Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1890-07-05

that resides in the Burman frame.
Stretching himself on the uneven ground
he grasped with one arm buttress of
rock. and, with the other, he lent me
support which was entirely adequate for
my deliverance. The pain of the injured
limb made me vince at every movement;
but set my teeth together, and, trust
ing to the directions acted rather than
uttered. was released from my position
of peril.
Then saw that owed my safety to
phoonghie or priest. have already in
dicated my impression Of Moung Kos
character. Irepeat that he was genuine
in spite of all. In person he was short.
stoutly built, and with features wrinkled,
sallow and inscrutable. He was old; but
fancy did not count nearly as many
years as his looks gave him credit for,
and as the truculent tribes with whom he
had settled believed.
The question of concern now was
place of refuge.
"You must stay with me. Can you
walk at all-thus, leaning on my shoul-
der, using my staff
And Moung Ko-whose name l had
ascertained-led me slowly down the
winding passage Was his monastery
near, wondered? had seen no signs
of such an edifice as entered the gorge,
But it proved unnecessary to put the
question into words There was cum
ningly hidden opening in the rock wall.
We squeezed through, and within was
wide and airy cave-evidently place of
habitation. Nature had shaped its walls
and stretched its roof. but art had trans
formed the rude mountain eyrie into
palatial hall. Evidences of wealth were
on every side. The finest Oriental fab
RIGS were the garniture of shelving floor
and lofty recess. Soft rugs were here in
bewildering profusion. and furniture and
pieces of bric-a-brac that would have
fetched fabulous sums in Wardour street.
Nv eyes caught also the unmistakable
gleam of the precious metals.
1t was riddle at first where the sub
dued light came from, for window there
was none But at last made the dis
covery that at one end of the great
chamber was long gallery, communi
eating, doubtless. with the outside world
amidst the inaccessible heights of the
cliff. This admitted both air and light;
sunshine could be but brief visitant
| am weaving together the results OF
extended and leisurely examination. AT
the instant of introduction | was too as
tonished to observe many details. The
amazement mirrored inevitably upon my
countenance was noticed.
This is a poor wanderers occasional
home Its existence is secret which
you will not betray," Moung Ko said.
"You are the first stranger l have had
the honor to welcome here; and when
you are strong enough to go with me
down the valley to the monastery l shall
ask that you keep strict silence as to
where you have been You can say that
YOU have rested in a cave mans haunt
1t will be true. am sure my secret is
safe"
The calm expression of complete GER
tainty struck me as singular.
~ am flattered by your faith in my
gratitude, and hope and believe that it
is not misplaced" l answered; "but is
there not risk? l may disappoint you
by some unguarded word. Do you not
fear it,
I was smiling; but it was no smile that
came on Moung Kos face. A light was
in the deep set, neutral tinted eyes that
touched my spirit almost to awe.
"No, do not" Moung Ko replied, in
deep, resonant tones. at is on the
scroll of the future that shall not suffer
through you, My own people-they will
mete out the punishment that has tar
ried so long. But what am | saying?
Yes, can read the language of the face
know that l may trust you"
The light was gone, and ! could have
fancied that had not really heard those
words of weird fate which, nevertheless
l was to remem Der after many days.
While we talked Moung Ko was deftly
preparing and applying cool compress
to the swollen joint, 1t was patent that
he possessed not little surgical skill.
Suddenly spoke of the strange figure
l had seen while waiting for the fiat of
fate; Nnd | surely felt Moung Kos
fingers tremble. His head was bent
down, and this was my one warning of
the phoonghie's uneasiness. His reply
was evasive.
There is no village in that direction
it is all waste and barren; there are no
paths. either. The hill folk talk like you
of things that it is i'll to see. They are
towards But | say that bushes take
wonderful shapes and sometimes they
move in the wind"
1t sounded like satire, and Moung Ko
was a clever diplomatist He had nearly
persuaded me that | was the victim or a
delusion. A man recovering from a
swoon may easily be cheated by shad-,
ows. let the subject drop 1t occurred
to me later that Moung Ko was relieved
to find that did not insist on the reality
of the experience
had fallen into capital hands. If
.;o l-;,.k;, or ,,aaJ boA avicta1 l