Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-07-02

Cease weeping! We are going to take you
home your father. Be brave and hurry, your
hghness. for the fung-shui may return at any
moment"
The princess needed no further urging, but arose
once and all three, hand in hand CROPPED through
the darkness, trying to find the narrow passage
into the well. By great good fortune they found
it in half the time that it had taken to reach the
dungeon
After the friend had climbed of the we'll
Wang Er tied the rope around the princess, and
anxiously watched she drawn up the well,
signing happily when she safely out. Then he
impatently waited for the rope to be lowered that
he too. might leave the dismal place But, although
he waited long time, and shouted loudly, he
neither the rope heard a sound from his friend.
Finally he forced to acknowledge to himself
that he had been deserted and left to perish.
Overcome at the thought of his friends treach-
cry he wept bitterly But occurred to him shortly
that the fung-shu might return at any moment and
find him there; and It would be we'll to look for
some place to conceal himself. He again entered
the cave and wandered about a long time without
finding hidng-place. Finally his lantern went
and he forced to grope his way through
complete darkness He dared not stop to rest fear
ing the fung-shui, but painfully and on,
casonay >exclair1ing. ooh. my poor mother
fear 1 shall her againl" At last he
and sky through the opening, and, quickly
ming forward, emerged from the gloomy cave into
bright sunshine that dazzled his eyes he
Obliged to close them for a time.
bright and he found he was standing beside lake.
On the opposite shore was large pavilion, its
roof supported by immense white pillars
There was bridge across the lake and Wang
Err walked it. The path leading the pavilion
was bordered by wondrous plants and thousands of
birds sang constantly. Wang Er enchanted with
all this beauty.
Suddenly a hoarse awful voice cried out:
Come here and free mel"
Terribly startled, the lad looked in the direction
the IrOira and
coed around of the pillars. Flames OF fire
darting from its nostris.
81 don't dare go near you'll" cried Wang Err, who
was trembling violently. You'll crush or swallow
= mel"
81 promise you" answered the dragon, chat I
will not harm you. l am a prince, sen OF the mighty
king Of dragons, who is not a dragon himself, but
a sea-fairy. The land-fairics accused of stealing
the emperors daughter and turned me into dragon
to punish I glued to this pillar and
doomed to stay here until someone throws over me
pail OF water from the lake"
Wang Err pitied the dragon kings son, for we'll
he knew that the fung-skui had carried away the
princess He ran down to the shore of the lake,
where to his JOY, he found pail, and, filling it, he
went back to the pavilion and threwfthe upon
the dragon. 1t instantly fell from the pillar and
changed into a handsome fairy prince who
braced Wang Err saying:
"You must come home with that my father
may behold the brave lad who has released me from
not to open them until direct you to do So
And watever happens do not be frightened"
Wang Err closed his eyes and Immediately felt
himself flying through the air, his hand clasped
tightly in the princes A sudden plunge into the
lake quickly ended this delightful flight
Now open your eyes!"
1t a command Wang Err lost time in
obeying Indeed he opened his eyes to their fullest
extent in wonder at the extraordinary sight he be-
held. Although water pressed upon him from above
and from all sides, he felt not at all uncomfortable
and he and the prince were moving over the bed of
the lake swiftly when they were flying through
the air. On every side were wonderful plants, as
big as trees, and their leaves shone if made of
gold and silver, while fish, with scales that sparked
like diamonds, darted here and there through way
ing branches and arches of rocks.
I'VE will reach the sea-" said the prince
land then will travel the royal highway"
Wang Err not at all prepared for that -amaz-
ing highway On either side and far as he could
see were immense crabs, Holsters and fish standing
upright, balancing themselves on their tails, and
dressed in splendid uniforms
Over this long road and through this double
line of strange guards the prince and Wang Err
moved with great speed, finally. reaching palace