The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-08-28
BACK TRACKS.

MeKim turned to the old and said few
words. The moment ne began to speak the coolies
dropped their knees and touched their oreheads
to the ground The old stood listening respect
fully. In a moment he answered.
His is Khan ghi-sen.' said MeTlim, turn
ing to He says speak almost forgotten
language used only by the nobility of his tribe and
he wants to know where / come from
Suppose you ask him where you going
suggested. Keep him guessing. as you Yankees say"
McKm turned TO Khan-ghi-sen and spoke 1t
seemed to me that the khan was rather apologize in
He says to my own people" said McKim. 4
don't know what he by that
Ask him if your people came down here 500 years
ago from the northward beyond the great wall 1
yentured.
McKim repeated the question 1t was easy. to see
that my straight shot had gone home. The khan
evidently overcome with curiosity, and from that
time treated me with marked respect.
He wants to know why you ask that question"
said McKim. He says that it is not well that one
not of our people should know much. But he says
We must be going on.
Night had fallen when we reached the outskirts of
the village but evidently something unusual
going on for the streets were crowded with people
and as we passed the temple heard the mufied
"hoom- boom" Of the great drum. and the noiseless
tread fthe priests round and round. No one i'm
peded us in any way but there were many curious
glanees our hammOcks passed, and more and more
struck by the similarity Of these people to my
shipmate
The arrangement of the houses was different from
anything l ever saw before in China. They were
built of bamboo and wicker work closely matched
and peculiar conical shape, with a bilge about
feet from the ground, Tartar style of architec-
ture as l afterward discovered.
We entered one of the best, which had evidently
been arranged for bur reception Inside there
couple of large comfortable touches. the sides of
which were of peculiar scrOI-shaped design, and in
one corner there was little recess in which stood
or rather squatted-a brass image of Buddha about
eighteen inches in height. in front Of which
ranged in a semi-cTcle nine brazen vases Of wine
glass shape.
About s o'clock the following morning the Khan
appeared and took AIcKim away with him. When
they came back, ABOUT two hours later, could see
that McKim tremendously excited. His hands
working systematically, his nOstrils distended,
and from time time 1 caught the red glare from
his nostrils which | learned to associate with I'M
usual excitement. He turned on me abruptly
Doctor" he said. do you know what these people
tell me?"
Il can form an idea" said L They claim that
you are a descendant of their race. and more
than that descendant Of their own regal line"
He looked at in amazement- How did you
ever discover that2" ne demanded
Simply because l have thought so myself for some
time"
Well he said q give it up Surprises are com
ing too fast But do you know what they want me
Rule themgs
Not quite that, but to remain with them a sort
of prince instructed by their wise and per
haps lead the tribe noTthward II seems that
their country is to the north. and they have
tradition that of their royal blood will come
from across big water and viii lead them home
"A very hackneyed popular tribal prophecy" re-
marked And what you going to do?'
Oh don't know. I've got TO think it out It
doesn't make much difference, as they wouldn't let
go Just anyway
what does the khan rank in the outdt?" asked.
He is the younger brother Of the present chief
He went down to the coast with good bulk of the
opium for the partner of our friend in Manila II