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Corean Dawn excerpt (Page 9)
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T’ang and his sampan arrived the next morning with news from Chemulpo.
“Great amounts of logs and building supplies now surround your hut at Chemulpo,” said the Chinese sampan skipper. “The hunters guard the hut and a growing heap of goods, and su¬pervise crews of coolies leveling the grounds.There is much curiosity ofrom passerbys and much to the alarm and displeasure of Madam Ahn, who for years dreamed of one day developing the fallow land. Pak, in his Corean gibberish, indicated that you have arranged to obtain the land. What an irascible savage that hunter is; he does not like you being out of his sight. And rumors are flying in Chemulpo. They say that Chaoshien will soon open to the West.”
Tubert nodded.
“It will. These Americans will soon leave, and you’ll sail me up the coast,” said the Soldier Brother. “Then I’ll have that land. As soon as the settlement is built, I’m buying a junk. If you wish, you’ll captain it for a salary plus commission. Give this old decrepit wood heap to your neph¬ews or sell it. Take care not to let any Japanese or Coreans board your vessel, for by now they’ve figured out we have a working arrangement. Smugglers are bolder down here, even in the harbor. Now take me back to shore. The Corean side is hosting today’s reception for the Americans.”
“Thank you, Soldier Brother.”
The following day, final discussions ended with fourteen provisions tentatively agreed upon for the eventual treaty. Tubert quietly advised Jewell that they would cruise Pusan Harbor aboard a Chinaman’s vessel that evening. At Five O'clock, Jewell came over the side of the Ticonderoga to the sampan.
There were Corean women divers, who only recently cladthemselves in skimpy cotton clothing, returning to the surface of the sea along Yongdo Island as Tubert had the Chinese skipper sail eastward along the harbor. The near nude women disappeared below the sea, resurfacing with fresh mussels and clams, which were then either sliced and served raw to visitors, or were transported for sale in the markets of the city. Japanese fishing people in tiny craft moved through the waters nearby, bartering for the freshly caught seafood with hand signals and a few words of Corean.
The Corean women, bobbing in the waters, loudly protested the approaching sampan, until Tubert called to them that he wished to purchase some of their catch. In two minutes, they were off, moving again eastward.
“Timothy,” said the American officer, sampling a raw seafood snack with Tubert. “I need to ask you, where do your loyalties lay? With Chaoshien, or with your own coun¬try?”
“I repay a debt I owe to this kingdom for not killing me, and for a charmed existence, after your great ships and great country left me here for dead,” said Tubert, candidly. “With whom do you think my loyalties should lay?”
The giant American officer grew silent, profound sadness and guilt lining his face.
“I un¬derstand, but I may be the only Westerner who ever will. You know, my young brother was killed by the goddamed Comanches at home, in Texas, before I met you? Killed by a pack of savages, just like these,” said the powerful naval officer, his voice trailing. “What you owe me is the chance to make up for not being able to save you from what happened to you. Penance for me, in a way. When push comes to shove, and it will, Timothy, I’ll be here for you,” said Jewell, declin¬ing
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