The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-05

spear pointed. The twin blades have a re-
markable decoration made by drilling seven
holes about ~ inches and put In a zigzag
line from hilt to point. These are filled with
pure copper, which is ground down TO form
"a smooth surface flush with the steel and
polished TO brightness.
THESE seven starr, as they are called,
are found 10 nearly all the martial records
OF Ho-nan and are relics Of the old astrologic
faith that still prevails in many parts of
China. It's hold is so strong that If the
copper falls out OF one of tAe sword holes IL
is accepted as a sure precursor of death,
and the luckless wielder Of the blade usually
commits suicide to escape further trouble.
The short stabbinR daggers which fiud
favor chiefly with pirates and revolutionists
form strong contrast with the weapons
described. They are generally so ugly that
they would be ludtcrous we're 1t not for the
purposes to which they are applied. | have
one which looks like Queerly made ace Of
spades fastened into wire bound handle.
To increase the artistic effect of the weapon,
the armorer has followed out a shallow,
spoon-shaped concavity on either side of the
blade and filed it with blood-red LACQUER.
the effect of which when suddenly drawn
from a black sheath is very startling.
Spades are not the only suit in the pack
which is popular in the Mongolian mind
have another weapon whose blade
are ground down to an almost concave
edge, and the blade Is made hideous by Chi
nese red lacquer work made to represent
drops of blood and gouts Of gore. Still an
other dagger is about the ciumsiest affair
of the kind ever handled The blade is a
foot long, about three inches wide and half
an inch thick. With its heavy brass hilt
end gigantic guard it weighs over three
pounds. II set with a long handle it could
be used as au ak. 1t is used chiefly by the
Black Flags and other celestial outlaws,
who, in addition 10 using it in the ordinary
manner, throw it with fatal precision.
" The ex-resident of Tonquin told me that
during the late war he had known instances
in which the knives were thrown with such
force that they would 60 through a mans
body and show two inches Of bloody steel
beyond his back The handles of many of
these instruments of death are finished with
what we call pistol grips. The most dread
full looking weapon of all was. the execu-
toners sword, used by the late headsman
of Annoy. 1t is Of Manchurian type, being
long, almost straight, very heavy, and
keenly edged. 1t is used with one hand and
Is shaped and wound so as to give the ex-
ecutioner powerful hold upon his weapon.
Upon the blade near the hilt are Chinese
characters recording the tragic events
in which it has taken active part. My in
terpreter told me that they record no less
than l93 human lives which it has taken
out of this world. This record enhances
its value. A new sword of the same kind
could be bought for $40 or $12, but for this
sword with its CHASTITY history the thrifty
broker wanted $500 cash. He evidently
thought, although it came high, 1 must
haveit, and accordingly raised the ante.
He was very heartbrokeu creature when
| returned it with the editorial line so
familiar TO the spring poet, declined with
thanks A word of caution as to these
Oriental swords aud daggers. Very many
OF them are poisoned, SO that mere scratch
will cause death. The venom is produced
by stepping The blade in decayed human
blood, and is one of the deadliest known to
physiological science" 90.