A Lady's Captivity among Chinese Pirates in the Chinese Seas

of the Pirates-A Happy Meal-A Steamer in Sight-Flight

ds. Bathed in perspiration, racked with acute cramps, and half stifled by the long-confined air, I suffered horribly. My skin, too, was covered with a painful eruption, and I had become so weak that, although my companion strove to amuse and cheer me, I was no longer able to reply. By and bye, we heard the pirates counting thei

ed almost pleasant, and, when the hour of breakfast came, brought us not only an abundance of food, but even some wine. This liquor, which is

ompanion, and longed to follow him in his walk. Not daring, however, to get out without permission, I ventured to stand up in my place, and look round at the land and the sea. Oh, how delicious seemed that sight! After having lived for seven long days in a dark and filthy den, I now beheld the broad bright ocean, the golden sunligh

e had expected yesterday to meet the junk on its return. Should five more days elapse, however, without further tidings, it was his intention, he said, to transfer us on board another vessel. This vague reply troubled us more than ever. Transferred to another junk, what might not be our fate? After all, the interpretation of the thing was plain enough. They were not dis

ere almost friendly. They were very busy this morning, bustling to and fro, chatting familiarly together, and dividing the spoil of the previous evening. I confess with shame that I scarcely remembered by what means they had wrung that spoil from their misera

em. "They like you, because your face and eyes are gentle; an

ched their hearts. On the other hand, I owed much, doubtless, to their cupidity. When I recall the length of my imprisonment, the

capacitated me for any kind of exertion, and I fell down upon the floor, utterly wearied and exhaust

nd printed in German text. Ignorant as I was of the language, I turned the pages over with delight, for they reminded me of Europe and of home. At the end of the volume were some three or four blank leaves, still tolerably clean. "Oh," thought I, "had I but a

m. I am a Frenchwoman, and was a passenger on board the 'Caldera.' Th

side of the framework into which the trap fitted. Each letter was an inch long, at the least, and no one searching the vessel could fail to see it. Alas! it was far from likely that any friendly ey

own every now and then, to see what I was doing. They never guessed, however

rates were still friendly, and encouraged me to walk where they were at work; which I did, though not without misgivings. Some of them were busy launching a little boat, and Than-Sing explained to me that they were going to put off

d things sharpened our appetites, and we asked each other if we had any chance of sharing the feast. When the hour of repast came round, Than-Sing and I went back to our dungeon, scarcely hoping to be remembered till the best of the dishes were eaten. How much, then, were we surprised, on finding the pirates assemble and seat themselves all round about our cell, while the cook, ladle in hand, went round, and helped the company to saucerfuls of smoking oysters. Of these, Than-Sing and I received as large a share as the rest, and although I wa

ily away, the flags were hoisted to the mast-head, and the pirates, running eagerly hither and thither, prepared for fighting. Plunder was once again the order of the day, and we, crouched silently in our little den, awaited what

ains of which proceeded to make exchanges of merchandise and provisions. Amongst other things, our chief bou

tars shone. After my experience of the last few days, it seemed to me that I had never known any luxury so infinite. To-night I observ

liberty which I had been suffered all day to enjoy. Waking from time to time, I heard the wind

was now riding at anchor, and the trap was closely fastened above our heads. I could not conceive what our captors were about, or why they should be thus active at so early an hour. The more I listened, the stranger it seemed. Having waited and wondered for some time, I tried to compose myself to sleep; bu

, at length. "T

was about to question him further, he again moti

my companion, whose face expressed both joy

going," said he. "It i

almost angry that he should dream of reawakening hopes which I had long since abandoned. Scarcely, however, had these thoughts crossed my mi

were all confusion. I dared not trust m

"Would they lie at anch

he little port-hole, and replied, "Yes, i

isible. Alas! what if it were but a ship bound for Hong-Kong, Canton, or Macao? No such vessel would ever come to our succour, and what chance had we of being discovered on

ing, "they are going. They

I. "There is no smoke. It is b

eamer or no steamer, the pirates are f

e and more distant. I strove to raise the trap, but Than-Sing pulled me back. At that instant, a heavy footstep echoed overhead

"It is a steamer! You are

They had ventured here in search of fresh water, and it was not till daybreak that they found themselves in such close neighbourhood with the steamer. This latter, it seemed, was also lying at anchor, and had been partly hidden by a jutting tongue of land. Terrified, then, by the imminence of the danger, and finding it impossible to put off to sea, the pirates had preferr

th clasped hands and burning cheeks, eager for deliverance. In the meantime, those on board the steamer had not yet observed us, or put off a boat to our rescue. Seeing how near it lay, I would fain have tried to wade through t

we need lose the precious moments, and I longed t

our we shall have paddled up to the ship's side. Think, Oh think! what should we

phlegmatic gravity peculiar to his nation. "I tell you th

lked longingly round and round the small boat, and asked myself whether it were not possible to manage it alone. Had I strength enough to row or paddle two miles? Could I get it down into the sea? Might not the pirates e

lying upon deck. I ran towards that side of the junk which lay nearest in their sight, and fixed my signal in a rift between the planking! There was now no fear, no doubt, no danger left! Ours was the only junk in sight, and the boats were already so near, that I c

er? Leaning breathlessly forward, I shaded my eyes with my hands, and knew not what to think. At this moment a volley of musketry was fired from all three boats, an

upon my knees, "we shall be k

I will make one effort more!" And with this I rushed to the prow, and showed myself again. I pulled off my cap-I waved it wildly to and fro-I tried to shout aloud, and immediately a prolonged "Hurrah!" brok

d me now, and we w