The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-06-14

| windows OF amethyst, winch were 30
lighted by the internal lamp as to be
very brilliant.
The mouth of this idol was open as
if to devour, and his teeth were pre-
cious stones. Rubies, emeralds,
diamonds and sapphires were set
around the ugly mouth in tooth-like
order.
A tongue of coral, upon which the
light of the lamp reflected strongly,
threw myriads of bright rays of color
from the gems that surrounded it.
The nails of this idol we're of pol
ished mica. He was in crouching
position, with arms extended, as if to
receive an offering. Around his neck
hung q priceless necklace of dia-
monds.
To one side of the temple, in an al
cove, a huge dragon, with eyes and
tongue afame, glared at me as at an
intruder. This dragon was made of
polished stone, with wings of beaten
brass. The tail and claws were like
wise Of brass.
On the side of the large idol, oppo-
site the dragon, was huge and hide
Gus Buddha.
Here, then, was choice enough of
religions. Here could come the
Buddhist and learn his artificial wor-
ship from his god, who stood in the
position as if teaching a multitude.
The Taoist could come, and his Joy
could not be surpassed. His idol was
the richest, the ugliest, the largest.
Confucianism is not represented by
idols or images, but the Philosophy of
Light, as it is called, may easily be
discerned in the magnificent gardens
outside the temples.
All these things I was not long in
admiring. But in short time I was
almost q Taoist. For the sight that
made my heart beat faster and sent
the hope of life into my brain was a
huge dish of solid gold set before the
great idol, containing cooked rice.
Profane the sanctity of the heath
ems temples though I should, here
were life and sustenance for time at
least. Across the top of the dish hwere
golden chopsticks.
I ate my fill.
Then made a profound bow to the
frowning idol who had 80 considerably
come tony timely relief, and shared
with me the offerings of his worship
ers.
Revived, sustained by .the meal I
had eaten, I became new man. Twas
now ready for further adventures, and
eager to continue the exploration of
the submarine palace I had SO miracu-
lousy discovered.
From what seemed to be the rear Of
the temple, another arch, hung like
the first with rich curtains, led into q
large room carpeted with velvet.
There was but little furniture in the
room. 1t seemed like an antechamber
to the temple. Across this room still
another arch could be seen, and,
pushing the curtains in this to one
side, I passed through it.
II had been surprised before I was
| dumfounded now. This inner room
was not large-not more than thirty
feet square-but fortunes hung upon
its walls. There were panels of gold
and other panels of silver. Between
them the walls were covered with in
laid precious wood, studded with
choicest gems. No rock could be
seen. Heavy Turkish rugs covered
the floor. Richly upholstered chairs,
divans and ottomans were scattered
about. A golden lamp, in which
burned the perfumed oil, was sus-
pended from the ceiling which
was covered with silk, draped and fes-
toored. It was place enchanted.
I saw no exit from this room save
the arch through which I had come.
On one side Of the chamber in an al
cove, nearly hidden by a swinging
panel of etched bronze, I found bed.
It was undisturbed. There were
pipes and tobacco lying upon a small
table.
I had evidently seen everything in
the rock palace.
"But where" asked myself, "were
the human inhabitants of this magnif-
cent palace? Were they absent or
were they in hiding, and perhaps
watching me from their place of con-
cealment?"
I Iclosely inspected this last discov-
cred room, but found nothing to indi-
cate that any person had been there
recently. And yet it was unmistaka-
bly, the abiding-pla of some one of
vast wealth, eccentricity and luxuri-
Gus tastes.
I had become accustomed to the
strangeness of the place.
Ny condition was so much improved
over the predicament had been in,
that was disposed 20 accept the situa-
ton rs at least fortunate. [ would
make myself comfortable here until
the owner came-that is, if he came
before the rice gave out-ard, after a
suitable explanation, had no doubt
he would assist me to Hong Kong.
I filed one of my hosts pipes with
the black looking tobacco had found,
and lay down on a comfortable couch
to enjoy smoke.
Gradually my senses gave away un-
der the influence of tbs stuff was
smoking. 1t was not tobacco, or, if
it was, it was prepared with drugs. I
an inclined to think it was opium.
But whatever it was, it was luxurious.
First q delicious sense of fatigue came
over me; not WEAKNESS, bat that calm,
dreamy sense of rest that sometimes
accompanies the use of narcotics.