RIVER PIRATES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20112, 5 December 1939, Page 2

RIVER PIRATES

CHINESE BANDITS CAPTURE OF BRITON RESCUED BY ADMIRAL MISSIONARY'S HELP “The Story of a Naval Life,” by Admiral Sir Hugh Tweedie, is one ol the most interesting volumes ot naval reminiscences of recent years. the author has seen service in all parts of the world, and his career ana achievements in the Great War aie related with modesty and precision. The book is full of good stones not only about his fellow-officers and superiors in rank but of others well known in civil life. The book is all the more readable because it is not sensational, but rather a lively record of facts related with a fine restraint and discretion. One of the most interesting sections of Admiral Sir Hugh Tweedie’s book deals with his period of service on the China station. His account of the river pirates makes thrilling reading, and is of special interest at this juncture of conflict in the Far East. He tells the story of one Captain Lalor, of the merchant service, who on one occasion was captured and held to ransom. Sir Hugh writes:“I was leaving Hankow at the time, and pressed on up the river, in the meantime getting into touch with the Rev. Mr. Tocher, of the Scottish Missionary Society, who, I was told, was the most likely man in those parts to be able to get into touch with the bandits. Tocher came forward immediately. The bandits were traced to the vicinity of Shasi; we got a note from Lalor that lie was badly wounded and lying in the bottom of a boat where lie had been tied up for six days A High Ransom —Dollars and Bamboo Sticks “The bandits asked a very high ransom, and paying a ransom of this sort'of demand is, of course highly dangerous as a temptation to open up a lucrative business. It was possible by taking active steps we might capture the sampan lie was in. It was almost certain that with any threat of this sort the bandits, before decamping, would kill Lalor, lie, being shot in the log, not being easily dragged across country. The bandits wanted GO,QUO dollars, and whoever delivered them must come alone to a rendezvous by night; a risky business. "Moreover, they would only take Mexican dollars or bamboo sticks, a form of money I had never before seen, but sufficiently bulky to make the handling difficult. They were sewn up in sacks five hundred to a thousand at a time; eacli stick had a chop mark or it of some local tradesman or bank, virtually representing an I O U redeemable for cash or food A Sedan Chair Journey “Tocher went several times to the rendezvous by night without result,

and I had nearly given up any hope of success that way and told lochei that I proposed to search ail sampans and junks in the vicinity commencing next day; no easy job, for there were many hundreds of them up the creeks near Shasi. I called on the local general and arranged with him to turn out all his troops, and. as far as possible put a cordon round the whole place.

“It was not a plan I had much faith in. One had learnt that Lalor had already changed hands once and was now in the control of the x’obbeis guild, a powerful organisation, almost sure to have someone in close touch with the local military and a good working knowledge of any plans made. Incidentally, calling on the general was quite amusing. Through the local customs inspector I obtained two chairs, for myself and an interpreter, and away we went through the town, the dirtiest and narrowest streets of any Chinese town I know, and that is saying a good deal. -To impress tiie military gentleman, I had put on cocked hat and epaulettes, not that I think clothes, at least European clothes, do impress the Chinese, but I hoped they might. After pushing our way through alleyways for halt' an libur oi so, I came to the conclusion the bearers either did not know where the Yanien was or had been told not to take me there. An Impasse “My interpreter, Mr. Gabb, a man of possibly eighteen stone, had been left far behind, and I made my coolies stop. At length Gabb came up, having parted with his chair. We agreed it was no good going father, but going back was not so easy. Behind us had collected a long line of pack donkeys, each with a couple of big sacks across his back; either we had to be backed into the nearby shops, or the donkeys. A large and noisy crowd collected and hurled, I’ve no doubt, highly- abusive language at us. “It was rather a funny scene; one admiral. English, complete in his nearly best uniform, surrounded'bv a yelling and remarkably dirty crowd; the only thing in the opposite party which was not making a noise or looking excited was the leading donkey. Something in the donkey’s face made me laugh, really entirely at my own thoughts, but it acted like magic. Instantly all the abuse stopped and they all laughed, and with one accord pushed the donkeys and their loads against the open shop counter and allowed me to pass. “Face’’

“What looked like going to be an awkward affair changed to good humour in a moment. Having found our way back to our starting-point, I learnt the general was in residence not one hundred yards away. I walked in past the usual two sentries with presented automatic pistols and had my interview. Why the procession through the town first remains a mystery, something to do witli the mysterious business called “Face,” for I have no doubt it was all arranged. “Returning to the ship, I found Tocher had had another note from Lalor, who said tie could not live long, he had been now six days tied up in the bbttom of a sampan, not allowed to move for anything, and with scarcely any food or water. There was a covering message from

the bandits to say they would undoubtedly be at the rendezvous that night. Tocher was anxious to try again. I was rather against it, but gave in. This time he was successful, and about 10 o’clock, just as I had given orders to weigh, meaning to proceed up the river to look for him, he returned with Lalor, who was in a bad way. We left with him at once for Hankow Hospital, where his leg was successfully amputated and he made a good recovery.”