Evening star., 1935-04-07

travagant phraseology: Insignificant
barge of the Munifcent WI T'sa" and
revealing a rug-strewn diased deck
upon which an eiaborately robed man
f,lriously scanned the stream.
The lone coolie propelling the sam
pan uttered a suppressed cry.
"Chu Lair" he called quickly.
Ho Nan raised his head to the level
Of the mating roof. Lee Tah followed.
Arm of Kwan Yin. thy protec-
tionr' che gasped. 1T is WI Tsa."
Ho Mans arm encircled her. ITO
the willows by the bank!" he oom-
manded hoarsely. d.
They reached the trailing screen,
hardly daring to breathe. and knowing
not whether they had escaped.
Il will seek the Cloudy River Of
the Sky" murmued Lee Tah pas
sionately. ere I will be taken from
thee"
The Water God is kind" choked
Ho Nan.
Tragedy dimmed his eyes To have
been so near 80 near his great
desire!
On came the lighted boat until the
reeking sweat Of the polezs hung on
the sultry air and their quick breath
ing became audible n they strained
to obey the sharp orders Of their
master. Ponderously the huge craft
swung through the water till it was
opposite the tiny sampan covering by
the bank. Then, with unsupported
ability. the barge veered. crashed
through the willow curtain, and lum-
besed upon its prey. The frail sam-
pan aumpled up. Ho Nan reached out
to save his beloved. but steel hands.
seixing them both, dragged them onto
the barge deck and tied him fast with
tow ropes.
Lee Tah, on her knees IN fear and
shame. looked up into the sinister
eyes of WI Tsa.
Thou worse than ten house gni!'
he stormed. Back to the ignoble
hovel shalt thou 90. disUaced! Need
now guard thy already de6led sweet
ness?'
Before the enraged eyes Of her help
less lover he lifted the shrinking girl
to the low divan upon the deck. Her
eyes closed and q merciful oblivion
overcame her.
Ho Nan strained futilely at his
bonds. The barge turned slowly, t6
return up the river.
ouN
the blackness. the river suddenly
teemed with small unlighted craft.
and like q rush Of muddy waters.
sweating, bare skinned men. armed
with revoivezs or ugly knives, poured
up over the CARVED rulings.
Pirates! Piratesr shrieked one Of
the boatmen. frantic with fear. Hope
lessly outnumbered, forgetful Of every.
thing but a paralyzing dread Of the
rivers ancient scoWge, they dung
down their poles and leApt overheard.
In vain WI T'sa thundered COM
mands. His heavy body lurched for
ward, but a flashing knife cut the
lantern rope and the barge was plunged
in darkness.
Ho Nan wriggied upon now slip
perry deck. Sounds of silk torn by
many knives. sharp, staocato sounds
and low moan that ceased with a
splash added to the wild confusion.
In the darkness something metallic
fell with a clink beside him. He
crawled nearer. nearer. His bound
hand clutched it at last "a short
sharp dagger with a jewelled hilt.
The hempen strands which had bound
him parted like thread across the
steel. Mad with fear for his beloved,
Ho Nan crept through the darkness.
From time to time the robbers call
''La-air' sounded near him. Arm and
knife appraised. he smote the body
beneath the voice. Time after time
his knife met bare flesh, but each
thrust bathed his own torn shoulder
with a sticky fluid. and rs he grew
weaker. to apprise the pirate leader
of the presence of his men. lest be
doubt that they were winning. Ho Nan
called softly, "La-ai La-ai!'
At last but one voice answered him.
Cautiously he crept toward it. The
barge was in silence save for the
fwtive sounds of the two approaching
antagonists, craving, sliding across
A. ~>oI~sn~ Hob