SOME FEARFUL MOMENTS.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2278, 15 September 1899, Page 5

SOME FEARFUL MOMENTS.

During the late war between China atd Japan we heard often of wonderful acts of bravery performed by the Japanese,but tales of Chinese bravery wc re few and far between. The following story, however, which appears to be told by an eyc-witnrss, is enough to show that tho Chinese bad at least one officer who was do coward.

The deposed viceroy, Li Hung Chang,and tho committee appointed by (he government to investigate the reasou of defeat at the battle of Port Arthur met in the City of Peking - . Amorp the charges was one of poor gunatiy brought against Captain Le Chen Fur, who had| commanded the Yen Tse Chang, one of the* largest battlf si ips that escaped from the actioii without great damage.

Aftt r Li Hung Cbaag had read the charges in hill the accused captain rose and requested that a diz< n shells be brought from his vessel. This was done, and the shells were set in a ro< before tLe committee.

Le Chen t'ue tLenttepped forward,and draw-} ing his sword aaid, " Can you wonder that wel wi re ili feutcd when our she'ls were like these?''

As hespi ke and before auy me could stop hint ho raised bis sword and brought it down on thi.l shell iu front of him. The shell was split in two-, and >awdust and red brick dust lltw all aboutv

Then in rapid succession he struck shell afteif shell. Nobody moved, we were so surprised aw'i (lightened 1 remember thinking that if the lasi> ono proved a good one there would be none of us 4 left to till the tale ; but, no, that was like all the others—a sham.

As he finished Le Chen Fue laid his sword atl the feet of Li Hung Chang, and as soon aB thaij statesman could speitlt lo dismissed the charges.