In The Air

Maoriland Worker, Volume I, Issue 8, 20 April 1911, Page 14

In The Air

* Tale of a. Midnight Adirexiture (By Wxl Kkaig.) Wet weather had prevented mc straying, abroad t'other night, and I whiled away the tedious hours !>:•' reading Thomas de Quineey's "Confessions of an Opium Eater." After reading the ' 'pleasures of opium,' •' I had registered a vow within the book and the volume cf my brain that I would have some — whatever the cost. Winter in Wellington minus Parliament was most intolerable and not to be endured. Something must be done, and that quickly, or I would degenerate into a bally vegetable. "Twenty-five ounces of laudanum are equal to one grain of opium,' , I read. Whether to have this elixir of life in liquid or solid form ? To carry surcease of sorrow in one's waistcoat pocket— "how infinite the bliss!" Moved by this impulse I rose and went down the steps leading from the plebian plains of Dixon St., Wellington, to the upper reaches of "the" Terrace, and sought the nearest pharmacy. But, like the gates of heaven on the unrepentant sinner, it was shut! Retracing my footsteps, and heaving a sigh of hope deferred., I wended my way back to my moving tent. A strange feeling stole over mc : I felt "light and airy, like a fairy," and seemed to walk up the long flight of stairs as easily and gracefully as the angels mounted and descended the steps of .Jacob's !Ladder. Time and space seemed non-existent. I had a sense of exhiliration to which that of the drinker of Turasura was as water unto wine. I did not want to go Borne—not even in the "morning. I would walk abroad, and hold communion with mysterious Night. A MESSENGER FROM MARS'! And suddenly I was aware of the i:>resence of a -weird and wonderful being. He might, thought 1., be a Messenger from jMars. His smile stole upon .mc like an opium dream—-it was bland, inscrutable and fvill of the mystery of the Orient. This smile lit up the face of the being and irradiated the dim surroundings like the pale maiden moon emerging from a bank of clouds. Who was he ? Whence was he ? And why ? I glanced at the environs of the smile and jjereeived a being of the Mongolian variety, attired in the loose robes of the Flowery Land. Mis smile expanded as he saw >my wondering gaze. "Sir," said he," in perfect Britrih, .'allow n.e to explain. iMy name is Li Chung Choo. and I am visiting Australasia for the purpose of enquiring into its social legislation. For the more easy and expeditious carrying out of by plans I have been travelling incog, in my own private airship." "Ah," said I, "this is the clue to these mysterious lights that some months ago were seen in Otago and elsewhere. And where are you putting up now, may I ask?" Li Chung Choo indicated with his forefinger an object right overhead, bearing a resemblance to an ancient Maori canoe. "That is my aei'cpiane,' ; said he, "and as I am about to return 1 extend you an invitation to accompany mc. Understanding you to be a journalist, I shall be able to get all iiecessnvy information from jow. Gentleincn of your ocupation know everything. Is not that so ?" "Well/ , said I, staggered at this adventure, "it is one of those popular delusions which prevent the disintegration of soeietj 7 ; therefore it is dangerous to challenge it. But., between ourselves, Mr. Clioo, we gentleman of the press don't knew everything, tho' we conceal the fact with great success." UP, UP., TO "But come," said my host, "my aviateur will b-e anxious. 'Thereupon Xα Chung Choo touched a knob attached to a line reaching to the ■air-sliip, and immediately six bright electric lights flashed forth at intervals bet-ween terra firms and the ship in the sky. Undoing ■what seemed to be a Chinese umbrella., Mr Oiioo unfolded to my astonished view a kind of parachute, with immense wing-like sails, fitted with pipes, which I was informed contained the compressed air that supplied the motive power. "Now, ,, said my host, "if you will take hold, of this we will s-con be safe a.bove." Here he uncoiled his pigtail, with perfect nonchalance, and handed mc the loose end. This I grasped, scarce knowing what I did. but feeling, in a vague way. that soune rare chance was impending—a tide in my -affairs which might lead mc to distinction, and even mention in tlie society columns of the- press. I would see the thing through, come -\rhat might. After all, I could only die once, and. if

now, then I would miss the Wellington AA'inter —a consideration. Releasing the stoppers of the containing the compressed air. and seizing the main rod, Li Chung Ohco bounded lightly from the earth, with myself attached to his pigtail. We rose quickly and evenly through the cool air, and I glanced with feelings of wonder at the slumbering capital. How many people there lying peacefully asleep knew of tlie dreaded catastrophe Avh'ch threatened them, r.n.d the war in the air that saA r <?d them from an unknown, and awful doom! It is Avell that "heaven from all creatures hides the Book of Fate." But to my tail—l mean tale. A HEAVENLY FKAST. With Avings as SAvift as meditation had Aye reached the mysterious craft which, like Mahomet's coffin, hung betwixt earth and heaven, Li Chung Choo. as one used to these novel navigators of the ether, embarked from the stern. and conducted mc to a recess resembling a well-appointed cabin. Here were maps, charts, mathematical apparatus, as AA-ell as lockers containing; creature comforts. My Celestial guide smiled blandly as he saw wonder depicted on my countenance. But he alloAved mc to recover my self-possession ere he began to explain the working of his skyey craft. "This is an invention," said he, pointing to the parachute by Avhich Aye had ascended, "which was known to the Chinese in the time of Confucius. Owing, however, to the facilities it offered farmers for holiday-making during the tax - gathering season, the £on of Heaven forbade their manufacture. My airship is only an expanded parachute Its mode of construction is simplicity itself. You pump air into the tubes, Avhich are regulated by means of stops, and these, with the rudder at the stern ply all the motive power necessary." And once again he smiled broadly. "But AA'hat say you. to supper?" said Li of the ship and the Avind currents, supChung Choo. "I say it is an excellent proposition," said I. For, truth to speak," I had found a considerable appetite during my aerial trip. My host laid on a small folding table some dishes, a la Ohinois, probably birds' nests, Pekin fungus, and others of the same, which I had no hesitation in attacking, so attractive did they appear. Then he placed bottles of peculiar shape before mc, and poured out a glass of greenish liquor. "I can recommend this/ said Choo; "no wines of the ay est can equal this delicious beverage: it is a nectar fit for the gods." "All," said I, "that will be good enough for mc." And straightway I emptied a glasfui. But, oh, ye gods! Hoaa 7 shall I~ describe the effects. The music of the spheres sounded in my ears ; delicate perfumes lulled my senses into a sweet forgetfulness of earth; visions of Eden flitted before my eyes. "Tell mc, my friend, what heavenly draught Avas that ?'' "It is the insipssated juice of the poppy," said Li Chung Choo. "This also was invented by the Chinese in the days of Confucius." "Then," said I, "heaven bless the inventor, and may his name be honoured upon the earth." BOUND FOR PEKIN. "And now," said Choo, "it is time for us to be going." "Going where?" queried I. "Why, to Pekin," Avas the reply, "My mission to Australasia is ended; having secured a real live journalist I shall be able to acquaint my Government AA'ith all necessary information." "Here it flashed upon mc that 1 av;:s the v;ctim of a plot. Was I to be carried to the Flowery Land and kept as a hostage by the yellow men, to be delivered up only on the repeal of the £100 poll-tax ? Or did the Chinese contemplate an invasion of God's Own Country in airships, meaning to retain mc as a guide? These thoughts made mc dizzy. I turned to Li Chung Choo and said, "Surely you are joking? I must be at the office to-morrow, or society Avill not be satisfied." "But if I don't take you with mc to Pekin my Government will not be satisfied, and I shall probably lose my head," said Mr Choo. _I reAtdved the situation in my head. Would I desert my country, to be the means of betraying it to the yellow peril ? Perish the thought ! Why, here Avas the chance of my life. If I could extricate myself from the clutches of this perfidious Celestial, Avhat might not be in store for mc. A grateful country might reward mc Avith the inspectorship of suspicious airships, at £5000 a .year and travelling expenses. I Avould become famous. My photograph and biography Avcnld appear in the newspapers and illustrated Aveeklies; people would point mc out in the streets* and .say, "That's tiie man who snA-ed the Domin-

ion." Already I felt my clothes getting too tight for mc. A DESPERATE DEED I resolved on instant action. I would attack Li Chung Chco from behind, and strangle him Avith his pigtail. Then I Avould descend, and after a short nap call on tho Hon. James Carroll, Aeti_r_; Premier, and relate my adventure. Li Chung Choo rose up to give directions to his aviateur. Now was my chance. Seizing his pigtail, I AA-ound it firmly round his neck, and bore h'm backwards. Then ere he ccuk'l resist 'S swung his legs aloft, and tipped him over on to Night's Plutonian Shore. Immediately the lights AVAii.t out. J w;v.i aware of a rumbling noise, "/he stars of heaven seemed to be converging and descending upon the earth; Avhile the great globe itself rose rapidly to meet tlie falling heavens. Would I be crushed between the upper and nether millstones! I was haunted Avith the fear of. suffocation—the death I dreaded most. MeaiiAAiiile the airship kept falling, falling, falling. Would it" never reach earth? I grew reckless—and drank the remainder of the poppy juice. At that instant all Avas changed : heaven and earth seemed revolving round mc: I could have touched the stars and grabbed a handful <■ f them. Had I knoAvn Avhich Avas Mars I could ha soh'-ed the problem of life on t!i:?.t planet and made myself an cA r erJnsti:rtr-; name. The sensation of revolving AA'ith the stars was glorious ; and I shouted out in any glee. And the sound of my own voice awoke me—and behold ! it v. as all a dream. Ah mc! "All that Aye see or seem. Is but a dream within a dream."