The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1890-03-15

eallOw and lnScrutaDie. lie was OLD; OUT
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 a
place of refuge.
"You must stay with me. Can you
walk at all-thus, leaning on my shout
der, using my staff"
And Moung Ko-whose name / had
ascertained-led me slowly down the
winding passage. Was his monastery
near. wondered? had seen no signs
of such an ediiice as entered the gorge.
But it proved unnecessary to put tho
question into words. There was a cum
ningly hidden opening in the rock wall.
We squeezed through, and within was a
wide and airy cave-evidently place or
habitation. Nature had shaped its walls
and stretched it's roof, but art had trans
formed the rude mountain eyrie into a
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 ana
pieces of bric-a-brac that would have
fetched fabulous sums in Wardour street.
Nv eyes caught also the unmistakable
CLEAN of the precious metals.
1t was a 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 poor wanderers occasional
home. It's existence is secret which
you will not betray," Moung no said.
"You are the first stranger | 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.
II am flattered by your faith in my
gratitude, and hope and believe that it
is not misplaced" answered; "but is
there not risk? l may disappoint you
by some unguarded word Do you not
fear it!''
Twas 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. ut 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 | may trust YOU"
The light was gone, and l could have
fancied that had not really heard those
words of weird fate which, nevertheless,
was to remember after many days.
While we talked Moung Ko was deity
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
had seen while waiting for the fiat of
fate; and I surely felt Moung Kos
fingers tremble. His head was bent
down, and this was my one warning of
the phoonghies 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 ill to see. They are
towards. But l say that bushes take
wonderful shapes; and sometimes they
move in the wind"
1t sounded like satire, and Moung Ko
was clever diplomatist. He had nearly
persuaded me that was the victim of a
deluson. A man recovering from a
swoon may easily be cheated by shad
ows. l 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.
l had fallen into capital hands. If a
tie of kinship or creed had existed, /
could not have been better cared for
And at the end of week was able to
move gingerly about with a crutch. My
host now suggested migration to zyat,
or hostelry for travellers, hard by his
pagoda, in village of the lower plateau.
| was perfectly willing to move. 1t
would give me opportunities for becom-
ing acquainted with the inhabitants of
the district and with local customs and
characteristics that were hitherto only
matters of hearsay.
The man who had laid me under so
great an obligation was more and more
n marvel and a mystery. His life, rs
gradually disclosed, seemed full of con-
tradictions 1t was abundantly clear
that he was held in extreme reverence by
the brethren of his order as well as by
the villagers. But, with innate skepti-
cism, declined to think that there was
anything in his common fame as a seer.
Still he accented the HOMAGE and il was