Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-03-06

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doesn't signify. This much is real
sonably sure. That wall did not
grow. 1t was built by human hands,
and not centuries ago, either. If this
wall is all that separates us from
human beings, we will find way to
get over it. But now I am going to
xeconnoiter.
"What are you going to do?" asked
Miss Arnold.
I had unbuckled my sword and laid
it on the ground. I then selected a
tall tree ana commenced to climb it.
eff I can't get up that wall, I can
get up this tree," said, "and it is
sometimes quite an advantage to see
how the situation looks to a man up
tree. Don't laugh, for L may be not
so nimble at this sort of thing as Twas
years ago."
Up, up went, until reached the
higher branches. Settling myself
where I could stand without discom-
fort, I looked over the wall. The
scene upon which I looked was a
startling one.
Back from the wall, extending sew
.eral hundred feet, was a clear space.
Upon this space were about q thou
sand women, kneeIing with their faces
toward the wall, evidently engaged in
some kind of prayer. Gestures of en-.
treaty and supplication were easily
distinguishable.
These women were of dark-brown
color. They were clad in garments
that were simple, comfortable and
adapted to the climate. A critically
inclined observer might claim that
they were only half dressed. but this
would not be literally true. Their
garment was a gown, loosely hanging
around the neck, armless, belted at
the waist, and a skirt reaching short
distance below the knee.
Back Of them narrow road led in
to the forest. =,
"What do you see there?" asked
Miss Arnold. "You look interested. !
Are we near a town."
IT don't see anything that looks like
town." T replied, "but there is a
gigantic prayer-meeting going on over
there. All women. And they are as
brown as tan. Their features are
much like our own. They all kneel,
facing this way, and are praying aloud.
They don't look like civilized people,
nor do they look like savages. have
heard of Amazons, but I never heard
they spent much time praying. I
don't see any weapons of any kind. I
am going to call to them.
Miss Arnold watched me anxiously
as I placed myself in the tree where
the women could SEQ me. I gave
o loud shout.
The effect was instantaneous.
Amusement seemed to seize upon
them.
They stopped praying and COM
menced to laugh and shout. Then,
as if overcome by some sudden fear,
they turned and fed into the forest.
In an instant not woman was visible.
"They are not Amazons," Isaid to
Miss Arnold, "for they fed precipit.
ately. Not one is left. There isn't
human being in sight now, but am
going to stay up here while. Pos
sibly the male population will come to
see what's up"
II hope they are not savages," said
Miss Arnold. 81 don't understand
how we could get to land of brown
people. We didn't have time to gel
very far from China"
"Here,comes somebody now," said.
"Hellol This is place of mysteries.
I see Chinese soldier-a cavalryman,
slowly ridind along. Now another
Chinaman on foot-he is O soldier,
too. I must not let them see me.
They are talking together. Now they
are going up the road leading into the
forest"
ooh, dear, am all of shiver,"
said Miss Arnold. "What will you
see next I wonder?"
[ remained in the tree until I was
tired, and nothing new transporting, I
descended.
"What shall we do?" asked Miss
Arnold. "We are not so much better
off than before. The women may be
SO frightened that they will not let
anyone como to our assistance.
"We must be patient and see. If
no one comes after a reasonable
length of time I will construct lad
der and we will get over the wall.
Meanwhile am going to take bite"
81 will join you, said mans voice
near me.
We both started. Miss Arnold
turned very white and nearly tainted.
I grasped my rifle and stood ready to
meet foe. But it was no foe that
was coming toward us-at least not a
formidable one. He was apparently
q man more than seventy years of age.
He was tall and thin. His face was
haggard and coursed with deep lines
of suffering. He was dressed in
dark brown suit, and his feet were
clad in sandals. His hair was thin
and white. No beard was on his face
save the short growth of few days.
His right arm hung, useless, by his.
side.
"Who are you?" I asked, still
standing with my rifle ready.
His thin, ashen lips parted as If IN
an attempt to smile. But it was
smile in which there was no mirth or
gladness.
IT might better ask who you are"
he SAID, advancing toward us, "since
you are the stranger and the dweller
here. You need have no fear-of me