save us." Chinese girl know these men do not save, well we know they
come only to rob and murder and take slaves, for these are river
pirates.

Now I know the time has surely come when I must with life protect Miss
Sterling, so I cry to all people on rocks to take bamboo poles and fight
for lives, not one pirate must come on rocks or we die. Every girl know
this true, and our boatmen help and fight strongly; so fast do all hit
at men with poles that they much surprised, and after a little while go
away to talk and say - what do. Just that time Miss Sterling look see
how water rise swiftly and she well know that soon our rocks will be
covered and we all drown, so with face as white as paper she go to edge
of rocks and call to one of pirate band and say - "I give you $20 gold
if you will all to land carry." He only laugh and say - "$150 gold" she
say "$50" he say "$120" she say "$75" he say "$100" she say, "All right
$100" and in one minute all men begin work to carry us on shore.

Most girls very afraid and say pirates no keep word, no can trust to
take to shore safely.

Miss Sterling and I say not so, Chinese always keep word even pirates do
so.

Most strange, most wonderful when we land and turn back to look at rocks
where we spend the night we see nothing but swift water running like
wild horses over that place, and we know that so nearly had we been
drowned that nothing could have us saved if Miss Sterling had not been
so wise, so clever.

This letter is of too great longness already.