Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-06-05
CHAPTER VI.


When Sho Mai, with the officer, Yee
Chan. had passed out of the great hal,
she found herself in miniature city
with paved streets. Around it stretched
wall of solid masonry at least seventy
five feet in height, without any gates
whatever so far as she could disc ern.
The wall had been SO highly polished
that it reflected the city's lights as if it
were great circular mirror.
The houses were low and were built al
equal distances apart along the wide av
enues, but here and there were larger
dwellings, the residences of Generals
and their families. These large houses
resembled very much the residences of
retired merchant princes, and were
beautiful structures with finely laid-out
gardens before them.
They stopped before a house which
had been selected as the residence OF
the future Toyhai. In the courtyard q
deft attendant removed Sho Mails outer
robe and helped he- to put on the uni
form of her rank. Then she was led
into a chamber, where she kneeled be-
fore figure attired in long black satin
robes, the somberness of which was re-
lieved by the heavy gold embroidered
designs with which it was profusely
ornamented.
Brother, said he of the black robe,
as he laid his hand upon the head of the
novice, 1.-The God of your Good Fortune
has smiled upon you in permitting you
to enter the eternal city OF joy and
plentitude. Let us sing the song of
praise"
Ten men, attired in robes similar to
that worn by the speaker, then advanced
and raised up their voices in a wierd
chant.
The words were:
Drink thou the cup of eternal life ana friend
ship now,
Thou art the hero of all heroes now alive,
Thou hast arrived this day to drink eternal
Wherever you go you will find your faithful
brother.
Before the chant had ended a silver cup
filled with orange wine was held to Sh
Mails lips, and she drank of it. When
the singers had finished they all slipped
in turn of the liquid remaining. Then
two young men, in garments garnished
with gold and armed with swords, laid
the heavy, cruel-looking blades upon
the barred head of the girl, who shud-
dered.
Swear" said voice from the black
robe. "swear on the pirates cross to be
true as the steel to the brothers of the
Kwan Dab Clan. Swear to the north,
swear to the south, swear to the east
and to the west Swear"
Il swear" whispered the girl, and her
voice sounded to her as though it had
come from another being.
Then three men formed a triangle
with Sho Mai and the two young men in
the center, and as they walked she
crept on her knees over the tiled floor,
with the swords still resting their fear
full weight on her head, into the next
chamber. The swords were removed
and she was commanded to look up.
Before her stood red-robed figure.
Again a voice broke the death-like still
ness of the chamber.
Brother, will you swear by the sun
which gives you light by day, by the
moon which illuminates the heavens at
night, and by the stars to be true saint
son of the kingdom of Joy and plenti
tude; to enrich only the clan of kwan
Dab; to protect only the men of the |
clan, and t. declare eternal war against |
the Han Chows?"
Again she uttered that whisper, low, |
distinct, but with sound as though It
were born of sepulcher:
Il swear"
You hear" came from him OF the |
red robes. Let US sing the chant of |
the faithful." and once more the voices
were lifted up in the strain of welcome
Of nrdn
the last echo had found death in silence
the head of the candidate was again
bowed. and four swords rested their
weight upon her head Then the four
men formed a square and again the girl
kept pace on her knees with the slow,
measured steps of the men about her
The third chamber was reached. 1t was
darker than the other two, and as the
came to halt and one end
If the human fence broke apart a man
n robes of royal yellow stepped forth.
As he waved his hand the four swords
we're removed from the head of the cam
.idate. Then he spoke:
Brother Toyhai. l hand you a
sword" suitiag the action to the wo:d.
This is the only emblem of authority
If the saints of JOY and plentitude- BY
t all brothers conquer. It is the tit
God Of the Han elbows, and / command
-ou TO feed them well. But rememb-r.
. single secret given to you in these
our walls and under the roof of this
revealed. you will be the sheath
or a thousand such swords"
Eight men. armed with eight swords,
ormed circle about the trembling
,iri, who closed her eyes lest she might
how weakness, and encircled her head
With the glittering points of their
Weapons. Should she move even so