CHAPTER VI
SHANGHAI: ITS IMPRESSIONS--MURDER!--A RESCUE, AND A HAPPY ENCOUNTER
The steamer had proceeded up the coast, threading the ChineseArchipelago in the direction of the southern entrance to theYang-Tse-Chiang, as English people mis-name it. The Chinese name it_Kiang_, or _Ta Kiang_, the former being the "river," the latter the"great river" (Kiang-tsi being the province). The Kiang runs for threethousand miles through North and Southern China, and is available forsteamers for a long distance inland. The contrast between the blueocean and the mud-tinged waters of the river is observable far fromland.
To approach Shanghai we were compelled to proceed carefully in ourlittle ship, because the Woosung River, on which the settlement is sowell situated, is narrow and shallow in comparison with the Kiang. Butwhen the last corner is turned and the concession comes into view, withits wharfs, brewery, cathedral, trees, fine houses, quays and streets,well supplied with water, gas, electric light, post-offices,telegraphs, and pillar-boxes; police of sorts, from the British"blue-bottle" to the Chinese "copper" in knickerbockers and gaiters,supplemented by the Sikh or Indian guardian of the peace in a blazingturban, who would more quickly disperse any youthful gathering inEngland by his mere appearance at the corner than the "bobby" ofBritish aspect at home, the visitor is astonished.
The schooner anchored in the stream, and I was greatly surprised by theevidences of wealth which the beautiful houses and the esplanade, thewharfs and shipping, denoted. All these are so different from theideas which the average and untravelled Britisher has conceived ofChina, that if he do not visit Hong Kong on the way out, nor stay inSan Francisco on the way round, he will be fairly astonished atShanghai, when he first views the settlements, and its prosperity.
Three concessions line the river, namely, the English, the American,and the French. The two former are united in their Government, andseparated by creeks and bridges. The English and American settlementsare well kept, clean, and well looked after. The French, which lies bythe Chinese outside-settlement, was rather badly kept, and even aBritish "ricksha" was not permitted to cross the French line. Aroadway lined by trees, like a boulevard, runs between the houses andthe river, which is embanked, like the Thames in London. The Chinesecity of Shanghai is walled and separated from the "foreign devils'"location, it is most truly Chinese, which means a great deal. Woosungis the port.
I was pondering upon my intended movements, when Eagan came amidshipsto where I was gazing at the crowded river, and asked me what Iproposed to do.
"Suppose you'll go ashore and have a spree?" he said.
"Can't I stay where I am?" I asked. "I have not much money, and amignorant of the place, though I hear there are boarding-houses forsailors."
"Hum--yes," he said doubtfully. "We're going into dock, and I thinkyou'd better go to the hotel. My passengers are landing, and are goingto the Japanese hotel in the American section, now. They won't mindyou anyhow. The place is cheap and good, I hear. If you stay thereto-night you may find the Consulate in the morning, and get a wireperhaps, or letters, or any news possible."
I thought Mr. Eagan wished me away, and I consented to his suggestionat once. He seemed relieved by my assent.
"See, now," he proceeded, "here's _cash_ for you, never mind paying.We're bound to refit, and you'll have twice the fun ashore than you'dhave with me in the 'muss.' You've never been up here? Laws! Then goashore with my passengers. Never mind the want of baggage, it's aboardyour ship," he said, winking, "but I'll lend you a change, and a fewthings till to-morrow."
Under the circumstances I considered that Eagan's plan was best, andbesides he did not want me any more than the four passengers, and I didnot press the matter further. The skipper gave me some dollars and aquantity of _cash_, and passed me amid the crowd of chattering coolieswho scented passengers and a job. After a struggle, in which Eagan hadupset several of the most unfortunate of the coolies, the valise he hadfilled for me was hoisted by the chosen one of the mob, and borne byhim to the Japanese hotel in Honkiew, the "American" settlement, which,with the British and French settlements, are entirely separated fromthe Chinese city, though the rich Chinese prefer the foreign quarter.
The foreign concession is surrounded by streams and ditch from therest, and is virtually an island isolated. The river bounds one side,and brooks the others; one crossed bridges and ditches, and findschange _and_ decay! There is an Anglo-Chinese settlement, but all theforeign side is clean, well lighted by lamps and electricity, with finehouses, warehouses, and public buildings. Shanghai is no longer Chinain the settlements.
In the American settlement my friend Eagan, whom I suspected was anAmerican bred, had indicated the hotel on the Broadway. To this Irepaired, and was quickly furnished with a room which in itself was notlavishly supplied in this manner. However, it was clean, and provedcomfortable, and I slept, rocked, in imagination, by the heaving sea.
I awoke late, and was engaged in various "extension motions" erepreparing to dress, when my calisthenics were suddenly brought to aconclusion by the sound of a pistol shot. Was this imagination? Ihastily attired myself in pyjamas again, but before I had quitefinished, another, and another shot rang out in the corridor!
I dashed out, but seeing no one, though inhaling the smoke of thedischarges, I ran to the head of the stairs. Three or four others cameon the scene immediately, and a number of persons came rushing up frombelow. I pushed on, and stared in horror at the sight. A dead andbleeding body lay before me!
It was that of Oh Sing, or Kim, the smaller of the two Coreans who hadsailed in the _Harada_.
I started back. Then Lung had been revenged! I began to appreciatethe danger I had escaped on board the schooner. Here was the victim,shot dead in the "Japanese" hotel! Truly I had had a most marvellousescape. Lung had evidently intended to assassinate his companion inthe berth which I had unwittingly occupied. What had been the objectof the murderer? These reflections hurried through my mind likelightning, and the spectators began to compare notes concerning theincident even while carrying the dead man back to his room. As we thusretraced our steps, we managed to put the facts together, and when thedoctor arrived he asked me what I had witnessed. My testimony wasbrief but important, and the Consul's representative arrived during theinterview.
The unfortunate Oh Sing had been shot by three bullets, so all thedischarges had taken effect. He had been shot through the cheek--theleft--and again through the stomach--wounds which tended to prove thatthe man must have been lying down when attacked, and that the assassinhad entered the bedroom. The left cheek being perforated tended to theassumption that the poor victim had been lying on his right side, awayfrom the door, when attacked. He must then have turned, half risingup, and received another bullet in front, and then he had fled. Thethird ball had penetrated below the shoulder, and had found its billetin a vital part, for the man had died at the end of the corridor, bythe stairs down which the man Lung had escaped.
This was a most unfortunate occurrence for the hotel people, and Ifancied I knew then why Eagan had been so anxious to get thepassengers, including myself, ashore; and why he had kept the Coreansapart when on board. He knew something--and guessed the rest.
Having given my name to the Consul, and been advised to remain inShanghai for a while, I had breakfast, for which I had little appetite,and sauntered out. My first visit was to the docks to acquaint Eaganwith the news, but I ascertained that the _Harada_ had sailed atdaybreak, "leaving no address," so I was compelled to retrace my steps.
I was now in a quandary. If the _Feng Shui_ did not come up soon Imight be arrested as an accomplice in the murder, and all day Istrolled about within the settlements listening to the strongexpressions of disgust for the deed. The murderer must be hanged--thatwas only justice. The feeling against the Japanese was in a measureincreasing, and one knows how racial dislikes are fomented in the FarEast. I began to look around me cautiously. I had been already in thewitness-box, and some f
anatic might think it proper to whet his knifeupon my ribs. This opportunity I did not desire to afford him.
But for all my care I, of all people, was drawn into a dispute, andconcerning an arrest--or perhaps I should say an attempted arrest. Iwas strolling up the road which turns aside from the Bund--a street inwhich European wares are displayed--when I perceived two ratherpeculiar Chinamen following a third Chinese, and evidently "shadowing"him. Perhaps I might not have remarked them had not the "shadowed" manhalted beside me as I was looking at photographs displayed in awell-known shop. I turned sharply to look at the man. He struck me asdifferent from the ordinary Chinaman, not a coolie, yet not a mandarincertainly. A "middle-class" I may say; a trader, perhaps, but surelynot a native of South China.
To my astonishment he addressed me in excellent English.
"Can you permit me to accompany you, sir? Please be cautious."
I stared at the fellow; then thinking that trouble might arise, I madeno reply. He spoke again. The men stood watching us.
"Do not turn away. I am in danger in these clothes. Can you assistme? I am a Japanese officer."
"A Jap!" I exclaimed. "Why this disguise, then? What are you doinghere?"
"I have been travelling in China. The Chinese suspect me inconsequence of the murder here. Can I accompany you a while?"
I paused a moment, and at length consented. We proceeded to theConsulate, and were seated upon the bench there, when my newacquaintance replied to my request for information by saying--
"I am a sailor--a Japanese junior officer. Those men intended to killme. I am searching for news. They are arming against us."
WE PROCEEDED TO THE CONSULATE]
"Yes," I replied; "I hear as much. How can I protect you then,supposing you are a Japanese officer? How can I tell that?"
"I can produce my authority, sir," he said gently but firmly.
"Will you disclose your identity 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 meetprotection."
"Why not address some other Englishman--a merchant or shipper? Thereare many officers and sailors better than I."
"The merchant would not credit a 'Chinese.' The natives do not mixwith the foreigners except in business-talk--'pidgin,' you know. Ifthey betrayed me I might be killed. I intended to leave here sooner,but have found no vessel in which I can yet sail. The Japanese steamerwill arrive to-night. Let me remain with you. You will be sorry ifyou do not, I daresay."
"You speak English very well," I said. "You have been in London?"
"Yes," he answered; "I was attached to the Japanese Embassy a while--atleast, I was a student in London, and met with much kindness. Mybrother, 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 awkwardquestion. Then he mentioned several people well known, and at leastone family with whom my people were acquainted, their residence, andfriends. I was almost convinced.
"Very well," I said after a pause, "I will take you to the hotel; butyou must talk bad English, and attend me to the various places I wantto 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 thepidgin. Melican."
"Oh, I thought you said _pelican_ first, not _pigeon_." He smiled.
"I was chattering coolie-pidgin. 'Can do' means 'can,' simply. Iimplied that I would attend you, that's all. Please be careful."
"Of you, or of myself?" I asked, smiling in return. "All right, let usgo to the hotel. You can remain there a while, then we will take astroll, and perhaps by the time we have returned we may find your shipin 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--superstition. The men areleaving us, see! But they will return. Shall we move?"
We rose, and looked round us. I felt rather nervous. Suddenly myyoung Japanese cried--
"There she is! _Kyodo Maya_. My ship for Japan."
"A merchant steamer!" I exclaimed. "Not a warship."
"Yes, 'Union Steam.' I go home. You have saved my life. Let me waituntil the boat comes ashore. I join my ship at Chemulpo."
I was quite puzzled. Was this man true or false? If false, what couldhe gain by selling me? He appeared honest, and certainly two men werewatching us still. He had laid himself open to suspicion, at least.
"Come with me, sir," he said. "If you will come on board the steameryou will understand this. I assure you I am true, and thankful foryour society."
"I am also awaiting my ship. Perhaps your vessel may not wait to putme ashore again, and"--
"I am an officer," he interrupted. "The captain has instructions forme."
"But not for me. See, the men are approaching again. A boat is beinglaunched. Shall we go to the wharf now?"
We hastened down. The sun was setting, and the Japanese had certainlyhad an escape. Even then the bandits looked ugly and revengeful. The"officer" was full of thankfulness and gratitude to me.
"Remember," he said, "if ever we meet I am your debtor. My name isTomi Taijiro. My relatives are in the navy and in the mercantileservice. My elder brother is in the army. You will remember you havesaved my life."
"I am pleased to think so," said I. "If so, I am truly glad. I hopewe shall meet again. If so, once more, I shall claim your promise. Ibelieve you."
He bowed deeply, lowly fashion, and I wondered for the moment. But hiscostume warranted the obeisance, and the boat came near. The two menapproached us through the throng, and Tomi whispered--
"On guard! I dare not call assistance. Stand firm!"
Meantime the steamer's boat was approaching, impelled by Japanese. TheChinamen came closer. We shifted away amongst the people, and I hailedthe boat. The officer made a sign to the coxswain. The men pulledharder.
At that moment the assassins rushed in. In another moment we mighthave been struck, or even killed. But we turned suddenly, andunexpectedly separated. Each seized a "coolie"--so they appeared tobe--and with real luck avoided a stab. In a second both men wereswimming for life amid the shouts of the spectators, amid alarms andcries from natives.
"What is it?" asked some anxiously. "What has happened? Were theythrown in?"
"An accident," I replied, nodding at Tomi as I turned away. The boatcame up, and he was rowed away, to the surprise of the onlookers on thewharf, who had not seen the struggle.
Then I returned, and remained indoors next day till afternoon.
As no one molested me, I became more easy in my mind as the day woreon, and I began to look about me with more interest. From the fineparade along the river,--the Bund it is called,--with its turfedslopes, Shanghai is alive, right away to the men-of-war, localsteamers, and launches. The streets are full, even crowded, withpassers-by and rickshas--the original "Pull-man car of Shanghai." Onthe Bund the business is performed, and its occupants are indeed busy.It is a wonderful sight for the stranger from Europe, who expectsthings to be Chinese-like. In the Maloo, or chief road, cabs,broughams, barrows, and horsemen jostle each other daily.
This is not China! It is London, Paris, New York. Fine houses andbroad pavements; banks, hotels, imposing buildings, a cathedral. Greatships and little boats, sampans. Vessels loading and unloading, noiseand bustle, cranes and steam-whistles. Babel of language, and thenever-ceasing chatter of the Chinaman and his friends. _Cash! cash!cash!_ Merchants,
coolies, rickshas, runners, porters; Chinese dodgingthe carts, and avoiding the "foreign devils"; yet, at times, driving inBritish landaus driven by a Chinese. Such a confusion, such fun andvariety; yet all over it, for me, hung the shadow of the crime of theCorean which led to War!
I crossed the bridge, and visited the Chinese-European sections,--notthe city of Shanghai,--and the French Quai des Fosses, and the familiarnotice of the continent of Europe--"defendu!" The Chinese possess intheir section no landaus, they hire wheelbarrows like Mr. Pickwick's.Here one can examine the shops and the natives at leisure. You may seethe deformed feet, and the really unpleasant supplies of food which theChinaman consumes, and the frequent coffin which he will occupy laterwhen he dies of "carrion dishes."
And all this primitive, conservative, old-world practice in the midstof modern civilisation--electric light, steam, and even comparativelybroad streets, high houses, and wide roads,--but not China.
I put in the three last items because Chinese natives have no roads, aswe called them, no high houses as in Europe, and no _streets_. Thestreets are alleys; the houses deep, not high; the roads, paths! Allis topsy-turvy; even the house-roof is made and put up before thewalls; and politeness consists in depreciating oneself to the visitor.The lady of the house is a nonentity, and the meaning of "wife" ismerely "_the woman who uses the broom_" or servant! In ShanghaiAnglo-China you may be amused and interested, but in a Chinese town,such as Amoy, or Shanghai, or Hankow, you will be disgusted, and unlessstrong in all ways, come away absolutely sick and ill. The sights, thesmells, the open drains, the filth, the putrid food, and the personaldirtiness, will, in a quarter of an hour, repel all but the devotedseeker and the confirmed and robust smoker.[1]
[1] The wealthy Chinese are yearly becoming less conservative in theirhabits, and their wives are now in evidence in carriages.
But when within European districts one may see something, and satisfylegitimate curiosity; perhaps even in the peep-shows, though here againthe taste of the native is for "high" meats; and "blue" incidents, asin the theatre and such places, are evident.
* * * * *
When I arose next morning I heard that Lung had been arrested, and thatthe inquest was to be held at once. Lung did not seem in any wayinterested, and declared that he had acted under directions from highauthority in Corea. However that may have been, he was not hanged norimprisoned, but handed by the consuls to the Chinese, and departed in aman-of-war.
Being much interested in the case, I kept watch, and discovered thatthe man would be conveyed away by night to Corea. As I was wonderinghow I could find out the fact, and conceal myself from the police, Isaw a well-known figure making for the Consulate, near which I wasseated. I rushed up and accosted the new-comer.
"Captain Goldheugh! This _is_ luck!"
"Julius! By thunder! is it yourself entirely? Well now, look at that!I was going to the Consulate for ye. Look at that!"
This was an apostrophe, a favourite expression with the skipper.
"And ye're not dead at all?" he asked, after a hearty shake, twicerepeated.
"Not at all," I replied, laughing. "Delighted to see you, captain."
"So am I, bedad! Why, the steamer was _crying_ for ye, and wouldn'tsteam scarcely, and we declared it was the name did it--_Feng Shui_, noless. I am thinking of changing it. I am so!"
"Why, sir? Surely _Feng Shui_ is no harm?"
"No harm, is it? Bedad, it may mean anything--in China; and as we'reChinese now--a Chinese transport I think I'll make it, bedad!--I'mgoing to the Consul to _report_ the _Kowshing_. I never did like thename _Feng Shui_--in China. I was told it was unlucky."
"Why? What does it mean?" I asked, as we continued our way.
"_Feng Shui_? I told ye it means 'wind and weather,'--but also theirinfluences; things which cannot be exactly understood, but which, likeelectricity, are evident. In China _Feng Shui_ generally means agrave."
"That's cheerful, anyway," I muttered.
"And whether the place is 'good' or 'bad' depends very much upon theimagination or estimation of the persons interested. There are'professors' who profess to understand _Feng Shui_, but I needn't saythey are mostly humbugs, and only try to make money out of ye. But Ithink China is getting much wiser, and less conservative in many ways.Ye'll see ladies on bicycles soon--I mean Chinese women; and when ye_do_, ye may depend the old restrictions are broken away."
"Then the _Feng Shui_ is doomed, you mean?"
"Yes, it will be; and the steamer must change her name. Look here,Julius, between you and me and the bedpost, the mate and myself havemade up our minds to stand the racket for the Company, and chance it.The agent holds off, but I see my way to profit by the fuss."
"What fuss? This murder?"
"Bosh!" exclaimed the captain. "The _war_! The Chinese and Japs arealready at loggerheads about Corea. This murder business will causethe Japs to interfere. China has already sent soldiers to Corea, andthe Japs have the right to do the same. Now ye'll see sparks fly!"
"I'm afraid I do not quite understand it."
"Well, well! Can't ye understand the difference between Conservativesand Progressives? Yes! Then Japan is progressive, and the Chinese theother way. The Johnnies objected to Corea being made progressive, asthe Japanese tried to make it, because Japan is advancing to Europeanperfections. That very fellow who was killed two days ago was anadherent of Japanese advance, and the old Coreans' style opposed him.Some years ago (in 1882) the Japanese had to fly out of Corea; theysent troops to punish the natives, the Chinese did the same, for thesake of making peace. But the Corean Progressives attacked the CoreanConservatives, who retaliated, and drove the Progressive party out in1884.
"Then it was arranged that both China and Japan, the Conservative andProgressive motive-powers, should each send troops to Corea if theother did, and the treaty between Li Hung Chang and Count Ito lastedfor nine years, till now--1894. And _now_," concluded the skipper,"Mr. Oh Sing, or Kim, has again thrown the fat into the fire. He'sbeen killed,--he was a 'Progressive,' ye understand,--and the consuls,or one of them, has caused the murderer to be sent by the Chinese toCorea to the king, free and unpunished! Bedad, my lad, we'll see moresparks out o' these flints yet!"
"Then the Conservative Corean has killed the Progressive Corean?"
"Just so; and the Chinese, being Conservative, have saved the murderer,and sent him home in a _man-of-war_! In a Government ship! Sent himhome with honours! Sure the Japs won't stand that."
"I suppose it was a planned thing?"
"Certainly; a plot,--a decoy. You, somehow, came in the vessel, and, Ihear, got into trouble almost. If the King of Corea instructed the manLung, or Hung, and if he goes back unpunished, then ye'll see some'fun,' as people call it."
"And the Chinese expect something?" I asked.
"Yes, they do. They're searching for transports on the quiet; and whenI have changed the _Feng Shui_ to _Kowshing_, and settled the bad luck,then we'll just go up to the Yellow Sea, and look in at Taku."
"Why at Taku?'
"Because I _hear_, quite by accident (accidentally on purpose, as myuncle used to say), that the troops for Corea will embark there, ifanywhere at all. My game is ready, and the steamer will be there. IfI can get the job, I makee much cash; if not, then perhaps one catcheedie, and get one piecee coffin, as Johnny Coolie might say. But allesamee some day. Are ye hungry, Julius? Let's chow-chow, eh?"
"Indeed I am, sir; very hungry."
"So'm I. I'm a'most dying with the _forgortha_--the hunger, yeknow,--myself. Come on then, and have bird's-nest soup and roast rat."
"No thank you," I replied with a shudder,
"Oh, come on, boy! Have lunch with me, and drink good luck to the_Kowshing_ and peace to the _Feng Shui_. Come!"