The San Francisco call., 1904-04-17
Copyright. 1sos, by Archer Butler HUI
bert
All Rights Reserved
CHAPTER TX.
THE HOLOCAUST.

Alarm is not so terrible when an
enemy is located and the distance
measured. Despite the peril Of our
situation, surrounded as we were in the
little temple OF Ching-ling by the
armed body Of treacherous priests who
had been corrupted by enissaries OF
the Chinese Prince, our fears were not
50 acute as hen, for a moment. each
4 us looked the other in the eye, a
traitorous accusation on each stern lip.
AS our suspicious Of one another
lifted. and we counted a score OF men
left with and still faithful to, the treas
ure q great weight rolled from my
heart, and I could see that General
Ling and Colonel Ii experienced like
relief.
Honor and praise to those two brave,
faithful men on that night; not be-
cause it was their last night on earth,
but because, brought suddenly TO bay
by the cruel foe so long feared, they
showed the stern stuff Of which they
were made. In spite OF the many as
perslons cast upon their race by the un-
knowing world, I remember with awe
the courage Of those men. and realize
something OF what millions OF other
hearts may be capable OF enduring,
though they be oriental and heather!
Caught once by the deceptive wire
headdress, Colonel Ii first determined
TO thwart further danger from that
source, lest there be traitors still
among us. Accordingly. one by one. the
trembling priests were made to kneel
while their hair was loosened from the
netting where such strange secrets
lurk. AS the long hair fell down over
the face and shoulders Of each, and
testimony OF faithfulness to the King
came from lips parched with fear. we
ali took heart TO make ready a stout
resistance.
A search for arms was instituted by
Colonel Ii. and, knowing the thought
fulness Of General Ling, I was sur
prised that the search resulted in pro-
ducing but two guns. There were per-
haps a dozen revolvers at our disposal
But Ling, nothing daunted, put out his
sentries. who could, at least, give warm
ing when the assault came. and sum-
moned all the others within the temple
walls.
Even to the most confused among US
some things were very plain. There
sarcophagus secreted within the tenn
pie, for every traitor had looked upon
it, and could find il again wherever
in that subterraneen apartment we
might stow it. Any secret there would
be readily unraveled. The only hope
was, then, to obtain assistance from
without. drive away the villains, and
carry the sarcophagus Immediately to
the Dulcette.
I am sure we thought frequently OF
the enemy by which we were surround
ed and of his plans, but Of this no one
so much as spoke. How old was the
conspiracy2 How had il been effected ?
Had the conspirators been warned by
confederates who reached Lynx Island
before us2 Had IL been disconnected by
the sudden arrival OF Colonel Ii? What
was the object Of the conspirators in
assisting us TO raise the sarcophagus
These and a score Of other questions
asked myself, but could give no an
swer. Our success depended, felt
sure. on the rapidity with which ]
could get my Cossacks into this can
Won OF Lynx Island OF them I was
confident and so was Ii; he did not
mention his own body Of horse at this
1uncture Of our affairs. and / did not
anticipate that he would! However,
felt like lzneeling 20 the man, as he
stood there in the temple, surrounded
by his trembling priests, 70 ask him to
forgive my suspicious Of him.
Plans having been decided upon, we
went at once to raise the sarcophagus