The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-12-07

hand for the warrant, but Yih-Han de-
clined, with gentle shake of the head. to
pass it to her. He was unwilling that she
should see that part OF it which related to
her. The general tenor of the rest of the
document was known to her. There was
silence for some moments as the three
mon looked at each other.
Il have come" at length said Haines,
with the consent of my commander. to
offer you an asylum in our camp. You
surely owe no more allegiance to the tyrant
who has condemned you. unheard, to an
undeserved death. A higher allegiance is
yours TO that Great Being who gave you an
existence, not to be idly thrown away at
the behest of petty despot Will you
come with met Think of Yih-Hun and
Mauna. Will you allow her.
Had my ancestors" said the old noble.
calmly, received such an edict as this,
they would instantly and composedly nave
fallen on their swords. Such was the fealty
of former times to our emperors. But the
spirit of the times has changed, and we are
changed with IT. l do not feel that honor
calls me to submit to this unrighteous sem
tence. have served my emperor faith
fully through long life. My every thought
has been for his glory. and my blood has been
spilled like water in his cause. Now, in the
midst of successful campaign, which I
am conscious of having conducted with skill
and prudence. / am stripped of my titles
and estates, condemned with my son to an
unmerited death, and my daughter is de-
livered up to man of the deepest infamy.
My allegiance does not 60 far enough 10
make me submit to this. Such a reward
So fas
every duty owe the emperor. / will not
make myself accessory to his crime by
submitting 10 his unrighteous sentence. /
will accept your Offer"
At the announcement of this determine
ton Yih-Hun and Mauna fell upon their
fathers neck, the latter bursting into
tears.
There is no time tn be lost" said Yih-
Hun, after his transport of feeling had
passed. Another messenger may arrive,
and" At this moment chorus of wild
and blood-curdling yells was heard from
the Tartar quartz of the camp, and Cham
keo rushed IN. exciaiming: "A messen-
ger has arrived with another copy of the
edict."
All hurried to the entrance of the tent.
As they reached the open air, the loud
voice of an aerophone was heard making
proclamation OF the edicr TO the army.
"What is to be done?' cried Haines but
Yi-Hun had already determined upon a
plan of action.
''Chan," he cried, ''throw the body
guard in front OF those two balloons" indi-
eating two airships which were moored
near at nand. Father. Mauna Haines,
get into the first balloon quickly"
"And your" cried Mauna
"Never mind me-" was the reply. This
way. now, Chan" and he darted, as he
spoke, into the second of the two air
ships. This was one devoted to the trans
portation of whang-ho, or Greek-fire gun.
This balloon had no car, only an immense
retort of bone ash, cased in steel, with the
accompanying Ke-li motor being sus-
pended beneath it. Yih Hun seized one of
The rods which sustained the apparatus
and ciambered to the top of the great tank.
1t was smooth and slippery, but he wedged
himself among the levers which directed
and discharged the engine, and cried to
Chan-keo to cut the cable.
"As soon as am off get the body-guard
in the other balloon and hurry OFF. l will
protect your retreat" Chan-Keo with
few strokes of his raxor-iike sword soon
severed the slender cable and the balloon
shot swiftly upward.
While this had been taking place an
unorganized mass of soldiery had attacked
the body-guard, which had thus far sue
ceeded in repeiiing them. The assaults,
however, grew fiercer and fiercer as new
Numbers joined the attacking party, and
the shriil voice of the Tartar general could
now be heard urging the men on. The
small body of defenders was about to be
overcome when a thin spray of liquid
fame, directed by the hand of Yih-Hun
spurted among the throng of their
sssailants. A dreadful scene ensued.
Scores of men. burning with inextinguish-
able fire, threw down their arms
and rushed about with the aimless
frenzy of intolerable pain. uttering the
most fearful and appalling cries. until their
torments silenced them forever. Screaming
pillars OF fame dashed iranticalIy about the
camp, communicating the quenchless fire
to others upon whom the awful spray had
not originally fallen. Water would not
extinguish the fearful combustion, and
those who had thrown themselves into the
river which skirted the camp could be seen
glowing brightly beneath the water, or blaz-
ing hercely on its surface. The burning
bodies of the miserable soldiery illumineu
with a fearful light the vicinity of the fugi-
tiyes, and a sickening odor of burning flesh
almost stifled them. The Inferno of Dante
has no description equal IN horror to the
reality OF what now took place.
Luckily there was not time for the fugi-
tives to fully appreciate the horror of the
scene. No sooner had Yih-Hun directed
this dreadful discharge than his voice was
heard crying from mid-air: ITO the bal
loonl To the balloonl" The order was
quickly obeyed. The remnant of the body
guard leaped on board, the cable was cut.
and the second airship shot up after the
first, receiving parting volley in its as
cent, which, however did little harm, The
fugitives were safe tor the instant, but pur-
suit was certain. Already the voice of Wo-
Lee could be heard, calling the troops 10
man the balloons, and in few minutes one
was manned and arose in pursuit. Ithad not
assembled far, however, before thin sheet of
fire shot from Yi-Hun's balloon, and
dashed the pursuing air-ship. blazing
wreck, to the ground. The whang-hos in
the balloons at anchor could not be elevated
sufficiently to bear upon the fugitives, and
the Tartar general now called frantically
for volunteers to take one of these aloft.
No one came forward, however. 1t re-
ouires firm nerves to ascend alone on a
dark night, in an enemy's country, in an
unconhned balloon, although supplied with
car ana tackle; but TO ascend clinging to
the slippery top of reservoir stored with
inextlnguishaole fire, while some one is
hurting living flame at you, requires the
very subiimest degree OF courage.