In the Yellow Sea Part 11

"Do not turn away. I am in danger in these clothes. Can you a.s.sist me? I am a j.a.panese officer."

"A j.a.p!" I exclaimed. "Why this disguise, then? What are you doing here?"

"I have been travelling in China. The Chinese suspect me in consequence of the murder here. Can I accompany you a while?"

I paused a moment, and at length consented. We proceeded to the Consulate, and were seated upon the bench there, when my new acquaintance replied to my request for information by saying--

"I am a sailor--a j.a.panese junior officer. Those men intended to kill me. I am searching for news. They are arming against us."

[Ill.u.s.tration: WE PROCEEDED TO THE CONSULATE]

"Yes," I replied; "I hear as much. How can I protect you then, supposing you are a j.a.panese officer? How can I tell that?"

"I can produce my authority, sir," he said gently but firmly.

"Will you disclose your ident.i.ty to the Consul, then?"

"I would prefer not."

"How, then, can I protect you? I have no proof of your mission."

"If you permit me to remain with you until evening, I can then meet protection."

"Why not address some other Englishman--a merchant or s.h.i.+pper? There are many officers and sailors better than I."

"The merchant would not credit a 'Chinese.' The natives do not mix with the foreigners except in business-talk--'pidgin,' you know. If they betrayed me I might be killed. I intended to leave here sooner, but have found no vessel in which I can yet sail. The j.a.panese steamer will arrive to-night. Let me remain with you. You will be sorry if you do not, I daresay."

"You speak English very well," I said. "You have been in London?"

"Yes," he answered; "I was attached to the j.a.panese Emba.s.sy a while--at least, I was a student in London, and met with much kindness. My brother, who is in our army, was also in England at one time."

"Can you tell me the names of any people in England who knew you?"

"Oh, certainly," he said, smiling at me as if I had asked an awkward question. Then he mentioned several people well known, and at least one family with whom my people were acquainted, their residence, and friends. I was almost convinced.

"Very well," I said after a pause, "I will take you to the hotel; but you must talk bad English, and attend me to the various places I want to see."

"Can do," he replied promptly.

"What do you mean?" I asked, in surprise.

"Can do; makee talk chop-chop. Alle same Melican-man."

"Pelican? What _do_ you mean? Are you sensible? What's Pelican?

Food?"

"No," he replied, smiling broadly, "Melican-man is an American in the pidgin. Melican."

"Oh, I thought you said _pelican_ first, not _pigeon_." He smiled.

"I was chattering coolie-pidgin. 'Can do' means 'can,' simply. I implied that I would attend you, that's all. Please be careful."

"Of you, or of myself?" I asked, smiling in return. "All right, let us go to the hotel. You can remain there a while, then we will take a stroll, and perhaps by the time we have returned we may find your s.h.i.+p in the stream. I am also expecting a vessel."

"Which vessel? British?"

"Yes, British built,--a steamer, _Feng Shui_. Heard of it?"

"Not a steamer. _Feng Shui_ is Chinese--superst.i.tion. The men are leaving us, see! But they will return. Shall we move?"

We rose, and looked round us. I felt rather nervous. Suddenly my young j.a.panese cried--

"There she is! _Kyodo Maya_. My s.h.i.+p for j.a.pan."

"A merchant steamer!" I exclaimed. "Not a wars.h.i.+p."

"Yes, 'Union Steam.' I go home. You have saved my life. Let me wait until the boat comes ash.o.r.e. I join my s.h.i.+p at Chemulpo."

I was quite puzzled. Was this man true or false? If false, what could he gain by selling me? He appeared honest, and certainly two men were watching us still. He had laid himself open to suspicion, at least.

"Come with me, sir," he said. "If you will come on board the steamer you will understand this. I a.s.sure you I am true, and thankful for your society."

"I am also awaiting my s.h.i.+p. Perhaps your vessel may not wait to put me ash.o.r.e again, and"--

"I am an officer," he interrupted. "The captain has instructions for me."

"But not for me. See, the men are approaching again. A boat is being launched. Shall we go to the wharf now?"

We hastened down. The sun was setting, and the j.a.panese had certainly had an escape. Even then the bandits looked ugly and revengeful. The "officer" was full of thankfulness and grat.i.tude to me.

"Remember," he said, "if ever we meet I am your debtor. My name is Tomi Taijiro. My relatives are in the navy and in the mercantile service. My elder brother is in the army. You will remember you have saved my life."

"I am pleased to think so," said I. "If so, I am truly glad. I hope we shall meet again. If so, once more, I shall claim your promise. I believe you."

He bowed deeply, lowly fas.h.i.+on, and I wondered for the moment. But his costume warranted the obeisance, and the boat came near. The two men approached us through the throng, and Tomi whispered--

"On guard! I dare not call a.s.sistance. Stand firm!"

Meantime the steamer's boat was approaching, impelled by j.a.panese. The Chinamen came closer. We s.h.i.+fted away amongst the people, and I hailed the boat. The officer made a sign to the c.o.xswain. The men pulled harder.

At that moment the a.s.sa.s.sins rushed in. In another moment we might have been struck, or even killed. But we turned suddenly, and unexpectedly separated. Each seized a "coolie"--so they appeared to be--and with real luck avoided a stab. In a second both men were swimming for life amid the shouts of the spectators, amid alarms and cries from natives.

"What is it?" asked some anxiously. "What has happened? Were they thrown in?"

"An accident," I replied, nodding at Tomi as I turned away. The boat came up, and he was rowed away, to the surprise of the onlookers on the wharf, who had not seen the struggle.

Then I returned, and remained indoors next day till afternoon.