{has now reached a very acute stage. Fur several days soldiers have been guarding the main road leading to Songao, the only persons allowed to pass their lines being women and children. Many of the women and children have left Songao to take refuge in the homes of friends and relatives in other villages, as the ultimate intention of the officials was supposed to be the destruction of their villages. The Songao men on their part have made up their mind to fight to the last. They have established a strong guard at the top of a pass—being the only other road outlet—for the purpose of preventing any faint-hearted villager deserting his post. Invitations have been sent to other villages asking them to join the struggle, on the plea that if the mountain was opened the Fingehui of the whole district would be affected. Fortunately, so far, the other villages The same however cannot be said, of have refused to respond to this appeal sume of the villages on Nimrod Sound, noted for their piracy. Some eighty men, declared to be noted pirates, have entered Songao to assist the people in their coming fight with the soldier. Banners have been made on which are the characters which may be translated as "Calling Many," 32g. Unless the trouble is speedily settled, many ay respond to the call, and the officials have
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.