The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-02-21

she saw it, she blessed the chance
which had separated her from her lover |
he might yet escape. for the sun was
now low in the heavens. Would he be |
preserved, and in the days to come
would her memory live in his hearth
What message would he send to those
who waited for her in her deserted
home in the city of Paoting; to those
whom she would never see again? BY
strange path had she been led to meet
the fate which now hung over her. Who
that had seen her in her fathers house,
surrounded by every safeguard, could
have foreseen death by the sword and
a burial in the sea2 Words that she
had read long ago came back to her, and
she murmured: What the god OF fate
Wills, SO shall it be-"
Her mind seemed already to have
come out from her body. Dimly as
half-interested spectator, she saw the
great junk drawing near, and with q
dull ear heard the frantic lamentations
Of those who we're with her in the boat.
The next moment the pirates were
upon them, and they we're captives. A
nimble sailor dropped lightly into the
little boat and made it fast with rope,
one end Of which he threw to a waiting
comrade. Then a rope ladder was
dropped over the side.
up to the presence of the most noble
First Chief of Kwan Dab and pay your
homage, dogsp' said the sailor, as he
roughly helped the trembling captives
to mount the ladder When they we're
all on deck they were placed in a line,
where some wept, others wrung their
hands and few awaited their fate with
calm despair
Then the First Chief, attired IN gar
ments richly embroidered with gold and
studded with jewels, and attended by
his suite, came forth and ordered the
captives to be searched At his com
mand two powerful men, naked from
the waist up, each armed with great
curved cutlass, came out to do his bid
ding. The cowaIdly captain Of the junk
was the first man called upon to step
from the line.
"Doyou believe in the God Of ocean,"
asked the chief.
Eyes" faltered the trembling wretch.
Then go to him, and may you pros
perl"
At this, one Of the executioners with
a swinging stroke cut the captains
head from his body. Then both threw
him over the rail into the sea. Another
victim was called, and in a moment his
lifeless body fell into the ocean. Thus
the fearful murder was continued un-
til but five were left, of whom Sho Mai
was one. BY this time the junk had
overtaken another boat, and the places
which had been made vacant in the line
were filed again. AS the unfortunates
came up the side Sho Mai watched them
with an agony Of expec citation, but the
boat was emptied and Lii Xii had not
appeared.
Then the awful questioning began
again, and in almost every instance a
wave of tho sword was the end A few
were spared, but as they seemed to be
the largest and most powerful OF the
captjves, Sho Mai had little hope with
which to meet the summons, which came
at last
"Boy, who are you2" asked the Chief.
1t seemed to Sho Mai that her voice
came from distance, and yet it did not
tremhle as she replied: II am now but
one of many captives Of Kwan Dab.
expect to be but one Of many victims Of
his sword"
"You speak boldly"
Because there is but one death.
am on the threshold"
There was a pause, and her eyes me-
those of the Chief. No effort OF her life
was comparable to that by which she
now steadied her gaze. A minute tina
was like year crept by with its burden
of terror, and then the Chief waved hi
hand. and Sho Mai was led back to the
little band OF those whom the sword hac
passed by.
LET them be taken below" ordered
the Chief, and in moment they were
in the rayless gloom OF little cabin
behind bolted door. But Sho Mai haC
cast one hasty glance at the sun which
now touched the horizon, and she carried
the remembrance Of the gathering dark
ness with her as q consolation. Tn,
night might come in time to cast it
vail between Ii Xii and his pursuers
The sword which had flashed so close t,
her own throat had Withdrawn into it
scabbard. Youth hopes easily, and Sh'
, Mai filed the darkness OF her pI lsoI
, with bright pictures.
, With the cargo Of the captured mer
chairman and the captives whose live
had been spared the pirates set sail TO
/ the home OF the pirate king, Kwan Dab
: 1t was long SAIL but the winds wer
D favorable, and before many days ha
e passed the peaks OF the famous island
, Shi Yam San, which, interpreted, is tn
r Ten Island mountains, rose out OF tn
sea.
The Shi Van San is one OF the mos
densely-wooded islands in the Yello'
Sea, near The peninsula Of Corea. 1t
known as tho Mysterious Kingdom c
the Sea because no vessel, exceptin
" the pirates junks, had ever been abb
= TO make a landing. The shore is OF
q most peculiar formation. Jagged rock
y rise 5recr,itously and in such fantasti
= sba ,es that they seem every minut
a al ,ut to fall into the ocean which TO
ever beats at their feet. Gales are {
. frequent occurrence and OF long dur
ton.