Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-04-03

/ Even lQCO the mines WcnC, OSUenSlDly
to sell clothes to the miners, but
really to SOW the seed of revolution
and to learn more of my people and
their country.
1t was in the mines that I saw the
greatest cruelties practiced.
I saw men who were fainting from
exhaustion prodded with the swords
of the guard, until in despair the poor
fellows would lie down and beg their
tormentors to kill them outright and
rid them of their misery. Sometimes
this invitation pleased the Mongols
and they accepted it.
I saw men, bleeding from the
wounds given by their heartless
masters, thrown cut on the mountain
side to die. Often my indignation
nearly overthrow. my prudence. but l
knew that interference would simply
cost me my life, and I went stolidly
about my business.
In Brcmporrah I first met the Kaleks
"a race that was once distinct from the
Jumars, but now closely allied by inter-
marriage for several generations.
They were Of still smaller physique
than their kinsmen of Galneor, though
resembling them in color and mental
attributes.
The two cities were about ten miles
apart. A wide, smooth road led from
Galneor to Bromporrah, and from there
on to Quiental.
This I found to be a continuation of
the Street of the Invaders. The same
style of nomenclature prevailed at
Bromporrah that found in Galneor.
The people of Bromporrah were, if
possible, more dispirited than the Ju-
mars. They had had the honor of
giving to the island the last ruling
family, all the members of which had
been killed by Hen-Ko-Hi.
I YVES received everywhere among
them with confidence that amazed
me. No one questioned my authority
or doubted the success of my plans.
was Jogging along one of the prin-
,cipal streets one day, and stopped be-
lore a comfortable-looking house in
the best part OF Bromporrah. In the
garden was woman planting corn. I
took tray of handkerchiefs from the
cart and went to her..
"How are you, good woman?" 1
asked. "Good woman" is the nearest
translation of the word "madam" in
Jumarese.
She eyed me moment and then
said:
ST am as we'll as O Kalek woman can
be with the bruise of a Mantchoo
thrust in her heart"
"Alas!" I said. "And have you suf-
fered, too?"
eyes," she replied bitterly. 81 have
been so deep in sorrow that even death
would seem welcome. See you this9"
She showed me mound in the cor
ner of the garden. 1t was covered
with fragrant and beautiful flowers.
SIT is grave" said.
"It is the grave of my heart. There
lies the child of myself and Bado-
Ror."
had heard of Bado-Ror. Mr.. Avery
had told me he was the chief man Of
Bromporrah.
"And your worthy husbands he
at work? I trust he is WE'LL"
"Bado-Ror is WELL" said said; che
is within"
"Take me 10 him." I said. 81 want
to speak to him.
"And who of the Jumars shall I say
to him is here? Are you a messenger
from Garu-Saak or the Oolek?"
81 am the Oolek," T replied.
She bowed low and babe me follow
her.
I expected to see in Bado-Ror a
.noble-looking man such as were the
chiefs of the .Jumars. Imagine my
surprise when I was ushered into the
presence of wizened little old fellow
at least foot or more shorter than
myself.
When we entered theroom he seemed
to be very busy. He paid us scant
attention. There were pots and jars
scattered about. A bot fire glowed in
a little stove. He was working with
chemicals of some sort. The express
sion on his face was fierce and rapt.
He was thinking only of his work, but
he had become so fierce from constant
of his wrongs, that his face
never lost it's tigerish ferocity.
"You are Bado-Ror," I said when I
went in.
He looked up and nodded.
"This is the Oolek," said his wife.
81 knew twas all he said.
L waited in silence, amused at this
cool reception. The situation was one
that might, if prolonged, become
awkward. Suddenly his eyes cleaned.
"Ah! L have it," he exclaimed.
He put down jar in which he had
been shaking some&ind of a mixture,
md motioned for his wife to leave us.
She bowed and departed.
Plunging his hand into the jar he
leld out toward me handful of white
powder. He did not speak, but divin-
ng his wishes, L examined it. Placing
small pinch CT it on stone, he struck
t sharp, quick blow. An explosion
vas the result.
"And what is that, Bado-Ror?" I
.sked.
HIS grizzled face twisted itself into