yellow Sea

by Burt L. Standish

  CHAPTER XII

  ABANDONED!--I FALL AMONG THIEVES, BUT FIND SOME "GOOD SAMARITANS"

  Raising myself upon my elbow, with sleepy eyes I looked around me. Iwas half hidden by brushwood, and did not recognise the place as thatin which I had lain down. I at once scrambled to my feet, and made theunpleasant discovery that my companion had quitted me, and had managedto abstract my revolver. Then a great rush of blood flushed my veins.I had been betrayed! The Japanese had managed to extract from me thecompass and map, had stolen the revolver, and had dragged me into thebrushwood to die, perhaps.

  I stood, utterly depressed; I cursed the fellow who had thus betrayedme, and the officers who had sent me to my doom. I swore that if I gotback I would be revenged upon the treacherous Japs, who after riddingthemselves of me had sent me to die in the wilderness. Yet theinterpreter had really saved my life, I thought, at first. "Yes,"replied Reflection, "because you were armed." Yes, that was so. Stillwhy, if he had desired my death, had he not shot me at once when he hadstolen the revolver?

  I cast myself down in despair, and again looked around me. I had beenhidden evidently, dragged when asleep into the small thicket and thrustout of sight. What then had become of the interpreter, and why had Ibeen concealed? These were questions which I could not answer, norcould I conjecture any reasons for the man's conduct. Perhaps he hadbeen instructed to get rid of me, and not to kill me, and had takenthis opportunity.

  This was maddening. Here was I in a perfectly strange country indisguise, and certain to be taken prisoner either by Chinese or Japs,and in either case sure to be ill-treated. To be sure the Japanese donot kill their prisoners, and they appeared lenient to the natives sofar as I could ascertain, but in those cases the natives weresubmissive and frightened. I doubted not that amid the excitement ofbattle the little sleepy-looking Japs would quickly arouse themselvesand slay without compunction. The Mikado's men are quiet and polite,pleasant and kind; but under any superficial polish, even under theinfluence of real kindness, there lies a strong and determined, slowlyand surely rising determination, which when it rises to "boiling-point"cannot be stayed. An explosion must ensue, as the enemies of Japanwill find out some day.

  Lying there in the chilly darkness, which an already waning moon onlypartly dissipated, I reflected upon my condition. I determined to findmy way to Port Arthur, avow myself an Englishman, and if questioneddeclare the advance of the Japanese. Why should I keep their faithwhen they had betrayed me? I would "give them away," as they hadforsaken me. That would be my revenge. Some of the Chinese officerssurely could speak English or French, and even a little German, pickedup at a tutor's, might assist me, though my knowledge of the last-namedtongue was limited to phrases.

  Having made up my mind, I curled myself up in the brushwood and layundisturbed, rather hungry and excessively miserable, until kind sleepovertook me about midnight.

  As soon as daylight enabled me to see, I examined my dress and pockets,and found that, with the exception of a sum of money in my belt, I hadbeen regularly "cleaned out." Everything of any value, except thebelt, had been stolen, and I marvelled how the thief had succeeded.Perhaps the liquor which he had given me had stupefied me; the "ricespirit" is somewhat "heady." At anyrate there I stood, a coolie inappearance, untidy, unshaven, bedraggled, cold and hungry, and quiteunable to help myself. I could only draw in my belt tightly to appeasemy hunger, and prevent the qualms I dreaded. Luckily I found a stream,washed and drank of it, and then made my cast south-east again.

  The air was frosty and fresh, and I walked rapidly to warm my chilledframe, but had not proceeded more than two miles, as I judged, whenthree men who were coming across an adjacent path from anotherdirection espied me. I had no chance of retreat, they saw me at once,and to my dismay I perceived others behind them. No doubt a villagewas near, or a large farm perhaps, though single farms are not frequentin China. The villages are walled, and every foot of ground belongingto these farmers is utilised and fertilised, so that the best resultsare obtained by continual attention; and the land is of course taxed,the taxes being paid to the public exchequer. "Anything," even theshaven hair of the villagers, is put into the ground; vegetable andanimal refuse is of course in request. Tobacco is used to killinsects, and the zebu, or buffalo of the country, is the labouringanimal, which takes the place of the horse or ox; and milk, butter,etc., are almost unknown. There are ducks, and fowls, and hogs, thelast especially are plentiful, and in China the "black hog," instead ofthe "black dog" of the British nursery, may very likely "get upon thechildren's backs," and cause ill tempers. The dog and the cat herepass their time pleasantly, but the stranger must _cave canem_.

  The villagers--farmers--came upon me, and stood a little away, staringin wonderment at me. Then they surrounded me, and made inquiries whichI ignored,--not from pride,--and then they tried more questions, andsearching ones. Fortunately they found nothing, but they conferredtogether, and indicated that I must return with them to the village.Of course I had no alternative, and accompanied them, where, in a kindof shed, I was commanded to strip! In the most emphatic fashion Ideclined, folding my arms and exclaiming, "Englishman," and added--whatthey knew already--"Fan Quei" (foreign devil).

  They then paused, but suddenly seized me, and while some held me down,the rest dragged off my clothes, until they came to the belt around mywaist, that they did not take away, perhaps thinking it was somethingmagical, it being ornamented and worked, but they felt it, andevidently discussed it. Finding nothing in it--luckily the distributedcoin escaped them--the fellows gave me my clothes, and sent for anotherperson. While I was dressing, the person arrived--a true Chinese ofCanton breed, such as we may see in East London, England.

  He, in turn, stared at me curiously, and asked a question. I made alamely expressed reply in Chinese as I understood it; but the man, tomy great delight, asked in "pidgin," "Wantee go sea? Melican-man?"

  "Yes," was my reply, greatly relieved; "England. Elopean man--wantcheeShanghai. What fashion man here?"

  "Alle samee, Melican-man. Sabee _cash_, chop-chop, eh?"

  "Yes," I nodded; "plenty much _cash_."

  "Alle light; no watchee long talkee. One piecee man wantee _cash_.Chow-chow?"

  I nodded again. I was hungry. "See dless?" I said.

  "Ah! dless come more better! Makee laugh, not number one."

  No, it certainly was not proper then, but I laughed, and the villagerswere surprised at the conversation. The coolie understood my "pidgin,"and I felt much happier. I had cash, and even silver, so I couldreward him if he assisted me; but suppose he tried treachery?

  This seemed probable, but I must risk something. He said something tothe villagers, who replied vehemently. The coolie, who was a waiterfrom Port Arthur, as I understood, said to me--

  "Number one topside-man say plis'ner! No can do: walkee!"

  "Cannot you get me away then?" I asked in "pidgin" of the coolie.

  "No lun away. Too much, man--no go long; no tink! Get dless,chop-chop!"

  This was unfortunate; escape seemed hopeless. So far as I understoodthe coolie, he found that we could not escape from the villagers atonce. He was quite willing to assist me, knowing that I would pay him,but the farmers were very suspicious. Had they found out the littlepocket in my belt in which I carried the Japanese permit, and my smallstore of coin, they would have killed me. Cowardice is usually cruel.

  My captors quickly gave me to understand that they meant business.They produced a bamboo pole, which they passed behind me, and under myarms, to which they tied it. They left my legs free, because theyintended me to walk, as I understood, to Putsewo, where the "pidgin"man said the Chinese troops were quartered. I hoped the Japanese mightcome up there meanwhile; but then, between Jack and Jap, I would befixed between two stools, and either might cut the support.

  As soon as I had been fully dressed, and the pole fixed, I was put inthe care of two of the men, with the coolie acting as the go-between
.The last mentioned told me my destination; had he known that my captainsuspected me of being a _spy_, I knew my fate would have been sealed.I begged him to release me.

  "No can do!" was the reply. "Too mutchee fear! Maskee!" (by and by).

  I was obliged to be content with this, and when the men had given me ameal of rice and water we set out. The coolie held the end of the ropein his hand, and the farmers walked close behind me, one on each side,so that at the first attempt to escape they could intercept me.

  The rope was so twisted and so taut around my hands that I implored thecoolie to loosen it. After consultation, he complied, saying, "Maskee,maskee," and evidently willing to assist me, but hinting at cash.Making an excuse to halt, I managed to hand him a little silver, as aguarantee, and to my delight found my bonds slackened. Still the othertwo men kept watch, and took turns at driving me like a pig to market.

  The day was already waning, and I began to speculate upon releaseduring the evening. There had been several delays since breakfast, andagain my escort halted to advise themselves of the route, thecross-country direction, before night fell. As we were all standing,three of the party chattering like magpies, in the dusk, I felt therope twitch and then slacken. My senses were at once awakened. ThePort Arthur servant was keeping me alert, and I saw he was pointing tosome huts below us. Another village! I must act!

  I looked around me in all directions, and made up my mind to rush thehill beside me and hide amid the boulders. I had no thought beyondescape, and when some minutes later "my coolie" dropped the end of therope suddenly, exclaiming, "Kinchow!" I knew my chance had come, andthe direction. The yellow fellow gesticulated in the face of mycaptors. I was free!

  With a leap aside like a deer I darted away up the slope, and slightlyturning my head I perceived that the coolie had got mixed up with thefarmers, and was hindering them. Never were a few pieces of silverbetter bestowed, I thought, as I bounded up the hill, pursued by my twocaptors, while "Kinchow" rang in my ears--where or what Kinchow was,unless "Chincow" was meant, I did not care. I was free; free in thegathering darkness truly, alone and unarmed, but even so, unharmed andwith a chance for life.

  I was in dread lest the dangling rope would trip me up, and as I ran Itried to get it up higher. Luckily it trailed behind me and did nottouch me. So I sprang up, leaped some small streams, not thinking ofany definite direction but doubling like a hunted hare, disappearingbehind rocks and again striking a new course, but always away from thetwinkling lanterns which I could now distinguish below me, and Ifancied I heard dogs barking.

  This was most alarming. Though I had not heard of bloodhounds inChina, the ordinary dog when accompanied by his master was quiteunpleasant enough, and in bulk formidable; when at last I rested uponthe hill, and listened intently, I felt assured that the alarm had beengiven, and that my captors had sent to the village for assistance.Then I girded up my loins indeed, and though terribly handicapped bythe rope around my shoulders, I made a desperate effort, and keptthrough a wood and around the boulders near the summit of the hill.Kneeling down, I placed myself between two rocks facing the ascent fromthe village, and could distinguish nothing at all below me. After awhile I saw a few roving lights _descending_, and then knew that untilthe morning pursuit had ceased. Fervently I thanked God for my escape,and, feeling rested, began to attempt release from the rope.

  I do not know whether any of my readers have ever attempted the "ropetrick" when bound by one of a sceptical audience, but my release wasfar more unlikely. The rope had been knotted with a will, and though"where there's a will there's a way," I could find no way save byrubbing my arms against the sharpest edge of the next convenient stone,and a nice way it was! Suffice it that I succeeded in cutting thebonds, and in scraping my shoulders, in a manner suggestive of thelash, or birch rather; but the relief was worth all the pain andexertion, and when I lay down to rest, not on my back, I fell asleepwith a thanksgiving upon my lips.

  Morning was hardly putting a candle in the east, when, stiff and numb,I attempted to rise. At first waking I was apprehensive whether Iwould be able to get up, but by degrees I unlocked my muscles, andextended my limbs. Then as soon as there was light I quitted my stonyshelter, and proceeded through the wood. But when I came to an openingin the bushes I for the first time perceived what a terrible risk I hadrun. The rocks under which I had sheltered had fallen from above, andonly paused in their descent over another precipice which ended in astream strewn with boulders; beyond the stream lay the village deep inthe millet-fields, lately harvested, bristling with stubble, and higherup the cliffs whence the rocks had fallen.

  The situation reminded me, distantly, of Beatenberg in Berne, when onceI lay beneath the cliffs, gazing below at the rocky mill-stream whichmakes its way to the lake of Thun through a narrow, precipitous gully.But what an escape I had had!

  My first care was to put as great a distance as possible between thevillage and myself, and so I clambered up and across the hills, havingseen no one and heard nothing to alarm me. I descended the rocky, notprecipitous, slope on the other side, and struck into a side valley,but whither it would lead I did not care. It led me to water andrefreshment, and then I hid the rope before resuming my journey toKinchow.

  For hours I wandered on, meeting no one, and fearing to encounteranyone. Some unpleasant-looking birds kept me company for a while, andgave me "the fidgets." I began to think of vultures, and shudderedwhen they seated themselves at a little distance and blinked, as Ithought, at each other, nodding at me at intervals. I maintain now, indefiance of bulls of Ireland, these were the most "beastly birds" Iever saw! They laughed at the stones I threw at them, for they simplyrose half a yard when I made good practice, and settled again at once,till I gave up stoning them, and disinterred the rope thinking to lassothem, or one of them.

  THEY LAUGHED AT THE STONES I THREW AT THEM]

  But they were as 'cute as a weasel, they could not be caught asleep;and finally, tired and hungry, I wandered on, cursing the birds, theJapanese, the Chinese, and my ill-luck which had been the cause of myadventures. As evening approached the "beastly" birds disappeared. Bythat time I was half silly, and felt inclined to do somethingdesperate. Still I tramped on till dusk, when a light in a smallhouse--one of four such--beckoned me to cheer up.

  I perceived that these were farms, and the usual crops were inevidence, such as rice, sugarcane (which the coolie is fond ofchewing), pulse, potatoes, wheat, tobacco, and some vegetables. Therice crop had been gathered,--the late sowing I mean, for sometimesthree crops are reaped, the last reaped in November, when vegetablesare planted. Rice wants water, cane does not, and this is, therefore,profitable, as irrigation is dispensed with. Rice is the stable food,and even the landlord is paid in rice, which may amount to as much asthree hundred and fifty pounds, or perhaps more, per acre.

  Fortunately for me, on this occasion, a woman was washing some articleoutside the house, and though as a rule the Chinese female is ignoredand secluded, the peasant, the labourer-woman, is in evidence. To thispeculiar specimen I addressed myself in a language she had never heard,and could not understand. But she could interpret signs and pantomime,while she seemed inclined to assist me. When she disappeared I wasleft in doubt, but after a while she brought me food in a saucer, theorigin of which I was too madly hungry to discriminate. Whether rat,dog, or snake I cared not. I am sure it was horrible at the time, butI managed to eat it, and was not ill, though inclined thereto. Shesupplemented this mess by a dose of rather bad salt fish and pickledcabbage, with some rice plainly boiled; and this I did enjoy. Therewas plenty of water; and when I bestowed upon my host the magnificentsum of one penny (English value), she believed me a wandering idol.Her pleasure was marked, and she actually indicated a place where Imight rest in quiet under a thick coverlet which she brought me to theshed she pointed out.

  Then I was "in clover," and when I had ascertained that I was in nodanger I asked for "Kinchow" and its direction. The female drew
somelines with her finger on the ground, and pointed in a direction inwhich I had been advancing. Then shutting me in she left me to sleep,which I did gladly for some hours.

  But next morning I felt quite unable to rise, and when yet strugglingto get up, the farmer and his wife and son all appeared, and stoodstaring at me. I begged for mercy, thinking they meant meharm--perhaps the farmer had suspicions; but he evidently had heard of_cash_ from his wife. He was polite and kind, brought me food which Icould _not_ eat,--the supper had already upset me,--but consented toleave me quiet to sleep, as I begged them by signs to do. Briefly, Iremained there three days, and spent several pennies in _cash_ (about ahundred) in making myself perfectly "at home."

  On the fourth day I engaged the lad to be my guide by a promise of_cash_, and started for Kinchow feeling in good company and in goodspirits. For the farmer had been paid, and he and I had managed tomake each other understand. He had got the idea into his head that Iwas a Russian seeking Port Arthur, and agreed to put me on my way.Three whole days had been passed in coming to this understanding by theaid of a friend of the host, a rough map, and of course _cash_. Atlength I saw my way to liberty.

  Alas! I was checked at the outset. The weather changed, and while Ihad anticipated snow perhaps, and frost later, the wind brought up bigclouds, and a thunderstorm arose with pelting rain. The young farmerdeclined to advance until the weather moderated, so we waited, and thenin the pauses of the tempest retraced our steps to the hospitable farm.There two more days were spent in picking up Chinese and dropping_cash_. Meantime my spirits fell, and at times I felt seriouslydepressed. The chances of escape through the Chinese and Japaneselines seemed to me to become less and less, and the situation was themore intolerable because I could not freely express myself, and gainprotection or assistance.

  During my enforced further sojourn with the farmer's family Iendeavoured to induce them to lead me direct to Port Arthur (or, as itis called by Chinese, Lue-shun-Kou; by Japanese, Ryojunko). But theguide demurred to this. He evidently was afraid of the invading army,and it became increasingly evident to me that I should have to lookafter myself if we came within shot of the Japs. With such forebodingsI set out again with my fearful guide, and struck the telegraph postsupon the Pulantien (Port Adams) Road.

  If the reader will examine a map he will perceive that there are twomain roads in the Sheng-King peninsula, both leading to Port Arthur,the western from Fuchow, and farther north still the other along thecoast road by Putsewo and Talien Bay. Above the place which theBritish called Port Adams in 1859, the roads unite. These two tracks,stony and rugged, through and amid hills, wind their way to Kinchow,near which the peninsula becomes very narrow, and, in fact, is onlyabout two miles wide--or less.

  It was the All-Hallow's Eve when we came cautiously into the firstvillage, and found the peasants much alarmed at the near approach ofthe Japanese. Scouts had reported the advance, and a number of cartsand men were bringing supplies for the army in the town, and for thecavalry outside it. My guide had a brilliant idea,--no less than onefor the supply of vegetables, and he managed with my _cash_ to lay in astock, which he suggested we should carry into Kinchow, and go throughit to Port Arthur.

  His leaden face lighted up when I praised his plan, though I havereason to think now that I rather called him names in my imperfectvocabulary. However, he seemed pleased, on the whole, and we set outon the 1st November to penetrate between the line of formidable fortswhich defended the approaches to Kinchow, on the hills along which thestony track meanders. The whole aspect of the country through which wehad lately travelled is undulating; seamed by depressions, or ridged byhills, so that we were rising and falling all the time with our hopesand fears. I was particularly nervous, because if anyone chanced toclutch my artificial pigtail I would be a "lost mutton." The moralcharacter of the Chinaman depends upon--or shall I say _in_--his tail.A Chinaman _sans_ pigtail is an outcast. The Manchus live and dresslike the Chinese, and supply the best food for powder in China.

  We had some trouble--more perhaps in my imagination--on our way to thetown, over whose walls the terrible Dragon was waving on banners andflags in most defiant fashion. If the Chinese resistance would onlyaccord with their preparations and defences, the little Japanese wouldcertainly be repulsed, I thought. As we advanced I felt like a manforced into a trap, for if discovered I had no chance for life from theCelestials, while the Rising Suns would have no quarter for those taken"in arms." Chinese pickets were scattered amongst the hills, and somefine men were in the ranks.

  No doubt there were hundreds of men within these forts, though we sawfew of them, and I wondered whether they kept watch at night carefully,for indeed they appeared rather sleepy in the morning, though readyenough with their rifles. They could thus command both roads intoKinchow from a distance over the hills and dales.

  I had fancied that I heard guns during the night, but perhaps it wasthunder. At anyrate the night was boisterous, and the morning chillyand wet. A long column of carts met us, and we with the natives windedour way down the track, passing two villages of few houses, and nearingthe city, for from the hill we came close to it, and entered by thenorthern gate. Assuming a most "fearful" carelessness, which in lessanxious times might have proved my undoing, I walked by my guide's sidewatching every movement, and scarcely noticing the glances cast uponus. Luckily my companion was recognised and well known, and ourmission was patent. We had brought food, and entered the town by theGate of "Eternal Tranquillity," a misnomer as it proved.

  We made our way into the town amid soldiers, horses, and peasants. Thewalls were lofty and solid, the gates well defended, and I understoodthat all the approaches were mined, so that the attacking force wouldbe blown up outside _if the mines exploded_. At anyrate, it seemed avery formidable place, and capable of a successful resistance. Theguns were mounted on the bastions, and all ready for a siege. Thesoldiers were swarming in the streets, quartered on the people whomthey had come to defend, and swaggering as much as they could.

  My guide escorted me to an eating-house, a small, and, I thought, verydirty place, amid the peasants; and there he heard the news, for thoughall seemed on the alert and not alarmed, they knew the Japanese wereapproaching rapidly. We managed to get some satisfying food, and inescaping observation amid the soldiers who were enjoying themselves,and in excellent spirits. My guide was amused, and when I had paid forour entertainment, he made for the south gate, guarded by Manchus.

  There we found exit denied, for the soldiers were stationed there inforce, whether to run away first, or to prevent the townspeople fromdoing so, I could not determine. But we were stopped and questionedand searched. My heart sank to my shoes. The end I considered hadcome. What defence had I? I could not even reply to the questionswhich the "sergeant," so I deemed him, put to me. My guide had quicklycleared himself, and was standing chattering to the officer of thegate. My time had come, and I braced myself to meet the inevitablefate which was impending.