Costerus left' the town of Ching-¢hiao 50 miles from home for the Just stage of his journey. At this place were soldiers or police charg' ed with protecting the road. The soldiers tol the travellers that there wore bandits a short distance ahead, and demanded -four dollars to see them safely past the danger zone. Mr. Costerus who, on account of the reputation of the road, had carried no money with him, have four dollars to gi them, consequently went on without escort. Before they had gone far the travellers had good reason for Bolieving that the soldiers had side information about the robbers, for at about two and a half miles from that place they found the xobbiers and their victims, the mail carriers, waiting for them. The robbers had looted the mails, takin li packages including some valuable articles, The bandits consisted of six men who were staying at a teahouse and seizing all travellers who came that way. Five of the men hal guns which they levelled at Mz. Costotus and demanded money. This Mr. Costerus was unable to give. The robbers than demanded his Dagwage. Mr. Costerus offered to open it and let them take what they wanted, but as they wanted it. all, the question of a fair division of the goods was soon seitied.
Being defeated in their desire for money the bandits now seized upon it, Costerus's twelve-year daughter and demanded a ransom of $20,000. Mr. Costerus pointed out that he could not oven give two hundred let alone twenty thousand. The bandits then started off with Miss Katherine saying thas they would keep her until the $20.- 000. was paid. Mr. Costerus in-cisted on accompanying his daughter. The villains with levelled guns onlered him back. He refused to be rated from her. One of the men fired his gun at Mr. Costerus' feet thinking to prevent him from following. Mr. Costerus continued with his daughter, all. travelling together.
When the bandits threatened to shoot him Mr, Costerus said: "That
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.