ABANDONED!--I FALL AMONG THIEVES, BUT FIND SOME "GOOD SAMARITANS"
Raising myself upon my elbow, with sleepy eyes I looked around me. I
was half hidden by brushwood, and did not recognise the place as that
in which I had lain down. I at once scrambled to my feet, and made the
unpleasant discovery that my companion had quitted me, and had managed
to abstract my revolver. Then a great rush of blood flushed my veins.
I had been betrayed! The Japanese had managed to extract from me the
compass and map, had stolen the revolver, and had dragged me into the
brushwood to die, perhaps.
I stood, utterly depressed; I cursed the fellow who had thus betrayed
me, and the officers who had sent me to my doom. I swore that if I got
back I would be revenged upon the treacherous Japs, who after ridding
themselves of me had sent me to die in the wilderness. Yet the
interpreter had really saved my life, I thought, at first. "Yes,"
replied Reflection, "because you were armed." Yes, that was so. Still
why, if he had desired my death, had he not shot me at once when he had
stolen the revolver?
I cast myself down in despair, and again looked around me. I had been
hidden evidently, dragged when asleep into the small thicket and thrust
out of sight. What then had become of the interpreter, and why had I
been concealed? These were questions which I could not answer, nor
could I conjecture any reasons for the man's conduct. Perhaps he had
been instructed to get rid of me, and not to kill me, and had taken
this opportunity.
This was maddening. Here was I in a perfectly strange country in
disguise, 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 do
not kill their prisoners, and they appeared lenient to the natives so
far as I could ascertain, but in those cases the natives were
submissive and frightened. I doubted not that amid the excitement of
battle the little sleepy-looking Japs would quickly arouse themselves
and slay without compunction. The Mikado's men are quiet and polite,
pleasant and kind; but under any superficial polish, even under the
influence of real kindness, there lies a strong and determined, slowly
and surely rising determination, which when it rises to "boiling-point"
cannot be stayed. An explosion must ensue, as the enemies of Japan
will find out some day.
Lying there in the chilly darkness, which an already waning moon only
partly dissipated, I reflected upon my condition. I determined to find
my way to Port Arthur, avow myself an Englishman, and if questioned
declare the advance of the Japanese. Why should I keep their faith
when they had betrayed me? I would "give them away," as they had
forsaken me. That would be my revenge. Some of the Chinese officers
surely could speak English or French, and even a little German, picked
up at a tutor's, might assist me, though my knowledge of the last-named
tongue was limited to phrases.
Having made up my mind, I curled myself up in the brushwood and lay
undisturbed, rather hungry and excessively miserable, until kind sleep
overtook 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 had
been regularly "cleaned out." Everything of any value, except the
belt, had been stolen, and I marvelled how the thief had succeeded.
Perhaps the liquor which he had given me had stupefied me; the "rice
spirit" is somewhat "heady." At anyrate there I stood, a coolie in
appearance, untidy, unshaven, bedraggled, cold and hungry, and quite
unable to help myself. I could only draw in my belt tightly to appease
my 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 chilled
frame, but had not proceeded more than two miles, as I judged, when
three men who were coming across an adjacent path from another
direction 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 village
was near, or a large farm perhaps, though single farms are not frequent
in China. The villages are walled, and every foot of ground belonging
to these farmers is utilised and fertilised, so that the best results
are obtained by continual attention; and the land is of course taxed,
the taxes being paid to the public exchequer. "Anything," even the
shaven hair of the villagers, is put into the ground; vegetable and
animal refuse is of course in request. Tobacco is used to kill
insects, and the zebu, or buffalo of the country, is the labouring
animal, which takes the place of the horse or ox; and milk, butter,
etc., are almost unknown. There are ducks, and fowls, and hogs, the
last especially are plentiful, and in China the "black hog," instead of
the "black dog" of the British nursery, may very likely "get upon the
children's backs," and cause ill tempers. The dog and the cat here
pass their time pleasantly, but the stranger must _cave canem_.
The villagers--farmers--came upon me, and stood a little away, staring
in wonderment at me. Then they surrounded me, and made inquiries which
I ignored,--not from pride,--and then they tried more questions, and
searching ones. Fortunately they found nothing, but they conferred
together, and indicated that I must return with them to the village.
Of course I had no alternative, and accompanied them, where, in a kind
of shed, I was commanded to strip! In the most emphatic fashion I
declined, folding my arms and exclaiming, "Englishman," and added--what
they 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 my
waist, that they did not take away, perhaps thinking it was something
magical, it being ornamented and worked, but they felt it, and
evidently discussed it. Finding nothing in it--luckily the distributed
coin escaped them--the fellows gave me my clothes, and sent for another
person. While I was dressing, the person arrived--a true Chinese of
Canton breed, such as we may see in East London, England.
He, in turn, stared at me curiously, and asked a question. I made a
lamely expressed reply in Chinese as I understood it; but the man, to
my great delight, asked in "pidgin," "Wantee go sea? Melican-man?"
"Yes," was my reply, greatly relieved; "England. Elopean man--wantchee
Shanghai. 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 villagers
were surprised at the conversation. The coolie understood my "pidgin,"
and I felt much happier. I had cash, and even silver, so I could
reward him if he assisted me; but suppose he tried treachery?
This seemed probable, but I must risk something. He said something to
the villagers, who replied vehemently. The coolie, who was a waiter
from 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 understood
the coolie, he found that we could not escape from the villagers at
once. He was quite willing to assist me, knowing that I would pay him,
but the farmers were very suspicious. Had they found out the little
pocket in my belt in which I carried the Japanese permit, and my small
store 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 my
arms, to which they tied it. They left my legs free, because they
intended me to walk, as I understood, to Putsewo, where the "pidgin"
man said the Chinese troops were quartered. I hoped the Japanese might
come up there meanwhile; but then, between Jack and Jap, I would be
fixed between two stools, and either might cut the support.
As soon as I had been fully dressed, and the pole fixed, I was put in
the 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 captain
suspected 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 a
meal of rice and water we set out. The coolie held the end of the rope
in 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 the
coolie 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 a
guarantee, and to my delight found my bonds slackened. Still the other
two 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 release
during the evening. There had been several delays since breakfast, and
again my escort halted to advise themselves of the route, the
cross-country direction, before night fell. As we were all standing,
three of the party chattering like magpies, in the dusk, I felt the
rope twitch and then slacken. My senses were at once awakened. The
Port Arthur servant was keeping me alert, and I saw he was pointing to
some huts below us. Another village! I must act!
I looked around me in all directions, and made up my mind to rush the
hill beside me and hide amid the boulders. I had no thought beyond
escape, and when some minutes later "my coolie" dropped the end of the
rope suddenly, exclaiming, "Kinchow!" I knew my chance had come, and
the direction. The yellow fellow gesticulated in the face of my
captors. I was free!
With a leap aside like a deer I darted away up the slope, and slightly
turning my head I perceived that the coolie had got mixed up with the
farmers, and was hindering them. Never were a few pieces of silver
better bestowed, I thought, as I bounded up the hill, pursued by my two
captors, while "Kinchow" rang in my ears--where or what Kinchow was,
unless "Chincow" was meant, I did not care. I was free; free in the
gathering darkness truly, alone and unarmed, but even so, unharmed and
with a chance for life.
I was in dread lest the dangling rope would trip me up, and as I ran I
tried to get it up higher. Luckily it trailed behind me and did not
touch me. So I sprang up, leaped some small streams, not thinking of
any definite direction but doubling like a hunted hare, disappearing
behind rocks and again striking a new course, but always away from the
twinkling lanterns which I could now distinguish below me, and I
fancied I heard dogs barking.
This was most alarming. Though I had not heard of bloodhounds in
China, the ordinary dog when accompanied by his master was quite
unpleasant enough, and in bulk formidable; when at last I rested upon
the hill, and listened intently, I felt assured that the alarm had been
given, and that my captors had sent to the village for assistance.
Then I girded up my loins indeed, and though terribly handicapped by
the rope around my shoulders, I made a desperate effort, and kept
through a wood and around the boulders near the summit of the hill.
Kneeling down, I placed myself between two rocks facing the ascent from
the village, and could distinguish nothing at all below me. After a
while I saw a few roving lights _descending_, and then knew that until
the 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 "rope
trick" when bound by one of a sceptical audience, but my release was
far 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 by
rubbing my arms against the sharpest edge of the next convenient stone,
and a nice way it was! Suffice it that I succeeded in cutting the
bonds, and in scraping my shoulders, in a manner suggestive of the
lash, or birch rather; but the relief was worth all the pain and
exertion, and when I lay down to rest, not on my back, I fell asleep
with 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 I
would be able to get up, but by degrees I unlocked my muscles, and
extended my limbs. Then as soon as there was light I quitted my stony
shelter, and proceeded through the wood. But when I came to an opening
in the bushes I for the first time perceived what a terrible risk I had
run. The rocks under which I had sheltered had fallen from above, and
only paused in their descent over another precipice which ended in a
stream strewn with boulders; beyond the stream lay the village deep in
the millet-fields, lately harvested, bristling with stubble, and higher
up the cliffs whence the rocks had fallen.
The situation reminded me, distantly, of Beatenberg in Berne, when once
I lay beneath the cliffs, gazing below at the rocky mill-stream which
makes 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 the
village and myself, and so I clambered up and across the hills, having
seen no one and heard nothing to alarm me. I descended the rocky, not
precipitous, 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 and
refreshment, and then I hid the rope before resuming my journey to
Kinchow.
For hours I wandered on, meeting no one, and fearing to encounter
anyone. Some unpleasant-looking birds kept me company for a while, and
gave me "the fidgets." I began to think of vultures, and shuddered
when they seated themselves at a little distance and blinked, as I
thought, at each other, nodding at me at intervals. I maintain now, in
defiance of bulls of Ireland, these were the most "beastly birds" I
ever saw! They laughed at the stones I threw at them, for they simply
rose 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 lasso
them, or one of them.
[Illustration: 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, the
Japanese, the Chinese, and my ill-luck which had been the cause of my
adventures. As evening approached the "beastly" birds disappeared. By
that time I was half silly, and felt inclined to do something
desperate. Still I tramped on till dusk, when a light in a small
house--one of four such--beckoned me to cheer up.
I perceived that these were farms, and the usual crops were in
evidence, such as rice, sugarcane (which the coolie is fond of
chewing), pulse, potatoes, wheat, tobacco, and some vegetables. The
rice crop had been gathered,--the late sowing I mean, for sometimes
three crops are reaped, the last reaped in November, when vegetables
are 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 as
three hundred and fifty pounds, or perhaps more, per acre.
Fortunately for me, on this occasion, a woman was washing some article
outside the house, and though as a rule the Chinese female is ignored
and secluded, the peasant, the labourer-woman, is in evidence. To this
peculiar 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 was
left in doubt, but after a while she brought me food in a saucer, the
origin 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, but
I managed to eat it, and was not ill, though inclined thereto. She
supplemented this mess by a dose of rather bad salt fish and pickled
cabbage, with some rice plainly boiled; and this I did enjoy. There
was plenty of water; and when I bestowed upon my host the magnificent
sum of one penny (English value), she believed me a wandering idol.
Her pleasure was marked, and she actually indicated a place where I
might rest in quiet under a thick coverlet which she brought me to the
shed she pointed out.
Then I was "in clover," and when I had ascertained that I was in no
danger I asked for "Kinchow" and its direction. The female drew some
lines with her finger on the ground, and pointed in a direction in
which 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 struggling
to get up, the farmer and his wife and son all appeared, and stood
staring at me. I begged for mercy, thinking they meant me
harm--perhaps the farmer had suspicions; but he evidently had heard of
_cash_ from his wife. He was polite and kind, brought me food which I
could _not_ eat,--the supper had already upset me,--but consented to
leave me quiet to sleep, as I begged them by signs to do. Briefly, I
remained there three days, and spent several pennies in _cash_ (about a
hundred) 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 good
spirits. For the farmer had been paid, and he and I had managed to
make each other understand. He had got the idea into his head that I
was 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 the
aid of a friend of the host, a rough map, and of course _cash_. At
length I saw my way to liberty.
Alas! I was checked at the outset. The weather changed, and while I
had anticipated snow perhaps, and frost later, the wind brought up big
clouds, and a thunderstorm arose with pelting rain. The young farmer
declined to advance until the weather moderated, so we waited, and then
in 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 seriously
depressed. The chances of escape through the Chinese and Japanese
lines seemed to me to become less and less, and the situation was the
more intolerable because I could not freely express myself, and gain
protection or assistance.
During my enforced further sojourn with the farmer's family I
endeavoured to induce them to lead me direct to Port Arthur (or, as it
is called by Chinese, Lue-shun-Kou; by Japanese, Ryojunko). But the
guide demurred to this. He evidently was afraid of the invading army,
and it became increasingly evident to me that I should have to look
after myself if we came within shot of the Japs. With such forebodings
I set out again with my fearful guide, and struck the telegraph posts
upon the Pulantien (Port Adams) Road.
If the reader will examine a map he will perceive that there are two
main roads in the Sheng-King peninsula, both leading to Port Arthur,
the western from Fuchow, and farther north still the other along the
coast road by Putsewo and Talien Bay. Above the place which the
British 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 only
about two miles wide--or less.
It was the All-Hallow's Eve when we came cautiously into the first
village, and found the peasants much alarmed at the near approach of
the Japanese. Scouts had reported the advance, and a number of carts
and men were bringing supplies for the army in the town, and for the
cavalry outside it. My guide had a brilliant idea,--no less than one
for the supply of vegetables, and he managed with my _cash_ to lay in a
stock, which he suggested we should carry into Kinchow, and go through
it to Port Arthur.
His leaden face lighted up when I praised his plan, though I have
reason to think now that I rather called him names in my imperfect
vocabulary. However, he seemed pleased, on the whole, and we set out
on the 1st November to penetrate between the line of formidable forts
which defended the approaches to Kinchow, on the hills along which the
stony track meanders. The whole aspect of the country through which we
had lately travelled is undulating; seamed by depressions, or ridged by
hills, so that we were rising and falling all the time with our hopes
and fears. I was particularly nervous, because if anyone chanced to
clutch my artificial pigtail I would be a "lost mutton." The moral
character of the Chinaman depends upon--or shall I say _in_--his tail.
A Chinaman _sans_ pigtail is an outcast. The Manchus live and dress
like the Chinese, and supply the best food for powder in China.
We had some trouble--more perhaps in my imagination--on our way to the
town, over whose walls the terrible Dragon was waving on banners and
flags in most defiant fashion. If the Chinese resistance would only
accord with their preparations and defences, the little Japanese would
certainly be repulsed, I thought. As we advanced I felt like a man
forced into a trap, for if discovered I had no chance for life from the
Celestials, while the Rising Suns would have no quarter for those taken
"in arms." Chinese pickets were scattered amongst the hills, and some
fine men were in the ranks.
No doubt there were hundreds of men within these forts, though we saw
few of them, and I wondered whether they kept watch at night carefully,
for indeed they appeared rather sleepy in the morning, though ready
enough with their rifles. They could thus command both roads into
Kinchow from a distance over the hills and dales.
I had fancied that I heard guns during the night, but perhaps it was
thunder. At anyrate the night was boisterous, and the morning chilly
and wet. A long column of carts met us, and we with the natives winded
our way down the track, passing two villages of few houses, and nearing
the city, for from the hill we came close to it, and entered by the
northern gate. Assuming a most "fearful" carelessness, which in less
anxious times might have proved my undoing, I walked by my guide's side
watching every movement, and scarcely noticing the glances cast upon
us. Luckily my companion was recognised and well known, and our
mission was patent. We had brought food, and entered the town by the
Gate of "Eternal Tranquillity," a misnomer as it proved.
We made our way into the town amid soldiers, horses, and peasants. The
walls were lofty and solid, the gates well defended, and I understood
that all the approaches were mined, so that the attacking force would
be blown up outside _if the mines exploded_. At anyrate, it seemed a
very formidable place, and capable of a successful resistance. The
guns were mounted on the bastions, and all ready for a siege. The
soldiers were swarming in the streets, quartered on the people whom
they had come to defend, and swaggering as much as they could.
My guide escorted me to an eating-house, a small, and, I thought, very
dirty place, amid the peasants; and there he heard the news, for though
all seemed on the alert and not alarmed, they knew the Japanese were
approaching rapidly. We managed to get some satisfying food, and in
escaping observation amid the soldiers who were enjoying themselves,
and in excellent spirits. My guide was amused, and when I had paid for
our entertainment, he made for the south gate, guarded by Manchus.
There we found exit denied, for the soldiers were stationed there in
force, whether to run away first, or to prevent the townspeople from
doing so, I could not determine. But we were stopped and questioned
and searched. My heart sank to my shoes. The end I considered had
come. What defence had I? I could not even reply to the questions
which the "sergeant," so I deemed him, put to me. My guide had quickly
cleared himself, and was standing chattering to the officer of the
gate. My time had come, and I braced myself to meet the inevitable
fate which was impending.