Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1890-06-12
CHAPTER VII.


Sho Mai was not deceived by the ap-
parent cordiality OF the reception &C
corded ner by the followers of kwan
Dab, nor could the splendor and the
well-ordered magnifcence of the city
blind her eyes to the fact that the colony
was simply band of robbers and muir
dererS. She knew that she was still as
much q prisoner as when she had been
confined on board the pirate junk: that
her every movement would be watched
until years of associa .ion with cri.ni-
nails and Familiarity with atrocities had
made it impossible for her to return to
the abodeS of honest men.
Her life had been spared and a GER
tain rank had been bestowed upon her
because the pirates had believed that
they recognized in her that reckless
daring which would make her useful
servant of the community. Stripped OF
all the imposing formaliticS and oaths
ofdisgraceful brotherhood, her initiation
meant no more than that she might fill
the place of some veteran criminal who
could then be promoted from the labors
OF actual rapine to the luxurious drone' S
life OF the city.
But she was determined to escape, and
she had already formed a plan which
could be put in operation as soon as she
was fairly embarked with the pirate
crew. She shuddcrcd at the thought of
the murders she must witness, and even
to a certain degree participate in, if her
merchantmen before the day of her de-
iverance came.
On the day following her initiation
she was told that the ship was ready to
sail. In company with that First Chief
whose nod had saved her life, she passed
out through the mysterious underground
way, and in the flare of the torches she
marveled at its wonderful windings and
at the black mouths of tunnels which
were continually opening in her course
only to be avoided.
This is the way of the forty-ninc
curves" said the First Chief, who walked
by her side. You observe that at every
turn in the path a road opens which in
viteS the feet, but to take any one of
them, except that which is known to the
faithful, is DEATH
And Sho Mai shuddered as she passed
what horrible form OF destruction lurlIed
within their portals. At length they
reached the town of the sentries, and
passed through it to the road which led
them to their ship. a boat was in read
mess, and in few minutes Sho Mai
found herself standing on the deck of
the swiftly-gliding junk, while over her
head fioated the black flag of Kwan
Dab.
On the evening of this day Sho Mai
saw the Chief standing apart from the
others near the stern of the junk. She
him with the customary
salute.
''Oh, Chief" said she, lis it the OBJ
iect of this voyage to procure treasure
for Kwan Dah?"
''Certainly,' replied the Chief. For
what other purpose should we sail?'
Il meant to inquire if we had any deS
mite destination" continued the girl,
'or whether we wandered over the sea
at random, hoping to fall in with q Han
Chow ship"
Eve make no port" returned the
Chief; ''we put ourselves in the ordi-
nary track of merchant vessels, and then
trust to the God of Fortune"
If it please YOU" said the girl, great
ly pleased at the replies she had re-
ceived, Il have something to suggest
we may perhaps secure great
treasure for little trouble or danger.
Shall L speak?"
Say on, and if you give good counsel
you shall not fail of your reward at the
hands of kwan Dab"
You must know, then" said Sho
Mai, speaking as calmly as her eagerness
would permit, that / sailed not long
since from the city of Paoting in ship
which bore great treasure, stolen from
a temple near the city. This vessel was
cast upon the great rocks of Pom 10y,
which you doubtless know"
81 have seen them from the sea- re-
piled the Chief, ''and have heard of the
great cave in which it is said that
demons dwell"
1T was to the door of that very cave
that the ship of which l have spoken
was borne by the Storm" continued Sho
Mai. In fact she was cast bodily into
the cavern, and of all on board l alone
and, indeed, should have per-
d
chance shown me way to the city. But
have hitherto told no one of the cargo
which the wrecked vessel carried, and
is the place is almost inaccessible and
would in any case be seldom visited,
such is the terror it inspires, that l have
10 doubt that the gold which was in the
7esSel lies even now among the wreck |
lge in the cave and could be successfully
borne away by few bold men,
You have spoken WE'LL sait. the |
thief, evidently deeply interested. IF |
he vessel was cast into the cave her |
largo would not come out again, but |
would be washed by the waves further |
nto its recesses. How long ago was she |
vreckcd?"
About a year"
''Then no doubt her hull is now
broken up and the gold she carried is
trewn about the cave ready to our
lands,' and the Chiefs eyes sparkled at
he thought. But suddenly his face
rev stern. You know the conse-
uences of deceiving US in this matter"
le said. '.You realize that if this story
hall prove to be a plot against the safe
Y of the ship that your life will pay the
orfeit?''
Il know it we'll, said Sho Mai, stead
". "What l have told you is strictly
rue. That the treasure is still there |
an not say surely, but that such ship
-as cast away in that place you shall
ave evidence to prove"
That is but reasonable" said the