In Low Water (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1904 Excerpt: ...like an inferior animal. The Chinaman resented this, and bided his time to get even with him. "What's that stuff you are smoking, you heathen?" growled Mervyn one day, as he came across Chong lying in dreamy ecstacy on a bundle of horse clothing. The Chinaman grinned and rolled his almond eyes, then he rubbed his yellow-skinned hands together and grunted, much like a pig in a sty after a heavy meal. Mervyn kicked him, and the indignity roused Chong, who was at that moment dreaming he was a mandarin, and had just been set down in his chair at the entrance to the temple of perfect peace, wherein he saw visions of beautiful maidens, who were awaiting his arrival in various attitudes, at once sensual and full of anticipation. To be kicked under such circumstance was more than even Chong's opium-sodden brain could stand, and staggering to his feet he pushed Conrad Mervyn over the bundle of rugs, and he fell on a heap of hay. So astounded was he at this unexpected attack that he actually forebore to strike Chong, but looked at him filled with strange curiosity at the reason of his outburst, and how the necessary courage had been inspired. Chong danced round him in triumph, muttering in his own language, calling upon divers gods to witness his act, then, exhausted, he collapsed on his seat, and slept. Conrad Mervyn determined to find out the meaning of this, he fancied it had something to do with the peculiar smell he had perceived. Approached again upon the subject, Chong, with much mystery, proceeded to explain the multifarious charms of opium smoking. He had been using the drug when Mervyn spoke to him, and his tongue was loosened in strange eloquence, the stupid stage not having been reached--instead of dreaming thoughts he spoke them. Conrad Mervyn ...