The Blue Dress Girl

by E. V. Thompson

  Kau-lin paused and looked pityingly at She-she. ‘Such a life as this would not have made Lieutenant Keats happy. He was a special soldier. A number one man. He had too much to think of risking it for a blue dress girl, I think.’ Before She-she turned away, Kau-lin saw the tears that had started to her eyes.

  ‘It doesn’t matter any more. Kernow is dead.’

  ‘I am sorry, She-she. You liked him very much, didn’t you?’

  ‘Very much.’

  Kau-lin put an arm about her friend’s shoulders. ‘You will find someone else. When the American, Erin Veasey, comes back to see me perhaps he will have a friend….’

  Esme and the two girls remained in the French Concession for almost a year. During this time the refugee situation deteriorated to the point where it threatened to overwhelm the European way of life in all the areas allocated to them.

  The only change was that the refugees no longer fled from the Taiping rebels. Imperial troops had begun pushing the rebels back towards their captured capital of Nanking. Now the populace was running from their own ‘liberating army’. Most had learned to live with the Taiping rebels. They now discovered they would certainly die at the hands of their own ill-disciplined troops.

  The refugees brought with them little in the way of belongings. Life was the only precious commodity they possessed. Yet even in this they carried the seeds of self-destruction. Cholera had stalked them on the long road to safety and it finally caught up with them at Shanghai.

  Only now was the barrier broken down between the errant missionary and her friends, and the mission community. There was an urgent need for anyone who could converse in both English and Chinese to work in the makeshift hospitals that sprang up outside the city walls of Shanghai as the disease spread and wreaked a terrible toll.

  Not until the colder weather returned did the epidemic ease its fatal grip on Shanghai. It was now that Kau-lin’s cousin Chang arrived in Shanghai from Formosa.

  His arrival reopened the debate on whether ‘respectable’ Chinese should be allowed to lodge in the British settlement. At the height of the cholera epidemic no one in the British community had cared where Kau-lin and She-she slept. Exhausted from days and nights spent tending the sick, they had frequently slept in the hospital in the British settlement, resuming work the moment they awoke.

  Now the emergency was coming to an end the colonial diehards reasserted their authority. She-she and Kau-lin were told they must no longer spend nights in the settlement. They ceased work at the hospital and returned to the house of Colin Strachan. Esme, disgusted with the narrow-minded attitude of her countrymen and women, went with them once more.

  Chang too left the British settlement, but it had never been his intention to remain here. He did not move in with the Strachan family. Instead, he disappeared into the straggling suburbs of Shanghai, occupied with business that had little to do with the life he had led for the past few years.

  This was not the Chang the three women had known in Hong Kong. Gone were the smart clothes and pious manner. Chang spent much of his time dressed as a coolie. By so doing he could pass unnoticed among the hordes of refugees, by day and by night.

  Early one evening, Chang came to the Strachan house and stayed to have a meal here. When everyone had eaten, he suggested that the two girls and Esme might like to walk with him along the ramparts of the city-wall, as was customary for thousands of city-dwellers.

  It was evident from Chang’s manner that he had something of importance to say but he kept it to himself until they reached the shade of a small watchtower. Here he stopped to point out the view across the roofs of Shanghai. The sun was low and its fading rays cast light and shadow on the rooftops that made the city appear like some great ocean of waves. It was an apt simile. Like the sea, there was a vast turmoil of life beneath the surface of what was visible to the naked eye.

  Such was the view expressed by Esme, and the others agreed with her. Chang added that there was a hint of poetry in her words, something that was very close to the hearts of the Chinese.

  ‘Poetry is an ancient Chinese art-form,’ agreed Kau-lin. ‘But you haven’t brought us up here to watch the sunset on the roofs of Shanghai and talk of poetry, Cousin Chang.’

  ‘No,’ he confessed. ‘I am about to take a step that will change my life. I have received a letter from Cousin Hung himself, the “Heavenly King” of the Taipings. He says he has had a vision. In the vision he scores a great victory over the Imperial army and ascends to the throne of China, surrounded by the whole of his family. Hung has had many such visions in the past. Almost all have come to pass. He says this one will be fulfilled too – but not before his earthly family have gathered round him. He wants me to go to Nanking and promises me high office when I arrive there.’

  ‘Do you believe all this, Chang?’ The question was asked by She-she who had watched with interest the fervour that gripped Kau-lin’s cousin while he was talking. This was not the modest, hard-working and humble man who had created such an impression among the missionaries of Hong Kong.

  ‘I do. It was Cousin Hung’s visions that opened the way for a Christian rebellion that has gathered millions of followers. I am convinced he will one day oust the Manchu usurpers from the throne of China. He is obeying God’s will.’

  ‘Have you not spoken to the tens of thousands of people who crowd outside the walls of Shanghai and spill into the fields and villages for miles around the Fan Qui settlements? They have fled from their homes because the Taiping are being driven from the lands they conquered. Soon Nanking will be the only city left to them. Is this how your cousin is going to overthrow the Manchu Emperor of all China?’ She-she was scornful.

  ‘The Imperial armies are having some successes now, it is true, yet even as we speak other Taiping armies are rushing to the aid of their brothers. When they arrive they will fall upon the Imperial armies and destroy them.’

  ‘All this boasting of fighting and destroying is hardly Christian talk! Does your cousin say this in his letter, Chang, or are you expressing your own views?’ The passion in Chang’s voice alarmed Esme.

  ‘I am talking only of what must be. You have read the scriptures. You know that the Lord’s wrath is greatest when he fights the Devil. Hung is fighting the Devil on behalf of the Lord.’

  ‘What will you do in Nanking?’ She-she put the question to Chang.

  ‘Anything that is required of me. Hung needs his family about him. We can be trusted with high office as he can trust no one else. I have also been a Christian catechist in Hong Kong. Hung needs those who have studied the Bible. He and his followers are Christians, but they have strayed from many Christian principles. I will try to persuade Cousin Hung to make changes that will be more acceptable to the Europeans. Support from the nations of the West is essential if he is to defeat the armies of the Manchu emperor – and he will succeed. Think of it, Miss Pilkington. The prospect of helping to lay the foundations of a Christian China is breathtaking. There has not been such an opportunity since the disciples of Jesus went out to spread His Word!’

  ‘Will you take me with you?’ Chang’s vision of a Christian China engulfed Esme and she pleaded to become a part of it.

  ‘Your mission authorities will not approve of you going to Nanking.’

  ‘They don’t approve of me anyway – but I do not seek earthly justification for what I do. Take me with you, Chang. You’ll find me a powerful helper when it comes to carrying out the Lord’s work.’

  ‘I do not doubt Cousin Hung will give you all the honour due to a Christian missionary. I will be happy to have you accompany me.’

  Chang turned his attention to Kau-lin. ‘Cousin Hung also honours you with a mention. Single women, like the men, are formed into regiments. He says he can offer you command of one of these regiments.’

  ‘Me?’ Kau-lin was sceptical. ‘I know nothing of fighting.’

  ‘You will not be expected to fight. Women fought in the early days of the Taiping movement, it is tr
ue, but things have changed. There are now other duties for the women to perform.’

  ‘What are these “other duties”? No matter, I expect I could fight as well as any man if I had to. I will go.’

  ‘What of you, She-she? Will you come to Nanking with us?’

  ‘Go … stay. What difference does it make? Here in Shanghai I do not belong among our own people because I am a Hakka, and they are not. The Fan Qui will not have me living among them. Even if I became a Christian I would not be the same as them. Maybe I will be a good Taiping Christian – maybe not. I don’t know. I am not a cousin of this “Heavenly King”.’

  ‘Of course you will come, She-she.’ Kau-lin was indignant that she had even considered refusing Chang’s offer. ‘If I am to become an important woman in Nanking I will need a good friend to help me.’

  ‘Yes, you must come with us to Nanking, She-she. You too will find great honours there.’

  ‘What sort of honours?’

  ‘You must wait and see. We will speak again when we reach the city of Cousin Hung.’

  ‘It’s all very well being fired up with enthusiasm,’ said Esme. ‘But how are we to get to Nanking? By all accounts there are Imperial junks by the score on the River Yangtze between there and Shanghai.’

  ‘It has been arranged. We will take passage with an American Fan Qui. He has made the voyage many times. He will get us there safely.’

  ‘Are you talking of Erin Veasey?’

  Chang was startled by Kau-lin’s question. ‘How do you know of this man? Who has spoken his name?’

  Kau-lin smiled. ‘He was on the ship that brought us from Hong Kong. Twice he has been here to speak to me. Yes, Erin Veasey will take us to Nanking safely, I do not doubt that. But I do not think he will be in a great hurry to get there.’

  Chapter 3

  ESME, SHE-SHE, Kau-lin and Chang boarded Erin Veasey’s ship the Trade Wind in the dead of night. Rowed out to the vessel in a small boat crewed by four members of Erin’s all-European crew, She-she sat huddled in the stern with the others, shivering even though she wore a padded jacket as protection against cold such as she had never experienced in Hong Kong. As the water lapped against the bow of the small craft, She-she wondered what she had let herself in for. She alone of the four passengers was travelling to Nanking without a purpose. But life itself had little purpose now. She wondered what would have happened to her had Kernow not been sent to search for missing Fan Qui sailors after the typhoon….

  Such thoughts were foolish, she knew, but She-she had found herself thinking of Kernow often in recent weeks. Too often for her own peace of mind. Suddenly the dark form of the ship they were to board loomed up and whispered orders were passed in the darkness to the passengers.

  The Trade Wind was a small screw-driven steamship. Standing off the land, well away from the anchorage used by vessels of the Royal Navy, the ship showed no lights. As soon as the passengers were on board, and while the boat that had brought them from shore was still being hoisted from the water, the vessel got underway.

  In the darkness She-she clattered awkwardly down a wooden ladder fitted with steel reinforced rungs. Below decks she entered a world where she was immediately aware of the monotonous beat of the ship’s engine, hissing steam pipes and a pervading smell of coal dust. All would remain with her for the whole of the voyage they were to make, battling against the flow of the Yangtze-Kiang. The journey would take two weeks, and yet they would journey only a fraction of the length of the great river. The Yangtze rose almost four thousand miles away in the heights of Tibet, wandering through the very heart of China on its long journey to the sea.

  She-she and the others were led to a large and spacious cabin. Lanterns swung from hooks in the low deck-head, sending shadows chasing each other in a silent game of tag about the creaking bulkheads. All light was kept securely inside the cabin by brass deadlights secured over glass portholes.

  ‘The cap’n will be down to see you soon, ma’am,’ said their seaman escort, addressing Esme as the natural leader of the party. Indicating a side-board with bottles secured in half-depth wells, the seaman added, ‘Cap’n Veasey said you’re to feel free to help yourself to something to drink if you’ve a mind.’

  ‘We don’t drink alcohol, thank you, young man, so you can stop ogling She-she and go off and find us a cup of tea.’

  Erin Veasey and the tea arrived in the cabin at the same time. The warmth of the young American sea-captain’s welcome for Kau-lin was missed by Esme but it brought a smile of understanding from She-she and a deep frown to the face of Chang.

  ‘Well, I must say it’s good to see you ladies looking so well. Nice to see you too, Chang. I think your cousin’s going to be pleased to see you, especially when we deliver what we’re taking to Nanking along with you!’

  ‘How long is the voyage likely to take?’

  ‘About twelve to fourteen days. Maybe a little longer. It depends on what we meet along the way, and how many times we run aground.’

  ‘Run aground? But we’ll be travelling through government-held territory. What happens if they capture us?’ Chang expressed his alarm.

  ‘They won’t. I’ve got more guns on board the Trade Wind than a British warship. Imperial war junks won’t come within half a mile of us and there’s not a fort worth a damn between here and Nanking. But I can’t stay down here talking to you, much as I’d like to. I’m needed up on deck. I’ll have you all shown to your cabins. You ladies are accommodated here, in the stern of the ship. Your cabin is up in the bow, Chang. I’m sorry I can’t keep you all back here, but I’m not in the business of carrying passengers. I’ve had to fit you in as best I can.’

  Erin Veasey gave Kau-lin another warm smile, but his words were for them all. ‘We’ll have lunch together here tomorrow. Now I must go back up top. We’re still too close to Shanghai for my liking. Your steward’s name is Thomas – and you need have no fears for the chastity of your two girls with him, Miss Pilkington. Thomas was castrated by Moors when he was captured in North Africa, many years ago. They couldn’t do away with his memories, but that’s about all he’s got left.’

  Erin Veasey returned to the upper deck smiling at the expression on Esme’s face. The missionary was left with the feeling that she really should be more shocked and indignant than she was at the manner in which the very personal affliction of the unfortunate steward had been disclosed. Instead, she felt a sneaking admiration for the happy-go-lucky attitude of the American adventurer who captained the Trade Wind.

  The following morning She-she was awakened from sleep by the sound of chain rattling from a locker and splashing into the water. The vessel was dropping anchor in a small cove fringed by bamboo and rushes.

  The vessel remained at anchor for only an hour. During this time its true name was painted out and the Trade Wind became the Enchantress. When the ship got under way once more the Hong Kong-registered vessel was also flying a new flag. Instead of the Union Jack of Britain, the stars and stripes now fluttered from the flagstaff at the rear of the vessel.

  When Esme commented on this, Erin Veasey shrugged. ‘It’s only a small deception, Ma’am. I’m American, as are most of my crew, and the ship was purchased with United States money. Besides, nobody who’s likely to object is going to get close enough to check on the ship’s credentials.’

  The river traffic was quite heavy, but no vessels of the Imperial navy were encountered until they were no more than twelve hours steaming time from Nanking.

  Erin pointed the war junks out to Kau-lin as they stood together on the deck under a sky that threatened snow. The captain and the Chinese girl were on such familiar terms that even Esme had commented upon it. She-she hoped the missionary had not heard the quiet footsteps that passed from one cabin to another in the dead of night.

  The junks were anchored in a long, loose line that stretched from bank to bank, across the wide Yangtze river.

  ‘How will you pass them?’ Kau-lin looked up at Erin in concern. �
�There are too many of them for one boat to fight.’

  ‘Don’t you believe it, Kau-lin. None of the Imperial sailors would fight us if they were given an option. We’ll need to deal with no more than two at the most. They’ll be the two we pass between, but a couple of shots should be enough to send their gunners scuttling for cover.’

  Chang secretly seethed to see the sister of one of the ‘Heavenly King’s’ generals having such a close liaison with a Fan Qui. But Chang and the Taiping movement needed the services of Erin Veasey and his ship. He was so important that even Kau-lin could be sacrificed for such a cause, if need be.

  ‘Should the women not be sent below if there’s going to be fighting?’

  ‘The chances are we’ll not have a shot fired at us. But stay close to the hatch, just in case.’

  Erin Veasey shouted an order to one of his crew and men were called from below decks. The crew of the Trade Wind took their places at the eight guns that had been placed in position on the upper deck soon after Shanghai had been left behind. The time had come for them to prove they deserved to receive three times as much pay as sailors who crewed vessels which went about their lawful business on the oceans of the world.

  Incredible though it seemed, the crews on board the Imperial war junks were not aware of the presence of the steamer until it was almost upon them. By the time the sound of frantic warning gongs boomed out across the water, the steamer was less than a quarter of a mile away. Slicing through the water, the steamer drew on every ounce of power the heavily perspiring stokers could produce.