\"’Don’tlet’squarrel,Peachey,’saysDaniel,withoutcursing。
’You’reaKingtoo,andthehalfofthisKingdomisyours;butcan’tyousee,Peachey,wewantcleverermenthanusnow——threeorfourof’em,thatwecanscatteraboutforourDeputies。It’sahugeousgreatState,andIcan’talwaystelltherightthingtodo,andIhaven’ttimeforallIwanttodo,andhere’sthewintercomingonandall。’
Heputhalfhisbeardintohismouth,allredlikethegoldofhiscrown。
\"’I’msorry,Daniel,’saysI。’I’vedoneallIcould。I’vedrilledthemenandshownthepeoplehowtostacktheiroatsbetter;andI’vebroughtinthosetinwareriflesfromGhorband——butIknowwhatyou’redrivingat。ItakeitKingsalwaysfeeloppressedthatway。’
\"’There’sanotherthingtoo,’saysDravot,walkingupanddown。’Thewinter’scoming,andthesepeoplewon’tbegivingmuchtrouble,andiftheydowecan’tmoveabout。Iwantawife。’
\"’ForGord’ssakeleavethewomenalone!’Isays。’We’vebothgotalltheworkwecan,thoughI/am/afool。RemembertheContrack,andkeepclearo’women。’
\"’TheContrackonlylastedtillsuchtimeaswewasKings;andKingswehavebeenthesemonthspast,’saysDravot,weighinghiscrowninhishand。’Yougogetawifetoo,Peachey——anice,strappin’,plumpgirlthat’llkeepyouwarminthewinter。They’reprettierthanEnglishgirls,andwecantakethepickof’em。Boil’emonceortwiceinhotwater,andthey’llcomeoutlikechickenandham。’
\"’Don’ttemptme!’Isays。’Iwillnothaveanydealingswithawoman,nottillweareadam’sidemoresettledthanwearenow。I’vebeendoingtheworko’twomen,andyou’vebeendoingtheworkofthree。Let’slieoffabit,andseeifwecangetsomebettertobaccofromAfghancountryandruninsomegoodliquor;andnowomen。’
\"’Who’stalkingo’/women/?’saysDravot。’Isaid/wife/——aQueentobreedaKing’ssonfortheKing。AQueenoutofthestrongesttribe,that’llmakethemyourblood-brothers,andthat’llliebyyoursideandtellyouallthepeoplethinksaboutyouandtheirownaffairs。
That’swhatIwant。’
\"’DoyourememberthatBengaliwomanIkeptatMogulSeraiwhenIwasaplate-layer?’saysI。’Afatloto’goodshewastome。Shetaughtmethelingoandoneortwootherthings;butwhathappened?SheranawaywiththeStation-master’sservantandhalfmymonth’spay。ThensheturnedupatDadurJunctionintowofahalf-caste,andhadtheimpidencetosayIwasherhusband——allamongthedriversintherunning-shedtoo!’
\"’We’vedonewiththat,’saysDravot;’thesewomenarewhiterthanyouorme,andaQueenIwillhaveforthewintermonths。’
\"’Forthelasttimeo’asking,Dan,do/not/,’Isays。’It’llonlybringusharm。TheBiblesaysthatKingsain’ttowastetheirstrengthonwomen,’speciallywhenthey’vegotanewrawKingdomtoworkover。’
\"’Forthelasttimeofanswering,Iwill,’saidDravot,andhewentawaythroughthepine-treeslookinglikeabigreddevil,thesunbeingonhiscrownandbeardandall。
\"ButgettingawifewasnotaseasyasDanthought。HeputitbeforetheCouncil,andtherewasnoanswertillBillyFishsaidthathe’dbetteraskthegirls。Dravotdamnedthemallround。’What’swrongwithme?’heshouts,standingbytheidolImbra。’AmIadog,oramInotenoughofamanforyourwenches?Haven’tIputtheshadowofmyhandoverthiscountry?WhostoppedthelastAfghanraid?’Itwasmereally,butDravotwastooangrytoremember。’Whoboughtyourguns?
Whorepairedthebridges?Who’stheGrandMasterofthesigncutinthestone?’sayshe,andhethumpedhishandontheblockthatheusedtositoninLodge,andatCouncil,whichopenedlikeLodgealways。
BillyFishsaidnothing,andnomoredidtheothers。’Keepyourhairon,Dan,’saidI,’andaskthegirls。That’showit’sdoneatHome,andthesepeoplearequiteEnglish。’
\"’ThemarriageoftheKingisamatterofState,’saysDan,inawhite-hotrage,forhecouldfeel,Ihope,thathewasgoingagainsthisbettermind。HewalkedoutoftheCouncil-room,andtheotherssatstill,lookingattheground。
\"’BillyFish,’saysItotheChiefofBashkai,’what’sthedifficultyhere?Astraightanswertoatruefriend。’
\"’Youknow,’saysBillyFish。’Howshouldamantellyouwhoknowseverything?HowcandaughtersofmenmarryGodsorDevils?It’snotproper。’
\"IrememberedsomethinglikethatintheBible;but,ifafterseeingusaslongastheyhad,theystillbelievedwewereGods,itwasn’tformetoundeceivethem。
\"’AGodcandoanything,’saysI。’IftheKingisfondofagirlhe’llnotletherdie。’’She’llhaveto,’saidBillyFish。’ThereareallsortsofGodsandDevilsinthesemountains,andnowandagainagirlmarriesoneofthemandisn’tseenanymore。Besides,youtwoknowtheMarkcutinthestone。OnlytheGodsknowthat。WethoughtyouwerementillyoushowedthesignoftheMaster。’
\"IwishedthenthatwehadexplainedaboutthelossofthegenuinesecretsofaMasterMasonatthefirstgo-off;butIsaidnothing。Allthatnighttherewasablowingofhornsinalittledarktemplehalf-
waydownthehill,andIheardthegirlcryingfittodie。OneoftheprieststoldusthatshewasbeingpreparedtomarrytheKing。
\"’I’llhavenononsenseofthatkind,’saysDan。’Idon’twanttointerferewithyourcustoms,butI’lltakemyownwife。’’Thegirl’salittlebitafraid,’saysthepriest。’Shethinksshe’sgoingtodie,andtheyarea-hearteningofherupdowninthetemple。’
\"’Heartenherverytender,then,’saysDravot,’orI’llheartenyouwiththebuttofagunsoyou’llneverwanttobeheartenedagain。’Helickedhislips,didDan,andstayedupwalkingaboutmorethanhalfthenight,thinkingofthewifethathewasgoingtogetinthemorning。Iwasn’tanymeanscomfortable,forIknewthatdealingswithawomaninforeignparts,thoughyouwasacrownedKingtwentytimesover,couldnotbutberisky。IgotupveryearlyinthemorningwhileDravotwasasleep,andIsawtheprieststalkingtogetherinwhispers,andtheChiefstalkingtogethertoo,andtheylookedatmeoutofthecornersoftheireyes。
\"’Whatisup,Fish?’IsaytotheBashkaiman,whowaswrappedupinhisfursandlookingsplendidtobehold。
\"’Ican’trightlysay,’sayshe;’butifyoucanmaketheKingdropallthisnonsenseaboutmarriage,you’llbedoinghimandmeandyourselfagreatservice。’
\"’ThatIdobelieve,’saysI。’Butsure,youknow,Billy,aswellasme,havingfoughtagainstandforus,thattheKingandmearenothingmorethantwoofthefinestmenthatGodAlmightyevermade。Nothingmore,Idoassureyou。’
\"’Thatmaybe,’saysBillyFish,’andyetIshouldbesorryifitwas。’Hesinkshisheaduponhisgreatfurcloakforaminuteandthinks。’King,’sayshe,’beyoumanorGodorDevil,I’llstickbyyouto-day。Ihavetwentyofmymenwithme,andtheywillfollowme。
We’llgotoBashkaiuntilthestormblowsover。’
\"Alittlesnowhadfalleninthenight,andeverythingwaswhiteexceptthegreasyfatcloudsthatblewdownanddownfromthenorth。
Dravotcameoutwithhiscrownonhishead,swinginghisarmsandstampinghisfeet,andlookingmorepleasedthanPunch。
\"’Forthelasttime,dropit,Dan,’saysI,inawhisper;’BillyFishheresaysthattherewillbearow。’
\"’Arowamongmypeople!’saysDravot。’Notmuch。Peachey,you’reafoolnottogetawifetoo。Where’sthegirl?’sayshe,withavoiceasloudasthebrayingofajackass。’CallupalltheChiefsandpriests,andlettheEmperorseeifhiswifesuitshim。’
\"Therewasnoneedtocallanyone。Theywereallthereleaningontheirgunsandspearsroundtheclearinginthecentreofthepinewood。Alotofpriestswentdowntothelittletempletobringupthegirl,andthehornsblewfittowakethedead。BillyFishsauntersroundandgetsasclosetoDanielashecould,andbehindhimstoodhistwentymenwithmatchlocks——notamanofthemundersixfeet。I
wasnexttoDravot,andbehindmewastwentymenoftheregularArmy。
Upcomesthegirl,andastrappingwenchshewas,coveredwithsilverandturquoises,butwhiteasdeath,andlookingbackeveryminuteatthepriests。
\"’She’lldo,’saidDan,lookingherover。’What’stobeafraidof,lass?Comeandkissme。’Heputshisarmroundher。Sheshutshereyes,givesabitofasqueak,anddowngoesherfaceinthesideofDan’sflaming-redbeard。
\"’Theslut’sbittenme!’sayshe,clappinghishandtohisneck,and,sureenough,hishandwasredwithblood。BillyFishandtwoofhismatchlockmencatchesholdofDanbytheshouldersanddragshimintotheBashkailot,whilethepriestshowlsintheirlingo,’NeitherGodnorDevil,butaman!’Iwasalltakenaback,forapriestcutatmeinfront,andtheArmybehindbeganfiringintotheBashkaimen。
\"’GodA’mighty!’saysDan,’whatisthemeaningo’this?’
\"’Comeback!Comeaway!’saysBillyFish。’RuinandMutinyisthematter。We’llbreakforBashkaiifwecan。’
\"Itriedtogivesomesortoforderstomymen,——themeno’theregularArmy,——butitwasnouse,soIfiredintothebrownof’emwithanEnglishMartinianddrilledthreebeggarsinaline。Thevalleywasfullofshouting,howlingcreatures,andeverysoulwasshrieking,’NotaGodnoraDevil,butonlyaman!’TheBashkaitroopsstucktoBillyFishalltheywereworth,buttheirmatchlockswasn’thalfasgoodastheKabulbreech-loaders,andfourofthemdropped。
Danwasbellowinglikeabull,forhewasverywrathy;andBillyFishhadahardjobtopreventhimrunningoutatthecrowd。
\"’Wecan’tstand,’saysBillyFish。’Makearunforitdownthevalley!Thewholeplaceisagainstus。’Thematchlock-menran,andwewentdownthevalleyinspiteofDravot。HewasswearinghorribleandcryingoutthathewasaKing。Thepriestsrolledgreatstonesonus,andtheregularArmyfiredhard,andtherewasn’tmorethansixmen,notcountingDan,BillyFish,andMe,thatcamedowntothebottomofthevalleyalive。
\"Thentheystoppedfiring,andthehornsinthetempleblewagain。
’Comeaway——forGord’ssakecomeaway!’saysBillyFish。’They’llsendrunnersouttoallthevillagesbeforeeverwegettoBashkai。Icanprotectyouthere,butIcan’tdoanythingnow。\"
\"MyownnotionisthatDanbegantogomadinhisheadfromthathour。
Hestaredupanddownlikeastuckpig。Thenhewasallforwalkingbackaloneandkillingthepriestswithhisbarehands;whichhecouldhavedone。’AnEmperoramI,’saysDaniel,’andnextyearIshallbeaKnightoftheQueen。’
\"’Allright,Dan,’saysI;’butcomealongnowwhilethere’stime。’
\"’It’syourfault,’sayshe,’fornotlookingafteryourArmybetter。
Therewasmutinyinthemidst,andyoudidn’tknow——youdamnedengine-
driving,plate-laying,missionary’s-pass-huntinghound!’Hesatuponarockandcalledmeeveryfoulnamehecouldlaytongueto。Iwastooheart-sicktocare,thoughitwasallhisfoolishnessthatbroughtthesmash。
\"’I’msorry,Dan,’saysI,’butthere’snoaccountingfornatives。
ThisbusinessisourFifty-seven。Maybewe’llmakesomethingoutofityet,whenwe’vegottoBashkai。’
\"’Let’sgettoBashkai,then,’saysDan,’and,byGod,whenIcomebackhereagainI’llsweepthevalleysothereisn’tabuginablanketleft!’
\"Wewalkedallthatday,andallthatnightDanwasstumpingupanddownonthesnow,chewinghisbeardandmutteringtohimself。
\"’There’snohopeo’gettingclear,’saidBillyFish。’Thepriestshavesentrunnerstothevillagestosaythatyouareonlymen。Whydidn’tyoustickonasGodstillthingswasmoresettled?I’madeadman,’saysBillyFish,andhethrowshimselfdownonthesnowandbeginstopraytohisGods。
\"Nextmorningwewasinacruelbadcountry——allupanddown,nolevelgroundatall,andnofood,either。ThesixBashkaimenlookedatBillyFishhungry-wayasiftheywantedtoasksomething,buttheyneversaidaword。Atnoonwecametothetopofaflatmountainallcoveredwithsnow,andwhenweclimbedupintoit,behold,therewasanArmyinpositionwaitinginthemiddle!
\"’Therunnershavebeenveryquick,’saysBillyFish,withalittlebitofalaugh。’Theyarewaitingforus。’
\"Threeorfourmenbegantofirefromtheenemy’sside,andachanceshottookDanielinthecalfoftheleg。Thatbroughthimtohissenses。HelooksacrossthesnowattheArmy,andseestheriflesthatwehadbroughtintothecountry。
\"’We’redonefor,’sayshe。’TheyareEnglishmen,thesepeople,——andit’smyblastednonsensethathasbroughtyoutothis。Getback,BillyFish,andtakeyourmenaway;you’vedonewhatyoucould,andnowcutforit。Carnehan,’sayshe,’shakehandswithmeandgoalongwithBilly,Maybetheywon’tkillyou。I’llgoandmeet’emalone。It’smethatdidit!Me,theKing!’
\"’Go!’saysI。’GotoHell,Dan!I’mwithyouhere。BillyFish,youclearout,andwetwowillmeetthosefolk。’
\"’I’maChief,’saysBillyFish,quitequiet。’Istaywithyou。Mymencango。’
\"TheBashkaifellowsdidn’twaitforasecondword,butranoff,andDanandMeandBillyFishwalkedacrosstowherethedrumsweredrummingandthehornswerehorning。Itwascold——awfulcold。I’vegotthatcoldinthebackofmyheadnow。There’salumpofitthere。\"
Thepunka-coolieshadgonetosleep。Twokerosenelampswereblazingintheoffice,andtheperspirationpoureddownmyfaceandsplashedontheblotterasIleanedforward。Carnehanwasshivering,andI
fearedthathismindmightgo。Iwipedmyface,tookafreshgripofthepiteouslymangledhands,andsaid,\"Whathappenedafterthat?\"
Themomentaryshiftofmyeyeshadbrokentheclearcurrent。
\"Whatwasyoupleasedtosay?\"whinedCarnehan。\"Theytookthemwithoutanysound。Notalittlewhisperallalongthesnow,notthoughtheKingknockeddownthefirstmanthatsethandonhim——notthougholdPeacheyfiredhislastcartridgeintothebrownof’em。Notasinglesolitarysounddidthoseswinesmake。Theyjustcloseduptight,andItellyoutheirfursstunk。TherewasamancalledBillyFish,agoodfriendofusall,andtheycuthisthroat,Sir,thenandthere,likeapig;andtheKingkicksupthebloodysnowandsays,’We’vehadadashedfinerunforourmoney。What’scomingnext?’ButPeachey,PeacheyTaliaferro,Itellyou,Sir,inconfidenceasbetwixttwofriends,helosthishead,Sir。No,hedidn’t,neither。TheKinglosthishead,sohedid,allalongo’oneofthosecunningropebridges。Kindlyletmehavethepaper-cutter,Sir。Ittiltedthisway。
Theymarchedhimamileacrossthatsnowtoaropebridgeoveraravinewithariveratthebottom。Youmayhaveseensuch。Theyproddedhimbehindlikeanox。’Damnyoureyes!’saystheKing。’D’
yousupposeIcan’tdielikeagentleman?’HeturnstoPeachey——
Peacheythatwascryinglikeachild。’I’vebroughtyoutothis,Peachey,’sayshe。’BroughtyououtofyourhappylifetobekilledinKafiristan,whereyouwaslateCommander-in-ChiefoftheEmperor’sforces。Sayyouforgiveme,Peachey。’’Ido,’saysPeachey。’FullyandfreelydoIforgiveyou,Dan。’’Shakehands,Peachey,’sayshe。’I’mgoingnow。’Outhegoes,lookingneitherrightnorleft,andwhenhewasplumbinthemiddleofthosedizzydancingropes,’Cutyoubeggars,’heshouts;andtheycut,andoldDanfell,turningroundandroundandround,twentythousandmiles,forhetookhalfanhourtofalltillhestruckthewater,andIcouldseehisbodycaughtonarockwiththegoldcrownclosebeside。
\"ButdoyouknowwhattheydidtoPeacheybetweentwopine-trees?Theycrucifiedhim,Sir,asPeachey’shandwillshow。Theyusedwoodenpegsforhishandsandfeet;buthedidn’tdie。Hehungthereandscreamed,andtheytookhimdownnextday,andsaiditwasamiraclethathewasn’tdead。Theytookhimdown——pooroldPeacheythathadn’tdonethemanyharm——thathadn’tdonethemany——\"
Herockedtoandfroandweptbitterly,wipinghiseyeswiththebackofhisscarredhandsandmoaninglikeachildforsometenminutes。
\"Theywascruelenoughtofeedhimupinthetemple,becausetheysaidhewasmoreofaGodthanoldDanielthatwasaman。Thentheyturnedhimoutonthesnow,andtoldhimtogohome,andPeacheycamehomeinaboutayear,beggingalongtheroadsquitesafe;forDanielDravothewalkedbeforeandsaid,’Comealong,Peachey。It’sabigthingwe’redoing。’Themountainstheydancedatnight,andthemountainstheytriedtofallonPeachey’shead,butDanhehelduphishand,andPeacheycamealongbentdouble。HeneverletgoofDan’shand,andheneverletgoofDan’shead。Theygaveittohimasapresentinthetemple,toremindhimnottocomeagain;andthoughthecrownwaspuregoldandPeacheywasstarving,neverwouldPeacheysellthesame。YouknowDravot,Sir!YouknewRightWorshipfulBrotherDravot!Lookathimnow!\"
Hefumbledinthemassofragsroundhisbentwaist;broughtoutablackhorsehairbagembroideredwithsilverthread;andshooktherefromontomytable——thedried,witheredheadofDanielDravot!
Themorningsun,thathadlongbeenpalingthelamps,strucktheredbeardandblindsunkeneyes;struck,too,aheavycircletofgoldstuddedwithrawturquoises,thatCarnehanplacedtenderlyonthebatteredtemples。
\"Yoube’oldnow,\"saidCarnehan,\"theEmperorinhis’abitashelived——theKingofKafiristanwithhiscrownuponhishead。PooroldDanielthatwasamonarchonce!\"
Ishuddered,for,inspiteofdefacementsmanifold,IrecognisedtheheadofthemanofMarwarJunction。Carnehanrosetogo。Iattemptedtostophim。Hewasnotfittowalkabroad。\"Letmetakeawaythewhisky,andgivemealittlemoney,\"hegasped。\"IwasaKingonce。
I’llgototheDeputyCommissionerandasktosetinthePoorhousetillIgetmyhealth。No,thankyou,Ican’twaittillyougetacarriageforme。I’veurgentprivateaffairs——inthesouth——atMarwar。\"
HeshambledoutoftheofficeanddepartedinthedirectionoftheDeputyCommissioner’shouse。ThatdayatnoonIhadoccasiontogodowntheblinding-hotMall,andIsawacrookedmancrawlingalongthewhitedustoftheroadside,hishatinhishand,quaveringdolorouslyafterthefashionofstreet-singersatHome。Therewasnotasoulinsight,andhewasoutofallpossibleearshotofthehouses。Andhesangthroughhisnose,turninghisheadfromrighttoleft:
\"TheSonofMangoesforthtowar,Agoldencrowntogain;
Hisblood-redbannerstreamsafar——
WhofollowsinHistrain?\"
Iwaitedtohearnomore,butputthepoorwretchintomycarriageanddrovehimofftothenearestmissionaryforeventualtransfertotheAsylum。Herepeatedthehymntwicewhilehewaswithme,whomhedidnotintheleastrecognise,andIlefthimsingingittothemissionary。
TwodayslaterIinquiredafterhiswelfareoftheSuperintendentoftheAsylum。
\"Hewasadmittedsufferingfromsunstroke。Hediedearlyyesterdaymorning,\"saidtheSuperintendent。\"Isittruethathewashalfanhourbareheadedinthesunatmidday?\"
\"Yes,\"saidI;\"butdoyouhappentoknowifhehadanythinguponhimbyanychancewhenhedied?\"
\"Nottomyknowledge,\"saidtheSuperintendent。
Andtherethematterrests。
TAJIMA
BY
MISSMITFORD
Onceuponatime,acertainronin,TajimaShumebyname,anableandwell-readman,beingonhistravelstoseetheworld,wentuptoKiyotobytheTokaido。[TheroadoftheEasternSea,thefamoushighroadleadingfromKiyototoYedo。Thenameisalsousedtoindicatetheprovincesthroughwhichitruns。]Oneday,intheneighbourhoodofNagoya,intheprovinceofOwari,hefellinwithawanderingpriest,withwhomheenteredintoconversation。Findingthattheywereboundforthesameplace,theyagreedtotraveltogether,beguilingtheirwearywaybypleasanttalkondiversmatters;andsobydegrees,astheybecamemoreintimate,theybegantospeakwithoutrestraintabouttheirprivateaffairs;andthepriest,trustingthoroughlyinthehonourofhiscompanion,toldhimtheobjectofhisjourney。
\"Forsometimepast,\"saidhe,\"Ihavenourishedawishthathasengrossedallmythoughts;forIambentonsettingupamoltenimageinhonourofBuddha;withthisobjectIhavewanderedthroughvariousprovincescollectingalms,and(whoknowsbywhatwearytoil?)wehavesucceededinamassingtwohundredouncesofsilver——enough,Itrust,toerectahandsomebronzefigure。\"
Whatsaystheproverb?\"Hewhobearsajewelinhisbosombearspoison。\"Hardlyhadtheroninheardthesewordsofthepriestthananevilheartarosewithinhim,andhethoughttohimself,\"Man’slife,fromthewombtothegrave,ismadeupofgoodandofillluck。HereamI,nearlyfortyyearsold,awanderer,withoutacalling,orevenahopeofadvancementintheworld。Tobesure,itseemsashame;yetifIcouldstealthemoneythispriestisboastingabout,Icouldliveateasefortherestofmydays;\"andsohebegancastingabouthowbesthemightcompasshispurpose。Butthepriest,farfromguessingthedriftofhiscomrade’sthoughts,journeyedcheerfullyontilltheyreachedthetownofKuana。Herethereisanarmofthesea,whichiscrossedinferry-boats,thatstartassoonassometwentyorthirtypassengersaregatheredtogether;andinoneoftheseboatsthetwotravellersembarked。Abouthalf-wayacross,thepriestwastakenwithasuddennecessitytogotothesideoftheboat;andtheronin,followinghim,trippedhimupwhilenoonewaslooking,andflunghimintothesea。Whentheboatmenandpassengersheardthesplash,andsawtheprieststrugglinginthewater,theywereafraid,andmadeeveryefforttosavehim;butthewindwasfair,andtheboatrunningswiftlyunderthebellyingsails;sotheyweresoonafewhundredyardsofffromthedrowningman,whosankbeforetheboatcouldbeturnedtorescuehim。
Whenhesawthis,theroninfeignedtheutmostgriefanddismay,andsaidtohisfellow-passengers,\"Thispriest,whomwehavejustlost,wasmycousin;hewasgoingtoKiyoto,tovisittheshrineofhispatron;andasIhappenedtohavebusinessthereaswell,wesettledtotraveltogether。Now,alas!bythismisfortune,mycousinisdead,andIamleftalone。\"
Hespokesofeelingly,andweptsofreely,thatthepassengersbelievedhisstory,andpitiedandtriedtocomforthim。Thentheroninsaidtotheboatmen:
\"Weought,byrights,toreportthismattertotheauthorities;butasIampressedfortime,andthebusinessmightbringtroubleonyourselvesaswell,perhapswehadbetterhushitupforthepresent;
IwillatoncegoontoKiyotoandtellmycousin’spatron,besideswritinghomeaboutit。Whatthinkyou,gentlemen?\"addedhe,turningtotheothertravellers。
They,ofcourse,wereonlytoogladtoavoidanyhindrancetotheironwardjourney,andallwithonevoiceagreedtowhattheroninhadproposed;andsothematterwassettled。When,atlength,theyreachedtheshore,theylefttheboat,andeverymanwenthisway;buttheronin,overjoyedinhisheart,tookthewanderingpriest’sluggage,and,puttingitwithhisown,pursuedhisjourneytoKiyoto。
Onreachingthecapital,theroninchangedhisnamefromShumetoTokubei,and,givinguphispositionasasamurai,turnedmerchant,andtradedwiththedeadman’smoney。Fortunefavouringhisspeculations,hebegantoamassgreatwealth,andlivedathisease,denyinghimselfnothing;andincourseoftimehemarriedawife,whoborehimachild。
Thusthedaysandmonthsworeon,tillonefinesummer’snight,somethreeyearsafterthepriest’sdeath,Tokubeisteppedoutontheverandaofhishousetoenjoythecoolairandthebeautyofthemoonlight。Feelingdullandlonely,hebeganmusingoverallkindsofthings,whenonasuddenthedeedofmurderandtheft,donesolongago,vividlyrecurredtohismemory,andhethoughttohimself,\"HereamI,grownrichandfatonthemoneyIwantonlystole。Sincethen,allhasgonewellwithme;yet,hadInotbeenpoor,Ihadneverturnedassassinnorthief。Woebetideme!whatapityitwas!\"andashewasrevolvingthematterinhismind,afeelingofremorsecameoverhim,inspiteofallhecoulddo。Whilehisconsciencethussmotehim,hesuddenly,tohisutteramazement,beheldthefaintoutlineofamanstandingnearafir-treeinthegarden;onlookingmoreattentively,heperceivedthattheman’swholebodywasthinandworn,andtheeyessunkenanddim;andinthatpoorghostthatwasbeforehimherecognisedtheverypriestwhomhehadthrownintotheseaatKuana。Chilledwithhorror,helookedagain,andsawthatthepriestwassmilinginscorn。Hewouldhavefledintothehouse,buttheghoststretchedforthitswitheredarm,and,clutchingthebackofhisneck,scowledathimwithavindictiveglareandahideousghastlinessofmiensounspeakablyawfulthatanyordinarymanwouldhaveswoonedwithfear。ButTokubei,tradesmanthoughhewas,hadoncebeenasoldier,andwasnoteasilymatchedfordaring;soheshookofftheghost,and,leapingintotheroomforhisdirk,laidabouthimboldlyenough;but,strikeashewould,thespirit,fadingintotheair,eludedhisblows,andsuddenlyreappearedonlytovanishagain;andfromthattimeforthTokubeiknewnorest,andwashauntednightandday。
Atlength,undonebysuchceaselessvexation,Tokubeifellill,andkeptmuttering,\"Oh,misery!misery!thewanderingpriestiscomingtotortureme!\"Hearinghismoansandthedisturbancehemade,thepeopleinthehousefanciedhewasmad,andcalledinaphysician,whoprescribedforhim。ButneitherpillnorpotioncouldcureTokubei,whosestrangefrenzysoonbecamethetalkofthewholeneighbourhood。
Nowitchancedthatthestoryreachedtheearsofacertainwanderingpriestwholodgedinthenextstreet。Whenheheardtheparticulars,thispriestgravelyshookhisheadasthoughheknewallaboutit,andsentafriendtoTokubei’shousetosaythatawanderingpriest,dwellinghardby,hadheardofhisillness,and,wereitneversogrievous,wouldundertaketohealitbymeansofhisprayers;andTokubei’swife,drivenhalfwildbyherhusband’ssickness,lostnotamomentinsendingforthepriestandtakinghimintothesickman’sroom。
ButnosoonerdidTokubeiseethepriestthanheyelledout,\"Help!
help!Hereisthewanderingpriestcometotormentmeagain。Forgive!
forgive!\"andhidinghisheadunderthecoverlet,helayquiveringallover。Thenthepriestturnedallpresentoutoftheroom,puthismouthtotheaffrightedman’sear,andwhispered:
\"Threeyearsago,attheKuanaferry,youflungmeintothewater;andwellyourememberit。\"
ButTokubeiwasspeechless,andcouldonlyquakewithfear。
\"Happily,\"continuedthepriest,\"Ihadlearnedtoswimandtodiveasaboy;soIreachedtheshore,and,afterwanderingthroughmanyprovinces,succeededinsettingupabronzefiguretoBuddha,thusfulfillingthewishofmyheart。Onmyjourneyhomeward,Itookalodginginthenextstreet,andthereheardofyourmarvellousailment。ThinkingIcoulddivineitscause,Icametoseeyou,andamgladtofindIwasnotmistaken。Youhavedoneahatefuldeed;butamInotapriest,andhaveInotforsakenthethingsofthisworld,andwoulditnotillbecomemetobearmalice?Repent,therefore,andabandonyourevilways。ToseeyoudosoIshouldesteemtheheightofhappiness。Beofgoodcheer,now,andlookmeintheface,andyouwillseethatIamreallyalivingman,andnovengefulgoblincometotormentyou。\"
Seeinghehadnoghosttodealwith,andoverwhelmedbythepriest’skindness,Tokubeiburstintotears,andanswered,\"Indeed,indeed,I
don’tknowwhattosay。InafitofmadnessIwastemptedtokillandrobyou。Fortunebefriendedmeeverafter;butthericherIgrew,themorekeenlyIfelthowwickedIhadbeen,andthemoreIforesawthatmyvictim’svengeancewouldsomedayovertakeme。Hauntedbythisthought,Ilostmynerve,tillonenightIbeheldyourspirit,andfromthattimefellill。Buthowyoumanagedtoescape,andarestillalive,ismorethanIcanunderstand。\"
\"Aguiltyman,\"saidthepriest,withasmile,\"shuddersattherustlingofthewindorthechatteringofastork’sbeak;amurderer’sconsciencepreysuponhismindtillheseeswhatisnot。Povertydrivesamantocrimeswhichherepentsofinhiswealth。HowtrueisthedoctrineofMoshi[Mencius],thattheheartofman,purebynature,iscorruptedbycircumstances!\"
Thusheheldforth;andTokubei,whohadlongsincerepentedofhiscrime,imploredforgiveness,andgavehimalargesumofmoney,saying,\"HalfofthisistheamountIstolefromyouthreeyearssince;theotherhalfIentreatyoutoacceptasinterest,orasagift。\"
Thepriestatfirstrefusedthemoney;butTokubeiinsistedonhisacceptingit,anddidallhecouldtodetainhim,butinvain;forthepriestwentonhisway,andbestowedthemoneyonthepoorandneedy。
AsforTokubeihimself,hesoonshookoffhisdisorder,andthenceforwardlivedatpeacewithallmen,reveredbothathomeandabroad,andeverintentongoodandcharitabledeeds。
ACHINESEGIRLGRADUATE
BY
R。K。DOUGLAS
WhoamongthethreehundredmillionsonsofHandoesnotknowthesaying:
There’sParadiseabove,’tistrue;
Butherebelowwe’veHangandSoo?
[HangchowandSoochow]
Andthoughnoonewilldenythebeautyofthosefar-famedcities,theycannotcompareingrandeurofsituationandboldnessoffeatureswithmanyofthetownsoftheprovidenceofthe\"FourStreams。\"ForemostamongthefavouredspotsofthispartoftheempireisMienchu,which,asitsnameimplies,iscelebratedforthesilkybambooswhichgrowinitsimmediateneighbourhood。Theseform,however,onlyoneofthefeaturesofitsloveliness。Situatedatthefootofarangeofmountainswhichrisethroughallthegradationsfromrichandabundantverduretotheregionofeternalsnow,itliesembosomedingrovesofbeech,cypress,andbamboo,throughtheleafyscreensofwhichrisetheupturnedyellowroofsofthetemplesandofficialresidences,whichdotthelandscapelikegoldenislandsinanemeraldsea;whilebeyondthewallhurries,betweenhighandruggedbanks,thetributaryoftheFuRiver,whichbearstothemightywatersoftheYangtsze-
Kiangthegoodsandpassengerswhichseekanoutlettotheeasternprovinces。
Thestreetswithinthewallsofthecityarescenesoflifeandbustle,whileinthesuburbsstandtheresidencesofthosewhocanaffordtoliveinpeaceandquiet,undisturbedbytheclamouroftheLesandChangs[i。e。,thepeople。LeandChangarethetwocommonestnamesinChina。]ofthetown。There,inasituationwhichtheSonofHeavenmightenvy,standstheofficialresidenceofColonelWen。
Outwardlyithasalltheappearanceofagrandee’spalace,andwithinthemassiveboundary-wallswhichsurroundit,thecourtyards,halls,grounds,summer-houses,andpavilionsarenottobeexceededingrandeurandbeauty。TheofficewhichhadfallentothelotofColonelWenwasoneofthemostsoughtafterintheprovince,andcommonlyonlyfelltoofficersofdistinction。Thoughnotwithoutfameinthefield,ColonelWen’smainclaimtohonourlayinthehighdegreeshehadtakenintheexaminations。Hisliteraryacquirementsgainedhimfriendsamongthecivilofficersofthedistrict,andthepositionheoccupiedwasaltogetheroneofexceptionaldignity。
Unfortunately,hisfirstwifehaddied,leavingonlyadaughtertokeephermemoryalive;butatthetimewhenourstoryopens,hissecondspouse,morekindthanhisfirst,hadpresentedhimwithamuch-desiredson。Themotherofthisboywasoneofthosebright,pretty,gaycreatureswhocommonlygaintheaffectionsofmenmucholderthanthemselves。Shesanginthemostfaultlessfalsetto,sheplayedtheguitarwithtasteandexpression,andshedancedwithgraceandagility。Whatwonder,then,thatwhenthecolonelreturnedfromhistoursofinspectionsandparades,wearywithtravelanddust,hefoundreliefandrelaxationinthejoyouscompanyofHyacinth!Andwasshenotalsothemotherofhisson?Nexttoherself,therecanbenoquestionthatthisyounggentlemanheldthechiefplaceinthecolonel’saffections;whilepoorJasmine,hisdaughterbyhisfirstventure,wasleftverymuchtoherownresources。Noonetroubledthemselvesaboutwhatshedid,andshewasallowed,asshegrewup,tofollowherownpursuitsandtogivereintoherfancieswithoutletorhindrance。Fromherearliestchildhoodoneofherlonelyamusementshadbeentodressasaboy,andsouncheckedhadthehabitbecomethatshegraduallydriftedintothecharacterwhichshehadchosentoassume。Sheevenpersuadedherfathertolethergototheneighbouringboys’school。HermotherhaddiedbeforethecolonelhadbeenpostedtoMienchu,andamongthepeopleofthatplace,whohadalwaysseenherinboy’sattire,shewasregardedasanadoptedsonofherfather。Hyacinthwasonlytoogladtogetheroutofthewayasmuchaspossible,andsoencouragedtheideaofallowinghertolearntoreadandwriteinthecompanyoftheirneighbours’urchins。
Beingbrightandclever,shesoongainedanintellectualleadamongtheboys,andheruncommonbeauty,coupledwiththemagnetismbelongingtohersex,securedforherapopularitywhichalmostamountedtoadoration。Shewastallforherage,asaremostyoungdaughtersofHan;andherperfectlyovalface,almond-shapedeyes,willow-leafeyebrows,small,well-shapedmouth,brilliantlywhiteteeth,andraven-blackhair,completedafaceandfigurewhichwouldhavebeennoticeableanywhere。Bytheboysshewasworshipped,andnoundertakingwastoodifficultortootroublesomeifitwastogivepleasuretoTsunk’ing,orthe\"YoungNoble,\"asshewascalled;fortohaveansweredtothenameofJasminewouldhavebeentoproclaimhersexatonce。Eventhegrimoldmastersmiledatherthroughhishornspectaclesassheenteredtheschool-houseofamorning,andanygracefulturninherpoetryorscholarlydictioninherprosewassuretowinforherhisunsparingpraise。Manyaneveningheinvitedthe\"youngnoble\"tohishousetoreadoverchaptersfromConfuciusandthepoemsofLeTaipoh;andyearsafterward,whenhedied,amonghismostcherishedpaperswerefoundodessignedbyTsunk’ing,inwhichtherewasagooddealaboutbendingwillows,light,flickeringbamboos,hornedmoons,wildgeese,thesoundofafluteonarainyday,andthepleasuresofwine,instrictaccordwiththemodelssetforthinthe\"AidstoPoetry-making\"whicharecommonintheland。
Ifithadnotbeenfortheindifferencewithwhichshewastreatedinherhome,thefavourwithwhichshewasregardedabroadwouldhavebeenmostprejudicialtoJasmine;butanyconceitwhichmighthavebeenengenderedintheschool-housewasspeedilycounteractedwhenshegotwithintheportalsofthecolonel’sdomain。Comingintothepresenceofherfatherandhiswife,withalltheincenseofkindness,affection,and,itmustbeconfessed,flattery,withwhichshewassurroundedbyherschool-fellows,freshabouther,waslikesteppingintoacoldbath。Wholesomeandinvigoratingthechangemayhavebeen,butitwasveryunpleasant,andJasmineoftenlongedtobealonetogiveventtoherfeelingsintears。
Onedeepconsolationshehad,however:shewasadevotedstudent,andinthesocietyofherbookssheforgotthecallousnessofherparents,and,livinginimaginationinthebygoneannalsoftheempire,shewasabletotakepart,asitwere,inthegreatdeedswhichmarkthepasthistoryofthestate,andtoenjoytheconverseandsocietyofthesagesandpoetsofantiquity。Whenthetimecamethatshehadgainedalltheknowledgewhichtheoldschoolmastercouldimparttoher,shelefttheschool,andformedareading-partywithtwoyouthsofherownage。Theselads,bynameWeiandTu,hadbeenherschool-fellows,andweredelightedatobtainingherpromisetojointhemintheirstudies。
SoindustriouslywerethesepursuedthatthethreefriendssucceededintakingtheirB。A。degreeatthenextexamination,and,encouragedbythissuccess,determinedtoventureonastruggleforastillhigherdistinction。
ThoughatoneintheiraffectionforJasmine,TuandWeiwereunlikeineverythingelse,whichprobablyaccountedforthefriendshipwhichexistedbetweenthem。Weiwasthemorecleverofthetwo。Hewrotepoetrywitheaseandfluency,andhisessaysweremarkedbycorrectnessofstyleandaptnessofquotation。Buttherewasawantofstrengthinhischaracter。Hewasexceedinglyvain,andwasalwaysseekingtoexciteadmirationamonghiscompanions。Thisunhappyfailingmadehimverysusceptibleofadversecriticism,andatthesametimeextremelyjealousofanyonewhomighthappentoexcelhiminanyway。Tu,ontheotherhand,thoughnotsointellectuallyfavoured,hadaroughkindoforiginality,whichalwayssecuredforhisexercisesarespectfulattention,andmadehimatalltimesanagreeablecompanion。Havingnoexaggeratedideasofhiscapabilities,heneverstrovetoappearotherwisethanhewas,andbeingquiteindependentoftheopinionsofothers,hewasalwaysnatural。Thushewasonewhowassoughtoutbyhisfriends,andwasbestesteemedbythosewhoseesteemwasbestworthhaving。Inoutwardappearancetheyouthswereasdifferentastheircharacterswerediverse。Weiwasdecidedlygood-looking,butofakindofbeautywhichsuggestedneitherrestnorsincerity;whileinTu’sfeatures,thoughtherewaslessgrace,thewantwasfullycompensatedforbythestrengthandhonestfirmnessofhiscountenance。
ForboththeseyoungmenJasminehadaliking,buttherewasnoquestionastowhichshepreferred。Assheherselfsaid,\"Weiispleasantenoughasacompanion,butifIhadtolooktooneofthemforanactoftruefriendship——orasalover,\"shementallyadded——\"I
shouldturnatoncetoTu。\"Itwasoneofheramusementstocomparetheyoungmeninhermind,andonedaywhensooccupiedTusuddenlylookedupfromhisbookandsaidtoher:
\"Whatapityitisthatthegodshavemadeusbothmen!If/I/wereawoman,theobjectofmyheartwouldbetobeyourwife,andif/you/
wereawoman,thereisnothingIshouldlikebetterthantobeyourhusband。\"
Jasmineblusheduptotherootsofherhairathavingherownthoughtsthuscapped,asitwere;butbeforeshecouldanswer,Weibrokeinwith:
\"Whatnonsenseyoutalk!Andwhy,Ishouldliketoknow,shouldyoubetheonlyonethe’youngnoble’mightchoose,supposinghebelongedtotheothersex?\"
\"Youarebothtalkingnonsense,\"saidJasmine,whohadhadtimetorecoverhercomposure,\"andremindmeofmytwooldchildlessaunts,\"
sheadded,laughing,\"whoarealwaysquarrellingaboutthenamestheywouldhavegiventheirchildrenifthegoddessKwanyinhadgrantedthemanyhalfacenturyago。Asamatterofact,wearethreefriendsreadingforourM。A。degrees,neithermorenorless。AndIwilltroubleyou,myelderbrother,\"sheadded,turningtoTu,\"toexplaintomewhatthepoetmeansbytheexpression’tunefulTung’intheline:
’ThegreedyflamesdevourthetunefulTung。’\"
AlearneddisquisitionbyTuonthecelebratedmusicianwhorecognisedthesonorousqualitiesofapieceofTungtimberburninginthekitchenfireeffectuallydivertedtheconversationfromtheinconvenientdirectionithadtaken,andshortlyafterwardJasminetookherleave。
Hauntedbythethoughtofwhathadpassed,shewanderedontotheverandaofherarcherypavilion,andwhilegazinghalfunconsciouslyheavenwardhereyeswereattractedbyahawkwhichflewpastandalightedonatreebeyondtheboundary-wall,andinfrontofthestudyshehadlatelyleft。Inarestlessandthoughtlessmood,shetookupherbowandarrow,andwithunerringaimcompassedthedeathofhervictim。Nosooner,however,hadthehawkfallen,carryingthearrowwithit,thansherememberedthathernamewasinscribedontheshaft,andfearinglestitshouldbefoundbyeitherWeiorTu,shehurriedroundinthehopeofrecoveringit。Butshewastoolate。Onapproachingthestudy,shefoundTuinthegardeninfront,examiningthebirdandarrow。
\"Look,\"hesaid,ashesawhercoming,\"whatagoodshotsomeonehasmade!andwhoeveritis,hehasadueappreciationofhisownskill。
Listentotheselineswhicharescrapedonthearrow:
’Donotlightlydrawyourbow;
Butifyoumust,bringdownyourfoe。’\"
Jasminewasgladenoughtofindthathehadnotdiscoveredhername,andeagerlyexchangedbanterwithhimontheconceitoftheownerofthearrow。Butbeforeshecouldrecoverit,Wei,whohadheardthetalkingandlaughter,joinedthem,andtookthearrowoutofTu’shandtoexamineit。JustatthatmomentamessengercametosummonTutohisfather’spresence,andhehadnosoonergonethanWeiexclaimed:
\"Butsee,hereisthenameofthemysteriousownerofthearrow,and,asIlive,itisagirl’sname——Jasmine!Who,amongthegoddessesofheavencanJasminebe?\"
\"Oh,Iwilltakethearrowthen,\"saidJasmine。\"Itmustbelongtomysister。Thatishername。\"
\"Ididnotknowthatyouhadasister,\"saidWei。
\"Ohyes,Ihave,\"answeredJasmine,quiteforgetfulofthecelebrateddictumofConfucius:\"Betruthful。\"\"SheisjustoneyearyoungerthanIam,\"sheadded,thinkingitwelltobecircumstantial。
\"Whyhaveyounevermentionedher?\"askedWei,withanimation。\"Whatisshelike?Issheanythinglikeyou?\"
\"Sheistheveryimageofme。\"
\"What!Inheightandfeaturesandways?\"
\"Theveryimage,sothatpeoplehaveoftensaidthatifwechangedclotheseachmightpassfortheother。\"
\"Whatagood-lookinggirlshemustbe!\"saidWei,laughing。\"But,seriously,Ihavenot,asyouknow,yetsetupahousehold;andifyoursisterhasnotreceivedbridalpresents,Iwouldbegtobeallowedtoinvitehertoentermylowlyhabitation。Whatdoesmyelderbrothersaytomyproposal?\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatmysisterwouldfeelaboutit,\"saidJasmine。\"I
wouldneveranswerforagirl,ifIlivedtobeasoldastheGodofLongevity。\"
\"Willyoufindoutforme?\"
\"CertainlyIwill。Butremember,notawordmustbementionedonthesubjecttomyfather,or,infact,toanybody,untilIgiveyouleave。\"
\"Solongasmyelderbrotherwillundertakeforme,Iwillpromiseanything,\"saidthedelightedWei。\"IalreadyfeelasthoughIwerenine-tenthsofthewaytotheabodeofthephenix。Takethisboxofpreciousointmenttoyoursisterasanearnestofmyintentions,andI
willkeepthearrowasatokenfromheruntilshedemandsitsreturn。
Ifeelinclinedtoexpressmyselfinverse。MayI?\"
\"Byallmeans,\"saidJasmine,laughing。
Thusencouraged,Weiimprovisedasfollows:
\"’TwassungofoldthatLofuhadnomate,ThoughChewaswilling;fornowordwassaid。
Atlastanarrowlikeaheraldcame,Andnowanhonouredbrotherlendshisaid。\"
\"Excellent,\"saidJasmine,laughing。\"Withsuchapoeticgiftasyoupossess,youcertainlydeserveabetterfatethanbefellLofu。\"
FromthisdaytheideaofmarryingJasmine’ssisterpossessedthesoulofWei。ButnotaworddidhesaytoTuonthematter,forhewasconsciousthat,asTuwasthefirsttopickupthearrowthroughwhichhehadbecomeacquaintedwiththeexistenceofJasmine’ssister,hisfriendmightpossiblylayaclaimtoherhand。ToJasminealsothesubjectwasamostabsorbingone。Shefeltthatshewasbecomingmostunpleasantlyinvolvedinariskymatter,andthat,ifthetimeshouldevercomewhensheshouldhavetomakeanexplanation,shemightinhonourbecompelledtomarryWei——aprospectwhichfilledherwithdismay。Theturneventshadtakenhadmadeheranalyseherfeelingsmorethanshehadeverdonebefore,andtheprocessmadeherdoublyconsciousofthedepthofheraffectionforTu。\"Ahorse,\"shesaidtoherself,\"cannotcarrytwosaddles,andawomancannotmarrymorethanoneman。\"Wiseasthissawwas,itdidnothelpheroutofherdifficulty,andsheturnedtothechapterofaccidents,anddeterminedtotrusttotime,thatolddisposerofevents,tosettlethematter。
ButWeiwasinclinedtobeimpatient,andJasminewasobligedtoresorttomoreofthosedeparturesfromtruthwhichcircumstanceshadforceduponthisgenerallyveryuprightyounglady。
\"Ihaveconsultedmyfatheronthesubject,\"shesaidtotheexpectantWei,\"andheinsistsonyourwaitinguntiltheautumnexaminationisover。HehaseveryconfidencethatyouwillthentakeyourM。A。
degree,andyourmarriagewill,hehopes,putthecoping-stoneonyourhappinessandhonour。\"
\"Thatisallverywell,\"saidWei;\"butautumnisalongtimehence,andhowdoIknowthatyoursistermaynotchangehermind?\"
\"Hasnotyouryoungerbrotherundertakentolookafteryourinterests,andcannotyoutrusthimtodohisbestonyourbehalf?\"
\"Icantrustmyelderbrotherwithanythingintheworld。ItisyoursisterthatIamafraidof,\"saidWei。\"Butsinceyouwillundertakeforher——\"
\"No,no,\"saidJasmine,laughing,\"IdidnotsaythatIwouldundertakeforher。Amanwhoanswersforawomandeservestohave’fool’writtenonhisforehead。\"
\"Well,atallevents,Iwillbecontenttoleavethematterinyourhands,\"saidWei。
Atlastthetimeoftheautumnexaminationdrewnear,andTuandWeimadepreparationsfortheirdeparturetotheprovincialcapital。TheywerebothbitterlydisappointedwhenJasmineannouncedthatshewasnotgoingupthattime。Thisdeterminationwastheresultofaconferencewithherfather。ShehadpointedouttothecolonelthatifshepassedandtookherM。A。degreeshemightbecalledupontotakeofficeatanytime,andthatthenshewouldbecompelledtoconfesshersex;andasshewasbynomeansdisposedtogiveupthefreedomwhichherdoubletandhoseconferreduponher,itwasagreedbetweenthemthatsheshouldpleadillnessandnotgoup。Hertwofriends,therefore,wentalone,andbrilliantsuccessattendedtheirventure。
Theybothpassedwithhonours,andreturnedtoMienchutoreceivethecongratulationsoftheirfriends。Jasmine’sdelightwasverygenuine,moreespeciallyasregardedTu,andthefirsteveningwasspentbythethreestudentsinjoyousconverseandinconfidentanticipationofthefuture。AsJasminetookleaveofthetwonewM。A。’s,Weifollowedhertotheouterdoorandwhisperedatparting:
\"Iamcomingto-morrowtomakemyformalproposaltoyoursister。\"
Jasminehadnotimetoanswer,butwenthomefullofanxiousanddisturbedthoughts,whichweredestinedtotakeamoretragicturnthanshehadeveranticipatedeveninhermostgloomymoments。ThesamecruelfatehadalsodecreedthatWei’sproposalwastobesuspended,likeBuddha,betweenheavenandearth。Theblowfelluponhimwhenhewasattiringhimselfinthegarmentsofhisnewdegree,inpreparationforhisvisit。Hewasintheactoftyinghissashandappendingittohispurseandtrinkets,whenJasmineburstintotheyoungmen’sstudy,lookingdeadlypaleandbearingtracesofacutementaldistressonherusuallybrightandjoyouscountenance。
\"Whatisthematter?\"criedTu,withalmostasmuchagitationaswasshownbyJasmine。\"Tellmewhathashappened。\"
\"Oh,myfather,mypoorfather!\"sobbedJasmine。
\"Whatisthematterwithyourfather?Heisnotdead,ishe?\"criedtheyoungmeninonebreath。
\"No,itisnotsobadasthat,\"saidJasmine,\"butagreatandbittermisfortunehascomeuponus。Asyouknow,sometimeagomyfatherhadaquarrelwiththemilitaryintendant,andthathorridmanhas,outofspite,broughtchargesagainsthimforwhichhewascarriedoffthismorningtoprison。\"
ThestatementofhermiseryandtheshameinvolvedinitcompletelyunnervedpoorJasmine,who,truetoherinnersex,burstintotearsandrockedherselftoandfroinhergrief。TuandWei,ontheirkneesbeforeher,triedtopourinwordsofconsolation。Withalackofreasonwhichmightbeexcusedunderthecircumstances,theyvowedthatherfatherwasinnocentbeforetheyknewthenatureofthechargesagainsthim,andtheypledgedthemselvestorestneitherdaynornightuntiltheyhadrescuedhimfromhisdifficulty。When,undertheinfluenceoftheirgenuinesympathy,Jasminerecoveredsomecomposure,Tubeggedhertotellhimofwhatherfatherwasaccused。
\"Thevillain,\"saidJasmine,throughhertears,\"hasdaredtosaythatmyfatherhasmadeuseofgovernmenttaxes,hastakenbribesforrecommendingmenforpromotion,hasappropriatedthesoldiers’ration-
money,andhasbeeninleaguewithhighwaymen。\"
\"Isitpossible?\"saidTu,whowasratherstaggeredbythislongcatalogueofcrimes。\"Ishouldnothavebelievedthatanyonecouldhaveventuredtohavechargedyourhonouredfatherwithsuchthings,leastofalltheintendant,whoisnotoriouslypossessedofanitchingpalm。ButItellyouwhatwecandoatonce。WeiandI,beingM。A。’s,havearighttocallontheprefect,anditwillbearealpleasuretoustoexerciseournewprivilegeforthefirsttimeinyourservice。
Wewillurgehimtoinquireintothematter,andIcannotdoubtthathewillatoncequashtheproceedings。\"
Unhappily,Tu’shopeswerenotrealised。Theprefectwasverycivil,butpointedoutthat,sinceahighercourthadorderedthearrestofthecolonel,hewaspowerlesstointerfereinthematter。Manyweretheconsultationsheldbythethreefriends,andmuchpersonalreliefJasminegotfromthesupportandsympathyoftheyoungmen。Onehopeyetremainedtoher:TuandWeiwereabouttogotoPekingfortheirdoctor’sdegrees,andiftheypassedtheymightbeabletobringsuchinfluencetobearaswouldsecurethereleaseofherfather。
\"Letnotthe’youngnoble’distresshimselfovermuch,\"saidWeitoher,withsomeimportance。\"Thisaffairwillbeengravenonourheartsandminds,andifwetakeourdegreeswewilluseourutmostexertionstowipeawaytheinjusticewhichhasbeendoneyourfather。\"
\"Unhappily,\"saidthemorepracticalTu,\"itistooplainthattheexaminingmagistratesareallinleaguetoruinhim。Butletourelderbrotherremainquietlyathome,doingallhecantocollectevidenceinthecolonel’sfavour,whilewewilldoourbestatthecapital。Ifthingsturnoutwellwithusthere,ourelderbrotherhadbetterfollowatoncetoassistuswithhisadvice。\"
Beforethefriendsparted,Wei,whoseownaffairswerealwayshisfirstconsideration,tookanopportunityofwhisperingtoJasmine,\"Don’tforgetyourhonouredsister’spromise,Ibeseechyou。Whetherwesucceedornot,Ishallaskforherinmarriageonmyreturn。\"
\"Underpresentcircumstances,wemustnolongerconsidertheengagement,\"saidJasmine,shockedathisintroducingthesubjectatsuchamoment,\"andthebestthingthatyoucandoistoforgetallaboutit。\"
Themomentforthedepartureoftheyoungmenhadcome,andtheyhadnotimetosaymore。Withbittertears,thetwoyouthstookleaveoftheweepingJasmine,who,astheircartsdisappearedinthedistance,feltforthefirsttimewhatitwastobealoneinmisery。Shesawlittleofherstepmotherinthosedays。Thatpoorladymadeherselfsoillwithunrestrainedgriefthatshewasquiteincapableofrenderingeitherhelporadvice。Fortunatelytheofficialsshowednodispositiontoproceedwiththeindictment,andbythejudicioususeofthemoneyathercommandJasmineinducedtheprisonauthoritiestomakeherfather’sconfinementaslittleirksomeaspossible。Shewasallowedtoseehimatalmostanytime,andononeoccasion,whenhewasenjoyingherpresenceasinhisprosperousdayshehadneverexpectedtodo,heremarked:
\"Sincetheofficialsarenotproceedingwiththebusiness,IthinkmybestplanwillbetosendapetitiontoPekingaskingtheBoardofWartoacquitme。ButmydifficultyisthatIhavenoonewhomIcansendtolookafterthebusiness。\"
\"Let/me/go,\"saidJasmine。\"WhenTuandWeiwereleaving,theybeggedmetofollowthemtoconsultastothebestmeansofhelpingyou,andwiththemtodependonIhavenothingtofear。\"
\"Iquitebelievethatyouareascapableofmanagingthematterasanybody,\"saidherfather,admiringly;\"butPekingisalongwayoff,andIcannotbeartothinkofthethingswhichmighthappentoyouontheroad。\"
\"Fromalltime,\"answeredJasmine,\"ithasbeenconsideredthedutyofadaughtertoriskanythingintheserviceofherfather;andthoughthewayislong,Ishallhaveweaponstodefendmyselfwithagainstinjury,andaclearconsciencewithwhichtoansweranyinterrogatorieswhichmaybeputtome。Besides,Iwilltakeourmessenger,’TheDragon,’andhiswifewithme。Iwillmakeherdressasaman——whatfunitwillbetoseeMrs。Dragon’sportlyformintrousers,andgabardine!Whenthattransformationismade,weshallbeapartyofthreemen。So,yousee,sheandIwillhaveamantoprotectus,andIshallhaveawomantowaituponme;andifsuchagallantcompanycannottravelfromthistoPekinginsafety,I’llforswearbootsandtrousersandwillretireintotheharemforever。\"
\"Well,\"saidherfather,laughing,\"ifyoucanarrangeinthatway,gobyallmeans,andthesooneryoustartthesoonerIhopeyouwillbeback。\"
Delightedathavinggainedtheapprovalofherfathertoherscheme,Jasminequicklymadethearrangementsforherjourney。Onthemorningofthedayonwhichshewastostart,theresultsofthedoctors’
examinationatPekingreachedMienchu,and,toJasmine’sinfinitedelight,shefoundthenamesofTuandWeiamongthesuccessfulcandidates。Armedwiththisgoodnews,shehurriedtotheprison。AlldifficultiesseemedtodisappearlikemistbeforethesunasshethoughtofthepowerfuladvocatesshenowhadatPeking。
\"TuandWeihavepassed,\"shesaid,assherushedintoherfather’spresence,\"andnowtheendofourtroublesisapproaching。\"
WithimpatienthopeJasminetookleaveofherfather,andstartedonhereventfuljourney。AseveningdrewonsheenteredthesuburbsofCh’engtu,theprovincialcapital,andsent\"TheDragon\"ontofindasuitableinnforthecoupleofnightswhichsheknewshewouldbecompelledtospendinthecity。\"TheDragon\"wassuccessfulinhissearch,andconductedJasmineandhiswifetoacomfortablehostelryinoneofthebusiestpartsofthetown。Havingrefreshedherselfwithanexcellentdinner,Jasminewasgladtorestfromthefatiguesandheatofthedayinthecoolcourtyardintowhichherroomopened。
Fortuneandbuildershadsoarrangedthataneighbouringhouse,toweringabovetheinn,overlookedthisrestfulspot,andoneofthehigherwindowsfacedexactlythepositionwhichJasminehadtakenup。
Suchafactwouldnot,inordinarycircumstances,havetroubledherintheleast;butshehadnotbeensittinglongbeforeshebegantofeelanextraordinaryattractiontowardthewindow。Shedidherbesttolooktheotherway,butshewasoftenunconsciouslyimpelledtoglanceupatthelattice。Onceshefanciedshesawthecurtainmove。
Determinedtoverifyherimpression,shesuddenlyraisedhereyes,afteraprolongedcontemplationofthepavement,andcaughtamomentarysightofagirl’sface,whichasinstantlydisappeared,butnotbeforeJasminehadbeenabletorecognisethatitwasoneofexceptionalbeauty。
\"Now,ifIwereayoungman,\"saidshetoherself,\"Ioughttofeelmyheartbeatatthesightofsuchloveliness,anditwouldbemyboundendutytoswearthatIwouldwintheownerofitintheteethofdragons。Butasmymanhoodgoesnodeeperthanmyoutergarments,I
canaffordtositherewithaquietpulseandawholeskin。\"
ThenextdayJasminewasbusilyengagedininterviewingsomeofficialsintheinterestofherfather,andonlyreachedtheshelterofherinntowardevening。Asshepassedthroughthecourtyardsheinstinctivelylookedupatthewindow,andagaincaughtaglimpseofthevisionofbeautywhichshehadseentheeveningbefore。\"Ifsheonlyknew,\"
thoughtJasmine,\"thatIwassuchaoneasherself,shewouldbelessanxioustoseeme,andmorelikelytoavoidme。\"
Whileamusingherselfatthethoughtofthefairwatcher,theinndooropened,andawaiting-womanenteredcarryingasmallbox。AssheapproachedJasmineshebowedlow,andwithbatedbreaththusaddressedher:
\"Mayeveryhappinessbeyours,sir。Myyounglady,MissKing,whosehumbledwellingistheadjoininghouse,seeingthatyouarelivinginsolitude,hassentmewiththisfruitandteaasacomplimentaryoffering。\"
Sosaying,shepresentedtoJasminethebox,whichcontainedpearsandapacketofscentedtea。
\"TowhatamIindebtedforthishonour?\"repliedJasmine;\"Icanclaimnorelationshipwithyourlady,norhaveIthehonourofheracquaintance。\"
\"Myyoungladysays,\"answeredthewaiting-woman,\"that,amongthemyriadswhocometothisinnandthethousandswhogofromit,shehasseennoonetoequalyourExcellencyinformandfeature。Atsightofyoushewasconfidentthatyoucamefromaloftyandnoblefamily,andhavinglearnedfromyourattendantsthatyouarethesonofacolonel,sheventuredtosendyouthesetriflestosupplementtheneedyfareofthisrudeinn。\"
\"Tellmesomethingaboutyouryounglady,\"saidJasmine,inamomentofidlecuriosity。
\"Myyounglady,\"saidthewoman,\"isthedaughterofMr。King,whowasavice-presidentofalowercourt。Herfatherandmotherhavingbothvisitedthe’YellowSprings’[Hades],sheisnowlivingwithanaunt,whohasbeenblessedbytheGodofWealth,andwhosemainobjectinlifeistofindahusbandwhomherniecemaybewillingtomarry。Theyounggentleman,myyounglady’scousin,isoneoftherichestmeninCh’engtu。Allthelargerinnsbelongtohim,andhisprofitsareasboundlessasthefourseas。Heisasanxiousashismothertofindasuitablematchfortheyounglady,andhaspromisedthatsosoonasshecanmakeachoicehewillarrangethewedding。\"
\"Ishouldhavethought,\"saidJasmine,\"that,beingtheownerofsomuchwealthandbeauty,theyoungladywouldhavebeenbesiegedbysuitorsfromallpartsoftheempire。\"
\"Sosheis,\"saidthewoman,\"andfromherwindowyondersheespiesthem,fortheyallputupatthisinn。Hithertoshehasmadefunofthemall,anddescribestheirappearanceandhabitsinthemostamusingway。’Seethisone,’saysshe,’withhisbachelorcaponandhisnewofficialclothesandawkwardgait,lookingforalltheworldlikeabarn-doorfowldressedupasastork;orthatone,withhisroundshoulders,monkey-face,andcrookedlegs;’andsoshetellsthemoff。\"
\"Whatdoesshesayofme,Iwonder?\"saidJasmine,amused。
\"OfyourExcellencyshesaysthathercomparisonsfailher,andthatshecanonlyhopethattheFateswhoguidedyourjewelledchariothitherwardwillnottantaliseherbyanemptyvision,butwillbindyouranklestoherswiththeredmatrimonialcords。\"
\"HowcanIhopeforsuchhappiness?\"saidJasmine,smiling。\"Butpleasetotellyouryoungladythat,beingonlyaguestatthisinn,I
havenothingworthyofheracceptancetoofferinreturnforherbounteousgifts,andthatIcanonlyassureherofmyboundlessgratitude。\"
Withmanybows,andwithreiteratedwishesforJasmine’shappinessandendlesslongevity,thewomantookherleave。