Page:Scented isles and coral gardens- Torres Straits, German New Guinea and the Dutch East Indies, by C.D. Mackellar, 1912.pdf/390

298 of being put to death by them. I do not know why, but the repulsion at the idea is there.

When I reached the hotel at Hong-Kong I was welcomed by my three Chinese boys, conducted to my room, and there was surprised to find that, quite unasked for, all my belongings had been overhauled, my clothes washed and mended, and everything arranged in perfect order!

How delighted the good creatures were that I was pleased! And not a thing would they let me do for myself after that.

The day following my return, when walking in the street, I saw a familiar face being trundled past in a rickshaw, and on overhauling it was amused and pleased to find it was Father M'Clymont.

Before I had left England I had seen him, and neither he nor I had had any idea of being in China. Now I found he was R.C. Chaplain to the Fleet. Having lunched together, I accompanied him to the Naval Hospital and through its wards. There were some wounded officers, midshipmen, and bluejackets there. One of the midshipmen showed me some of the Pekin loot which he had purchased. One article was an elaborate diamond encrusted watch. Dr. Keoch showed me everywished to see.

We then went up to the Peak, where it was a little cold and foggy; but a magnificent scene lay spread out below us.

It was the two hundredth anniversary of the Prussian kingdom, and all the warships in the harbour fired twenty-one guns in honour of the event. The noise was terrific and it looked as if a battle was going on.

With Father M'Clymont I went on board the commodore's ship, the Tamar, to tea and met many naval men. The commodore lived on board with