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

frequent occurrence and of long dura-
ton.
Inland the Kingdom of the Sea Is ex-
ceedingly fertile, and it's fields are
titled by the slaves of the pirates, who
for many generations have made this
spot their home. OF the chiefs who had
held sway over this Infamous colony
none had ever made his name so terrible
on the surrounding seas as Kwan Dab.
At the time of this story he had ruled
for thirty years. though the Emperor
had offered a reward of ten million teals
and an hereditary dukedom to him who
should capture the pirate chief, dead or
alive.
In order to procure wives for his seven
thousand subjects Kwan Dab was in the
habit of raiding the towns on the coast
Of China and Cor and stealing all the
young women that could be captured.
Half hundred these unfortunate
creatures we're prisoners in kwan Dah's
harem, whence there was no escape eX-
cept 70 the grave.
Sho Mai learned these agreeable de-
tails of her future home during her
voyage in the pirate junk. The second
day after her capture she was allowed TO
come on deck. and vas not subjected 10
any restraint, though those who had
been captured with her were still kept
closely imprisoned. She struck up a
sort of comradeship with one Of the
sailors, who told her such facts about the
island as have already been given. Sho
Maiqucstioned him eagerly about Il Xiii
but he could remember no such person
and the girl began to feel sure that her
lover had escaped.
Why was my life spared?" she asked
the sailor. The others who were Sc
lected were strong men
The others were picked out for their
strength replied the sailor. They
will be made slaves. You will be taken
into the presence of Kwan Dab, and if
he secs f t you will become member of
the colony. 1t is the custom to recruit
our forces from such youths among our
captiveS as give promise of exemplary
courage. But do not congratulate your
self yet. If kwan Dab is not pleased
with you, why" and the sailor made
an expressive and horrible gesture as of
one who waves a sword in the air.
Near the evening OF the following
day the junk anchored in the lee of
some great rocks near the mysterious
island. When the sail had been furled
Sho Mai was summoned to the presence
Of the Chief. He spoke not a word. but
pointed over the side of the vessel to
where small boat lay riding on the
swell. Four sailors with oars poised
in air were waiting to row the boat
to the island. The girl climbed down
the ladder, stepped into the boat and
took a seat in the stern. She was fol-
lowed an instant later by the Chief, who
sat beside her.
ITO the shore" he said, briefly; and,
dipping their oars, the men gave way
with will. A landing was made in
strangely-hidden inlet which looked as
if it had been cut by the labor OF men
in the solid rock. The Chief, Sho Mai
and two sailors followed narrow trail
until they came to a little clearing in
the forest. Here We're a number of
small huts made of skins, and SO clever
~ painted that they were hardly dis
tinguishable from the foliage in
the background. At the door
of each hut stood sentinel
armed with the same kind of curved
sword as had been used by the execu-
TONERS on board the Junk. 4 smoothly
beaten path divided the village of tents,
and along this the little party passed.
At every tent the Chief halted long
enough to whisper q talismanic word to
the silent sentinel, and to make pc
culiar sign.
When the end of the path was reached
the Chief halted, and taking a long
strip of silk wound it round and round
the eyes of Sho Mai till not a ray of
light could reach her. Then one of the
stalwart sailors grasped her firmly by
the arm and guided her stumbling feet
down a strange path that seemed to lead
into the bowels of the earth. There
were curves and corners in this road,
and steps which led now up, now down,
till the mind Of the pursuer was in hope
less confusion as to the direction, the
distance and the depth.
Suddenly she heard a great noise, as
If thousand men had all at once broken
into cheers; and, as if it were a signal,
the bandage was removed from her eyes.
A blaze of light succeeded the gloom in
which she had walked, and she stood
dazzled by the rays of thousand lamps
which filled the room with the glory of
the midday sun. Straight before her
rose throne glittering with gold and
gems, and towering almost to the coil
ing of the lofty apartment. Thanked