Held by Chinese Brigands

e pleasantest. It so happened that Sir Thomas knew nothing of the reputation of the redoubta

tes without once pausing for breath. Sir Thomas was sufficiently acquainted with the Cantonese language to follow the

man held forth in the flowery language of the Chinese of the southern provinces. He talked a great deal about his own power and cruelty. He did not seem to care in the least whether or not anyone listened to him. He boa

s, traversing the narrow pass from above which Frank Armitage had first beheld the brigands. They entered, at dead of night, the bleak, desolate valley extendi

e, where the atmosphere was both cold and damp. The crests of the mountains were wreathed in

arren slopes, rugged peaks and turbulent mountain streams that descended thousands of feet in series of roaring cataracts

f upon the very brink of a steep slope that descended at an angle of about forty-five degrees. Upon these slopes a few wi

and warmth into that gloomy prison; for indeed the cave was destined, for many days to come, to play the part of a prison. For all that, some attempt had been made to give t

a stranger to the country--expressed the greatest anxiety in regard to their fate. His mind was filled with vague fears to the effect that their lives were being preserved in order that they might eventually be tortured. He had interested himself in all manner of gruesome subjects; he had heard of the "death by a thousand cuts," the Chinese "corkscrew," and the wholesale manner in which Cantonese executions were usually carried out. None

ss one cut's enough for me. If they're going to kill us, why don't they do it

as shook

rder us he would have done so before emptying our pockets of all the money, watches and valuables in our posses

eeing the world; but I guess, Judge, this is one side of human experience tha

ince the calamity had befallen them. Sir Thomas sat cross-legged by

, "even now I can't realise that Yung

get the chance," said he, "I'l

n me cause to suspect or to mistrust him. That shows you very clearly, Mr Waldron, what a subtle rascal a Chinaman can be. For sev

n made a

at least till I was clear of Hong-Kong. Why his chance should h

that coincidence in the light of a mystery. I have a very shrewd

led to disaster. I tell you frankly, I was a happier man in the old day

however, doesn't alter the situation in the least. Mar

the character of Cheong-Chau; for scarcely had the last words left his lips when the bri

w moments warmed his hands by the fire, without uttering a word. Then

ng-Chau," said he, "must purchase thei

tle man, his voice was both deep and guttural. He spoke slowly and with great del

o one will ever find you here. Neither can you escape; day and night there are sentries at the mouth of the cave. They tell me that you have the re

oked at the judge, who

overnor of Hong-Kong, or to anyone else you may choose. In that letter you are to say that your life, and the lives of those who are with you, are in the hands

remained silent whilst the judge explaine

"Twenty thousand dollars. The rascal cer

snapped h

can have it. Don't let the money worry

rin of fiendish satisfaction. To him and his cut-throats the sum was more than a fortun

mand that the money be left hidden in a certain place upon the Sang River, not far from Canton. If the whole of this sum is safely deposited in the proper place before the conclusion of the waning of the moon, you and your friends shall be set at liberty. If, however, fo

got to h

r friends, in which to make up your mind. Say that you agree, and my messenger leav

on his heel and, followed by Me