'Two or three weeks ago bandits came to the village of Lincheng, only a little more than a mile to the Southwest of the City, and carried away a young man' and several small children who belonged to the village elder. The children, who were step-brothers of the older boy, were released because the latter averred that they were only: relatives and that they could get nothing for them. The bandits put price of $3,000 on their hostage, and when it was not forthcoming one hand was cut off and an eyo gouged out, Since the ransom was toa well. His and thrown home the body two or: three da; ago. Many instances of this ily are occurring in this part of the country. The poor people are terror-stricken, and not without good reason. ' Travel at night is almost out of the question, while journeys by day are not lightly undertaken,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.