CHAPTER VIII.

In the streets of Constantinople, I fall in with an Armenian merchant,

who presents me with a MS., 6,000 years old. It proves to be

palimpsest. Its wonderful contents. I learn of the existence of a

boiling sea, and set sail in search of it. Three of my seamen are

swallowed by a marine monster. I rescue them. We reach Neptune’s

Caldron. Description of it and of its banks. Strange adventures

there. We set sail for home, but are overtaken by a fearful storm

which drives us on the coast of China. Bulger saves our lives. I am

received with great honor by the dignitaries of the province—am

quartered in the palace of So Too the Mandarin. Bulger incurs the

enmity of the authorities. He is accused of having an evil spirit,

and is arrested and put on trial. I defend him. He is condemned to

death. My efforts to reverse the sentence are successful. Strange

adventures in the palace of the Lord Taou-tai. Bulger and I are able

to overcome all obstacles put in our way. We are accorded permission

to set out for a seaport where we take passage for home. Our joy in

finding ourselves safe out of the hands of our enemies.

[Illustration: SOME CROWS LIKE BOILED DINNERS.]

While sauntering through the streets of Constantinople, one day,

loitering in front of the bazars, or listening to the tales of some

story-teller on the street-corner, I fell in with an Armenian merchant.

He was a man of varied attainments, had read much, traveled much, seen

much.

We ate sweetmeats and drank coffee together for several days.

He was so delighted with my keen intellect, sharp, nipping wit, and

great powers of imagination, that he expressed himself as being more

than paid for his journey to Constantinople, although he had not yet

opened his packs.

When the time came for us to part, he proceeded to loosen the leather

thongs which held down the lid of a strange looking chest, whose top and

sides were covered over with curious figures in inlays of several

colors.

From one corner of this receptacle he drew forth a volumen or roll-book

of antiquity.

To one end of it was attached, by a strip of parchment, a waxen seal,

stamped with what seemed to have been a monarch’s signet ring. This

ancient and venerable book exhaled a very musty smell.

The Armenian handled it carefully, saying:

“It is quite old; some 6,000 years.” Seeing astonishment depicted on my

countenance, he smiled and continued:

“Yes, 6,000 years! It has only been unrolled far enough for me to

decipher the nature of its contents. It treats of the human soul, and

pretends to have solved its mystery completely—a problem which has

baffled the philosophers of all ages. It even goes so far as to claim

that the essence which we call “soul” may be taken out of a body and put

into a bottle; that one soul may be thrust into a man’s body to keep his

own company, and that in this manner the whole world may be reformed,

made over; evil being entirely destroyed and good only remaining.

“You smile, little baron, but it seems to me quite feasible. For

instance, this rare old book quite rightly assumes that if we could

thrust a good soul into a body already inhabited by a bad one, that man

or woman would henceforth cease to do evil, or, at least, the good soul

would continually betray its bad companion, and, altho’ the man might

plan a murder, he would not fail to inform some one of his dread

purpose, and thus defeat his own ends.”

“Or,” continued the merchant, “take the case of a miser; by thrusting

the soul of a spendthrift into his body, his inclination to hoard money

and starve his family would be forever and always opposed by an ardent

desire to waste his earnings, and the result would be that these two

vices would neutralize each other; and so with a drunkard or a thief: by

placing the soul of a water-drinker in the one and of a moral man in the

other, a perfect reformation could be brought about. This is a valuable

book, little baron, but I give it to you, merely exacting a promise from

you that in case I am right in my understanding of it, you will impart

the secret to the fathers of the church.”

I gave the merchant my promise, and not wishing to accept so valuable a

present without making some return therefore, I drew from my finger a

ring containing the petrified eye of a basilisk, which, in the dark,

emitted light enough to read the hour on a watch dial.

He was almost tiresome in his expression of thanks.

We separated.

I laid the ancient volume away in my chest and gave no thought to it

until some time after my return home, when, one fine day, Bulger,

attracted by its very musty odor, seized it by the vellum strip holding

the seal and drew it forth from its hiding-place, then looked up at my

face as much as to say:

“What is it, any way, little master?”

I determined to unroll the book at once.

The merchant had warned me to be most careful in so doing, lest the

whole thing fly into a thousand pieces.

I therefore proceeded to prepare a wooden tablet or panel, which I

smeared with a strong glue, so that, as the parchment unwound, it should

be caught by this sticky surface and held firmly fast.

The plan succeeded admirably.

After several hours’ close application I was overjoyed to see the volume

entirely unrolled and held firmly and evenly to the surface of the

panel.

Fancy my delight, after the glue had dried sufficiently to make an

examination of the writing, to find that this ancient volume was a

palimpsest!

I felt instinctively that this dissertation upon the nature of the soul

was the sick man’s dream of some poor dweller in the double darkness of

ignorance and superstition. So I made haste to wash away his fervid

outpourings by a plentiful use of something still hotter—namely, hot

water and soap; for my studies had told me that the ink used by the

people of his time and generation contained no mordant, and was, in

fact, only lamp-black and grease.

I now got at the real contents of this venerable book.

The writing was dim and shadowy. I did not let that trouble me, for,

skilled as I am in the chemist’s art, I lost no time in applying an acid

which restored the writing to its old time blackness.

I had some difficulty in deciphering the language in which it was

written—the ancient Phoenician—but, with the aid of several scores of

dictionaries, I finally rendered it into a modern tongue, passing it

through the Aramaic, thence into the Greek, and, finally, into my own

tongue.

When at last I had gotten over all difficulties and could read the

descriptions with that ease necessary to bring out their full sense, I

was nearly beside myself with joy.

It was the story of a voyage made by a venturesome navigator, six

thousand years ago, when the earth was still in its infancy; still hot

in some places; in fact, only the highest mountains and table lands had

cooled off enough to be habitable.

Pushing off from the shores of Arabia, this bold captain had pointed his

ship towards the rising sun.

And, wonder of wonders! after many awful perils and terrible privations,

he had entered waters which, to his almost unutterable amazement, grew

warmer and warmer as he sailed over them.

At first his men refused to proceed any farther, but by dint of threats,

persuasion and goodly presents, the bold sailor went his way, wondering

and rejoicing. After many days he entered a body of water, which, from

his descriptions, I at once recognized as the China Sea. But now all

further advance was impossible.

In vain his oarsmen lent their aid to drive the little vessel forward.

Huge waves of heated water, always from the same direction drove his

craft backward.

At last the truth of the matter dawned upon him.

He was on the outer edge of some vast boiling sea, which, rolling its

hot waves ever outward, drove back his cockle shell of a bark. Making

for a lofty promontory, he clambered to its highest point, wearing thick

felt shoes and gloves to protect his feet and hands from the heated

rocks.

A fearful and yet a sublimely beautiful sight met his gaze.

For hundreds and hundreds of miles the waters were in a state of most

violent boiling, springing and leaping into the air as if a legion of

giant demons were beneath forcing their hot breath upward from vast

cavernous lurking places.

Upon reading of this boiling sea, I was seized with an uncontrollable

desire to go in search of it.

True the waters might have cooled down in all these centuries, and yet I

was confident I should find some trace of this once terrible caldron of

seething waters.

The China Sea was only slightly known to navigators of my day and

generation.

It had often been darkly hinted at that this vast body of water was

studded with wonderful isles and filled with rare monsters.

I had no time to lose.

Hastily penning a letter of adieu to my father and mother, I joined my

ship—accompanied by my ever faithful Bulger—and turned her prow towards

the rising sun.

So well were the waters of the East known to me, from my long and close

study of the most reliable charts, that I found I could almost steer my

craft through them blindfolded.

It was not many days ere I entered this beautiful expanse of water,

which, in the youth of the world, was filled with such marvelous

creatures swimming on it and in it.

Onward, ever onward, through its dark blue waves, now mounting their

foam-crested heights, now rocking like a thing of life upon this billowy

highway, my trusty little vessel ploughed her way. Ten times a day,

under plea of wishing to cool my brow in a basin of sea water, I called

out to some one of my men to let down a bucket, but only to find, to my

deep disappointment, that its temperature was no higher than is usual in

those latitudes.

I began to grow low-spirited. My crew noticed my dejection, and at times

my attentive ear caught murmurs of discontent.

To restore my men to their usual good spirits, I offered a reward of a

thousand ducats to the one who should first discover that the water was

growing warmer.

A thousand ducats!

It was a goodly sum, but I was growing desperate.

The large reward, however, had one good effect; it put new life into my

men.

All day long buckets rattled against the ship’s side.

Three of the more venturesome men hit upon a plan to earn the reward and

divide it among them.

Lashing themselves together, they then lowered themselves down over the

side of the vessel, until their feet just touched the water. Here they

determined to stay, so that they might be the first to announce the

increase of warmth in the water, and in this way make sure of the

thousand ducats.

Suddenly a fearful outcry, accompanied by the most piteous whining on

the part of Bulger, caused me to rush up on deck.

A sea-monster, a third as long as our ship, had risen directly under

them.

Motionless with fright, they fell an easy prey to this terrible foe.

Opening his vast, cavernous jaws, he swallowed the whole three at a

single gulp!

My men were wild with grief!

They heaped mad words of reproach upon me.

I had great difficulty in restoring anything like order or discipline.

My commands fell upon deaf ears.

At last I succeeded in quieting the raging, weeping crowd.

Knowing from my experience with such dread inhabitants of the deep, that

this monster had only whetted his appetite by these morsels of human

flesh, I directed my men to make haste and construct a straw man, using

clothes of the same color as those worn by the three unfortunates.

Into the bosom of this effigy I stored away a quarter quintal of

ipecacuanha, of prime quality, which, by good luck, I found in my stock

of medicines.

The dummy was now lowered to the water’s edge, at exactly the same spot

where the monster had made his luncheon on my three excellent seamen.

We had not long to wait.

He rose to the bait in a few moments, and, opening his huge jaws, thrust

out a tongue as large and as red as a roasted ox, and gulped down the

savory morsel I had provided for him, with a rumbling gurgle which made

my blood run cold.

Recovering myself, I sprang up into the shrouds and kept my eyes fixed

upon this rare monster, who floated away lazily a ship’s length and then

came to a dead halt.

Ever and anon a quiver shot thro’ the entire length of his body.

Evidently he was having no little difficulty in swallowing this last

morsel.

Huge ridges formed about his neck and rolled backward till they were

lost beneath the waters. A certain uneasiness now marked his movements.

He rolled from side to side, opening and shutting his jaws with a snap

that sounded like the bang of two great oaken doors.

The dainty quarter quintal of ipecacuanha was manifestly beginning to

distress him.

His rocking and rolling motion increased in violence.

At one moment his huge body turned upon its side, bent itself until head

and tail met; at another it arched itself in the air until its black

back spanned the waters like a bow.

I now felt that it was time to act.

“Stand by the starboard launch!” I called out to my men. “Avast that

blubbering! All ready?”

“Ay! ay!” came back from the gang.

“Lower away, then!”

I was not a whit too quick with my orders.

The launch had no sooner struck the water than the sea-monster—after a

series of terrible contortions, during which it almost seemed as if his

huge body would be snapped in twain—began to disgorge the varied

contents of his stomach.

First, shower after shower of many colored fishes, of all sizes, from a

hand’s length to three cubits, filled the air.

As they fell into the water, they calmly swam away, no doubt well

pleased to find themselves in more agreeable surroundings.

Thousands of shell fish, all kinds, sizes and colors, then came flying

forth, rattling their claws together as they fell into the water, as if

in defiance at their huge foe that had been so unceremoniously called

upon to give up the results of many a long hour’s hunt.

The living was followed by the dead, for now came forth several wooden

buckets, three old blankets, numerous bits of plank, rope ends, shreds

of sail, paint pots, bundles of oakum, and wads of cotton, all of which

he had picked up while following in the wake of our vessel. At last the

man of straw was cast out high into the air with a deep grunt of

satisfaction.

After him came number one of the lost seamen.

Numbers two and three were not slow in arriving.

The launch made haste to pick them up, leaving the sick monster to

recover his health and spirits as well he might.

Bulger received the rescued men with the wildest manifestations of

delight, and clapping on all sail, away we bounded before a rattling

breeze.

To my infinite joy, the water now began to increase in warmth.

Hour by hour the rise in temperature, although slow, was steady.

“At length, my men!” cried I to my crew, “we are on the right track. Be

patient! I promise you that before the sun has quenched his fire in the

western seas we shall cast anchor in Neptune’s Caldron!”

My predictions came true to the very letter.

Just as the last rays of sunlight were gilding the foam-crested waves of

this mysterious sea, a long, low line of shore was sighted dead ahead,

ending in a precipitous headland.

Bearing away we rounded this and found ourselves at the entrance of a

large land-blocked bay or gulf, from different points in which huge

columns of snow-white steam floated lazily skyward, twisting themselves

in most fantastic shapes ere they vanished in the purple twilight.

My men sent up a loud, long, lusty cheer, as we sailed into Neptune’s

Caldron.

As we drew near shore, to my great bewilderment, for I had not dared to

think that living creatures could exist in these heated waters, I caught

sight of moving things in the Caldron. Nay, there could be no doubt, for

these heated waters were as limpid as a mountain spring and the bottom

plainly visible ten fathoms below.

Fish of all colors and sizes floated hither and thither, while myriads

of crabs, lobsters and other queerly shaped crustaceans crawled about on

the snow-white sands, following their leaders in long lines, like a

procession of cardinals, over the white marble pavement of some great

city in the western world.

I say “crimson lines,” for the heat of the water had clothed them all in

suits of richest red.

As I sat in the ship’s launch on my way to the shore, gazing dreamily

down into the waters, half-dazed by these marvellous sights, a shoal of

fish rose near the boat and turned their beautiful tinted sides for an

instant to the cool air.

To my amazement I saw that their eyes were sightless, that the extreme

heat of the waters had clouded their limpid orbs milk white and shut out

the light forever!

A cold chill crept over me, for, to me, the spectacle was as uncanny as

if the carp had sprung from the elder baron’s table and begun to swim

about in their native element once more.

But the list of strange things was not yet exhausted, for as I drew

nearer to the beach, you may imagine my mingled wonder and amusement at

seeing scores of fish with their backs planted against the sand furrows,

calmly fanning themselves with their broad, flat tails.

Upon setting foot upon the shore, I was astonished to find the land, for

far as the eye could reach, covered deep with millions and millions of

eggs of different sizes, varying from that of a pigeon to that of an

albatross or wild goose.

In places these eggs lay in heaps far higher than my head; in others

they were ranged in long lines, like white furrows turned by some

gigantic plough!

Suddenly the truth dawned upon me. To these shores vast flocks of

sea-birds came to lay their eggs year after year, attracted by the

warmth of the atmosphere. There they build their rude nests and fill

them with eggs and enter upon the task of hatching out their young, when

suddenly the heated waters hurled by some gale or resistless current,

rises upon their resting places and spreads death where life was just

beginning, by cooking the countless thousands of eggs which fill their

nests. And so on from year to year, until now I behold the work of a

thousand floods, which have in turn added their contribution to this

vast stock!

While standing on the shores of this wonderland, one morning, gazing out

across the steaming surface of Neptune’s Caldron, several of my crew

came running toward me with startled mien and great outcry, all pointing

skyward. I turned and looked in the direction indicated.

A vast cloud, black and threatening, hung in the heavens.

As I stood watching it, it broadened and widened until it fairly

darkened the light of day.

My men were now on their knees, uttering the most piteous lamentations,

for they imagined the end of the world was at hand.

I commanded them sternly to leave off their wailing and groaning, for I

saw that the great black cloud was simply an enormous flock of birds, of

what species I could not then tell.

Nearer and nearer they came, with the sound like the rushing of wild

winds.

They covered the whole sky like an inky pall.

It was evident to me that they intended alighting upon the shore of the

Caldron, and fearing lest their immense numbers, in settling down, might

smother us, I called out to my men to stand by the ship’s launch.

There was no time to lose.

For, as we pushed out from the shore, tens of thousands of these birds—a

species of crow, but twice the size of those at home—began to settle

down in long rows as far as the eye could reach.

For the first, now I noticed that every crow held something in its

claws. I looked again, and saw that each of these birds carried an

immense mollusk, fully as large as a watchman’s club and something the

same shape. Imagine my mingled surprise and amusement upon observing

that those in the first row were now making for the water’s edge.

Approaching cautiously, each crow thrust his mollusk into the shoal

waters of the Caldron and stood by, with eyes sparkling with joyful

anticipation, to watch for results.

He had not long to wait.

Unaccustomed to the great heat of the water, the mollusk soon began to

open its shell, first cautiously, but as the hot water poured in upon

it, with great precipitation, fairly with a snap. Waiting for a moment

or so until the hot water had curled the animal quite free from its

shell, the fastidious birds then partook of the savory contents, gave a

few caws of grateful acknowledgement, and withdrew to make room for the

next row. This changing places, cooking of provisions and feasting

lasted for half a day.

By that time the entire flock had exhausted its raw material. Then with

deafening cries and loud flapping of pinions, these feathered epicures

rose into the air and disappeared as they had come.

Fain would I have prolonged my stay upon the shores of Neptune’s

Caldron, but I observed that the steam from the waters was disagreeable

to Bulger.

With speaking eyes, he implored me to hoist sail and seek some, to him

pleasanter land.

I could not withstand that appeal.

So I made a farewell survey of the egg mounds, gazed my last at the

red-shelled crustaceans and chalky-eyed fish of the Caldron and went

aboard of my staunch vessel.

Heading now westward, I crowded sail, intending to hug the China Coast

pretty closely on my homeward voyage. All went well for the first few

days after leaving Neptune’s Caldron.

Bulger ranged the deck, playing the maddest capers.

Thoughts of home now began to occupy my mind.

The elder baron was growing old. I felt that I ought not to prolong my

voyage. He might be in need of my counsels.

Suddenly, one day, at high noon, the skies darkened, the winds sprang

up.

I thought nothing of it.

It will only be a mad romp, which will serve right well to blow us along

homeward.

But, oh, what a short-sighted creature is vain man, who thinks to read

the signs of the skies, the winds and the waves!

The merry whistling of the wind soon gave place to the dismal howl of

the blast.

The storm fiend was stalking abroad.

The startled waters now leaped wildly up from their beds, rolled

tumultuously onward, whipped into foam and fury by ten thousand lashes

of the blast, till, in their mad efforts to escape, they dashed

themselves against the very clouds.

The scene was terrible. ’Twas useless to command, for not a throat of

steel could have drowned the wild yells of the tempest.

To my horror, I discovered that we had sprung a leak.

The pitch and tar, softened by the heat of the water in Neptune’s

Caldron, had bulged from the ship’s joints and allowed the calking to

escape.

Like a sheet of card board, our rudder was now torn from its place and

whirled away on the crest of a giant billow.

Behold us now at the very mercy of the storm, the plaything of wind and

wave, a cockle shell fallen on the battle ground of nature’s waning

elements.

Bulger, lashed to the rigging by my side, uttered no plaint, no cry of

fear, no sound of distrust.

I could see that his speaking eyes were following me about as much as to

say:

“I am not afraid, little master, so long as you are by me.”

I could feel my heart thump out a loud “thank thee, dear, faithful,

little friend!”

From time to time I passed my hand caressingly over his head and neck.

His tail moved sadly, but I knew its meaning.

It meant:

“Little master, I am ready to die; ay, most willing to die, if I can die

with you by my side.”

It really seemed as if his love was about to be put to a final test for

the dreadful cry of—“Breakers ahead!” was passed from man to man till it

reached my ears.

It was only too true.

Their roar now broke upon my ears, faint, low but deep, terrible, half

like distant thunder or the growl of some gigantic beast of prey.

In a few brief moments we were on the reef.

With a terrible crash our staunch little vessel leaped upon the rocks

and wedged herself in, tight and fast, between two jagged ledges.

The relentless sea now broke over and over us.

“Oh! if the day would only break!” I murmured, “possibly we might find

some means to reach the main land.”

To stay here simply means destruction.

After hours of the severest suffering, for every sea which broke over us

seemed as if bent upon the fell purpose of tearing our limbs from their

lashings—day came at last.

I discovered now that we were about a quarter of a mile from the main

land.

With my glass, I could distinguish great crowds of people running hither

and thither on shore. But they made no effort to send us succor or to

encourage us to cling to the wreck until the storm should abate.

What was to be done?

With a fearful crash, our masts now went by the board.

Our ship was showing signs of breaking up.

Neither threat nor reward could move any one of my men to attempt to

swim ashore with a line.

The sun now burst forth in a blaze of golden light.

I could feel the tears gather in my eyes as I looked about and saw the

sad ravages of wind and wave.

Although the storm had abated somewhat of its fury, there was no time to

be lost.

Dread creakings of the ship’s timbers warned me to leave the wreck ere I

should be crushed against the rocks.

Only disorder and confusion seemed to characterize the movements of the

crowds gathered on shore.

While apparently aware of the terrible import of our signals of

distress, they showed no inclination to risk their lives in trying to

save ours.

Turning to Bulger I cried out:

“O, dearest Bulger! thou tried and true friend, companion of my sorrows

and sharer of my every joy, thou alone canst save us! Thou alone canst

rescue thy loving master and these poor wretched creatures from

impending death! I know thy courage; I know thy affection. In thy

radiant eyes I read thy willingness to do or die!”

From his earliest youth I had trained Bulger to be a bold and skilful

swimmer. No eddy, current, undertow or whirlpool was angry or wild

enough to strike any fear to his stout heart.

With ease, at my commands, he would dive two fathoms deep and bring the

smallest coin from the bottom.

Our vessel might go to pieces at any moment, for she had wrenched

herself loose from the rocky ledge and was pounding on the jagged,

flinty edges of the reef with a wild and ungovernable fury.

Every fleeting moment became more precious than its predecessor.

Making a superhuman effort, I caught the end of a reel of twine, and,

having fastened it to Bulger’s collar, bade him leap into the bubbling,

boiling, seething, swirling, madly-rolling waters, storm-lashed, whipped

into foam, till billow broke on billow and all seemed but one mingled

mass of fury, rage and fright. With a rapid succession of anxious,

whining cries followed by a series of quick, loud, sharp barks, Bulger

gave me one last look; and, placing his paws on the taffrail, sprang

lightly over and disappeared.

My heart stood still for a moment.

But look!

He rises!

He strikes out for the shore, now tossed like a bit of cork on the

arched backs of a storm-affrighted billow, now sunken out of sight into

the foam-flecked trough of the sea.

Look again!

Hark! I can catch the faint sound of that sharp, joyous bark sent back

to cheer his little master’s heart.

And now he is gone!

I see him not; but as the twine runs through my hands, I can almost feel

every throb of that dear, stout heart!

Steadily he keeps at his work, for steadily and rapidly the reel spins

round.

Crack!

There goes our keel in twain.

Quick, good Bulger; the end is near!

But look!

What means that commotion on shore?

See the crowd, how it presses down to the very breaker’s edge!

Now they fall back!

Hark!

Did you not hear that shout?

Saved! Saved!

Bulger has landed!

The men on shore have hold of the twine.

The reel whirls swiftly around!

My men, ashamed of their cowardice, crawl from their hiding-places and

set to work with a will.

Already they have fastened a line to the end of the twine and it is

moving briskly over the rail.

There can be no doubt now.

Bulger has saved us!

Springing into the main-shrouds and shielding my mouth from the gale

with my hands, I called out to my men:

“Stand by the hawser! Make fast the line! Now heave, O! Let go all!”

With an angry splash the hawser fell into the sea and was soon on its

way shorewards.

And this was the way Bulger saved the life of master, mate and twelve

seamen!

I was the last man to leave the ship.

As I did so, she shook herself loose, drew back, ran hard on the rocks

with such a terrific blow that she broke into pieces as if struck by

lightening bolt or some gigantic hammer wielded by an unseen Thor.

With a wild cry of joy Bulger met me as I was drawn through the

breakers.

I threw myself on my knees and covered him with kisses, while tears

rolled hot and fast down my cheeks.

The people of the land gathered group-wise about us and watched our

interchanging of caresses in deepest silence, agitating their thumbs and

twitching the corners of their mouths.

“What land is this? Where are we, good people?” I inquired, after this

first outpouring of love and gratitude had spent its fervor.

“Bold barbarians!” replied one of the nearest group, whose richer dress

bespoke the man of rank and authority, “thou standest on the shores of

the mighty dominion of Kublai, Child of the Sun, Lord of the Imperial

Yellow Garb, Knight of all the Buttons, Man of the Sacred Countenance,

Successor to all the Glories of his Ancestors now Guests of Heaven,

Source of all Law and Equity, and Chevalier of all the Orders, and we

are his wretched, miserable, unworthy, good-for-nothing slaves!”

Whereupon the entire multitude performed the kowtow.

“So then! I cried, most puissant, noble, and altogether delightful,

Sir,”—at the same time performing the kowtow with that grace which only

the genuine citizen of the world can command—“I stand upon the sacred

soil of the mighty Chinese Empire.”

“Aye, bold barbarian,” answered the speaker, “in the province of Kwang

Tung, in the district of Yang-chiang, of which I, So Too, Mandarin of

the White Glass Button, am Imperial superintendent.” Hearing this, I

begged So Too to give me leave to speak, which granted, in a brief but

eloquent speech, well larded with all those savory epithets so sweet to

the ears of an official in that land, I told him of my illustrious

family, my strange desire to scour the remotest seas and least-visited

lands for marvellous things; how I had sailed in search of Neptune’s

Caldron, of the strange things seen there, of my setting out on my

voyage homeward, my encounter with the storm-fiend, and last of all, my

shipwreck on the shores of the boundless dominions of the Child of the

Sun.

And now, all that I craved from the servants of the Man of the Sacred

Countenance was such aid and assistance as would enable me and my men to

reach the nearest seaport where foreign ships cast anchor, so that we

might go down to the sea once more and reach our loved ones. To all this

So Too gave response with a most gracious smile, and then invited me to

pass beneath his roof, lay off my wet clothes, drink some warm tea, and

have his rubbers smooth the wrinkles out of my tired flesh.

My seamen were not forgotten. His retainers were ordered to look well

after their wants.

Just as we were about to set out for So Too’s residence, several of his

body guards struck their gongs a furious blow.

The din was ear-splitting.

With a loud bark Bulger rushed towards me, and laying one ear against my

leg closed his other with his paw.

So Too and his retainers, at seeing this to me laughable sight, looked

grave, agitated their thumbs and twitched the corners of their mouths.

Just as I was about crossing So Too’s threshold, to my inexpressible

chagrin I discovered that I had lost my purse containing a large sum of

money. In a desperate hope that I might have dropped it on the sea

shore, I bounded away in that direction, but I had not gone a hundred

paces ere I met Bulger carrying the purse in his mouth. I had in truth

dropped it while kneeling on the beach and caressing my beloved rescuer.

Noting that in my eagerness to follow my gracious host, I had not missed

the lost treasure, Bulger had driven away several of So Too’s retainers,

who manifested a desire to appropriate the pouch of gold to their own

use, and picking it up in his teeth, had raced after me as fast as his

burden would permit.

As we crossed So Too’s threshold, several small, woolly dogs sprang out

and gathered about Bulger. They were apparently delighted to meet with

one of their race, so distinguished in appearance and dignified in

carriage. Fain would they have exchanged the usual canine civilities

with Bulger, but he absolutely declined to enter into any conversation

with them or to express any surprise at these extraordinary looking

cousins of his, which seemed like so many animated bundles of

freshly-ginned cotton. Keeping close at my heels, he skillfully avoided

their advances, and gave a low growl of relief when the door of the

ante-chamber was closed upon them.

After a warm bath, my stiffened limbs were limbered up by the stroking,

patting and rubbing of So Too’s bath assistants.

I was then invited to encase my body in a rich suit of embroidered silk,

and this done, was conducted into the presence of the amiable So Too,

who received me with a smile that was as persistent as it was broad.

Several hours were now consumed in drinking tea, eating dainty little

sugar cakes, and telling each other the most extravagant and shameless

fibs in the shape of compliments,—compliments about everything, voice,

eyes, ears, chin, mouth, hands, feet, etc. Although I only reached to So

Too’s shoulder, he regretted, in a piteous tone, his lack of stature and

praised my tall, stately, noble, commanding height.

Overcome at last by sheer exhaustion, So Too closed his eyes and

appeared to have dropped off in a little nap.

Seizing upon the opportunity, I raised my voice and began to urge upon

him the necessity of immediate action with regard to me and my men.

Whereupon he arose, and after a series of kowtows, the same broad smile

playing around his wide mouth and small kindly black eyes—withdrew to

consult with his assistant, sub-assistant, and first and second

sub-assistants.

It was quite dark when So Too re-entered the room.

Bulger and I, during his absence, had slept most soundly.

No wonder, for we were both tired to the bone.

Orders were now given to illuminate the halls and apartments.

In a few moments, thousands of the most brilliantly colored and quaintly

decorated lanterns shed a delightfully soft glow over everybody and

everything.

Again we took our places around the superbly decorated table which held

the paraphernalia for brewing tea and the exquisitely painted cups and

saucers of egg-shell thinness, and the tea drinking and cake-eating were

resumed. Again I skillfully turned the conversation to the subject of my

departure for the nearest seaport.

Again So Too arose and backed out of the room for the purpose of holding

another consultation.

By this time my stock of patience had dwindled down considerable.

Every moment I could feel my blood grow warmer and warmer.

After a delay of half an hour or so, a retainer entered to inform me

that So Too had fallen asleep in the council-room, and that no one save

a Mandarin with an opaque blue, transparent blue, flowered red or plain

red button could presume to awaken him, and that there was no Mandarin

of so exalted a dignity within fifty miles of that spot.

At these words my blood fairly boiled over.

I sprang to my feet and began to pace the floor like a caged animal.

Coming to a halt in front of a tall lacquer cabinet loaded down with

costly porcelain cups and vases, I raised my foot, and kicking out

vigorously, toppled the thing over on the floor.

The crash was terrible.

I was really startled, for I was afraid I had knocked half the house

down.

But I had the satisfaction of seeing the Mandarin come rushing into the

room, followed by assistants, sub-assistants, gong-beaters,

sword-bearers, head-shavers, ear-ticklers, tongue-scrapers,

nail-polishers, and skin-rubbers, besides many others of his retainers,

whose offices and callings were unknown to me.

“You have deliberated, now decide!” I exclaimed in a tone of voice that

for depth and volume would have done credit to the hero of a blood

curdling drama; and at the same moment I placed the sole of my foot

against another cabinet, quite as lofty as the one I had just toppled

over, and quite as richly laden with curios, vases and ivories.

So Too was now wide awake and not at all anxious to see this second

cabinet share the fate of the first.

“Thy foot to its place!” he called out, waving me to a seat, and placing

himself between me and the threatened cabinet. “Thy foot to its place,

my gracious benefactor.”

After he had seen me safely seated, he continued thus:

“Know, then, my gentle guest, that I, So Too, Imperial Mandarin of the

white glass button, after mature deliberation with my most honorable

Council, do order and decree that thou and thy servants shall be, as

thou hast prayed, forthwith conducted to the city of Canton, and there

be delivered into the keeping and custody of the officers of him of the

Sacred Countenance, until opportunity shall present itself to procure

means of sending thee and thy servants back to your native land!”

Here I bent my body in token of my profound gratitude.

The Mandarin likewise made a low obeisance, and then continued:

“I do further decree that the evil spirit which attends thee in the

shape of a dog shall be at once bound with chains and cast into prison

there to await, his trial for witchcraft!”

Had So Too plunged a two-edged knife into my vitals I could not have

felt a more agonizing hurt.

“Bulger? My beloved—Arrested? Witchcraft? Chains; Prison?” I stammered

out.

“I have so decreed!” calmly replied So Too. “Oh! no! no! no! I cried, it

cannot—it must not be! He is no evil spirit—no evil dwells in him. He is

but a simple, loving, intelligent dog! I crave suspension of this

terrible decree! What hath he done? O beloved Bulger, is this thy reward

for saving fourteen human lives? Is this the way in which thou art to be

repaid for all thy courage, thy love, thy devotion? O, no! no! Kill me

if you will, cruel stranger, thrust me into a prison cell, but spare

Bulger, spare him——”

I could say no more.

It grew black before me. A fit of vertigo came upon me. I staggered,

reeled, fell lifeless to the floor.

When I came to my senses, So Too’s servants were busy rubbing and

chafing my hands and feet and burning pungent wax beneath my nostrils.

Bulger, uttering the most piteous and anxious cries, was hastening from

one side to the other, pausing now and then for an instant to lick my

hand or face. I sat upright to collect my senses; then clasping Bulger

in my arms I patted, smoothed, kissed and caressed him amid a hundred

sighs and groans, heart-rending enough to melt a breast of stone. Then

throwing myself on my knees in front of So Too, I implored him to be

merciful—to spare a faithful, loving being, whose heart was as free from

guile as the flinty rock from tenderness; whose life had but one

thought: to serve, guard, defend, save his master.

“Rise, unfortunate stranger!” was So Too’s reply, in a tone of deep

commiseration, taking me by the hand and gently compelling me to be

seated by his side. “List! If thou shouldst slice my body into ten

thousand pieces I could not revoke this decree. Know that in this land

of the Child of the Sun, a magistrate may not unsay his words. Mercy

belongs to him, who dwells in higher places. This creature which thou

lovest so, hath been adjudged to be an evil spirit. It is a favorite

form of theirs; for as the dog is man’s close and trusted companion,

malevolent spirits are most likely to assume that form, when desirous of

obtaining admission to his house and heart in order to work his ruin.

This wild and unreasoning affection for thy dog proves only too clearly

that the evil spirit which dwells within him has already drawn the black

lines of his mysterious art thrice around thy soul. Thrice three times

will complete his dread purpose. Thou wilt then be lost forever! ’Tis

well that some good spirit of the air or water hath delivered thee into

the keeping of the Child of the Sun. For now, upon the trial in the

Imperial Chamber of Perfect Justice, thine eyes will be opened; thou

wilt be fully persuaded that an evil spirit of tremendous size and

fearful power is squeezed into that small creature.”

“Never!” I exclaimed with flashing eye and glowing cheek.

So Too smiled faintly and laying his hand upon my arm continued: “Soft,

illustrious guest, thou forgettest that Perfect Justice dwells in the

bosom of our gracious Monarch. His ministers and judges have tongues;

but they are not their own; they only utter the thought of the Imperial

mind; therefore, what they decree must be right!”

“And if the Court,” I inquired, with bated breath, “should decree that

some evil spirit hath taken up its abode, as thou claimest, in the body

of my faithful Bulger—what—what—would be the—the—penalty?”

“Death!” whispered So Too.

“And is this thy boasted justice!” I cried, with tear-bedimmed eyes, “to

condemn a dumb creature to death with no voice to plead for him?”

“Nay!” interposed So Too, “thou shalt speak for him, thou shalt be heard

in his behalf—thou shalt be his advocate.”

“For this mercy,” said I, “my heart empties its thanks at thy feet; and,

if my words, my pleading prove not powerful enough to avert the fearful

penalty thou hast named, the executioner shall but whet his axe on that

small neck, for I shall lay my head beside this dearer head than

shoulders ever bore! Blow out the spark that illumines those loving eyes

and all this great world could not light a fire bright enough to cast

the gloom out of my life!”

So Too shook his head mournfully, but made no reply.

Calling my men to me I spoke as follows:

“Go, honest souls, I cannot be one of you. Return to your homes and

firesides. An Imperial escort will conduct you to the port of Canton.

There, beneath some friendly flag you will find means to reach your

native land! Peace and good fortune go with you!”

Then, turning to my first mate, I added:

“Seek out my father, the elder baron, impart unto him the story of my

shipwreck; the arrest of Bulger; and my firm determination to save him

from the terrible fate now impending, or to die with him! The elder

baron knows my love for Bulger. He would deem me a degenerate son of his

illustrous house, were I to abandon this faithful companion of my

dangers and sufferings to so unmerited a fate. Go! Place this signet

ring on thy finger. Deliver it to my mother, with my most dutiful and

humble greeting. Be wise; be brave; be honest!”

My men now formed in single file, and as they passed in front of me each

one paused and pressed my hand to his lips.

Bulger, too, was ready for the leave taking. Mounted upon a chair at my

side he extended his right paw to each seaman.

Tears streamed down their weather-beaten faces and, they invoked

blessings on the head of their brave little companion who had saved them

from a deep grave in the briny waters.

Scarcely were they out of my sight when a deafening beating of gongs

announced the arrival of the guard. My heart slipped from its resting

place. A cold sweat gathered in beads on my temples. It was only with

the greatest effort that I could draw breath enough to keep me from

sinking lifeless to the floor.

So Too murmured a word of sympathy.

At the sight of the gailors and sound of the chains, I uttered a

piercing cry and threw myself on my knees with Bulger clasped tightly in

my arms. Poor, innocent beast! he was utterly unable to comprehend the

actions of those about him.

“He shall be well-treated!” murmured So Too. “Fear not for his safety or

comfort!”

The gailors now advanced, and stooping down, clasped the delicate

manacles—which were of polished silver, upon Bulger’s feet.

He looked up at me with eyes so speaking, so full of love and so

trusting that I could not bear their gaze. It meant: “I submit without a

murmur, for I know that thou wouldst not let any harm come to me!”

Then one of the guards lifted him gently and placed him in a silk-lined

hamper, slung upon two poles. The lid was quickly adjusted and fastened,

and ere I could collect my senses to speak a last farewell they hurried

away with their prisoner, for it was plain to be seen their hearts were

deeply moved by my woful countenance and grief-shaken voice.

At So Too’s solicitation I now went to rest.

Rest? Alas! how could sleep get into my tearful eyes? All night long I

lay awake bemoaning the sad fate which had overtaken me. Had accusation

and arrest fallen upon me, I could have borne it like a man; but that

Bulger’s loving heart should have been singled out to bear a blow so

undeserved was almost death to me.

[Illustration: BULGER, IN CHAINS, BEGGING FOR HIS LIFE. ONE OF THE

LITTLE BARON’S DREADFUL DREAMS.]

As the hours dragged wearily along I thought of reversing my order

sending my men away, and of attempting a rescue. I thought of schemes to

bribe the gailor. I thought of demands for the interference of my

government. I thought of an appeal for mercy direct to the Emperor

himself. When day dawned I was utterly exhausted and sank back upon my

pillow with a groan. Anticipating my inability to get any rest for my

throbbing brow and fever-heated limbs, So Too was early at my chamber

door with his attendants. Under his directions they bathed me in cooling

lotions, patted, rubbed, and chafed my limbs; fanned me, stroked my

wrists and temples, gave me draughts of quieting powders and gently

pressed my eye-lids down, until gradually I sank into a deep sleep,

which lasted quite until high noon.

I awoke with a strong heart. Now I was myself again. My sorrow had not

grown less; but, for the time being, I was master of it.

So Too met me with a broad smile. I kowtowed profoundly. He expressed

the hope that, his “tall, graceful, broad-shouldered, handsome visaged

guest of knightly bearing” had slept well. “As for me,” he added, “my

miserable, little, crooked frame was full of pangs and tortures all

night long.”

To look at him it was hard to see any effects of all these “pangs and

tortures.”

He seemed the very picture of good health and spirits. His broad face

was as smooth as a baby’s and his little eyes sparkled with suppressed

humor and mischief. We grew quite merry over our morning meal.

I was playing a part. I determined to let him think that by degrees I

was becoming cured of my extravagant affection for Bulger.

With every cup of tea he drank his cold exterior kept melting off. I

felt that if I left him quite to himself, he would give me a clearer

view of his inside nature than if I attempted to draw him out by leading

questions. I called into use all my wit and imagination. I buried him

beneath compliments and fine speeches. I told him some of my most

diverting stories. At last, I was successful. The servants were directed

to withdraw. So Too now assured me in the name of all his ancestors,

that I was the most delightful guest that had ever sipped tea beneath

his roof. He entreated me to honor him by rising and placing my tall,

graceful, knightly form along side of his miserable, puny little rack of

bones.

I made haste to accept the invitation, protesting, however, that I was

quite overcome by the honors showered upon me.

He maintained, with equal pertinacity that he was utterly unfit to

occupy a seat by my side.

So we continued our war of compliments. Suddenly So Too thrust his right

hand under his richly embroidered tunic and drew forth a small case of

tablets, which folded upon each other in a curious way. He gave it a

slight jerk and it flew open and unfolded itself. “I have been

thinking,” he began, “of the approaching trial of thy dog on the charge

of witchcraft.”

A lump arose in my throat at these words, but I gulped it down and

simply bowed my head as a sign of my attention.

“Thou art a stranger in our land,” continued So Too, “perchance thou

wilt be pleased to know the things which I am about to tell thee.

Nowhere else in the great world can Perfect Justice be found save in the

dominions of our gracious Emperor, him of the Sacred Countenance. While

thy nation and the rest of the Western world knew no other law than

force or fraud, we had already received from our ancestors thousands of

volumes filled with the rules of Perfect Justice. Happy indeed should be

that criminal whose good fortune leads him to commit his crime in our

favored land. His punishment will be exactly what he deserves. Thou, as

the advocate of this fortunate prisoner, who is so dear to thee, art

allowed to choose the yamun before whom he shall be tried. I, So Too,

thy friend, do here set before thee the list of yamuns so thou mayst

choose thine own arbiter.”

Saying this, So Too placed the unfolded tablets in my hand, and then

dropped off into a gentle doze.

I scanned the list with mingled awe and curiosity. It read as follows:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐

│ THE LIST ITSELF. ALL BY ITSELF. │

│ │

│ OF AND NOTHING ELSE. │

│ │

│ ONLY THE JUST JUDGES. ALL BY THEMSELVES. │

│ │

│ FOLLOWED BY NOTHING ELSE. │

│ │

│ I. LING BOSS, A Just Judge.│

│ II. QUONG CHONG, A Just Judge.│

│III. POO POOH, A Just Judge.│

│ IV. WAH SAT, A Just Judge.│

│ V. LUNG TUNG, A Just Judge.│

│ VI. KEEN CHOP, A Just Judge.│

│ │

│ THE LIST OF JUST JUDGES. AND NOTHING ELSE. │

└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Thinking that So Too was sleeping soundly, I half unconsciously murmured

to myself, as I glanced at the first name on the list: “Ling Boss, a

just judge!” When to my great surprise—which, however, I was careful not

to show—So Too, without opening his eyes spoke as follows:

“Aye, a just judge; a very just judge; but a dangerous one; neck too

short, too much blood—hence, brain too hot—never willing to hear both

sides; a good judge for him who speaks first before the blood begins to

press upon his brain, a bad judge for a long cause.”

“Quong Chong?” I repeated inquiringly.

“A just judge,” replied So Too, “an extremely just judge, but too tall

and thin; not blood enough for his long body; brain too far away from

heart; cold and merciless; does not eat enough, only a little fish; a

good judge for a very bad man.”

“Poo Pooh?” I suggested, in a low tone.

“A just judge, a thoroughly just judge,” continued So Too, “but not to

be trusted; laughs too easily; too much given to making puns; always

ready to deal out death to a solemn-visaged man; only too happy to

sentence a man to death if he can make a pun with his name and the axe

or block or something belonging to the executioner.”

“Wah Sat?” I asked timorously.

“A just judge, an entirely just judge,” said So Too, apparently half

overcome with sleep, “but a judge to be avoided; too much given to

asking questions; never weary of turning round and round like an auger,

until he strikes bottom; a good judge for a hard and knotty cause—slow,

but sure, eating away falsehood bit by bit; not a good judge for a plain

case.”

“Lung Tung?” I questioned, half in despair, glancing at number five.

“A just judge, an undoubtedly just judge,” So Too gave answer, in the

same sleepy tone, “but a dangerous judge; too fond of hearing himself

talk; too liable to use up the criminal’s time and then condemn him to

death for not having defended himself within the hour allotted to him!”

Here my heart sank within me; but I drew myself together. There was

still one name left. I glanced at it despairingly. “Keen Chop?” I

murmured.

“A just judge, a perfectly just judge;” remarked So Too with a slight

increase of animation, “a flower, a pearl of a judge; eats well, drinks

well, digests well; fond of the good things of life, a great lover of

beautiful vases and statues and screens and embroideries—always willing

to hear both sides and—”

Here So Too came to a halt and fell into such a sound slumber that he

snored loudly. I waited patiently for him to finish his nap. He resumed

exactly at the point where he had left off.

“Very anxious to build a larger and finer house and to fill it with rich

and rare ornaments.”

Again So Too dropped off. Not to be outdone by him in apparent

indifference at the matters under discussion, I likewise gave way to a

feeling of drowsiness and was soon fast asleep.

How long we slept I know not; but, when we awoke my mind was perfectly

clear on one point. I turned to So Too and said:

“I am resolved! Keen Chop is a just judge! Let him decide Bulger’s

fate!”

Three days, long and anxious ones for me, went by before I was accorded

a hearing in the Hall of Justice. So Too made great efforts to amuse me

and turn my thoughts away from the poor innocent captive. But all in

vain. Those dark, lustrous eyes were always fixed upon me. Day and

night, they kept repeating the same question: “Dear little master what

does it all mean? I know you will not desert me, but why must I be so

long separated from you?”

At last the long-wished for hour arrived. I was escorted to the Hall of

Justice by a band of So Too’s retainers. A seat was assigned me in front

of the platform, which the judge and his suite were to occupy. The vast

chamber was crowded with clerks, officers, gong-beaters, accused and

accusers; but a deep silence rested upon them all. As I walked to my

seat a subdued murmur ran over the multitude, for Bulger’s case was in

every one’s mouth; and I could see that my youthful appearance excited

great surprise.

Suddenly a beating of gongs announced the arrival of the judge.

Keen Chop entered the Hall of Justice with a majestic tread and solemn

air, partly the effect of a pair of huge spectacles which were held

astride his nose by heavy silken cords and tassels passed over his ears.

He was followed by a vast array of clerks, servants and attendants.

There were ink-bearers and pen-bearers; there were fan-bearers and

book-bearers; there were foot-rubbers to chafe his feet in case they got

asleep from long sitting; there were nose-ticklers armed with long

feathers, whose office it was to arouse Keen Chop should he drop off

into too long a nap; there were eraser-bearers whose duty it was to blot

out from the tablets all the judge had said when he resolved to change

his mind. “Let the vile, miserable, wretched accused be brought into the

august presence of Keen Chop, the just judge!” cried one of the Court

officers, in a loud voice.

After a few moments’ delay, the wicker hamper which contained my

faithful Bulger, was carried into the chamber through a side entrance,

set down in front of the judge and Bulger lifted gently therefrom and

placed on a table at my side. The silver manacles were still attached to

his feet. My heart stood motionless as I heard the rattling of the

chains which ran from leg to leg. I had steeled myself to appear calm;

but in spite of my efforts, the tears trickled down my cheeks. Bulger

gave a start as his dark, lustrous eyes fell upon me and he uttered a

long, low whine as if to ask: “What does all this mean, dear, little

master?” And then he raised his right paw as high as the chain would

permit, and held it out for me to shake—as was his custom when craving

forgiveness for some mischievous act which had displeased me.

I pressed the outstretched paw long and tenderly.

“Doth the prisoner confess his guilt and humbly beg for mercy at our

hands” inquired Keen Chop turning his huge eye glasses full upon Bulger.

Whether it was the disagreeably shrill and creaking tone of the judge’s

voice or the glitter of the large glass discs set in front of his eyes,

which displeased Bulger, I know not; certain it is he made answer for

himself with a single loud and angry bark. Keen Chop was so startled

that he dropped his smelling salts and motioned to his fan-bearers to

cool his heated face.

“Silence!” roared one of the gong-beaters, giving a deafening thump upon

his gong to inspire respect; and, at the same time fiercely agitating

his bristling eye-brows and mustachios.

“My lord judge,” said I performing the kowtow, “I crave consent to speak

for the prisoner. He is not guilty of witchcraft. Nor doth any manner or

kind of evil spirit dwell within his body. He is a true and faithful

servant and companion of mine; perchance, with somewhat more than the

usual intelligence of his kind. As his defender I call for the proofs of

this most unmerited accusation!”

Keen Chop now fell asleep. But, after a few moments, his nose-tickler

succeeded in arousing him.

“Let the proofs be read!” spake Keen Chop in slow and measured tones.

One of the clerks arose; and unfolding a huge sheet of paper, with

wooden rollers fastened at the top and bottom like a window shade, began

to read in a drawling, singsong voice as follows:

Proof First: That the prisoner did, without any command, upon reaching

the shore from the wreck, proceed to bite the twine attached to his

collar in twain; and, taking up the end in his mouth, pass by a group of

imperial officers, and a group of merchants, and a group of artisans,

and a group of idlers, and make for a group of sailors, at whose feet he

laid down the end of the twine.

Proof Second: That the prisoner did, at the sound of the official gong,

unlike the animals of his race dwelling among us, manifest great

displeasure and ill-humor, rush towards his master, lay one ear against

his master’s body and close the other with his paw.

Proof Third: That the prisoner did, on the same day, in the presence of

imperial officers, without any command, pick up a purse of gold dropped

by his master and restore it to him.

Proof Fourth: That the prisoner did, on the same day, in the presence of

imperial officers, upon crossing the threshold of the Lord High Mandarin

So Too, unlike animals of his kind, contemptuously and disdainfully

reject the kindly welcome and friendly greetings given him by his

Excellency’s dogs.

* * * * *

I confess that, as the clerk of the Court finished reading these proofs,

my heart rose slowly into my throat. They were, in good earnest, proofs

of far more than the usual intelligence of animals of his race. I was

staggered by the amount of proof they had collected. While I felt that I

should have difficulty in persuading Keen Chop that all this was only

the result of careful training, aided by a special aptitude on Bulger’s

part, I was very careful not to betray any nervousness or lack of

confidence.

I called for some tea, on a plea of needing refreshment; but really to

gain time to collect my thoughts and get myself together, after such a

staggering blow.

Meanwhile, Keen Chop dropped off into a calm doze.

I finished my tea and sat waiting patiently for the nose-tickler to

arouse him.

When I saw that Keen Chop was wide awake again, I arose with great

dignity; and, placing myself beside Bulger, who was watching my every

movement and listening to my words with an almost painfully anxious

expression, which meant only too plainly: “What does it all mean, dear

little master?” I began as follows:

“My Lord Judge! Most ancient, antique and venerable Patriarch, stricken

in full five score of honorable years, thy snow-white locks bespeak thy

wisdom!” The fact of the matter is, Keen Chop was quite a young man, and

so far as I could see had no hair at all on his face or head save a

scanty pig-tail; but I knew how flattering it was to a magistrate to be

called “old and venerable” and hence my desire to make a good impression

at the very outset. “My mother’s breast knows no other child than me and

I no other brother than this faithful creature whom heaven, for its own

good reasons, hath set upon four feet; but who, if the strength of love

could lift him up, would walk beside me, our two hearts on the same

level. O, venerable judge—whose wisdom, like fair fruit red-ripened in

the Autumn season, is now so ennobled by the flight of time, thou

knowest what love can do! Thou knowest full well how it can so steel the

thin beak of the mother bird, that the merciless talons of the hawk have

no terror for her! Thou knowest, better than this poor bit of humanity

which now pleads before thee, that man’s spear hath not point sharp

enough to drive the bear from her cub! Thou knowest how the timorous

sparrow, to shield her nestlings, will face the viper’s horrid crest,

forked tongue and stony eye! And what shall I say of this faithful

creature’s race? When lived there one of his kind that was known to

desert a poor and humble master, for a richer one; or to refuse

forgiveness for a rash and undeserved blow? Where else can human hearts

invest their love and draw such usurer’s rates as here? We were babes

together! The same sunbeams that danced a welcome on my awakening into

life, found him, too, just arrived. Of quicker growth, he was his

brother’s keeper. I gave him all my love, for no other playmate was

there to share it. I planted better than I knew, for on the thankful

soil of his true heart, that love of mine struck such deep and vigorous

root that it gave of its strength and power to his brain! Love hath so

sharpened thought, that it hath grown wondrous strong! The spirit, thou

callest ‘evil,’ is, as the learned know, a reasoning being; and,

although it may go upon four feet and whine, and yelp, and growl, and

bark, this is but the mask it wears.

“O aged judge, in the vast storehouse of whose mind experience hath

piled wisdom many stories high, thou wilt ere long believe me, for I

shall make it most plain to thee—that this faithful, loving animal, is

not gifted with the mysterious power of reason! True, most true, nature

hath widened his vision; but not removed its boundaries.

“Mark now, O learned patriarch, how easy a thing it is for truth to

pierce the armor falsehood wears, for gird she ne’er so tightly, there

are always some joints that will not come together!

“If my poor, weak mind be not strong enough to brush away the so-called

proofs of this evil spirit, then let me be withered by the flame of thy

just indignation! This creature loves me! Not the vigor of ten-thousand

human hearts blent in one could yield a warmer love than his for me! And

yet behold how short its vision is!

“This curious fire-arm was given me by a Turkish merchant whose life I

saved in a brawl. I have so set it that a feather’s weight will

discharge it; but, first I smeared some sugar paste upon its trigger.

Lo! I turn it toward my breast! If this creature now hath but the

faintest glimmer of impending harm to his beloved master, he will refuse

to lick away the sugar paste!”

A death-like silence fell upon the assembly. I held the fire-arm out

towards Bulger. In an instant he scented the sweet odor of the paste and

thrust his tongue out in several unsuccessful efforts to reach it. A

sharp explosion rang through the great hall.

I stooped and picked up the ball—which had flattened itself upon a steel

plate hidden beneath my robe.

Bulger’s amazement was not so great as Keen Chop’s. He made signs for

refreshment. Tea was hurriedly served. A hundred fans wafted the

sulphurous vapor away from his nostrils.

“Once more, O wiser judge than ever in Western Lands, shed the radiance

of human wisdom on things dark and obscure, behold how I tear away the

weft of falsehood which some ingenious mind would have this august

tribunal adjudge to be pure truth! Here, on this salver, I hold some

toasted bits of cocks’ combs—to this creature’s taste, the daintiest

morsel which nature and art can unite in producing!” Catching a sniff of

his favorite dish, my good Bulger began to bark and whine and strain his

manacles to their utmost in wild endeavors to reach it. I held the

salver out so as to permit him to reach a few pieces of the toothsome

food. He was now beside himself; one moment begging, coaxing, pleading;

the next, scolding, threatening, expostulating. No doubt he was very

hungry, for it was hardly to be expected that the prison messes would

suit his dainty palate.

“Most venerable judge!” I resumed, “as thou well knowest, evil spirits

hold in great repugnance and dread all subtle and mysterious brews and

poisonous compounds with which man strives to display or destroy them.

Look now! I sprinkle this coveted dish, before his very eyes, with a

powder so deadly and direful in its effect on life that this weak hand

of mine holds power enough to change this mighty hall filled with light

and life, into one vast charnel house. And again I bring the food within

his reach, covering it with a sheet of glass lest his ardor out-wit my

vigilance!”

Bulger now fell upon the plate of glass which covered the food, with

renewed impetuosity, giving vent to sharp cries of disappointment as he

vainly endeavored to lick up the tid-bits, rattling his chains as he

strove to scratch away the glass which kept him from his expected feast.

Commanding him to be silent, I uncovered the dish and set it within

reach of several dogs which I had caused to be tied near at hand.

At the first touch of the poisoned food they fell to the ground as if

stricken by a thunderbolt.

“Again, most sapient and venerable judge, let me add proof to proof that

naught of reason dwells within the mind of this faithful creature!”

“I was wounded once in his sight by a treacherous slave. His dagger

point pierced my breast; but I smote him dead ere he could find my

heart. Yet the danger of that moment seared the image of that poniard

forever on this creature’s memory.

“Bid now a retainer turn a dagger towards my breast!”

It was done!

With frantic cries and wild-starting eyes Bulger strove to leap upon my

supposed assailant.

“Cover now the blade with its sheath!”

It was done!

Again my good Bulger made desperate efforts to reach the man, filling

the room with cries of rage and fear.

“Cast away both sheath and blade!”

’T was done!

But still my loved Bulger made maddest effort to protect his master.

“Cast away the heft and blade and raise the empty sheath against my

breast!”

’Twas done!

Still it was all the same! No matter whether covered or uncovered point;

whether harmless heft, or still more harmless sheath, was turned towards

my breast, Bulger’s cries of mingled rage and fear, his mad attempts to

break away from the shackles which bound foot to foot were first and

last, exactly as fierce.

Keen Chop now did several things. He drank some tea. He ordered one of

his menials to tickle his ear. He removed his huge spectacles and handed

them to an attendant who proceeded to polish them. He then attempted to

fall asleep. But, at a sign from me, Bulger began to bark so furiously

that he gave a sudden start as if he thought the animal was about to lay

hold of his calves. Taking advantage of this, I strode up in front of

Keen Chop; and fixing my gaze upon him, spake as follows:

“Most ancient Magistrate, I crave your gracious consent to add another

plea to my defense of this dumb creature. I would be the veriest

ingrate, whom any wretched outcast might, with justice, spurn and

revile, were I not to defend this devoted being with all my mind’s

cunning and heart’s love!”

With these words, I sprang lightly up the steps which led to Keen Chop’s

chair, and ere he could say nay, caught up his fan which he had just

laid down on the table beside him.

“Now, venerable judge, for a last,—and I trust overwhelming—proof that

no evil spirit dwells within that creature’s body.

“Here are two fans: Thine! Mine! Thine, made sacred by the touch of thy

age-palsied and time-stricken hand! Mine, a worthless trifle; if it were

possible, made still more worthless by the touch of my worthless hand.

If, as this Court hath charged, an evil spirit dwells in this animal’s

body, it knows full well that power of life or death hangs on thy lips;

that thou canst pardon with a smile or slay with a frown; that thou

canst condemn to lingering torture or strike his shackles off with a

nod!

“Ay, more! that if it should, to thine eyes seem meet and wise, thou

canst adjudge both master and dog worthy of death and grant them no

greater boon than that their blood shall flow together after life is

over, as their love was one when living!

“Behold, I cast these two fans at his feet!”

Loud murmurs broke out all over the vast assembly. Many rose in their

seats and craned their necks to watch the result.

Bulger looked up at me with a puzzled air at first; but his mind was

soon made up. He picked up my fan tenderly and carefully, and with

wide-opened, love-lit eyes, raised himself on his hind feet and laid it

in my lap, wagging his tail the while, as much as to say: “Never fear,

little master, I know what belongs to thee!”

Then, with an outburst of snarling, barking and growling, threw himself

upon Keen Chop’s fan, shook it savagely until the richly painted

covering was torn in shreds and lay scattered about; tossed it up in the

air, only to leap upon it with all fours as it touched the floor; and

then, setting his stout claws in its joints wrenched them asunder as if

they were made of paper.

But this was not all!

To complete the list of indignities which he had visited upon Keen

Chop’s property, he now turned his back toward that grave magistrate;

and by several sudden and vigorous kicks with his hind feet, sent the

sticks in a shower flying so close to his head that one actually struck

against the huge disc of glass placed in front of Keen Chop’s right eye.

But a court officer, who had fallen sound asleep, and let his head fall

backward, did not escape so luckily. Two of the largest sticks entered

his nostrils and remained sticking there like arrows in a target. The

man awoke with an ear-piercing shriek. In spite of the commands of the

court officers, that every one who laughed should be bastinadoed, there

was suppressed giggling here and there. Keen Chop himself twisted his

face into the most comical grimaces in order to keep from bursting out

into a fit of laughter. As for Bulger, he was beside himself with

pleasure. In fact, he fairly howled with joy. Keen Chop now moved his

thumb as a sign that he was about to speak, and a deep silence fell upon

the multitude.

I was summoned to approach the steps of the judge’s chair. He spake as

follows:

“When thou art taller, thou wilt be stronger! When thou art older, thou

wilt be wiser!

“Know then, that, as the abject slave of the Child of the Sun, him of

the Sacred Countenance, Lord of all the Orders, I had intended to

dismiss this charge against thy dog, cast off his manacles and set him

free. But it may not now be done!

“Thy pleading hath convinced me that he doth deserve to die! A just

cause needeth no other defence than words. But thou hast pleaded with

hands and legs and feet! Thou hast been over-earnest! ’Tis proof, thou

knewest the weakness of thy cause. Hadst thou not spoken at all and had

thy dog himself but oped his mouth at the very outset, what had fallen

therefrom would have freed him from his shackles.

“Now he must die!

“Let him be delivered to the public executioner!” And then, with a

motion of his hand, he ordered the gongs to beat, so that it was

impossible for me to make reply. The great chamber was now the scene of

the wildest hubbub. The guards crowded around me as if they feared I

might, in my desperation, sacrifice my life in attempting to rescue

Bulger.

Poor Bulger! He had been quickly lifted into his wicker cage and borne

out of the court-room.

Although I could feel my heart hammering on my ribs I gave no sign of

the storm of emotion that was sweeping over my inward being. I could

hear those terrible words “public executioner” ringing in my ears; but

my infallible second sight caught no glimpse of that dreadful officer,

and hence I felt that there was still hope. But, I moved neither hand

nor foot.

The gongs ceased beating.

The throng departed from the hall of justice.

The guards, kowtowing, backed out of my presence. I stood there alone in

that vast, silent chamber.

I was aroused at last from my deep reverie by the approach of a

messenger from Keen Chop. He thus addressed me:

“The wretched, little, misshapen Keen Chop humbly begs the tall and

stately stranger to drink tea with him in his private apartment.”

Mechanically I followed the judge’s servant, who lead me through long

and winding corridors. Keen Chop had laid off his huge spectacles and

received me most graciously.

All the servants were dismissed. We sipped our tea in silence for a

while. At length, rising and stepping behind a screen, he returned,

bearing a huge volume.

It was the record of Bulger’s trial. He desired me to examine it while

he refreshed himself after his long sitting on the judge’s bench with a

short nap.

I turned the leaves of the record over slowly. Not only were my words

set down with the most perfect accuracy, but correct drawings of the

various scenes filled the broad margins of the record.

On the last page I noticed that a blank space had been left between the

words “must” and “die” and “him” and “be delivered.”

“’Tis miraculous!” exclaimed Keen Chop, starting up and rubbing his

eyes. “What a wonderful creature is thy dog! As I slept I dreamt that he

oped his mouth and what fell therefrom convinced me of his innocence.”

“Let him be brought into your august presence, O just judge!” I replied.

In a few moments Bulger’s wicker house was deposited on the floor and he

was lifted gently out of it. I could only with the greatest exertion

keep back the tears as his large, speaking eyes were turned full upon me

as if to ask: “When will all this mystery come to an end, little

master?” I stroked his head with a loving hand to assure him that all

was right.

No sooner were the attendants out of the apartment than, taking the

purse of gold which Bulger had picked up on the beach and restored to

me, I placed it in his mouth and made a sign for him to carry it to Keen

Chop, who had now resumed his huge spectacles, and sat poring over the

pages of the record of Bulger’s trial.

Bulger did not wait for a second bidding.

Making straight for Keen Chop, he raised himself on his hind feet and

dropped the purse in that dignitary’s lap.

“’Tis wonderful! ’Tis very wonderful!” cried Keen Chop, testing the

weight of the purse, with a pleased expression of countenance, first in

one hand and then in the other. “Thy speech was silvern, but his silence

is golden! ’Twere a crime to part two such faithful hearts. Go in

peace!”

“But the record of the trial?” I asked. Keen Chop spoke not, but turning

to the last page, he laid his finger on the place where the blank spaces

had been left.

They were now both filled.

The word “not” had been written in each of them.

The guards were now summoned, and in a few moments the shackles were

loosened from Bulger’s feet. Upon finding himself free once more, he

leapt into my lap with a wild cry of joy, and covered my hands and face

with caresses.

I could not keep the tears back. Clasping the faithful animal

convulsively in my arms, I wept like a child.

But a cloud came over our joy; for Keen Chop, upon my request for a safe

conduct to the nearest seaport, informed me that he was powerless to

grant my request; that I must apply to Slim Lim, the Taou-tai, or

Imperial Governor of the province, Lord of the Peacock Feather, Knight

of the Plain Red Button, etc., etc.

“’Tis well!” I exclaimed. “Deign to send one of thy servants to conduct

me into the presence of his honor the Taou-tai! I pine to set foot once

more on my native strand. I long to put an end to the sorrowful anxiety

of my parents.”

Keen Chop shook his head and smiled sadly.

“Know, O honored guest,” said he, “that no one may approach the

Taou-tai, Lord of the Peacock Feather, unless in answer to most humble

petition of twenty pages length, his high and mighty Lordship deign to

accord an audience! To attempt to do otherwise might mean death at the

hands of the guards; but would most surely mean imprisonment in the

deepest dungeon of the imperial fortress.”

“So be it!” I replied. “Come death, come imprisonment, I stand this day

in the presence of Slim Lim the Taou-tai, Knight of the Plain Red

Button, and Lord of the Peacock Feather!”

Keen Chop groaned loud and deep. But seeing that I was resolved to set

out at once for the governor’s palace, he sent one of his attendants to

conduct me to the gate, instructing him, in case the guards raised their

swords to slay me, to cry out in a loud voice that I was a harmless

lunatic and had escaped from my keepers.

To end all opposition I consented to this.

Whereupon Keen Chop bade me an affectionate adieu, and, followed by my

faithful Bulger, I turned my steps toward the palace of the Taou-tai.

To tell the truth, chaos reigned within my mind.

In as many seconds, twenty different plans of action occupied my

thoughts. How shall Bulger and I overcome the opposition of armed

guards? It will be madness to provoke them to use their weapons upon us!

If I am fated to stand in the presence of the Lord Taou-tai, it must be

accomplished by ruse and stratagem.

Luckily for me, the shades of night now began to fall, for, although the

gateway and corridors of the governor’s palace might be illumined by ten

thousand lanterns—as in truth I found them to be, when I reached

them—yet the light they shed was soft and uncertain.

Counting upon the almost lightning celerity of my movements and the

utterly noiselessness of my footsteps, I succeeded quite easily in

flitting by the group of sentries who were stationed at the outer gate.

Delighted with my good fortune, I sprang lightly up the steps of the

portico, and, closely followed by Bulger, strode into the main corridor

with dignified mien and stately air.

Eight towering fellows, armed with savage-looking pikes—for one of whom

it would have been no more trouble to spit me and toss me out of the

window, than for a boy to impale a frog on the end of his pointed stick

and toss it on dry land—now blocked my advance.

So noiseless had been my step that I had approached within a few feet of

them before they became aware of my presence. Had I dropped from the

clouds, their astonishment could not have been greater and more

ludicrous to behold.

They clutched each other by the arm, leveled their index fingers at me,

and whispered in a hoarse voice, as one man:

“A little devil!”

“Nay, my good men,” I replied, with a most gracious smile, “not a little

devil, but a soldier like yourselves; one who has fought ’neath many

skies, knows what a good sword is, what good wine is, would rather fight

than run, can tell a good story, and loves war as a hunter loves the

chase!”

The eight men looked at each other, tapped their foreheads

significantly, and then fixed their gaze upon me as if they were in

doubt whether my next move would be to jump down their throats, vanish

into thin air, or expand into an awful ogre, and gulp them all down

without pepper or salt.

“Come, comrades,” I called out in a careless tone, “lay aside your

pikes, and I’ll show you something that I picked up on a battle-field in

the war against the Algerines, something so curious, that if you had not

slept a wink for three months and a day you would still be willing to

keep awake and examine it.”

Saying this, I drew my musical snuff box out of my pocket, and tapping

its lid mysteriously, tiptoed my way towards the outside entrance of the

corridor, and beckoned them to follow me.

They did so, with the most comical expression of half-wonder and half

curiosity depicted on their faces. But first they quietly set their

grim-looking pikes in the rack against the wall.

Motioning them to lay their heads together and bend down so that they

could see and hear—for I reached about up to their girdles. I touched

the spring of the snuff box and it began to play.

It is impossible for me to give you any idea of the delight which shone

upon their great, round smooth faces.

Their mouths fell open.

Their fingers twitched nervously, as if they longed to touch the little

wonder, and yet dared not. I felt now that the moment had arrived for me

to act.

Winding up the snuff box to its utmost limit, I thrust it into the hands

of one of the guards, who seemed beside himself with joy, and showed him

how to touch the secret spring.

As the music began again, they closed up their group so tightly that

even if I had wished to remain one of the circle it would have been an

impossibility. To my infinite satisfaction they now seemed to dismiss me

most unceremoniously from their society.

More quickly than it takes to tell it, I drew a ball of strong twine

from my pocket, and fastening the ends of their cues securely together,

I retreated to the outside entrance of the palace and placed the other

end of the string between Bulger’s teeth, with a motion that meant:

“Stand fast and pull hard!”

In another instant I had passed the group of guards and was making for

the door of the audience chamber.

Suddenly the enormity of their negligence dawns upon them.

They look up.

They see me already at the end of the corridor!

They drop the enchanted box which has decoyed them from the path of

duty!

They start towards their pikes!

Some mysterious force holds them chained to the floor!

Bulger is doing splendid work!

My hand is on the door of the audience chamber!

Smitten with a superstitious dread of some unseen power, the guards

stand rooted to the spot.

A low whistle tells Bulger that his task is complete.

He flashes through the corridor like a spirit.

We enter the vestibule of the audience chamber, we pass through an outer

apartment, we stand in the presence of Slim Lim, Lord of the Peacock

Feather!

Slim Lim was at home.

He was seated in the centre of the spacious apartment, sipping a cup of

very fragrant tea, the aroma of which was so fascinating that I paused

and inhaled it with all the gusto of a fine taster.

Two ladies, clad in robes of great beauty and richness, were busy

brewing tea and spreading before the Lord Taou-tai an infinite number of

delicate viands and toothsome tid-bits.

But he ate nothing.

He was evidently somewhat disturbed by my sudden appearance, and I could

see that one thought, to the exclusion of all others, was occupying his

mind. It was: “How did this stranger pass the guards? True he is small;

but if he can calmly walk into my apartment why may not an evil-disposed

person do likewise?”

Determined to convince Slim Lim and the ladies of his household of my

noble lineage and refined manners, I kowtowed with all the grace of a

veteran courtier, and began the enumeration of their various virtues,

excellencies, and charms of body and mind. When I had reached number one

hundred and seventeen, the victory was complete.

They smiled.

But Slim Lim remained obdurate. He gazed into vacancy for several

moments and then pretended to fall asleep.

I recited the purpose of my visit and waited patiently for the Lord of

the Peacock Feather to deign to reply.

He did so at last; but without opening his eyes, speaking as if half in

a dream:

“Barbarian, son of a barbarian, grandson of a barbarian,

great-grandson of a barbarian, great-great-grandson of a barbarian,

great-great-great-grandson of a barbarian——”

Well knowing that this was a mere ruse to waste the night in words, I

resolved to put an end to it at once.

I sat down and interrupted Slim Lim’s long and dreary list by pretending

to snore with that regularity which proves the accomplished sleeper.

He came to a sudden halt.

A deep silence now settled upon the scene, only broken by the nervous

rattle of the ladies’ fans.

Slim Lim now began to realize that he had no ordinary mortal before him.

For the first time he looked me squarely in the face.

The ladies grew alarmed at the dark cloud gathering on the brow of their

liege lord, and withdrew to the other end of the room.

The Taou-tai was now wide awake.

So was I!

“Bold, thoughtless, and ill-counselled stranger,” he cried out, “by the

decree of the Child of the Sun, him of the Sacred Countenance, it is not

lawful to punish a rash petitioner like thee, provided his prayer be one

that may be granted. But what thou askest is impossible, for at this

hour there is neither paper, ink nor brush within the palace! Thou must

suffer for thy rash conduct. Thou hast been cunning enough to pass the

guards in coming hither: but already a score of pikes are leveled at thy

breast. Escape is impossible. Prepare for death or imprisonment in

dungeon cell which knows neither light nor warmth!”

To speak the truth, my legs bent beneath the weight of my body as these

cruel words made clear to me the danger I was in.

I could see that tears had gathered in the eyes of the two gracious

ladies, standing near me.

“Paper—ink—brush!” I murmured, half dazed, “brush—paper—ink—or death!”

“It must not be!” I glanced about me. I closed my eyes. I fixed my gaze

on Bulger, but all in vain—no help came to me.

A cold perspiration stood on my brow.

Suddenly, a huge parrot which was perched on a bamboo cage at one end of

the room, uttered a harsh cry.

Quicker than it takes to tell it, I called Bulger to my side and set him

teasing the bird.

He was not averse to enter upon the sport.

When it was well under way, I approached the bird from the rear, and as

he bent forward to repel Bulger’s familiarity, I deftly laid hold of one

of his longest tail-feathers and pulled it out. An ear-splitting yell

went up, and the two ladies threw themselves towards their pet with a

thousand tearful expressions of pity and endearment.

I now turned my attentions to Slim Lim.

Drawing a pair of tiny shears from my pocket, I caught at the end of his

cue and snipped off an inch of it.

My audacity struck him dumb. He could only stare at me with wide opened

mouth.

I set to work now in good earnest.

Drawing some silk threads from my sleeve, I fitted the hair into the

quill with such nimble, cunning fingers that Slim Lim looked on quite

awe-struck.

“The brush is ready, Lord of the Peacock Feather!” I cried, laying it

down in front of him. “And the paper too!” I continued, drawing out a

paper mat from under a curio and turning up the white underside.

He followed my movements as a child would those of a necromancer.

Ink now was only lacking!

With one of my most winning smiles I drew near the ladies, and thus

addressed them:

“Fasten forever the images of your beautiful faces upon the pages of my

memory by lending me the jar of ebon pigment with which you add lustre

to those matchless arches that shade your eyes!”

They returned my smile with entrancing grace and sweetness. But what was

more pleasing still, they granted my request.

Halting for a moment at the cage of my friend, the parrot, who ruffled

his feathers and eyed me most suspiciously, to moisten the pigment from

his drinking vessel, I then strode with an air of triumph back to the

table where Slim Lim sat nervously fanning himself, and said:

“Most noble Lord of the Peacock Feather, thy dull-witted, misshapen and

worthless slave hath prepared brush, ink and paper; deign to set thy

most honorable sign-manual to this paper so that he may withdraw his

poor, miserable body and limbs from beneath thy sacred roof!”

So saying, I held out the brush to Slim Lim.

With trembling hand he took hold of it and rapidly traced the mysterious

characters which were destined to open every gate and unbar every door

until I stood once more on shipboard bound for my native land.

Folding up the precious document, I thrust it into my sailor’s pouch.

But while I was flushed with victory, Slim Lim showed only too plainly

that he was nearly beside himself with chagrin and vexation.

The ladies of his household approached him with most profound obeisances

and with loud and deep-drawn sighs at every step. But Slim Lim repulsed

them in the rudest manner. He would have none of their sympathy, none of

their pity or tender offices.

They redoubled their efforts; their sighs became more tender and louder.

It was all in vain.

Slim Lim was determined not to be propitiated.

Turning to me, he cried out:

“Let the barbarian, the son of a barbarian, the grandson of a barbarian,

the great-grandson of a barbarian, the great-great-grandson of a

barbarian, the great-great-great-grandson of a barbarian, the

great-great-great-great-grandson of a barbarian inscribe his wretched,

worthless, mean, common, ordinary, insignificant and despicable name

upon a sheet of paper ere he goes forth, so that I and my children, and

my children’s children, and my children’s children’s children, and my

children’s children’s children’s children may speak it with contempt!”

And then, in order to prove to me that he considered himself disgraced

to sit in my presence, he threw himself full length upon the floor.

Bulger got it into his head that this strange proceeding was in some way

a menace to me, for he walked cautiously around Slim Lim, sniffing at

him and growling in a threatening way, as if to say: “Don’t play any

tricks on my little master, or it will go hard with you!”

The ladies of Slim Lim’s household were nearly crazed with grief and

anxiety.

I assured them of my protection, but this only seemed to increase their

solicitation.

To tell the truth, however, I was not half so calm as I appeared to be.

Cruel fate seemed to have woven her meshes about me once again.

Slim Lim, with deep cunning, had set another task for me which seemed so

impossible of performance that he doubtless was already congratulating

himself and applauding his own skilfully devised plan for holding me

prisoner.

He had demanded that I should “write my name” before going forth; he had

been most careful to use the word “write” so that I should not be

permitted to use a brush after the manner of his people; but must have

recourse to a pen after the manner of my own.

Feeling pretty confident in his mind that I would not have a pen in my

possession, he had ground for flattering himself that I was still in his

power.

Bulger caught a glimpse of the shadow that had settled upon my face, and

whined nervously.

A thought struck me!

A quill will save me!

I looked towards the parrot.

Ah! deep-laid plan to rob me of my liberty!

[Illustration: BULGER HOLDING SLIM LIM DOWN, WHILE I CUT A PEN ON HIS

LITTLE FINGER NAIL.]

The bird had been removed from the room.

The brush I had fashioned—the pigment, too, were gone!

I could feel my knees grow weak.

My breath came short and quick.

A cold chill crept over me.

There lay the Lord of the Peacock Feather flat on his back, but as I

turned my glance quickly upon him, I was sure that one of his eyes was

half open and fixed upon me, while a faint ripple of a smile played in

the corners of his mouth most maliciously.

“Ah! man of guile!” thought I, “thou shalt not triumph, for I am about

to shatter this last one of thy fetters, which thou dost think is

already so firmly riveted upon my wrists. Thou art wise and thou art

subtle, but not so wise and not so subtle as the little baron who stands

beside thee!”

“To me, Bulger!” I cried.

With a single bound he reached my side.

“Take thy place there!” I continued, pointing to Slim Lim’s breast, “and

if my enemy moves but the poor space of a narrow inch, do thy duty!”

Bulger sprang lightly upon Slim Lim’s breast, and with a low growl gave

him to understand that there must be no trifling.

Then my turn came to act.

Whipping my pocket-knife out, I laid hold of Slim Lim’s hand, and in

less than a minute’s time I cut a fine pen, with an excellent nib, on

the end of the long nail of his little finger.

Bulger looked on very much interested, giving a low growl every time

Slim Lim showed the slightest indication of resenting the treatment to

which I was subjecting him.

My ink?

That was a simple matter. Pricking my thumb with the point of my knife,

I let a few drops of the crimson fluid collect on the palm of my hand.

Then, reaching out for one of the paper mats, I dipped the pen which now

graced the little finger of the Lord of the Peacock Feather, and set my

signature on the uncolored side of the mat in a neat, round hand.

Bidding Bulger descend from his post of honor, I now held out my hand to

his excellency, the Taou-tai, with these words:

“Rise, Sir Knight of the Plain Red Button; be generous as thou art

noble; I have triumphed! Forgive my audacity. In my place, thou wouldst

have done likewise. Let thy enemy become thy friend. In birth, noble; in

letters, learned; in arts, skilled; he is more worthy of thy friendship

than deserving of thy enmity!”

Slim Lim seized my hand, and sprang to his feet with a good-humored

smile on his broad face.

“By the sacred countenance of the Child of the Sun, Lord of all the

Orders, thou art very clever for thy size!” he exclaimed, as he

conducted me to a seat.

The ladies of the Taou-tai’s household, who had retreated

horror-stricken to their apartments, were now summoned to appear.

Tea was brewed and the Lord of the Peacock Feather insisted upon serving

me with his own hands.

I was almost crazed with joy at thought of setting out for home under

such happy auspices.

Bulger made friends with Slim Lim, and everybody forgave everybody.

His excellency, the Taou-tai, prevailed upon me to pass the night under

his roof, assuring me that in the morning I should have a special

escort, his own porte-chaise, and hampers packed in his own kitchen for

my refreshment while on my journey to the seaport.

Until a late hour Slim Lim, the ladies of his household, Bulger and I

gave ourselves up to feasting and merrymaking. In the morning I took my

leave of the Taou-tai and his household in the happiest frame of mind.

A short week found me on board of a good staunch vessel bound for home

again.

As the sails filled and we sped out of the harbor, I drew Bulger to my

breast and the tears fell thick and fast. He licked my hands and face,

and fixed his large, lustrous eyes full upon me.

He could not, and I would not, speak.