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?"
"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.