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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Miriok, by Anna M. Barnes
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Red Miriok
+
+Author: Anna M. Barnes
+
+Illustrator: George A. Newman
+
+Release Date: January 2, 2011 [EBook #34810]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE RED MIRIOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Barbara Tozier, Stephanie McKee, Bill Tozier
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE RED MIRIOK
+
+
+BY
+
+ANNA M. BARNES
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS BY
+
+GEORGE A. NEWMAN
+
+
+PHILADELPHIA
+
+American Baptist Publication Society
+
+1420 Chestnut Street
+
+
+Copyright 1901 and 1902 by the
+AMERICAN BAPTIST PUBLICATION SOCIETY
+
+Published January, 1903
+
+
+From the Society's own Press
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+
+Korea has been called the "Hermit Nation," as of all nations Tibet alone
+has exceeded it in repulsing foreign influences. Only in 1882 did the
+United States secure a treaty, and that opened the country to foreign
+trade only in the capital, Seoul, and three ports. But in this treaty
+Korea was treated with as an independent State, and its people are
+distinct from either Chinese or Japanese and well repay study and
+missionary labors. This little story is one of the first to present this
+slightly known land and its customs, and therefore deserves special
+attention from all who are interested in the Christianizing of Oriental
+nations.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+Mr. Kit-ze               9
+
+CHAPTER II
+A Hasty Desertion       19
+
+CHAPTER III
+The Lost Recovered      30
+
+CHAPTER IV
+A Stowaway              39
+
+CHAPTER V
+Before the Magistrate   49
+
+CHAPTER VI
+A Friendly Hail         61
+
+CHAPTER VII
+An Entreaty             71
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+The Story of Choi-so    81
+
+CHAPTER IX
+A Theft                 90
+
+CHAPTER X
+An Arrested Sacrifice  102
+
+CHAPTER XI
+"One Soul"             115
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+"_Mr. Kit-ze's hat was moving across the organ_"                 17
+
+"'_Yes, only a little, for it takes nearly three thousand of
+them to make a dollar_'"                                         28
+
+"_Yes, it was the red miriok_"                                   38
+
+"_He began to shake him vigorously_"                             47
+
+"_Cheefoo prostrated himself to the magistrate_"                 54
+
+"_The old man was bolt upright, despite his years_"              69
+
+"_Then, extending his hands, entreated_"                         79
+
+"_He was permitted to look ... upon the priests at their
+devotions_"                                                      85
+
+"_He forthwith ... proceeded to throw rice into the well_"       92
+
+"'_Stop!_' _entreated Helen_"                                   106
+
+"'_Sorry. Sorry. It was wrong. She showed me_'"                 123
+
+
+
+
+THE RED MIRIOK
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+MR. KIT-ZE
+
+
+"There is one thing I forgot to mention," said Mr. Reid, resuming the
+conversation. "If we do undertake our sampan journey, we must have Mr.
+Kit-ze. I have already talked to him about it."
+
+"Oh, father!"
+
+The expression of Clarence's face so emphasized his protest that nothing
+beyond the mere exclamation was necessary.
+
+"Why, Clarence, what could be the objection to Mr. Kit-ze?"
+
+"A good one, father. He is such an eel-like fellow. I know we couldn't
+depend on him. Then it strikes me that his mind isn't right. He's always
+muttering to himself and clutching his breast in such a queer way. Oh,
+I'm sure it would be a bad step to take Mr. Kit-ze."
+
+"That is just like a boy!" declared Helen, his sister, "jumping at
+conclusions."
+
+"You mean girls," retorted Clarence. "They fairly spring at them; yes,
+reach out their arms to grasp 'em as they spring."
+
+"Come, children, don't spar," warned Mr. Reid. "But, my son," turning to
+Clarence, "I fear it is as your sister asserts, you have arrived at
+conclusions too hastily with reference to Mr. Kit-ze. He is a little
+strange in his manner, I'll admit; but his friends, some of whom belong
+to the mission, tell me that he is a very good sort of fellow, honest
+and well-meaning, though he is rather grasping as to money matters."
+
+"He is well-meaning," asserted Helen; "and I think the reason he is so
+close about money is because he has many who are dependent on him. Yes,
+I like Mr. Kit-ze. Though some of his ways are strange, yet he is
+good-natured and kind when you know him well."
+
+"Guess, then, I don't know him well," admitted Clarence.
+
+"No; and until you do, you won't like him."
+
+Clarence whistled, and reached over to give the tail of Nam-san, the
+monkey, a twist, which that quick-tempered little animal resented by
+scratching at him and then springing away.
+
+"I think I know what is the matter with Mr. Kit-ze," said Mr. Reid, as
+though in sudden comment after following a line of thought. "He is a
+religious enthusiast."
+
+Helen looked at him quickly, a glad light over-spreading her face. "Oh,
+father, I didn't know that Mr. Kit-ze had been converted. That _is_
+news."
+
+"I don't mean that, Helen. I wish that it were true, for I have been
+working earnestly to that end for more than a year. What I have
+reference to is that he is an enthusiast in his own religious belief."
+
+"Why, I didn't know, uncle, that these people had any religious belief,"
+said his nephew, Mallard Hale, who for a few moments past had not joined
+in the conversation. "I believe, yes, I am sure I have seen it stated
+that as a country Korea is practically without a religion."
+
+"That is true in one sense, Mallard, but not in another. While Korea has
+no established religion, what might be called a national religion, as
+have China, Japan, and her other neighbors, yet such of the Koreans as
+have not individually embraced Buddhism, Confucianism, and the like, are
+given over wholly to ancestral and to demon worship, especially the
+latter."
+
+"What do you mean by demon worship, uncle?"
+
+"They believe in spirits of all degrees, good, bad, and indifferent, but
+principally the bad. They fill the air around them; they dwell in their
+homes; they sit at their feasts; they even perch upon such portions of
+the human body as suits them. They bring evil or good as they are
+angered or appeased. To counteract the influence of the evil demons the
+people carry about with them certain charms to frighten them away.
+Around their habitations, especially in the country districts, they
+erect these grotesque figures having resemblance to the human form, the
+more hideous the better. They are called _mirioks_. In the cities, where
+there is little space for such erection, the figures, considerably
+diminished in size, are either kept in the homes or carried about the
+person. In many instances this devotion to _mirioks_ amounts to
+fanaticism of the most pronounced kind."
+
+"Oh, yes, that is just what Mr. Kit-ze does!" exclaimed Joyce, the
+younger son of the family. "He carries it around in his bosom. Sometimes
+he takes it out and talks to it. I have seen it. Oh! it is the ugliest
+little red thing!"
+
+All eyes were now turned inquiringly upon him. "I believe, yes, I am
+sure," he continued, "if I were to see it in the black dark, I'd run
+from it."
+
+"Why, how could you see it in 'the black dark'?" quizzed Mallard.
+
+Joyce flushed as the laugh went around at his expense, then he answered:
+"Oh, I mean if it were so I could see it even a little bit. I am sure I
+could see its eyes, for they are made out of something that just
+glitters and burns."
+
+"It is as I supposed," said Mr. Reid; "Mr. Kit-ze is an enthusiast on
+the subject of this _miriok_. This accounts for his strange behavior,
+his mutterings, and the clutchings at his breast. He keeps the _miriok_
+there in the folds of his gown. He believes that it wards away the evil
+spirits and invites the good. On other subjects I am sure he is all
+right. At any rate, if we are going to attempt that journey up the Han
+we shall be almost dependent on him. He not only has the largest sampan
+and is considered the safest boatman on the river, but he also knows the
+way better, having ascended higher than any other, I am told."
+
+"Then, uncle, we must have him by all means," said Mallard decisively.
+
+"Yes," added Clarence somewhat flippantly, "red _miriok_ and all."
+
+"Yes, even the red _miriok_ to get Mr. Kit-ze," declared Mallard. Then
+he asked, "Isn't the journey attended by some degree of danger?"
+
+"With considerable danger at some places, I understand, Mallard; and
+this is why we should have a stout sampan as well as a sampan man who
+understands both his business and the river."
+
+The family of Rev. Mr. Reid, missionary at Seoul, Korea, consisted of
+his wife, her widowed sister, his two sons, Clarence and Joyce, and his
+daughter, Helen. Mallard Hale, an American youth of seventeen, had
+recently come to make his home with his uncle. He was only a few months
+older than Clarence, and the two cousins were very fond of each other.
+Helen was nearly fifteen and Joyce twelve.
+
+For some days they had been talking of this sampan journey up the Han.
+Mr. Reid had long wanted to take such a trip into the interior for the
+purpose of making observations of the country and of studying the
+conditions of the people along the south branch of the Han. It was
+reported to be a wonderfully attractive and fertile section, with a
+people whose manners and customs, differing from those in the cities,
+made them of deep interest to the traveler. They were described as quiet
+and peaceful, given to hospitality, and fairly burning with curiosity.
+
+The Mission Board, under the auspices of which Mr. Reid labored, had for
+some time contemplated the establishment of a branch mission in the
+interior. They were waiting for him to decide the point where it should
+be located. He had hesitated a long time about undertaking the sampan
+journey because as yet there had not been sufficient money to defray the
+necessary expenses. But the coming of his nephew, Mallard Hale, had
+quickly done away with this obstacle. For Mallard was comfortably fixed
+as to income, and he insisted on bearing all the expense of hiring and
+propelling the sampan, while his uncle was left to provide only for
+provisions and equipments.
+
+"Then, uncle," said Mallard, after they had talked a little further,
+"let us decide positively on going, also that we take Mr. Kit-ze and his
+sampan."
+
+"Yes, red----" began Clarence, but the words were cut short by an
+exclamation from Joyce.
+
+"Why," he cried, "here is Mr. Kit-ze now!"
+
+Sure enough, Mr. Kit-ze was coming in. It was just after dinner, or
+_opan_, as they would say in Korea, and Mr. Kit-ze was still caressing
+his lips with his tongue, well pleased with the toothsome morsels that
+had gone to comfort his stomach. He was a little stouter and taller than
+the average man of his race, standing five feet six in his sandals,
+weighing, perhaps, one hundred and sixty pounds, and was fifty years of
+age. His complexion, originally of a bright olive, had now a deep tan
+through the action of sun and winds. He had a straight nose, but rather
+distended nostrils, the oblique Mongolian eye, while his hair, of a deep
+russet-brown smeared with lampblack, was wound in a knot at the top of
+his head.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze had on the loose white robe of his countrymen, with flowing
+sleeves, that fell just below the knees. It was belted in with a girdle
+of straw. Beneath it showed his baggy trousers, gathered in at the
+ankle. A _katsi_ (hat), in shape like a flower pot turned down over a
+table, wadded stockings, and sandals of straw completed his attire. When
+he removed his hat, on Mr. Reid's invitation, there was a little
+tight-fitting skullcap of horsehair underneath, carefully placed on top
+of his knot of hair. He seemed solicitous about his hat, not knowing
+just where to place it. It was, indeed, a huge affair for a hat, the
+brim being nearly six feet in circumference. At home Mr. Kit-ze had his
+swinging case for his hat, but here he was at a loss as to its disposal.
+Helen at length came to the rescue and placed it on top of the organ,
+where it rested, one portion of the brim lying upon a large music book,
+the other flat upon the surface of the instrument.
+
+"Well, Mr. Kit-ze," said Mr. Reid, "are you ready to take another
+journey with your sampan up the South Han?"
+
+Instead of replying to this question, Mr. Kit-ze suggested: "Better go
+up the North Han, honorable instructor. There are the Diamond
+Mountains."
+
+Clarence jumped up suddenly, shouting out his delight: "Yes, father,
+let's go to the Diamond Mountains. Oh, won't that be glorious?"
+
+"And pick up treasure," suggested Helen; "enough to build the new
+mission chapel that is so needed," she added, her eyes taking on a
+deeper glow as she glanced at her father.
+
+"Why, are there really any treasures to be found in those mountains?"
+asked Mallard, catching the excitement.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze, who understood enough of the language to catch the drift of
+the question, quickly replied: "Yes, honorable sir, there are treasures.
+Two gentlemen from your country got a whole wallet full of diamonds in
+the mountains last week. They say they can be picked up like bamboo
+reeds after a freshet."
+
+"Only Mr. Kit-ze's enthusiasm," said Mr. Reid in an aside to his nephew.
+"Some one has been filling him with the story, which is vastly
+exaggerated, I am sure. But later in the year, Mallard, if you desire
+it, we can make the trip to the Diamond Mountains. Now my Master's
+business calls me in another direction."
+
+"All right, uncle, that Diamond Mountain trip can wait. Yes, we'll take
+it later," he added after a pause.
+
+"Is your sampan ready, Mr. Kit-ze?" Mr. Reid now asked.
+
+[Illustration: "MR. KIT-ZE'S HAT WAS MOVING ACROSS THE ORGAN!"]
+
+"Not quite, exalted master; but your servant can make it ready in a day
+or so."
+
+"Are you sure of that? We should like to start by Tuesday of next week;
+and when we are ready we want the sampan ready. You understand?"
+
+"Most learned teacher, it shall be as you wish," Mr. Kit-ze assured him,
+with a bow that brought his forehead almost to the floor.
+
+A full understanding was now had; the day set, arrangements perfected,
+and the amount of Mr. Kit-ze's remuneration satisfactorily adjusted.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze arose to go. All this time, having declined the chair offered
+to him, he had been squatting upon his heels, his legs doubled back
+under him. Considering the position, it was surprising how quickly he
+got up. He had barely gained his feet when a sudden cry that startled
+them all escaped him. He was gazing straight toward the organ, his
+features growing rigid, his eyes dilating. Following his gaze, it took
+them only an instant to discover what was the matter--Mr. Kit-ze's hat
+was moving across the organ, moving as though it had feet and were
+walking.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+A HASTY DESERTION
+
+
+The pupils of Mr. Kit-ze's eyes grew larger and larger. They seemed
+ready to burst into flame. He began to mutter: "The spirit! the spirit!
+It has attached itself to my hat! It will now attend me home and stay
+there; how long, I do not know." He made a sudden movement toward the
+door. He was evidently going away without his hat. Nothing could induce
+him to touch it while the spirit had taken hold of it in so
+demonstrative a way. Plainly his thought was that it was better to lose
+the hat than to run the risk of contact with the spirit.
+
+His movement was hasty, but, quick as he was, Helen acted more quickly.
+In an instant of time, as it were, she had grasped the whole situation.
+Her eyes too had done her good service. Her glance in the direction of
+the moving hat had shown her what Mr. Kit-ze did not see, nor even the
+others at first, an inch or so of snake-like tail showing beneath the
+rim of the hat. She sprang toward the organ, quickly threw up the hat,
+and exposed to view the whole furry body of Nam-san, the monkey, who
+began to chatter at her indignantly, the shrill notes heard above the
+burst of laughter that now came from the others.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze was just backing out of the doorway, but he paused as Helen's
+quick movement disclosed Nam-san under the hat.
+
+"You see it is the monkey, Mr. Kit-ze," said Helen smiling. "He is a
+mischievous little beast, and doesn't respect anything that he can have
+his fun with; not even your hat, Mr. Kit-ze. But he hasn't hurt it. See,
+it is all right!"
+
+She advanced toward Mr. Kit-ze bearing the hat. She held it toward him,
+but he did not take it. He still seemed alarmed, and his glance was
+nervous.
+
+Seeing the condition Mr. Kit-ze was still in and his attitude toward the
+hat, Mr. Reid now came to Helen's assistance. "There has no harm
+befallen the hat," he assured Mr. Kit-ze. "It was only the little beast
+under it, as you saw, that was causing it to move. It is all right now,
+my friend," and he took the hat from Helen and held it toward Mr.
+Kit-ze.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze still hesitated, but, after further reassuring words from Mr.
+Reid, he consented to receive the hat. Yet he did not put it on; he
+turned away, holding it gingerly between his thumb and one finger.
+After he had gone, they found it on the doorstep, a mark apparently made
+with red chalk drawn all around the rim.
+
+"The superstitious old crank!" exclaimed Clarence in disgust; "what made
+him leave his hat with us? Why didn't he take it away and destroy it, if
+he was that afraid of it?"
+
+"I think he left it as a reproach to us," said Mr. Reid. The eyes around
+him sought his inquiringly.
+
+"It is a hint that, as the misfortune befell it here, and he is now
+deprived of his hat, we should replace it with another."
+
+"And how will Mr. Kit-ze feel toward us, uncle, if we do not?" asked
+Mallard.
+
+"I fear not very pleasantly, for a while, at least," replied Mr. Reid.
+
+"Then the new hat must go to him by all means," said Mallard. "We can't
+afford to start off with our sampan man in the pouts."
+
+"No, indeed," assented Helen.
+
+So the next day they sent Mr. Kit-ze a new hat, with expressions of
+regret at what had happened, and with the assurance that the other hat
+had been destroyed.
+
+"For that is what he expects of us," Mr. Reid had said. "He drew the red
+chalk mark so as to confine the spirit within the hat, then left the hat
+for us to destroy, together with the spirit. All pure foolishness," he
+concluded, a little emphatically. "We'll just throw the hat aside."
+
+"No, father," said Helen decisively, "we will burn it."
+
+"And thus encourage Mr. Kit-ze in his silliness?" asked Clarence.
+
+"In his superstition," corrected Mr. Reid.
+
+"But it is all so real to him, poor man!" said Helen. And she continued,
+her eyes softening: "If it will make him feel better to know it is
+destroyed, isn't it worth while?"
+
+"Yes," assented Mallard heartily, "it is. We'll burn the hat, my Helen.
+I'm sure uncle won't object."
+
+"Oh, no," assented Mr. Reid. "If Helen wants to take the trouble, let
+her do it."
+
+A day or two later Mr. Kit-ze came again. He had on his new hat, and was
+in the best of humor. Especially did his face express pleasure when
+Helen, carrying him to a spot in the yard, showed him the small pile of
+ashes to which the hat had been reduced. He stooped hurriedly, gathered
+them up, and, holding them in his palms, blew his breath hard upon the
+mass, scattering it to the four winds. Then he grunted with
+satisfaction, and, going down on hands and knees, made Helen a series of
+the most profound bows.
+
+He had come to tell them that the sampan was ready, but on account of
+the great danger of the shoals near Seoul, they must make their
+arrangements to start from Han-Kang, four miles from the city.
+Themselves and their supplies could be transported thither by pony-back.
+Mr. Kit-ze further informed them that he had secured, as both
+interpreter and assistant boatman, one Mr. Cheefoo, a graduate of the
+government schools. He had recently fallen upon hard ways, and was glad
+enough to earn a little for himself, as well as to see some of the
+world, even if it were only his own country. Mr. Cheefoo would be sent
+to assist them with the loading, and to guide them to Han-Kang, where
+Mr. Kit-ze and the sampan would be found awaiting them.
+
+Mr. Chefoo came a day ahead of the time set for starting, for the
+supplies must be carefully packed into bales ere they could be loaded.
+He had too, some suggestions from Mr. Kit-ze as to what to take and how
+to take it. The selection of the necessary provisions and other supplies
+had cost them much thought and planning. They knew they must not
+overload the sampan, as much as they might want to take some things. On
+the other hand was the danger of starting out with a too meagre supply.
+They finally decided on the following: seventy-five pounds of flour,
+thirty pounds of rice,--they expected to buy more of this on the way,--a
+half-bushel of beans, a strip or two of dried beef, a small amount of
+meats in cans and of tomatoes for soups.
+
+"We can get eggs and vegetables from the country people," said Mr. Reid,
+who had traveled some in the interior districts, "and there will be fish
+in the river to be caught."
+
+The other supplies consisted of a brazier for charcoal, a frying pan,
+saucepan, and kettle, some drinking mugs of stoneware, plates and soup
+plates of tin, knives, forks, and spoons, the latter of wood. Mallard
+had his camera, and Clarence the fine Winchester which his cousin had
+presented to him. In addition, each traveler carried a rubber coat, a
+pair of blankets, and two changes of underclothing. One thing they came
+near forgetting, but Mrs. Reid's forethought caused them to include it
+among the stores almost at the last minute. This was a little case of
+medicines.
+
+It was an excited and happy party that rode away from the mission house
+early on the following Tuesday morning. In addition to Mr. Reid,
+Mallard, Helen, Clarence, and Joyce, there were Mr. Wilburn, a young
+missionary from another station, and his sister, Dorothy, a very dear
+friend of Helen. Indeed, for two years past the girls had been almost
+inseparable. Mr. Reid's native assistant in the mission work and his
+wife were to be the companions of Mrs. Reid and her sister during the
+two weeks the party expected to be away.
+
+They moved through the narrow streets, so narrow that it was necessary
+to go in single file. Even that was difficult at times, for, though the
+hour was early, a mass of people was beginning to stir abroad. Along
+each side of some of the streets ran a gutter, green with slime and
+thick with all manner of putrid matter. The low mud huts, with their
+queer, horse-shoe shaped straw roofs, were set so close to this it
+seemed that any one coming out of the door must fall into the slime if
+he were not careful. All along the streets dogs and children were
+tumbling about, sometimes rolling the one over the other. Even the close
+observer would have found it hard to decide which was the dirtier, dog
+or child.
+
+"Oh, my, the dirty youngsters!" exclaimed Mallard, as he picked his
+pony's way gingerly along, sometimes finding it quite difficult to keep
+from riding right upon a squirming little mass of humanity. "Where are
+the mothers," he continued, "to let them run so into danger?"
+
+"You will soon find out, Mallard," replied his uncle, "that the Korean
+woman has her hands too full of the major duties of washing and ironing
+to attend with any degree of success to the minor one of looking after
+her children. There! do you not hear that strange rat-ta-tat noise? That
+is made by the wooden club coming down upon the garment wrapped about
+its iron cylinder. Wherever you go over Seoul, at almost any hour, day
+or night, you can hear that familiar sound. It denotes the Korean
+slave-wife's battle with the white clothes of her lord and master, which
+must receive a certain amount of gloss, or there will be a storm in the
+domestic sky."
+
+As they came out through the massive stone arches of the great South
+Gate, its lofty drum chamber with tiled roof overhead, a new world
+seemed to burst upon them. They could see plainly now the line of
+mountains and the nearer circlet of hills, the latter flower-crowned and
+sparkling like jewels in the golden light of the sun. Brilliant, indeed,
+was the coloring where the rich clusters of azaleas grew, and the
+tangled masses of clematis and honeysuckles. Butterflies and
+dragon-flies flitted through the air; numerous ducks and geese hovered
+along the edge of the river, now alighting and skimming the water for a
+few moments, then dipping wing to fly away. Flocks of cranes waded in
+and out of the shallow places, hunting for small fish to seize. All
+around was the beauty and the glory of the spring,--matchless skies,
+bursting flowers, and singing birds,--such a spring as makes Seoul and
+its surroundings a joy to eye and heart, never to be surpassed, always
+to be remembered.
+
+They took the path along the river, and in a little more than an hour's
+time had reached Han-Kang, where they found Mr. Kit-ze and the sampan,
+both in fine trim and ready to be off. Mr. Kit-ze had changed his white
+clothing for his boatman's suit, which consisted of a blouse and Turkish
+trousers of coarse blue cotton cloth. He was very proud of his sampan,
+and insisted on showing them its various fine points as well as dwelling
+upon them.
+
+"Never has such a craft gone up the waters," he declared; and indeed it
+did look workmanlike alongside of those usually seen on Korean streams.
+To begin, it had two very essential qualities--it was strongly made and
+it was well calked throughout. From fore to aft it measured thirty-six
+feet, was seven in width at its widest portion, and drew six to seven
+inches of water.
+
+At Mr. Reid's request, Mr. Kit-ze had rigged up a new and a more
+substantial roof along the ridgepole and its supporting framework. This
+was composed of thick, water-tight mats of tough grass. There were also
+curtains of the same material that could be fastened along the sides in
+case of rain or when the glare of the sun was too strong. This roof was
+only about five feet from the floor of the sampan, so that it was very
+plain to all eyes that most of its occupants would have to content
+themselves with sitting or with standing in a stooping posture. The boat
+had five compartments, three of them from seven to eight feet long, and
+the other two only small affairs indeed. One of the latter was in the
+bow of the boat and the other at the stern. Here the boatmen stood to
+pole the boat during the day, and in them they curled down to sleep at
+night, each rolled in a straw mat and with the side of the boat as a
+pillow.
+
+"All hands to the stores!" announced Mr. Reid. "The more quickly we have
+them in and are off the better. The sun will be pretty warm after a
+while."
+
+Mr. Chefoo had brought along a young man to carry the ponies back, and
+he too was anxious to begin his return journey. So all hands set to with
+a will, even Helen and Dorothy assisting "like good fellows," as
+Clarence expressed it.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze, following Mr. Reid's instructions, had previously carried
+aboard the sampan a supply of charcoal and some bundles of faggots. It
+was only the stores brought by the ponies that now had to be loaded.
+
+One thing amused Mallard greatly. This was the shape in which most of
+their money to be spent on the way had to be brought, strung on cords of
+straw. And the amount had proved almost a full burden for one pony,
+though in all it was only about twenty dollars. What queer looking coins
+they were! of copper, with a small square hole through their center.
+
+[Illustration: "'YES, ONLY A LITTLE, FOR IT TAKES NEARLY THREE THOUSAND
+OF THEM TO MAKE A DOLLAR.'"]
+
+"This is our often abused but ever available 'cash,'" said Mr. Reid,
+holding up one of the crude bits of metal for Mallard to see. "As there
+are no bankers or money changers on the way, we must take it with us,
+for it is the only coin accepted in the rural districts. We must have a
+little ready money with us," he added.
+
+"Oh, uncle, you call that a _little_?" and Mallard pointed to the pony
+with his burden of coin.
+
+"Yes, only a little, for it takes nearly three thousand of them to make
+a dollar."
+
+Mallard recalled his uncle's words now, as he was helping to store the
+coin away in what Helen and Dorothy had termed the sitting room of the
+sampan.
+
+He had turned to address a merry remark to Helen when he was struck by
+the appearance of Mr. Kit-ze. The boatman had stopped in the midst of
+something he was doing as suddenly as though he had felt the force of an
+electric shock. He had thrown his head up and was now clutching
+nervously at the folds of his blouse. Almost at the moment that
+Mallard's eyes were directed upon him he uttered a sharp little cry. It
+was of sufficient compass to reach the ears of the others. As their eyes
+too were turned upon him, what was the astonishment of all to see Mr.
+Kit-ze the next moment rush up the bank to where one of the ponies, with
+empty saddle, was standing, and flinging himself upon it, go galloping
+away like one suddenly out of his senses.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+THE LOST RECOVERED
+
+
+Exclamations of astonishment and of dismay followed Mr. Kit-ze. "What
+can he mean?" asked Mr. Reid, his eyes fixed in wonder upon the
+fast-retreating form of his boatman. "He surely hasn't deserted us!"
+
+"It evidently looks that way," replied Mr. Wilburn.
+
+"Now we are in a box!" exclaimed Clarence. "How are we to go on without
+our sampan man?"
+
+"Well, we have the sampan," remarked Mallard cheerfully. "The only other
+thing now is to look out for some one to take charge of it."
+
+"Easier said than accomplished," commented Mr. Reid. "Besides, though
+Mr. Kit-ze has deserted us, yet the sampan is his. We can't take
+possession without his consent."
+
+"He has forfeited his right to protest against such a step," declared
+Mr. Wilburn, "by his desertion and breach of contract. I am for taking
+possession of the sampan, engaging some one to have charge of it,
+assisted by Mr. Chefoo here, then allowing Mr. Kit-ze so much for its
+use."
+
+"But a competent sampan man is hard to find," said Mr. Reid. "That was
+why I stuck to Mr. Kit-ze."
+
+"Oh, but it is too bad to lose our trip!" exclaimed Mr. Wilburn,
+"especially when so much relating to our work depends on it," and he
+looked wistfully at Mr. Reid.
+
+"Yes, too bad," assented Mallard.
+
+"Oh, we must go," declared Clarence.
+
+Even Helen and Dorothy were for going on, that is, if satisfactory
+arrangements could be made.
+
+"But maybe Mr. Kit-ze will return," suggested Helen.
+
+"Yes," said Mr. Chefoo, who now spoke for the first time, "he will
+return." All turned to look at him inquiringly. He had spoken very
+positively.
+
+"What makes you say that?"
+
+"Because, honorable sirs, he went away as one who will come back. There
+was no parting word. He will return."
+
+"He didn't have sense for any parting word," commented Clarence. "It
+seemed all taken from him."
+
+"No," asserted Mr. Chefoo, "it was only the excitement that comes when
+one knows there has been a loss."
+
+"'A loss'!" echoed Clarence.
+
+"Yes; Mr. Kit-ze has either lost something of very great value, for
+which he has now gone to make search, or else he has forgotten something
+that he has gone to bring. It is one or the other as you will in time
+discover, son of the honorable teacher."
+
+"But why act in that demented way? Couldn't he have explained to us, and
+then gone after it in a respectable fashion?"
+
+"It was something by which he set so great a store, youthful sir, that
+he was overcome by what its loss signified to him. I should say,"
+continued Mr. Chefoo, "that it is something without which he could not
+proceed, or without which he----"
+
+Here Mr. Chefoo paused.
+
+"Well?" asked Clarence.
+
+"Without which he would fear to go on."
+
+"I see!" exclaimed Mr. Reid. "It was----"
+
+"Let me finish, father," cried Clarence. "It was the red _miriok_. That
+old crank has either left it or lost it. Now we must be tied up here
+waiting his pleasure."
+
+"Yes," said Mr. Reid in a disgusted manner, "it was the red _miriok_
+that carried him off in that demented way; I am sure of it. But don't
+call him a crank so boldly, Clarence. It would offend him should he hear
+it."
+
+"Well, what else is he? It is just too bad to be deserted in this way
+and for such silliness. Oh, I wish that the red _miriok_ was in the
+bottom of the river."
+
+"Then, we'd never get Mr. Kit-ze to proceed," assured Mr. Wilburn, who
+by this time had heard the story of the red _miriok_; "or at least not
+until its counterpart was procured. But we can't stay here," he
+continued. "We must, at least, try getting on to the next village. There
+Mr. Kit-ze can join us. We'll leave word for him. This is a very
+objectionable locality for more reasons than one, and the sooner we move
+away from it the better."
+
+In the meanwhile a large crowd had gathered, both on the river bank and
+in the shallow water surrounding the sampan. All were agape with
+curiosity. It is a well-known saying in Korea, and one the truth of
+which travelers have often proved, that if you move on, very little
+comment is excited; but if you stand still and appear to be engaged in
+anything, or even to be looking at an object, curiosity of the most
+intense kind is aroused. It takes but a minute or two then for the crowd
+to gather around you, each individual member thereof following anxiously
+the glance of your eye and hanging with almost breathless intent upon
+every movement of hand or leg.
+
+There were women and children in the crowd as well as men. The former
+were so overcome by their curiosity that they had for the time forgotten
+to keep their long, green coats close up about their eyes, which is the
+custom when women are abroad in Korea. They now hung loosely about their
+necks, the long, wide sleeves that are rarely used swinging over their
+shoulders.
+
+An old woman with much vigor of speech offered them barley sugar for
+sale. She was very dirty, and her wares looked as uninviting as herself.
+But feeling sorry for her, Helen invested quite liberally in the barley
+sugar, immediately bestowing it upon a little group of open-mouthed
+children who stood near. In some way the old woman had caught a part, at
+least, of the situation. She seemed to comprehend that they were at a
+loss whether to go on or to stay. In return for Helen's graciousness she
+came to the rescue by suggesting that they send for a _mutang_
+(sorceress) who lived near. She would come with her drum and cymbals,
+her wand and divination box,[1] and in a little while she could tell
+them what to do.
+
+The sun was now climbing nearer and nearer the meridian, and its rays
+were growing unpleasantly warm. More than an hour had been wasted since
+the loading of the sampan. They had burned the bridge behind them, as
+the saying is, by sending the man back to the city with the ponies.
+There was nothing now but to go on, even if they had to turn back in the
+midst of the journey.
+
+Mr. Chefoo was the good fairy that came to the rescue. He seemed to
+regret Mr. Kit-ze's behavior keenly, and to be deeply sympathetic with
+the sampan party in its desire so plainly expressed to be off on the
+journey. He was a big, good-natured fellow, strong and hearty looking,
+with a clear eye and with much intelligence expressed upon his face. He
+had too, a pretty fair scope of English, which made his attendance all
+the more satisfactory and agreeable.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze, he continued to assure them, would return. He felt certain
+of it. They would leave word for him and proceed to the next town, since
+this one was so objectionable with its foul smells and its rather
+rough-looking population. The first step then, was to hire a man to help
+him pole, as he felt certain he, Mr. Chefoo, could direct the movements
+of the sampan up to the next village. There were no rapids of any
+considerable danger in the way.
+
+"All right, Mr. Chefoo," said Mr. Reid. "Go ahead and hire your man, but
+be sure he is one on whom we can rely."
+
+"I'll have a care to that, honorable teacher," assured Mr. Chefoo.
+
+The first man approached declared that he couldn't go, as his wife
+needed him to sit and watch her while she washed the clothes. The second
+one said he must first ask his mother and, as she lived two villages
+away, they must wait until the following morning ere he could give them
+his answer. The third wished to know if he would be permitted to take as
+many as seven suits of clothes with him, as he could do with no less;
+also if provision would be made for their washing and ironing along the
+way. On being assured that no such concession could be granted he went
+away much aggrieved.
+
+Another said he would gladly attend them as their poleman if they would
+promise not to tie up anywhere along the bank where there were tigers,
+or even where tigers were known to have been on the surrounding hills.
+As they could give no such promise with the prospect of fulfilling it,
+he too had to be dismissed without an engagement. He then tried to drive
+a sale with them of two tiger bones at three hundred "cash" each,
+warranted to give strength and courage. As they hadn't the faith he had
+in the efficacy of the commodity, the purchase was declined. Another
+hour and more slipped by in this way.
+
+Things were growing lively, if they were somewhat monotonous, for a
+great crowd was now surging about Mr. Chefoo, Mr. Reid, and Mr. Wilburn.
+The boatman had them with him for the purpose of consultation. To add to
+the hubbub a string of oxen and their drivers on their way to the city,
+the backs of the oxen piled with mountains of brushwood, had drawn near
+the men, the drivers overcome by curiosity at the sight of the crowd.
+Between their yells and shouts to the oxen and their noisy salutations
+passed to those they knew, there was a babel indeed.
+
+In the very midst of these sounds came a sudden cry, sufficiently loud
+and prolonged to attract the attention of many. While the bargaining
+with the would-be polemen went on, the young people had gathered within
+the sitting room of the sampan, that is, all with the exception of
+Clarence. He had stretched himself along the stern of the boat. His head
+was lying on his hand upheld by the elbow. Thus it was considerably
+elevated, and thus he had a fair view of the water all around the
+sampan.
+
+The Han is often called the River of Golden Sands. It is a clear, bright
+stream, its bed covered with thick layers of white sand. Along this sand
+particles of golden-hued gravel sparkle in the sunlight as though they
+were the pure metal itself. In many places, even of considerable depth,
+the bottom of the river is plainly seen. Where the sampan lay there was
+only the depth of about two feet of water. This had for a time been
+stirred into some degree of murkiness by the feet of those who pressed
+curiously about the sampan. But as the crowd had now withdrawn to the
+bank, where Mr. Chefoo bargained with the polemen, the river had
+cleared.
+
+As Clarence lay along the stern of the boat glancing down into the
+water, his attention was suddenly attracted by something that rested at
+the top of a little hillock of sand. First its shape, then its color
+arrested his gaze. The next moment there came that wild shout from him,
+a compromise between a station-master's train call and an Indian
+warwhoop. Then those whose attention was now riveted upon him saw him
+hastily throw off his coat, his shoes and stockings and, quickly rolling
+up sleeves and trousers, spring into the water. An instant later he held
+up something in his hand, his shirt sleeve dripping with the water.
+
+"The red _miriok_!" he cried. "See! Mr. Kit-ze must have dropped it as
+he leaned over packing the things."
+
+Yes, it was the red _miriok_.
+
+"Oh, its eyes are shinier than ever!" cried Joyce. "Guess that's cause
+the water washed 'em. It's the same horrid, ugly thing I've seen Mr.
+Kit-ze pressing in his hands."
+
+[Illustration: "YES, IT WAS THE RED MIRIOK!"]
+
+"Oh," said Helen, "if Mr. Kit-ze could only know!" Even as she spoke,
+Mr. Kit-ze was seen coming rapidly toward the river.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[1] A box in which are carried three or more coins with
+characters stamped upon them. The coins are cast upward three times,
+falling again into the box. The combination of characters each time
+gives the _mutang_ her clue to the divination or prediction.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+A STOWAWAY
+
+
+Mr. Kit-ze had left the pony in town and now came on at a rapid
+dog-trot. He was covered with dust and perspiration, and his hair, which
+had been shaken from its knot, was now partly hanging in much disorder
+down his back. When he had first rushed away, it had been with the
+thought that the _miriok_ had been left at home, that it had in all
+probability dropped from his clothing as he slept. But as a rigid search
+failed to reveal it, he at length came to the conclusion that he had
+dropped it in or near the river while helping to load the sampan. He had
+stooped over many times, he knew. Why hadn't he thought of that ere
+coming away? Yes, the first search ought, by all means, to have been
+made in and around the sampan. But then he had been so excited over his
+loss he hadn't taken the time to reason about it at all. Now he would
+hasten back to the boat and resume there the search for the _miriok_.
+Oh, he must find it, or failing, secure another like it. He could not
+think of going on the journey without his _miriok_, for would not
+disaster be sure to befall him if he did? But where was such another as
+this _miriok_ to be had? As he recalled with what difficulty this one
+had been secured, Mr. Kit-ze grew more and more excited over his loss.
+Oh, he must return to the river at once! as there was a chance that he
+had dropped the _miriok_ there.
+
+Thus Mr. Kit-ze, coming in sight of the sampan, saw Clarence standing in
+the water and holding something at arm's length over which all were
+exclaiming. It took only a steady glance to show him what it was. The
+next moment, with a ringing cry, he endeavored to increase his pace,
+lost his footing, and went rolling down the slope, stopping just at the
+water's edge. It was Helen who reached him as he regained his feet. She
+had taken the _miriok_ from Clarence, and was holding it toward Mr.
+Kit-ze, saying in her softest, gentlest tones:
+
+"Here, Mr. Kit-ze, is something of yours that Clarence has found in the
+river. We were so sorry when we knew you had lost it, and are glad now
+that it can be returned to you."
+
+With a little cry of delight he took the _miriok_ from her, clasped it
+against his breast, prostrating himself before her almost to the ground.
+This he did the second and even the third time.
+
+The sudden coming of Mr. Kit-ze, his mishap, and the scene that followed
+between him and Helen on the river bank had formed considerable of a
+diversion for a part of the crowd. Even the excitement of Mr. Chefoo's
+still unsatisfactory interviews with the polemen had, for a time, paled
+before this newer and greater one. Ere she could extricate herself Helen
+was surrounded by quite a rabble. Many faces were pressing up about her,
+but there was one that attracted her attention in such a way that it
+startled her. It was a somewhat worn and haggard face, with restless,
+piercing eyes, and a nervous twitching of the lips that impressed itself
+upon Helen the moment she saw it. She noticed that its owner's gaze soon
+left her face and fixed itself in the direction of Mr. Kit-ze. The eyes
+had now a startled look. They were fastened upon the _miriok_ that Mr.
+Kit-ze was still holding against his breast, but in such a way that it
+showed plainly. Helen noted this riveted gaze, as she also saw his lips
+moving. By this time her position had become very unpleasant. She felt
+too, a little chill of fear as she looked at this man. Was his mind
+upset? However, Mr. Kit-ze, having recovered his senses along with his
+_miriok_, was equal to the emergency. He safely conducted her out of the
+surging crowd and to the sampan.
+
+Mr. Reid and Mr. Wilburn, with Mr. Chefoo, being informed of the return
+of Mr. Kit-ze, joined them as rapidly as they could in view of the crowd
+that bore them company at the sampan. Considerable satisfaction was
+expressed at the finding of the _miriok_, though the two missionaries
+some hours later expressed themselves quite vigorously to each other on
+the subject.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze, who had by this time profusely apologized for his sudden
+departure, was as anxious as the others to be off. There was no need to
+delay another moment, he assured them. He motioned to Mr. Chefoo to take
+his place in the stern, while he, grasping his long pole, took a similar
+position in the bow.
+
+"Hurrah!" cried Joyce, "we are off at last."
+
+He stood up in his delight, clapping his hands and, as the boat was
+given a sudden turn at that moment, he assuredly would have tumbled over
+the side into the river had not Mallard caught him.
+
+"Better keep your eye on the polemen hereafter," Clarence advised him,
+"ere you try any acrobatic performances on a sampan."
+
+They found some difficulty in getting away from the crowd, many of whom
+followed the sampan for some distance into the water. These Mallard
+finally turned back by the happy thought carried into execution of
+tossing a handful of "cash" toward the shore. The last they saw of the
+village was the scrambling forms in the water, and the line of low
+hovels, built of mud-smeared wattle, with no vestige of windows and with
+their black smokeholes plainly defined.
+
+Yes, they were off at last, really afloat on the glorious Han, _the_
+river of Korea, which, in two branches, sweeps almost across the
+peninsula, forming two great waterways, navigable for flat-bottomed
+craft for more than two hundred miles.
+
+They found the river teeming with moving life. In addition to the
+flatboats there were many junks passing back and forth, for the Han is
+the great artery of commerce for the eastern provinces. Those going into
+the city were laden with produce, pottery, bundles of faggots for
+firewood, and the like, while those coming out held cargoes of
+merchandise, both home and foreign, and salt from the seacoast.
+
+Some of these junks were very old. They carried prodigious sails,
+despite their rotten timbers, and looked as though they might turn over
+at any moment. The most of them creaked horribly, and when our friends
+in the sampan heard one for the first time, they thought for a moment it
+was some great beast in terrible pain. When they found out their mistake
+a hearty laugh went around.
+
+Though the sun was now quite high, and its rays very warm, yet Mr.
+Kit-ze knew the stream so well that he could keep near to the bank. Thus
+for much of the way they had the shade from the trees and from the
+overhanging bluffs. They found their curtains too, much protection.
+Their little sitting room was very cozy and comfortable. Helen had
+brought some oilcloth matting for the floor of the sampan, and a little
+oil stove that they could light when the air was damp and disagreeable.
+Here too were cushions, one or two folding chairs, and the bedding which
+the girls were to use at night, together with the oilskin cases in which
+they kept their clothing, a small supply of books, writing materials,
+etc. In the next compartment forward Mr. Reid and Mr. Wilburn had stored
+their effects, as they were to occupy it jointly at night. Here all
+would dine when they were afloat; here too, the service of morning and
+evening prayer would be held. The three boys slept and kept their
+effects in the compartment just behind that of the girls. The straw roof
+along the ridgepole extended over all, even for a part of the way over
+the small, boxlike quarters of the two boatmen. In addition our party
+was provided with oilcloths for the better protection of the stores, and
+with mosquito netting.
+
+"This is fine, even finer than sailing on the Hudson at home!" declared
+Dorothy, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
+
+"Or the noble Mississippi, down in our Southland," added Helen. "How
+pleasant this is! Oh, I had no idea it could be so delightful!"
+
+"You just wait, my sister, until you strike some of the rapids,"
+admonished Clarence, his face taking on a very solemn expression, "and
+begin to roll about like loose apples in a cart, or find your feet
+hanging where your head ought to be. Then I'm no prophet if you don't
+completely change your form of expression."
+
+"Oh, for shame!" cried both girls in a breath.
+
+"I think it is real mean of you," declared Helen, "to try to spoil our
+enjoyment of the present by introducing into it the suggestion of those
+terrible things that await us. As for myself, I believe in enjoying what
+is sweet and good while we have it, without borrowing trouble with
+reference to what is in the future."
+
+"A philosophy in which I heartily agree," said Dorothy.
+
+There was indeed much to make the trip delightful, for the beauties of
+the spring were all around them, in the sky, in the water, in the green
+knolls overhanging the river. The stream continued to be quite shallow.
+At some places it gurgled over the rocks only a foot or so below the
+sampan. They came now and then to where the cattle waded knee deep in
+the lush grasses. These turned to view them in mild-eyed astonishment as
+they passed by chatting and laughing, then went on with their grazing.
+Flocks of mandarin ducks and wild geese flew by; some of the latter even
+swam close to the sampan. There were too, numbers of the imperial crane,
+and once in a while a pink ibis wading along the edge of a rice field.
+
+Clarence took his gun to shoot one of these, but Helen and Dorothy began
+to beg for its life. "We don't want to eat it, so why destroy it?" asked
+Helen.
+
+"Oh, wouldn't you girls like a wing each for your hats?" asked Clarence
+a little mischievously.
+
+"Oh, no indeed," declared Dorothy. "No bird wing for me! You know that
+well enough, Master Clarence," and she looked at him reprovingly.
+
+"Well, the truth is," confessed Clarence, "I want it for my cabinet. I
+know a young Japanese in Seoul who has promised to show me how to stuff
+all I bring back. In the meantime he has taught me how to preserve them
+while on the trip."
+
+"If you must do it then in--in the cause of science," and here Helen
+looked at him quizzingly, "wait until we can't see you commit the
+murder, won't you?"
+
+"All right," assented Clarence cheerfully. "But see here, sister," with
+earnest protest, "don't call it murder."
+
+"Well, the cruelty of sport then," corrected Helen.
+
+At that moment a shout from Joyce attracted their attention. "Oh, look
+at the pheasants!" he cried. "Quick! Clarence, I know you can shoot one
+or more of them if you try."
+
+Sure enough, there were the pheasants right along the edge of the rice
+field, fine, fat fellows, and many of them.
+
+"Be careful," warned Mr. Reid. "Examine the surroundings well before you
+fire. There might be some one near."
+
+Assured that there was not, Clarence raised his gun. "Beg pardon,
+girls," he said slyly, as he adjusted it to his shoulder. "Pheasants are
+_so_ good to eat."
+
+They gave a little exclamation, then quickly covered both eyes and ears.
+The next moment a report rang out, followed instantly by another. When
+the smoke cleared away five of the birds were seen in their last
+flutterings.
+
+"Now, how are we to get them?" asked Mallard.
+
+"Why, sure enough, I didn't think of that!" exclaimed Clarence in
+dismay. "We can't carry the sampan close enough, that's certain."
+
+Mr. Chefoo was now seen throwing off his sandals and rolling up his
+pantaloons, while Mr. Kit-ze, holding the sampan steady by means of his
+long pole, was giving him some directions. The next moment Mr. Chefoo
+sprang over the side of the sampan and into the water. He slipped once
+or twice as he was trying to make headway over the rocks, and two or
+three times also, he was seen to mire; but notwithstanding these
+difficulties he reached the birds all right, and was soon returning with
+them. As he came again to the side of the sampan it was toward the
+compartment occupied by the boys, the one in the rear of that in which
+all had been sitting since the boat left Han-Kang. He placed his hand
+upon the side of the boat to vault upward, but as he did so a quick
+exclamation escaped him, which the next moment changed to a decided
+whoop as Mr. Chefoo landed full in the compartment. A second or so later
+what was the astonishment of all when he dragged into view by the neck
+of his blouse a man, and began to shake him vigorously. To Helen was
+given something more than astonishment. Her heart leaped up, then almost
+ceased to beat. For the face exposed to view by Mr. Chefoo was the same
+she had seen on the river bank at Han-Kang with the glittering eyes
+fixed upon the red _miriok_ Mr. Kit-ze held.
+
+[Illustration: "HE BEGAN TO SHAKE HIM VIGOROUSLY."]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+BEFORE THE MAGISTRATE
+
+
+The man made no effort to resist Mr. Chefoo, neither did he offer a word
+of protest, but stood silent and sullen, his lean face leaner than ever
+in its side view, his eyes half closed and gazing steadily downward.
+
+"The rogue!" cried Mr. Wilburn. "He was there for no good purpose. Come,
+sir, what have you to say for yourself?"
+
+But still the culprit made no answer. He only raised his eyes and let
+them sweep past Mr. Wilburn, past them all to Mr. Kit-ze, and rest there
+with a deep and burning glance.
+
+"Speak to him, Mr. Kit-ze," said Mr. Reid. "Find out what was his object
+in concealing himself in the sampan. It may be," he continued
+charitably, "that he wanted to steal a ride to one of the villages."
+
+But Mr. Kit-ze, instead of obeying this request, shifted himself a
+little farther away from the man, and seemed to be intent on something
+in the river.
+
+"I think Mr. Kit-ze doesn't want to get mixed up in any trouble," said
+Mr. Wilburn in an undertone. "He probably fears it may end in his having
+to appear before a magistrate. That always means a fine, you know,
+whether one is in the right or the wrong. It is evident, brother, that
+we must adjust this matter ourselves with Mr. Chefoo's help, since Mr.
+Kit-ze plainly doesn't want to take a hand in it."
+
+But neither threats nor persuasions could elicit a word of reply from
+the man. Even Mr. Chefoo's fine speeches failed.
+
+"Can he be deaf and dumb?" asked Mr. Reid finally.
+
+"No, father, he is not," replied Helen positively.
+
+All eyes were now quickly turned to her, astonishment plainly written on
+the faces.
+
+"Why, my daughter, how do you know?"
+
+"Because, father, I saw him in the crowd that surrounded me for a few
+moments on the bank of the river at Han-Kang. I distinctly heard him
+talking to himself, though I could not understand the words. I thought
+at the time," she continued, "from the way in which he regarded Mr.
+Kit-ze, that they might be acquaintances."
+
+As Helen spoke these last words, she turned her head so as to get a view
+of Mr. Kit-ze, but he still persistently kept his face turned away,
+while he seemed to be making aimless search in the river with his pole.
+He was assuredly doing nothing toward the progress of the boat, since
+that still remained stationary in the little rocky inlet toward which he
+had dexterously steered it when Mr. Chefoo had started for the birds.
+
+Desiring that he should understand what Helen had suggested, Mr. Reid
+repeated it to him. The man was no acquaintance of his, Mr. Kit-ze
+emphatically declared.
+
+"I think we had better pitch him into the river," said Mr. Chefoo, "and
+leave him to get out as best he can."
+
+"Yes," said Clarence, "he deserves a ducking, if no more."
+
+"No, we won't be so cruel as that," Mr. Reid replied, "although he may
+have been after no good. We'll go ashore at the next village and leave
+him."
+
+"But first," said Clarence, "hadn't you better search him? He may have
+taken something of value."
+
+"Yes, uncle," said Mallard, "we ought to do that."
+
+To this both Mr. Reid and Mr. Wilburn consented; but, though close
+investigation was made, nothing was found on the man, nothing, at least,
+to which they could lay claim.
+
+Mr. Reid gave the signal for the sampan to be headed again up the river.
+In the meanwhile, Clarence and Mallard kept watch upon the man, who had
+now assumed a squatting posture upon the floor of the sampan. To their
+surprise he began to mutter to himself. But even to Mr. Chefoo the words
+were unintelligible; all except the part of one sentence. In this Mr.
+Chefoo said had occurred the words, "Marble Pagoda," but he was
+evidently still as much mystified as the others.
+
+The village to which they soon came was one of considerable size,
+picturesquely situated in the midst of chestnut groves. There were too,
+many beautiful clumps of the umbrella pine over which vines of red and
+white roses luxuriantly abloom were running riot.
+
+A curious crowd swarmed around them at the landing. There were many in
+it who had never seen a foreigner. The soft hair and white skins of our
+friends called forth the most intense curiosity. Ridiculous too, were
+some of the comments. Question after question was directed to them. Some
+of these Mr. Chefoo answered. To others he paid no attention.
+
+Who were they? Whence had they come? Were their families respectable?
+Did their ancestors occupy tombs on the hillside? Could they take off
+their eyes and pull out their teeth as it had been reported that they
+could? All of these and many more came in rapid succession.
+
+When it was learned that they wanted to put a man ashore a great hue and
+cry was at once raised, and it was positively declared that this could
+not be done until the magistrate was seen and consulted. Thereupon, the
+magistrate's runners, six in number, appeared and assumed control of
+their movements. These runners were gorgeous in light blue coats, wide
+pantaloons of white, and big hats with red tassels.
+
+Yes, the magistrate must be seen, they declared. Nothing else would do.
+In a rash moment Mr. Reid consented to see the magistrate. It is safe
+to say that had he known the result he would at once have headed his
+sampan off up the river again even with its objectionable occupant.
+
+It was finally arranged that Mr. Reid, in company with Mr. Chefoo and
+the stowaway, should attend upon the magistrate while the others
+remained with the sampan. At the last moment Clarence begged to
+accompany his father, and consent was finally given. Mr. Reid could see
+no reason why the stowaway should be carried along with them, as he had
+really done nothing for which he could be punished. Their only desire
+was to leave him ashore. But the runners persisted that it was necessary
+that he too should go before the justice.
+
+The magistrate was seated on the floor of a small platform over which
+matting was spread. Around him, also squatting on their heels, were two
+or three of his assistants. The chief official had on a robe of deep
+blue silk, slashed to the waist at intervals, and with pipings of orange
+silk introduced between. Only a small portion of his crimson trousers
+was showing. On his head was perched a little hat of glazed horsehair
+ornamented with crimson tassels.
+
+Mr. Reid came into the room and very politely bowed to the magistrate,
+while Chefoo prostrated himself, as did the runners. Clarence,
+independent young American that he was, contented himself with saying,
+"Good day, sir," then began to use his eyes to their fullest extent.
+
+[Illustration: "CHEFOO PROSTRATED HIMSELF TO THE MAGISTRATE."]
+
+The magistrate took no notice of their presence. He merely remarked in a
+high key to his associates that foreigners were really demons, and that
+he couldn't see why they had ever been allowed in the country. As to
+himself, he had felt many times like setting up again, on his own
+responsibility, the tablets which, prior to the treaty, had declared
+that all foreigners were cutthroats and robbers, and should be killed on
+sight.[2]
+
+Each of these sentences Mr. Chefoo cheerfully translated to Mr. Reid.
+
+"The old barbarian," declared Clarence. "I feel like giving him a
+shaking."
+
+The magistrate now deigned to become aware of their presence. "Who are
+these who have dared to approach me?" he asked in a big, off-hand way,
+but all the while he was nervously regarding Mr. Reid and Clarence.
+Foreigners, he knew from experience, were not always the chicken-hearted
+people they were declared to be.
+
+The runners told him.
+
+"Well, what is you name, and whence do your come?" was asked of Mr.
+Reid.
+
+The replies came readily.
+
+"How old are you? Has your father gone and left you? and was he an
+honorable man?"
+
+To each of these, in turn, was given a cheerful response.
+
+"Well, what are you doing in the country, anyhow? Do they know you are
+away? Do you get a salary? How much is it?"
+
+After all these queries and many more had been answered to the
+magistrate's satisfaction, he deigned to hear the case that had been
+brought before him. When each detail had been gone over again and again,
+the magistrate put his head to one side, looked as wise as an owl for a
+few moments, and then proceeded to deliver himself of his decision.
+
+By paying five Japanese _yen_ (a _yen_ is one dollar), the man could be
+left ashore; but none of the rest could depart until he, the magistrate,
+visited the sampan and inspected its contents. He further added that he
+might come that evening if business permitted. If it did not, he would
+wait until morning. In the meantime they were to remain tied up where
+they were under the supervision of the runners.
+
+On Mr. Reid's protesting against the injustice of having to pay such an
+amount for the mere privilege of putting a native ashore who had
+concealed himself in his sampan, the magistrate retorted by assuring him
+that he would then charge him, the missionary, that amount for having
+come ashore himself without first having communicated with him, the
+magistrate. Mr. Reid knew very well that such a proceeding was far from
+legal, as he had his passport which he had shown, but at the same time
+he felt it would be better for many reasons to pay the amount than to
+contest the point.
+
+Fortunately, Mr. Reid had provided himself with a few of these valuable
+Japanese coins, which he carried on his person; otherwise he would have
+been subjected to the further delay of sending to the sampan, as the
+magistrate at once let it be understood that he could not depart until
+the amount was in hand.
+
+On their return to the sampan they found that the others too, had been
+having trials in their absence. The curiosity of the crowd had now
+become almost unendurable. Men, women, and children had even climbed
+upon the sampan. They had inspected everything. The two girls had called
+forth the deepest excitement and curiosity. It was their hair that
+caused the most comment, especially Helen's; it was so soft and bright.
+For Helen's hair, though her eyes were dark, was of a light chestnut
+color. One woman had even gone so far as to offer a dozen eggs for a
+piece of it. Then she wanted to handle it, but this Helen declined. The
+woman's eyes and her manner made her nervous. But Dorothy, more assured
+than Helen, took hers from its fastenings, shaking it about her
+shoulders, then stood beyond reach of the outstretched hands, laughing
+merrily at the expressions of countenance and the somewhat wild
+gesticulations.
+
+"Oh, Dorothy, how can you do that?" remonstrated Helen.
+
+"If it gives the poor things any enjoyment, I don't mind," replied
+Dorothy.
+
+"But don't you see that the sight of it that way excites them the more?"
+
+"Oh, it's good as a show," declared Joyce, almost shouting out in his
+delight. "Don't you mind sister, Miss Dorothy."
+
+Things were in this hubbub when Mr. Reid, Clarence, and the runners
+appeared. Mr. Reid joined in the effort to induce the people to withdraw
+from the sampan, but without success. Then the thought struck him that
+he would appeal to the runners. It is safe to say he hadn't the least
+conception of the result or, much as he wanted to get rid of the people,
+he would have hesitated.
+
+The runners at once charged pell-mell upon the surging crowd, shouting
+and yelling as though they were seeking to stampede a herd of cattle.
+Big hats, green coats, topknots, and wide trousers were soon jumbled
+together in a series of kaleidoscopic flashes, then quiet reigned once
+more around the sampan. The runners had done them this much good, if no
+more.
+
+The sun had almost disappeared behind the neighboring hills, and the
+night, traveling fast in that region, would soon be upon them. Still the
+magistrate had not appeared. They felt now that he would not come until
+morning. They were much provoked. Mr. Kit-ze especially showed
+displeasure. He had planned to reach the next town ere tying up for the
+night. There had already been too much delay at Han-Kang. He felt
+considerable compunction over this, and had been doing his best ever
+since to make up for lost time, and now felt thoroughly exasperated over
+this unnecessary detention. But there was no other course save to await
+the magistrate's pleasure.
+
+Supper eaten, with curious eyes all around watching their every
+movement, Mr. Reid prepared for the evening service. "We will go
+ashore," he said to Mr. Wilburn, "and take Mr. Chefoo. The others can
+join in from the sampan."
+
+They had no trouble to gather the people about them. Great was the
+wonder that spread as the services proceeded. A hymn was sung, a prayer
+made, a Bible lesson read, which Mr. Chefoo explained. Then with Mr.
+Chefoo still as interpreter, Mr. Reid began to speak to them. His words
+were about Jesus, our one ever-loving, steadfast friend. Exclamations of
+surprise, then of interest, began to be heard. "Could it be possible,"
+they asked each other, "that there was One in the world who could love
+as this one loved? who could and did give his friendship 'without money
+and without price'?"
+
+As Mr. Reid ceased speaking, an old man approached him. Would the
+honorable teacher tell him again the name of this wonderful Friend? When
+told he kept repeating it over and over. Other touching incidents
+occurred. Many questions were asked. When Mr. Reid lay down to sleep
+that night, it was with the happy feeling that more than a passing
+impression had been made upon some hearts, as it was also with the
+determination that he would come again to break the bread of life to
+these hungry souls.
+
+Even when the crowd had left the sampan, scattered by the impetuosity of
+the runners, Helen still felt nervous. The persistency with which the
+women had pressed about Dorothy and herself, their incoherent words,
+burning glances, and fierce gestures had wrought her up to a high pitch
+of excitement. It was a long while ere she could go to sleep, even
+though her father assured her that it was to the interest of the runners
+to keep close watch upon the sampan. When at last Helen fell into
+slumber, it was to be disturbed by unpleasant dreams. In the midst of
+one of these she awakened with a start. She surely was conscious now,
+and what a moment of horror it was! for a rough hand was feeling its way
+along the meshes of her hair. A voice she knew from both tone and accent
+was no friendly one, was muttering in a manner that made her heart
+almost stop its beating.
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[2] Before the treaty of Korea with the United States, while
+yet it was known as the Hermit Nation, tablets bearing inscriptions
+similar to that quoted by the magistrate were placed at intervals
+throughout the country.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+A FRIENDLY HAIL
+
+
+Helen's first impulse was to scream, but with a great effort she
+controlled herself. Then, reaching up quickly, she grasped the hand
+between both of her own, holding on to it tightly. Instantly there was a
+frightened exclamation, and a violent movement on the other side of the
+straw curtain almost against which Helen's head lay. The next moment,
+the hand was wrenched away, and she heard a heavy splash in the water.
+Peering out through the opening between the curtains, she saw two Korean
+women moving away from the sampan. Thus she knew her midnight fright had
+been caused not through any evil intention but from the exercise of pure
+curiosity. They had but carried into effect the desire for a closer
+inspection of her hair.
+
+So soundly did the other occupants of the sampan sleep that none of them
+were aroused by this incident, not even Dorothy. Thus it was an
+astonishing piece of news to them when Helen told it on the following
+morning.
+
+Dorothy was overcome by admiration for Helen's coolness. "O Helen, are
+you sure you didn't scream, not the least little bit? Oh, I never could
+have taken it as you did," and she drew her breath quickly.
+
+Others besides Dorothy had words of praise for Helen's fortitude. "Nine
+girls out of ten would have gone into hysterics," declared Clarence.
+
+"Put the percentage lower," warned Dorothy, shaking her fist at him in
+well-feigned indignation.
+
+"Well, seven out of ten then."
+
+"Oh, that is much better."
+
+It was long after breakfast when the magistrate condescended to appear.
+Then he kept them waiting an hour or more through his insatiable
+curiosity, for he must needs inspect everything in the boat, even to the
+faggots and the chicken coop. But at last they were off. They had been
+afraid that the man might attach himself to them again ere they left the
+village. However, up to the time of pushing off, they had seen nothing
+of him. He had been dropped on the way from the magistrate's the evening
+before, and evidently that was the last of him.
+
+As they went along now, Mr. Reid and Mr. Wilburn were discussing the
+event, as well as the man's probable meaning when he had muttered the
+words "Marble Pagoda." Both missionaries knew of the old Marble Pagoda
+in Seoul, one of the curiosities of the place, though, strange to say,
+not many seemed to care to go about it. The natives especially shunned
+it, that is, a large percentage of them did. They declared that it was
+filled with demons and haunted by all kinds of evil spirits. It stood in
+one of the foulest parts of the city, just back of a narrow alley, and
+all around it were clustered wretched-looking hovels. It was said to be
+more than seven centuries old. It had been originally thirteen stories,
+but during the Japanese invasion of three centuries before, three
+stories had been taken off. Many of the chambers contained the richest
+carvings, especially that known as the room of the Five Hundred
+Disciples. That had the images of many of the Hindu divinities.
+
+"I understand," said Mr. Wilburn, "that several bits of detached
+carving, some of them representing deities, and others the various
+stages of the progress of Buddha toward Nirvana, or the Buddhist heaven,
+have been found in the old pagoda up to a time within recent years.
+There is the story, not very old, of the young assistant of one of the
+Buddhist priests at a monastery in the mountains, who nearly forfeited
+his life by stealing one of the images that had been brought from the
+pagoda, a very rare and valuable one, by the way. But he escaped by the
+narrowest chance, though the priest hunted and hunted him for a long
+time, and may be doing it yet, for all I know."
+
+"What a fortunate thing for our missionary labors," remarked Mr. Reid,
+"that Buddhism was long ago abolished throughout the kingdom, and only a
+little colony of the priests allowed here and there in remote places."
+
+"Ah, my brother, but there are the horrors of demon worship with which
+to contend, and the stonelike barriers of ancestral worship to break
+away. The former is as bad as Buddhism, where it has taken deep hold."
+
+"As it has in our sampan man here," observed Mr. Reid with a sigh. "Oh,
+if I could only see some impression made on him by our teachings, some
+little inclination toward the truth as it is alone found in the pure
+gospel of Jesus."
+
+"Do not despair. He may turn to the better way in time. It seemed to me
+during the services last evening that he listened more intently than I
+had ever seen him. He seemed to be impressed too, by the questions that
+were asked, especially by the earnest ones of the old man."
+
+"Oh, but he is so persistent in his devotions to that wretched little
+image he has. Only this morning I saw him fondling it. Sometimes I feel
+like taking it from him and pitching it far out into the stream."
+
+"Oh but, father," said Helen earnestly, now joining the conversation
+because she felt that she must, "that would not be best, believe me."
+
+"But how are we to teach them a better worship until we take their
+miserable idols from them?"
+
+"Oh, father, we mustn't tear down to build up. If a man were living in
+an old and insecure house, we wouldn't pull it down over him, for fear
+of the damage it would do. If we were his true benefactors, we would
+simply invite him away from the old and into a better one."
+
+"Well said!" declared Mr. Wilburn, his eyes shining. "You are a true
+reasoner, Miss Helen."
+
+"But so long as they have these horrid images that they believe can
+counteract the evil effect of the demons, they will go on worshipping
+them. We must get them away."
+
+"But not by compulsion, father."
+
+"How then, Helen?"
+
+"By love." She reached out and took his hand as she said the words, and
+began to pat it softly. Her lips trembled but her eyes met his bravely.
+
+"Yes, my dear, yes, I know. When the heart is touched, love is the thing
+then with which to win them. But you can't pelt a stone wall with
+cotton, Helen, and hope to make any impression."
+
+"But, my father, if cannon were used, what would be the result? Only
+devastation. We can't drive these poor things away from their idols. We
+must coax them."
+
+"A woman's way, Helen. But, my daughter, you are doubtless right," he
+said a moment later. "I get so provoked at their persistency, their
+blind infatuation, I feel that I must use force, or at least warn them
+of God's wrath if they persist in their idolatry."
+
+"Tell them of God's love ever waiting to receive them, you mean,
+father?"
+
+"Yes, of God's love," repeated Mr. Wilburn, his eyes moistening as he
+looked at Helen, "the warm sunlight, gentle yet powerful, the one agent
+that, using no force, yet accomplishes what force cannot."
+
+They made pleasant progress all that day and the next. The views of the
+river and from the river grew more and more picturesque. They had now
+passed beyond the range of hills on the highest point of which stood the
+fortress of Nam Han, with its garrison of Korean soldiers. The river had
+grown broader and its banks lower. They passed many beautiful islands
+and had more than one experience with rapids. While navigating these,
+Mr. Reid had insisted on the girls' going ashore attended by Mallard and
+Mr. Wilburn. This they did, joining the sampan a mile or so above after
+some rather exciting adventures with the natives. However, as there was
+no worse spirit displayed than that of curiosity, they suffered more
+annoyance than alarm.
+
+Through a considerable part of that third afternoon they moved along in
+sight of several small villages inhabited by woodcutters and charcoal
+burners. At one of these Mr. Reid said he must stop, not only for the
+night but for much of the next day, for it was one that had been brought
+to the attention of his mission Board as an inviting field for the
+establishment of a station.
+
+At first the people were alarmed when they caught sight of the
+strangers. But on the assurance of Mr. Chefoo and Mr. Kit-ze that all
+were friends, they released their chickens and their queer-looking
+little pigs, not much bigger than rabbits, which they had begun to put
+in pens at the approach of the sampan. They listened eagerly to what the
+missionaries had to say, pressed closely to them during the services,
+and had many questions to ask, all of an earnest character.
+
+The magistrate too, at this place, to whom Mr. Reid had brought letters,
+treated them cordially and offered to assist him in any way he could.
+The chief men were also friendly and assured the missionaries that if
+they wanted to come and teach the new doctrine, they should have
+respectful attention.
+
+One thing in connection with their stay at the village caused special
+happiness to Mr. Reid. Mr. Kit-ze had not only paid deep attention
+during the services, but he had remained thoughtful for some time
+thereafter. He had also come to both Mr. Reid and Mr. Wilburn with
+questions.
+
+They remained all the next day, which was Friday, and that night at the
+village. Early the next morning the sampan was heading again up the
+river.
+
+"Where shall we spend the Sabbath?" asked Mr. Reid.
+
+"At Yo-Ju, I think, exalted teacher," replied Mr. Kit-ze. "If we pass
+the rapids without ill-luck, and push on steadily, we can reach there by
+the fall of the night."
+
+But they had trying times at the rapids, the longest and the most
+dangerous yet encountered, so that the late afternoon found them a good
+half-day's journey from Yo-Ju. They had now come to the mountains in
+all their wildness and ruggedness. Silence fell upon the little party.
+No word could be spoken amid all that awe-inspiring beauty. Then Mr.
+Reid's voice broke the stillness as he repeated the ninety-seventh
+Psalm, "The Lord reigneth."
+
+Though the way was so wildly picturesque on either side, yet the river
+at this place flowed peacefully along, washing about the shore of green
+islets or lapping the steep banks with a gentle murmur.
+
+Suddenly, from the midst of some overhanging vines near which they were
+passing, there came a loud hail. Then a voice added in very good
+English: "Pause, friends! O exalted teacher, do I see you once more?"
+
+"Why, that voice sounds familiar," said Mr. Reid. "Head the sampan
+toward the cliff, Mr. Kit-ze, and let us see what it means."
+
+Mr. Kit-ze had no more than started to obey when a small flat boat came
+out from the overhanging bank and made toward them. It had three
+occupants, an elderly man who was sitting midway of it, and two younger
+ones who were propelling it. The old man was bolt upright despite his
+years, and made an interesting and picturesque figure with his
+snow-white hair, which, as is altogether unusual in Koreans, was falling
+about his shoulders, and with his partly civilized dress.
+
+"Why, it is Mr. Ko!" cried Joyce.
+
+"Yes," said Helen, a smile breaking over her face, "it is he, sure
+enough. Oh, how glad I am!"
+
+"Old friend," cried Mr. Reid delighted, "can it be that I greet you
+again?"
+
+"Yes, exalted master. Your old servant heard you were coming up the
+river. So, lo, since the evening of yesterday he has been watching for
+you."
+
+[Illustration: "THE OLD MAN WAS BOLT UPRIGHT, DESPITE HIS YEARS."]
+
+Mr. Reid now introduced Mr. Ko to Mr. Wilburn and the others. The old
+Korean had lived for years at the capital. There he had known the
+missionary and his family through three or four years. During two of
+these he had lived at the mission as gate-keeper and errand man. Mr.
+Reid had heard that he had inherited some property and had gone away
+from Seoul.
+
+The old man was quite a character. He had shown considerable devotion to
+the missionary and his family, but Mr. Reid, with all his efforts in Mr.
+Ko's behalf, had never been able to get the old man further than the
+admission that the Jesus doctrine was a very fair sort of doctrine and,
+if he only had the time, he would give himself over to the practice of
+it.
+
+Now the old man was delighted at seeing the missionary and his children
+again. They must spend some time with him, he declared. Everything had
+been prepared for them. He had even secured a cook who could give them
+the food as they liked it. Oh, this was a wonderful man, indeed. Only
+yesterday he had come. "The good spirits sent him," asserted Mr. Ko, "I
+am certain they did."
+
+Nothing would do the old man but that Helen, at least, must have a
+glimpse of this wonderful cook the moment she reached the dwelling.
+
+"There he is," said Mr. Ko, with the delight of a child, pointing
+through an opening into the kitchen.
+
+A tall figure was bending over the _ang-pak_, or great rice jar. At
+sound of Mr. Ko's voice he raised his head and glanced around. It was
+the stowaway of the sampan.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+AN ENTREATY
+
+
+Helen uttered an exclamation, then moved toward Mr. Ko. He read the
+expression of her face quickly.
+
+"You know him?" he asked.
+
+"I do not know him, but I have seen him. He was on the sampan with us
+after we left Han-Kang."
+
+"Why, he did not tell me that! He only said that he had seen the
+honorable teacher and that he was coming. But no matter," continued Mr.
+Ko, and looking encouragingly toward the man. "He did not tell me
+because he had some reason not to. It is all right," he added
+cheerfully. "You may go on with the cooking."
+
+"I know him," he said, turning again to Helen. "He was my neighbor in
+Seoul two years ago. He is a good sort of fellow, only there seems to be
+something on his mind. I don't understand that. Never did."
+
+A deep perplexity now came to Helen. She could not decide whether or not
+to let the others know of the presence of the man at Mr. Ko's. She
+finally reached the decision to tell her father and Clarence and maybe
+Dorothy. There was, perhaps, after all, nothing wrong about the man. He
+had really done nothing to arouse their suspicions, only remained silent
+and sullen when he was questioned. She knew that her father believed
+that he had merely been stealing a ride. The only mysterious thing about
+him at present was his having so swiftly preceded them to Mr. Ko's. She
+afterward learned that he had fallen in with another sampan almost as
+soon as he had left them, and had worked his way up the river. While
+they lingered at the villages he had traveled.
+
+Though Mr. Ko had adopted some of the ways of civilization, he still ate
+very much after the Korean fashion. Thus when they sat down to supper it
+was at little round tables not more than a foot or a foot and a half
+high. Instead of cloths, they were covered with sheets of glazed paper.
+Rice was the principal diet. It was set in an earthenware bowl near the
+center of each table. In addition there was a soup of beef and onions
+thickened with barley, a batter bread made of flour and oil and a slight
+sprinkling of sugar, chicken curry, eggs, and rice fritters. Mr. Ko also
+had tea, a rarity for the rural districts of Korea.
+
+As Mr. Ko, Mr. Kit-ze, and Mr. Chefoo ate, they made a great noise with
+their mouths. This was done to show their appreciation of the viands,
+for in Korea, the greater the noise made while eating, the more
+forcefully defined is the compliment to the food.
+
+Mr. Ko's house was much better than that of the average farmer. It was
+built of poles, mud-daubed, but the walls of the principal rooms were
+covered with paper. There were little windows of thick glazed paper
+while the doors were set in frames of light bamboo. The sleeping
+arrangements consisted principally of mats with blocks of wood for
+pillows. In the winter the beds were made over the brick flues that ran
+through the rooms connected with the great oven where the baking was
+done. Thus, in winter, to sleep in a Korean house means to roast and
+freeze by turns, for while the fire is kept up it is hot indeed, and
+when it is allowed to go out then "cold as a stone" gives the literal
+condition of a brick bed.
+
+The house stood in a grove of mulberries, for to his other pursuits Mr.
+Ko added that of silkworm raising. There were clumps too, of the walnut
+and persimmon, with vines of the white and yellow clematis tangled amid
+their branches. Here the birds built, and here they poured forth their
+morning songs or chattered to their mates as they were going to bed at
+night. In front were the fields of wheat and barley, and farther down,
+in the very heart of the valley, the crops of rice. As it was near the
+end of April, the barley was already in ear and beginning to take on its
+russet coloring.
+
+Mr. Ko, being an old bachelor, there were only men about the house. He
+had a saying with reference to which Clarence teased Helen and Dorothy
+rather unmercifully. It was to the effect that where there were women
+there was sure to be trouble.
+
+"Oh, but Mr. Ko likes girls!" asserted Helen. "You can't make me believe
+otherwise, Master Clarence. He and I have been too long good friends."
+
+"What was that I heard him say last night?" asked Dorothy, a mischievous
+light in her eyes, "about sons and how they were like dragon's teeth in
+the sides of their parents?"
+
+Clarence looked rather sheepish at this quick turning of the tables on
+himself, and in a moment or so dexterously changed the conversation.
+
+On the following day, which was the Sabbath, two services were held in
+Mr. Ko's mulberry grove. At the first not many were present, but by
+afternoon scores had flocked to the place from the neighboring farms and
+from the village. Curiosity was plainly depicted on all the faces, but
+as Mr. Reid proceeded, it changed to eager attention on the part of
+several. Mr. Chefoo made a good interpreter. He was both careful and
+earnest. Already the sweet, simple truths the missionary taught were
+beginning to make their appeal to his own heart. It was the old story of
+Jesus and his sweet ministrations to men, his sympathy for them, his
+understanding of their needs, the great, warm, deep love that took in
+all, even the poorest and humblest.
+
+"And this Jesus is the same now as then," continued the missionary. "He
+is waiting to enter each heart and to possess it, to have our lives
+drawn nearer to his own, to bestow upon us the sweet knowledge of that
+companionship with him that may be ours through all the way."
+
+The services were barely concluded when Mr. Kit-ze came to ask
+questions. Gladness was in Mr. Reid's heart as he saw the moved,
+wondering look upon the boatman's face. He wanted to know if this Jesus,
+who could do so much for men, who wanted to be their friend, was very
+rich and powerful? Could he bestow honor and wealth as well as
+friendship?
+
+Mr. Kit-ze was told that the provisions of honor and wealth did not
+enter into Jesus' plans for the happiness of his people. He himself had
+shown his condemnation of the grasping hand, the covetous heart, by
+declaring that he who desired to be the greatest should be the least of
+all and servant to all.
+
+"But he gives that to us which is better than all the honor and riches
+of earth," continued Mr. Reid; "he gives us contentment of life and
+peace of heart. Would not you think these far better than money or land,
+my friend?"
+
+Mr. Kit-ze did not know. He had thought that it would indeed be a very
+fine thing to possess land and cattle and so comfortable a home as that
+of Mr. Ko.
+
+This, then, had been the thought uppermost with Mr. Kit-ze when
+contemplating the character of Jesus, the Divine Friend, and the thought
+of the possible worldly elevation the friendship might bring him. The
+missionary felt a deep pain at his heart as he realized whither Mr.
+Kit-ze's thoughts had led him. But at the same time there was something
+in his attitude to inspire hope. Mr. Kit-ze had been impressed. That
+was plainly evident. His mind was in a deep whirl of thought. Other and
+better things would surely be evolved from it in the end. Many times
+during that day he made fervent petition for Mr. Kit-ze.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze's perplexity increased as one thought after another came to
+him. The exalted teacher had not answered as he had hoped. All was still
+so uncertain, so unsatisfactory. Ah, now he knew what he would do! He
+would go to the daughter of the honorable teacher, to her who had the
+soft voice, the gentle ways, the kind heart. She could make it plain,
+she would tell it so that it would reach his understanding.
+
+Helen's heart leaped as Mr. Kit-ze asked her the questions. She could
+see how deeply in earnest he was. Oh, could it be that he was at last
+awakened, that he would search until he had found the truth, would
+accept Jesus as the one faithful Friend? His first and second questions
+aroused these thoughts; but the third, how it disturbed her, as it had
+also disturbed her father. It was the same question about earthly honor
+and wealth.
+
+"Dear Mr. Kit-ze," said Helen, taking his hand, and at that moment he
+felt that he would have done anything for her, "those who truly love
+Jesus, who have taken him as their Friend, do not think of such things
+in connection with what Jesus does for them. They know that whatever is
+best for them he will send, that whatever of good gifts they will use
+happily, he will bestow. But further than this they do not go, for, Mr.
+Kit-ze, when once we have taken Jesus, we must trust him for everything.
+We must not question or ask him for this thing or the other. Thus, Mr.
+Kit-ze, if you had a worldly friend, one in whom you believed with all
+the mind, in whom you trusted with all the heart, would you not
+willingly follow that friend wherever he bade you go and take everything
+from him as meant for your good?"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Mr. Kit-ze, "oh, yes."
+
+"Well, thus it is with Jesus. When we take him for our Friend, truly
+take him, we do not require anything of him. We leave all that to him
+and only trust him. He loves us. Oh, how he loves, Mr. Kit-ze! He is the
+truest lover in all the world. Could he, or would he, then, do aught
+else but what is best for the one beloved?"
+
+"Oh, daughter of the exalted teacher," said the boatman, his voice
+tremulous with some new-found emotion, "you have put that into Mr.
+Kit-ze's heart which will make him think, think!" He went away with his
+hand still pressed upon his heart and murmuring to himself.
+
+Helen had told her father of the presence of the stowaway in Mr. Ko's
+kitchen, and of her great surprise at finding him there.
+
+"Oh, I suppose there isn't anything mysterious about it, Helen," her
+father made answer; "nothing to be dreaded from him, I know. He looked
+inoffensive enough, though sullen, and you remember we didn't find
+anything on his person. I am only astonished at the rapidity with which
+he has made his way up the river; but from what you have since learned
+and have told me, that too is clear."
+
+Helen was glad her father took the man's presence in this way. She
+really felt sorry for the poor fellow. He had looked at her so
+pathetically the evening before ere she left the kitchen with Mr. Ko,
+and had murmured something in which she caught the words, "No harm, no
+harm." His eyes had not then the burning look she had noticed when they
+were fixed upon Mr. Kit-ze. Instead, they were soft and pleading.
+
+She was ready now to tell Clarence and Dorothy. They had walked down to
+the bluff for a view of the river and of the track of the setting sun as
+it moved across the water like some golden-freighted craft.
+
+Clarence, boylike, whistled his astonishment at the communication. "Why,
+Helen, how did he ever manage to get here so far ahead of us?" he asked
+at length. "It seems almost incredible."
+
+"On a sampan, as I have told you Mr. Ko informed me. There isn't
+anything so strange about that. What troubles me is the feeling that he
+is following us."
+
+"I think this time we followed him," observed Clarence trying to be a
+little witty.
+
+"But he was evidently awaiting us here."
+
+"Then we'll ask him his business," declared Clarence.
+
+[Illustration: "THEN, EXTENDING HIS HANDS, ENTREATED."]
+
+"No, Clarence, no," entreated Helen. "That might be the worst thing. I
+am sure he means no harm. Let us wait and see if he attempts to follow
+us away from here. Then we might inquire into his conduct."
+
+"I feel sorry for him," said Dorothy. "I can't help it, though he may
+mean no good. He looked so pitiful when he was being dragged away to the
+magistrate. He was frightened too, but he didn't have the appearance of
+one who contemplated wrong-doing."
+
+"I feel in that way myself," said Helen. "I----"
+
+But ere she finished the sentence, they were attracted by the noise of a
+step behind them. Turning, they saw the one whom they were discussing.
+With a hasty movement he prostrated himself before them; then extending
+his hands, entreated: "O friends, hear the story of poor Choi-So!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+THE STORY OF CHOI-SO
+
+
+Such a pathetic story as it was for the most part! One that caused the
+young people to listen to it with the deepest interest.
+
+Choi-So's mother had died when he was very young, too young to remember
+her. The woman who raised him had cruelly treated him. She had not only
+half-starved him, but she had often severely beaten him. Choi-So had not
+said it in so many words, but he gave his young hearers the impression
+that this treatment had so dazed him that his head was not altogether
+right. Sometimes he was like one in a mist, as he expressed it.
+
+His father was a very religious man. He was a dreamer too, a bad
+combination, since when one is constantly wandering away in thought,
+many of the plainest duties that are allied to a religious profession
+are apt to be neglected. He was a worker in straw. He made shoes and
+ropes and mats, the latter beautifully woven. He received a fair price
+for his work, and there was no reason why his child should have been
+starved except that the money that ought to have gone to his nourishment
+was appropriated to her own use by an unscrupulous woman while the
+father wove his mats and dreamed.
+
+Mr. Ang-su, Choi-So's father, had spent many years of his life in Japan.
+There he had married Choi-So's mother. There too, he had acquired his
+deep religious convictions. He was a devout Buddhist. As he sat and
+dreamed his young son entered into many of these dreams, was, in truth,
+the chief figure therein. Far better would it have been could he have
+occupied even for half the length of time his father's practical
+thought. Thus it came about that at eighteen Choi-So was sent to one of
+the Buddhist monasteries in the mountains, there to be prepared for the
+priesthood. Five years were spent in the dreary, monotonous routine that
+made up his life there. So many times during each period of twenty-four
+hours, from midnight till midnight again, he must hasten to the temple
+at sound of drum or bell, there to prostrate himself on the stone floor
+before the bow-kneed, brass-faced god, repeating, "_Namu Amit abul!_
+_Namu Amit abul!_" (I put my trust in Buddha! I put my trust in Buddha!)
+One hundred and eight times he did this without stopping, to an
+accompaniment of bells, sometimes sounding soft and silvery, or again
+ringing out with harsh, loud clangor.
+
+He was also taught to take no life, not even that of a mosquito. If one
+troubled him more than he could endure, the venerable abbot instructed
+him that he was simply to get up and "shoo" it gently out of the room.
+His fare was hard and unsatisfying, consisting all the year round of
+rice and pressed seaweed, for no one who lived to the glory of Buddha
+must touch meat. Sad to say, this life was just the one that appealed to
+the melancholy boy. He had inherited much of his father's religious
+concentration and dreaminess of manner. Instead of having the desire to
+run away from this hard life, he daily applied himself the more
+earnestly to the task of learning to please Buddha, of so living that he
+might attain _Nirvana_! That was his highest desire.
+
+One day, just at the close of his five years, he came upon Mr. Kit-ze
+stranded upon the river bank, bruised and broken. He had had a desperate
+struggle for life in the rapids. Three ribs were broken and an arm badly
+injured. He had lost his cargo, and had very nearly lost his sampan;
+but, injured though he was, he had managed to cling to the latter and to
+get it safely to shore. However, it would need much in the way of
+repairs ere it could be used again. Choi-So, in deep pity for the
+wounded boatman, went for help, and had him assisted to the monastery.
+Mr. Kit-ze was conducted through the great arched gateway and into the
+reception hall. There the venerable abbot had come to him, and uttered
+the words of welcome, "Peace be unto you," and had then bidden that he
+be led away and his wounds treated.
+
+For two weeks Mr. Kit-ze had remained at the monastery. He had
+ingratiated himself into the favor of the priests. Especially had he won
+the trust and goodwill of Choi-So. The young man was his devoted
+attendant. The boatman was given many privileges. He was even permitted
+to look through a small sliding panel upon the priests at their
+devotions. This room, to which the monks were called so many times each
+day to their prayers, began to hold a deep fascination for Mr. Kit-ze.
+Its rich carvings, its many images, above all, the great bronze statue
+of the Buddha with the various smaller ones grouped about it, so chained
+his attention that for moments at a time he would continue to gaze as
+though spellbound.
+
+Choi-So had explained to him the mission of these smaller images. They
+were to teach man the various stages through which he was to pass ere
+Nirvana could be attained. Thus they were helps in the progress of life.
+Any one of them could bring to mind what man hoped, what he inherited
+through the strength and the faithfulness of Buddha. Much of this was
+unintelligible to Mr. Kit-ze. He knew nothing of Buddha, nor cared to
+know. But the images represented something that did appeal to him. This
+much he understood, or at least thought he understood. Any one of them
+brought good fortune to its possessor. That is the way he had read
+Choi-So's explanation.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze's mind was ripe for a suggestion of this kind. Among the
+losses he had sustained through the catastrophe in the rapids was one he
+felt more keenly than the others. Deeply superstitious, as is the
+greater part of his race, Mr. Kit-ze believed devoutly in the efficacy
+of certain charms. A grotesque figure he had carried on his person for
+years had again and again helped him to elude the demons that waited for
+him in the rapids. But for this his sampan would never have had the many
+safe journeys through the dangerous parts of the river, and but for the
+loss of this image during the earlier part of his late struggle in the
+rapids, calamity would never have befallen. He must replace this charm,
+this wonderful image of protection and helpfulness. What better could be
+found than what was here represented in this chamber, sacred to the
+great god before whom the priests prostrated themselves, and of whose
+power they made such astonishing recitals? Had he not been informed of
+the marvelous things that could be accomplished through the possession
+of even one of the images, of the part each bore in the fortune of man?
+He could not enter the chamber himself. He must work through Choi-So.
+
+[Illustration: "HE WAS PERMITTED TO LOOK ... UPON THE PRIESTS AT THEIR
+DEVOTIONS."]
+
+Poor Choi-So was in a sore state of mind at that time. Again and again
+he had felt, as he had described himself, like one walking in a mist.
+His father had recently died. For weeks now he had remained unburied, a
+custom very prevalent in Korea until such a funeral as the mourners
+desire can be given. His savings had been squandered by the wife who had
+so ill-treated Choi-So. There was nothing with which to lay the corpse
+away as the dutiful son felt would be fitting. So he waited and waited,
+praying and hoping and longing for the means to do honor to his father,
+or else become a wretched, miserable son, despised of all who knew him.
+It was then that Mr. Kit-ze tempted him, repeating the temptation until
+poor Choi-So had finally yielded. The image was stolen, but, to Mr.
+Kit-ze's shame, only a part of the price agreed upon had been paid. When
+Choi-So had followed him, beseeching the remainder, it was but to be
+cast off roughly. Another time he was threatened with the magistrate,
+and with exposure. This last threat drove Choi-So back to the monastery.
+But the theft had been discovered and traced to him. A companion priest
+informed him in time for Choi-So to make his escape ere the terrible
+punishment in store overtook him.
+
+Since then he had been a wanderer. He knew that his brother priests had
+sent one of their number in pursuit of him. His one object now was to
+recover the image, return it, and suffer the consequences. He could
+never be happy again until he had done it. He could never attain
+_Nirvana_ until reparation had been made and the image placed once more
+in the mystic circle about the Buddha. For three years now he had
+wandered in search of Mr. Kit-ze, but as the boatman had moved away from
+his old quarters at Seoul, poor Choi-So, for all his search, had never
+laid eyes upon him until that day on the river bank at Han-Kang.
+
+This story had been told in a broken way, and as Choi-So had but a small
+knowledge of English and his youthful listeners far from a full one of
+Korean, it was only by putting it together piece by piece, one supplying
+a link here and another one there, that they finally understood him.
+
+"Oh, friends," he entreated, holding out his hands pathetically to his
+hearers, at the conclusion of his story, "pity the sorrows of poor
+Choi-So. Help him to recover that which is the only thing that can bring
+peace to him again!"
+
+"The red _miriok_!" exclaimed Clarence, and looked at Helen
+significantly.
+
+"Yes," said Helen, "the red _miriok_. I had already felt that it had
+something to do with this poor man's following us."
+
+Then she told them of her impressions on the river bank as she had first
+noted Choi-So and the manner in which his gaze had been riveted upon Mr.
+Kit-ze and the red _miriok_. "Poor thing," she continued, her eyes fixed
+pityingly upon Choi-So, "it is all very serious to him, and we can see
+how he has suffered through it."
+
+"But how can we help him?" asked Dorothy. Her sympathies too were deeply
+aroused. "Mr. Kit-ze will never give up the image, I fear," she
+continued.
+
+"We might make him do it," said Clarence quickly, "or pay him to do it."
+
+"No," said Helen emphatically; "we cannot. Neither will do."
+
+"What then?" asked Clarence.
+
+"We might win him to the better way," said Helen softly. "We might coax
+him to give up this wretched little image for the sweeter things we
+could help him to attain."
+
+"What! Mr. Kit-ze?" cried Clarence incredulously. "Never! He is too
+hardened."
+
+"Clarence, how wrong to say that! Has not God's love shown its power to
+reach even those more hardened than Mr. Kit-ze?"
+
+"But what can we do for this poor fellow here?" repeated Dorothy.
+
+Helen turned her eyes upon Choi-So. As she noted the lean and pallid
+face, the deep-set eyes in which the light of fanaticism burned
+steadily, courage, hope, both left her. "Oh, I am sure I don't know!"
+she cried in despair.
+
+Just at that moment Mallard was seen hastening down the path toward
+them. From the manner in which he came they felt sure he was the bearer
+of a message of some kind. "I have bad news," he said as he approached.
+
+"Oh, what is it?" cried Helen, thinking instantly of her father.
+
+"Do not be alarmed, cousin," he hastened to assure her. "It is nothing
+so dreadful. There has been an accident. Mr. Chefoo slipped at a steep
+place on the river bank, fell, and has broken his arm."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+A THEFT
+
+
+Yes, Mr. Chefoo had broken his arm. It was too bad! for aside from the
+pain and discomfort that it gave him, how were they to get on with the
+sampan without him? It is true, it was not a very severe fracture, only
+one of the smaller bones having been broken; but it would be at least
+two weeks ere he could use it again. In the meantime, what was to be
+done? Mr. Kit-ze could not manage the sampan alone. Some one must help
+him pole as well as keep the boat within the proper channel. It would be
+a very one-sided and unsatisfactory progress if the sampan were
+propelled from only one end.
+
+Mr. Ko thought of a half-dozen men who were at hand, but none were
+reliable. It would be better without them than with them, especially as
+there were rapids to be passed. Mr. Ko was very much disturbed over the
+accident to Mr. Chefoo, because of its having occurred at his place. He
+was sure a demon had caused it. It was the demon in the well, he finally
+decided, since Mr. Chefoo had been at the well ere proceeding down the
+path where the accident occurred. The demon must be appeased, he
+declared, and forthwith proceeded to throw rice into the well. Now Mr.
+Chefoo's arm would rapidly mend, he asserted.
+
+Monday morning had come, and still there seemed no prospect of resuming
+the journey to Yo Ju.
+
+"We must get on," said Mr. Reid, "our time is limited. We must make some
+arrangement for an assistant for Mr. Kit-ze."
+
+Mr. Chefoo had now a high fever and was unable to sit up. It had been
+decided to leave him with Mr. Ko until their return, which would be in
+about three days, as they were not going much beyond Yo Ju.
+
+In the midst of their perplexity Mr. Ko came to them with a beaming
+face. He knew the very thing! Why had he not thought of it before? They
+could take Mr. Choi-So. Now that his honorable guests were about to
+depart, he, Mr. Ko, would not need his cook. Mr. Choi-So himself was
+anxious to go along with them. He had approached Mr. Ko on the subject.
+He was an excellent poleman, quick and careful. He had several times
+assisted in carrying sampans up and down the river, twice for Mr. Ko
+himself. Besides, he bore an excellent character. Mr. Ko knew him. He
+had known his father too.
+
+"I see no reason why we shouldn't take him," said Mr. Reid.
+
+[Illustration: "HE FORTHWITH ... PROCEEDED TO THROW RICE INTO THE
+WELL."]
+
+But Mr. Wilburn opposed this. He had not liked the man's concealment of
+himself in the sampan, neither had he been favorably impressed by his
+appearance on that occasion. His sullen, hang-dog look had betokened
+anything but innocence. He could have been after no good. Mr. Wilburn's
+suspicions had been strengthened by the presence of Choi-So at Mr. Ko's.
+
+Neither Mr. Reid nor Mr. Wilburn had learned the story of the red
+_miriok_, or image of Buddha, as it ought more properly to be
+designated. The young people, after consulting among themselves, had
+decided to tell no one, at least not until they could agree on some
+plan. Mr. Choi-So had given them his confidence. He evidently trusted
+them and believed that they could help him. If he wanted the others to
+know too, then he would tell them. He showed plainly that he feared Mr.
+Wilburn and was not at ease with Mr. Reid. Helen and Clarence both felt
+that they wanted their father to know, but they respected Mr. Choi-So's
+feelings. Perhaps he would himself tell the missionary.
+
+Things were in this unsatisfactory state when Mr. Choi-So's offer to
+attend them as poleman was made known. The young people were pleased. It
+was the very thing, they thought. It would give them more time to decide
+upon some action, for the desire was now keen with each one to secure
+the _miriok_ from Mr. Kit-ze and return it to Mr. Choi-So.
+
+"The poor fellow will go demented if we do not," declared Clarence. "He
+is half crazy on the subject, anyhow. We can at least try to give him
+peace of mind."
+
+"I wish we could give him something else," added Helen wistfully.
+
+"But we can't," asserted Clarence; "at least not now. His mind is too
+upset about the _miriok_. Besides, Mr. Kit-ze has really treated him
+dishonestly. He ought to be made to give the image back to him. The poor
+fellow has pinched and saved until he has the amount Mr. Kit-ze paid, so
+he told us."
+
+"Oh," said Helen, "if only I could talk to this poor Choi-So so that it
+would go to his mind and then to his heart, how happy I should be! If
+only I could show him that this image for which he is willing to
+sacrifice life itself is only a wretched little piece of metal!"
+
+"But he ought to carry it back," said Clarence.
+
+"And run the chance of being thrown into a dungeon, fed on bread and
+water, and kept there perhaps for years without ever hearing of a single
+one of the sweet and precious things Jesus wants to do for him? Oh, it
+is dreadful! He had better lose the _miriok_."
+
+"And lose his mind with it? No, my sister, believe me that is not the
+right way for poor Choi-So. Let us get the _miriok_ for him--that is, if
+we can--and perhaps afterward we may induce him to return it by
+messenger and listen to us."
+
+Mr. Wilburn was finally induced, through Mr. Reid's clear and forceful
+way of presenting the matter to him, to withdraw his opposition to
+Choi-So's accompanying them as poleman; but not so Mr. Kit-ze. He had
+been the last one to discover Choi-So's presence at Mr. Ko's, and this
+had been only a short time before the stowaway's offer to take Mr.
+Chefoo's place. The old boatman made quick and stormy objections. He
+would not, he declared, permit such an idiot to handle a pole of his
+sampan, for he was one who had no sense for moving his hands two ways at
+once. If ever he had had any sense it was under his arm, for it
+certainly had never been put into his head for the lack of room there.
+
+But after a time Mr. Kit-ze grew cooler and seemed, to some extent, to
+be ashamed of his outburst, especially as Helen had now drawn near to
+him and taking his hand, was gazing at him reproachfully.
+
+"Don't say that, Mr. Kit-ze," she said. "You don't really know that he
+can't help you with the sampan, do you?" regarding him steadily. "Only
+try him, won't you? Think what it means to us to be delayed here. Oh, we
+must go on, and you must help us, Mr. Kit-ze, by your consent. Perhaps
+it will only be to Yo Ju, as we may find another poleman there to suit
+us."
+
+Thus Helen pleaded, and little by little Mr. Kit-ze's heart relented,
+his opposition relaxed, till he at length agreed to Choi-So's
+accompanying them as far as Yo Ju. But the stipulations were that he was
+not to move from his end of the sampan, and at night he was to leave
+them.
+
+"Mr. Kit-ze is afraid of him," commented Mr. Wilburn. "He can read the
+rascal in him as plainly as I can."
+
+"I hope it will be proved ere we part from our poleman, that both you
+and Mr. Kit-ze are mistaken," said Mr. Reid earnestly. "I can't believe
+that there is anything vicious in the man. He hasn't at all that
+appearance to me. To my eye it is more an anxiety to get up the river
+than anything else I can detect."
+
+Mr. Ko was pleased that they had finally decided to take Mr. Choi-So.
+"You won't regret it," he asserted. "He'll take you over the rapids
+better than any one I know; and," he concluded, looking at Mr. Reid a
+little peculiarly, "it's my opinion you won't dismiss him at Yo Ju. At
+any rate, I'll have you a good poleman by the time you come back."
+
+By ten o'clock they were ready to be off, having bidden good-bye to poor
+Mr. Chefoo after having spoken all the consoling words to him they
+could.
+
+In honor of their departure, Mr. Ko had donned a spotless suit of white.
+He had also sought to enhance his appearance by adding an immense pair
+of spectacles, which he had purchased at considerable outlay, from an
+old scholar. It mattered not that one lens was entirely lacking and the
+other was so badly cracked that it was a question as to whether Mr. Ko
+could use the vision of that eye with any satisfactory effect. All the
+same, he stood upon the bank waving his fan majestically, his little
+black eye gleaming from out the great round space where the lens ought
+to have been, and all the time shouting out to them in Korean, "Come
+back again to-morrow!" That meant, "Return as soon as you can."
+
+Mr. Choi-So soon proved his right to all the good things Mr. Ko had
+spoken of him. He was an excellent poleman, both alert and careful. He
+helped engineer the boat safely through the rapids in a manner that
+called forth grunts of approval from even Mr. Kit-ze.
+
+About four o'clock in the afternoon they came in sight of Yo Ju. Besides
+being a city of considerable size, it was noted as the birthplace of the
+queen, and the king had caused two or three public structures to be
+erected in her honor.
+
+There were many sampans, junks, and other rude craft at anchor in front
+of the city, and they had much difficulty in making their way through
+them. But at length they reached the shore safely. They had not more
+than tied up when an immense crowd began to gather about the sampan,
+even wading out into the water. The crowd was not only curious, but
+annoying. They handled the clothes and hair of our friends, and even
+tried to run their hands over their faces. But to this not only protest
+but resistance was offered.
+
+Soon after reaching the bank, Mallard had climbed out on an end of the
+sampan and steadied his camera for a snap of the city. He thought it a
+splendid opportunity, as the sun was falling full upon the great gateway
+and the queer looking buildings grouped near to it. He at once attracted
+the attention of the crowd. Great curiosity was aroused as to his
+intention, and soon men, women, and children were rushing toward him.
+They clambered up the side of the sampan. They pressed about him until
+there wasn't space to hold another foot. They poked fingers into eyes
+and ears and nose; they shouted in glee as they caught the flash of the
+lens in the instrument, and tried to pull it out. In consternation
+Mallard endeavored first to protect himself, then his camera, and was
+finally pushed into the water, saving the latter from both a smashing
+and a wetting by the narrowest margin.
+
+The same curiosity followed them as they went up into a gate tower for a
+view of the city. The crowd pressed about them so they could barely
+enter. Even after they began to ascend the stairs the curious throng
+crowded about them so that the entire space was filled. When they
+attempted to come down again, to their consternation they found they
+could not. They had finally to make their way back from the outside, a
+rough and somewhat dangerous undertaking. Fortunately neither was Joyce
+nor were the two girls with them.
+
+"This will never do," said Mr. Reid. "We must get away from this
+terribly curious crowd, for the annoyance they give us will become more
+than a burden after a while. Mr. Kit-ze, is there no place, not so far
+away, where we can tie up without the prospect of having such curiosity
+as this to endure?"
+
+"Yes, honorable teacher, not so far away is the temple of the great
+Dragon. There are overhanging trees, a quiet river bed, and not many
+people who will come to gaze."
+
+"Then let us go there by all means. To-morrow morning we'll find our
+chance to enter the city."
+
+They made their way out through the forest of river craft and up the
+stream again. The great temple stood directly on the banks of the Han,
+some little distance from the city. It was a beautiful spot,
+picturesquely so, for in addition to the brick and stone pagodas that
+gleamed through the trees, there was a number of small islands clustered
+about, covered with low-growing verdure and spangled with the blossoms
+of the pink and white azalea.
+
+The temple in itself had much with which they could occupy their time.
+Among other things was a quaint bell, in a perfect network of dragons,
+said to be more than five hundred years old. But as the sun was near to
+its setting as they came to anchor in a quiet spot along the banks, they
+decided to do no exploring for that afternoon.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze had spoken truly, "there were not many who came to gaze."
+Though it was a kind of outlying village and had several hundred
+inhabitants, yet only a few of them appeared on the arrival of the
+sampan. Most seemed closely occupied with their pursuits. However, a
+little group of women and children pressed near to the sampan, but no
+one proved offensive except a mutang (sorceress), who, in the end, gave
+them considerable trouble. She contended that she must be given two
+_yen_ so as to decide for them whether or not the Dragon would be
+pleased at their stay in the front of the temple. She finally fell to
+one _yen_, then to six hundred "cash," but still our travelers paid no
+attention to her.
+
+She had an evil eye, Dorothy asserted, and further declared that she
+knew she could not sleep that night for thinking of her.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze showed even more impatience with her than the others. They
+didn't need her divinations, he told her, for they had that with them
+that could overcome any evil from the dragon. Then he injudiciously gave
+her a view of the red _miriok_. How her keen little black eyes glowed as
+she caught sight of it! and the sudden look she cast upon Mr. Kit-ze
+made Helen, who was closely watching the scene, feel uneasy despite
+herself.
+
+Helen had been earnestly regarding Mr. Kit-ze through a large part of
+that afternoon. There was that in his manner that at times disturbed
+her, but again it seemed as though hope were creeping into her heart. He
+had been absent-minded and dejected for much of the way, but now and
+then he had aroused himself. At such times he had turned with keen
+glances in the direction of Choi-So, studying every lineament of the
+young man's face, it seemed to Helen. Always these searching looks were
+bestowed upon Choi-So when he was not in turn regarding Mr. Kit-ze.
+Helen was sure that better feelings were stirring at the heart of Mr.
+Kit-ze on these occasions, for she could see how his eyes softened and
+his lips moved nervously as he continued to gaze.
+
+According to agreement Choi-So had been dismissed as night approached;
+but Helen, who had been very observant, was sure he was not far away.
+Indeed, while walking on the bank for exercise, she had caught sight of
+his face from a small clump of bushes only a few steps from where she
+was. She decided at once that she would not call attention to him. Her
+heart was tender for him. She did not believe that he would do harm.
+Soon silence settled down around the sampan, for its inmates had retired
+to rest. Several hours of the night passed away. All were supposed to be
+asleep except Mr. Kit-ze, whose watch it was. But, after a while, Mr.
+Kit-ze too yielded to slumber.
+
+Suddenly Helen awoke. It was with a strange, restless feeling. It seemed
+to her that there had been an uneasy consciousness even in the midst of
+her slumber. She tried to go sleep again, but could not.
+
+"I think the air in here must be a little too close," Helen thought
+after a few moments. She raised herself and leaned toward the heavy
+curtain of straw. Then she rolled it partly upward, secured it to the
+fastenings, and looked out. She was sleeping at the side of the sampan
+next to the shore. All was quiet. She could see no one. Then she let her
+eyes glance toward the bow of the boat. Mr. Kit-ze was huddled down in
+his little boxlike apartment sound asleep.
+
+"Oh," said Helen, "this will never do! I must call my father to awaken
+him."
+
+But even as she started to move toward her father's apartment, she
+stopped again, almost transfixed. A hand had cautiously made its way up
+the side of the sampan, and was now directing itself toward Mr. Kit-ze's
+breast.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+AN ARRESTED SACRIFICE
+
+
+The hand moved nearer and nearer Mr. Kit-ze's breast; a moment more and
+it had buried itself in the folds of his robe. Even as Helen continued
+to gaze like one transfixed, ere yet she had the power to recover
+herself, a face appeared above the hand. But it was not the face she had
+expected to see--that of Mr. Choi-So. Instead, the moonlight showed her
+clearly the repulsive countenance of the old _mutang_.
+
+There are moments when sudden excitement leads us into a line of action
+our cooler moments would by no means approve, when quick emotions bring
+impulses that are followed without a pause for reasoning. Such a time
+had now come to Helen. Mr. Kit-ze was being robbed. She could see that
+plainly. The thief was the old _mutang_, and the object of her theft, it
+almost instantly flashed into Helen's mind, was the red _miriok_. In
+truth, even as the intuition came to her, she saw the hideous little
+image in the woman's hand.
+
+All Helen's energies were now bent toward a frustration of the old
+woman's design of carrying away the _miriok_. She, Helen, must recover
+it ere the _mutang_ got off with it. For if the _miriok_ disappeared,
+how could she ever carry out her good intentions for either Mr. Kit-ze
+or Choi-So? All would be frustrated. For would not Mr. Kit-ze be
+violently angry? and would he not at once charge the theft to Choi-So?
+And what might not happen? As to poor Choi-So, he would surely grow
+demented when he found that the image had gone beyond his reach--oh, she
+felt that he would!
+
+In her sudden excitement, Helen never stopped for reasoning. Hence it
+did not occur to her that her testimony would exonerate Choi-So with Mr.
+Kit-ze, nor that, so far as the part relating to Choi-So was concerned
+the old _mutang_ might be located and the stolen image recovered.
+
+All that Helen then thought of was the recovery of the _miriok_. She
+must get it and at once. Even now the woman was slipping away with it.
+If she waited to arouse the others the old woman would be gone, for at
+the first sounds of alarm, she would speed away like a hunted animal up
+the bank. Helen knew the magic influence of money, especially of shining
+_yen_. Had not the old woman shown her greed for them during the
+afternoon? If the _miriok_ could be recovered, it would surely be
+through the agency of the _yen_.
+
+Both girls had lain down in the loose wrappers they wore for comfort
+during a part of the day. In the pocket of hers Helen had her purse.
+Besides a few smaller silver pieces there were in it three _yen_.
+
+She leaned quickly over Dorothy; she placed her arm under her neck and
+gently shook her, all the while whispering: "Get up quickly, dear, and
+come with me. Don't speak out, don't question; only come and be quick!
+quick!"
+
+Fortunately, Dorothy was not hard to arouse when once she had been
+touched. Like some even heavy sleepers whom a vigorous call cannot
+awaken, the touch was like magic. In a second or so she was fully awake,
+and gazing at Helen in deep wonder but alert.
+
+"It is the red _miriok_!" said Helen to Dorothy again in a whisper. "The
+old _mutang_ has come and stolen it from Mr. Kit-ze. He does not know
+it, and there is no time to arouse him and the others. We must recover
+it. If we are quick we can overtake her before she gets away. Then this
+will accomplish the rest," she added, confidently holding up the purse.
+
+The _mutang_ had now sprung down from the side of the sampan into which
+she had crept, and was moving rapidly up the slight incline when Helen
+and Dorothy in turn reached the bank. She saw them almost instantly and,
+with a muffled cry, very much like the growl of an animal, increased her
+speed.
+
+"Stop!" said Helen in low tones, and as persuasively as she could.
+"Stop! We only want to talk to you. We mean no harm."
+
+But the old woman either did not understand them or she would not stop.
+It was evidently the latter, for as much as she could, she quickened her
+pace. But swift as she was, Helen and Dorothy were even swifter. They
+were only a pace or two behind her as the top of the bank was reached.
+
+It was not far from daylight. The signs of the approaching dawn had
+already begun to appear along the eastern sky. At the brow of the bluff
+and stretching away from the temple, was the village of rude mud huts,
+with now and then a more pretentious one showing in their midst. There
+was one principal street which ran along between the rows of huts. The
+_mutang_ made for this with Helen and Dorothy close behind her.
+
+"Stop!" entreated Helen again, and louder than before. "Oh, do stop! We
+mean no harm. We only want to talk to you." But the more earnestly she
+entreated, the more determined the old woman seemed to be to resist her,
+to escape from her.
+
+Helen had now drawn near enough to lay hold of the old woman's clothing,
+but her grasp was violently shaken off, as the _mutang_ sprang away
+again with renewed energy.
+
+The two girls, intensely excited, stuck to the chase. All their thoughts
+were concentrated upon it; their one desire to overtake the old woman
+and to induce her, by offering _yen_ in exchange, to return the
+_miriok_. Absorbed in these thoughts, this desire, they lost sight of
+all else, especially of how every moment that they were getting nearer
+and nearer to the woman they were going farther and farther away from
+the sampan.
+
+[Illustration: "'STOP!' ENTREATED HELEN!"]
+
+"Oh," said Helen breathlessly, "we must overtake her! We must get her to
+give us the _miriok_. We can't let her escape with it in this manner,
+for what then could we do about poor Choi-So and Mr. Kit-ze?"
+
+"Yes," replied Dorothy, "we must get it back. I am like you, Helen, I
+can't bear to see the old woman get off with it. Oh, every time I think
+of that poor man Choi-So and his melancholy, pleading eyes, I feel that
+we must keep on, that we must overtake her and secure the image by some
+means!"
+
+"Why," said Helen suddenly, "I have forgotten to tell her about the
+_yen_ I have for her." Then she began to call, holding up her purse:
+"See! I have _yen_ for you. Stop and let me tell you about it."
+
+At last she had used the magic words. At sound of them, twice repeated,
+the _mutang_ slackened her pace. Then she turned her head. Encouraged by
+these signs, Helen renewed her efforts.
+
+They were now some distance into the village, and a half-mile or more
+from the sampan. The red glow of the coming morning had fully dyed the
+east. Already there were signs of stirring life in the huts about them.
+Then too, the noise of running feet and of Helen's loudly spoken words
+had attracted attention. One by one forms began to appear on the street.
+Soon there was quite a group in the neighborhood of the pursued and
+pursuers. By the time Helen had succeeded in gaining the old _mutang's_
+interest, there were many curious spectators surrounding them.
+
+"What is all this commotion about?" asked one man as he approached. Then
+as he noted the _mutang_ he stopped respectfully. The old woman had now
+paused in her running, and had turned toward Helen. "What were the
+words? Say them again."
+
+Helen repeated them.
+
+"Why are you running after me in this way? Why do you offer me _yen_?"
+she now asked angrily.
+
+Helen told her as simply and as plainly as she could.
+
+At this the old woman's eyes blazed more than ever. But she seemed to
+take a second thought, and asked cautiously, "How many _yen_?"
+
+"Two," replied Helen, closely watching her face.
+
+The old woman shook her head vigorously, then began to stamp. "Too
+little! too little!" she said. "Your head is under your arm to think I'd
+be such an idiot!"
+
+Then she set off again.
+
+"Three!" called Helen desperately, for she knew this was the limit of
+her resources so far as _yen_ were concerned.
+
+"No! no!" shouted the old woman. "Too little! too little! Five or none."
+
+As the last sentence was uttered, she turned to see its effect on Helen,
+but as there was not the response she expected, she renewed her efforts
+to get beyond their reach.
+
+"Oh, if I only had my purse too!" said Dorothy. "But I gave it to my
+brother yesterday just before we left Mr. Ko's."
+
+In her despair Helen called after the old woman again and again to stop,
+to turn back with them to the sampan, promising her the _yen_ she
+desired if only she would do so, and further assuring her that no harm
+should come to her, for Helen knew Mallard would gladly supply the
+amount of _yen_ she lacked. She would tell him about the _miriok_. She
+had been intending to do it the first favorable opportunity.
+
+There was now quite a hubbub in the street, for in addition to Helen's
+calls and Dorothy's added entreaties, there were the shrill cries of
+defiance of the old _mutang_ herself. People had come running from all
+directions, and their loudly voiced questions and exclamations added to
+the noise. Among others there came five runners, the court officers of a
+near-by _yangban_ (gentleman), who was serving as magistrate.
+
+When they saw the two girls they began to cry out something against the
+hated foreigners, and three of them at once took Helen and Dorothy into
+custody, while the other two hastened away to capture the _mutang_. They
+were too hardened to mind the old sorceress and her wiles. Moreover, the
+court was no respecter of persons.
+
+Helen and Dorothy were now much frightened and, for the first time,
+began to realize what they had done in setting off on this mad chase
+after the old _mutang_.
+
+Helen was the first to recover herself. "I guess," she said, "it won't
+be so dreadful. They won't dare hurt us. And soon our dear ones in the
+sampan will come to the rescue, for surely we can get them word. Anyhow,
+it won't be long ere they miss us, and they'll search the town over till
+they find us."
+
+A young man, whom Helen declared looked more honest than any of the
+others, was soon engaged, in consideration of the offer of two of
+Helen's smaller silver pieces, to carry the news of their predicament
+to the sampan. But alas for Helen's confidence! After securing the
+silver he had taken only about a dozen steps toward the river when,
+overcome by curiosity to see the thing out, he turned back.
+
+The _mutang_ had now been captured, but not until she had made such
+vigorous resistance that not only the clothing of the runners had been
+torn, but their faces also scratched.
+
+In close company with the old _mutang_, and with the runners encircling
+them so that there could be no chance of escape, and a leering, hooting
+mob following them, the two girls were conducted along the street to the
+house of the _yangban_.
+
+"Oh, Dorothy," said Helen, "this is dreadful!" and, in her pain and
+mortification, she sought to conceal as much of her face as she could
+with her hands.
+
+"Yes," said Dorothy, on the verge of tears. "Oh, Helen, it would have
+been better, many times, to have let the _miriok_ go."
+
+"No," said Helen, "no!"
+
+It was now sunrise, but far too early for the magistrate. They were
+informed that they must wait an hour or more.
+
+Dorothy and Helen were finally permitted to enter the women's
+apartments. They afterward learned that it was through the overwhelming
+curiosity of the _yangban's_ chief wife. At the entrance they were laid
+hold of by the serving-women and fairly dragged into the apartment.
+There they had a trying experience which lasted nearly an hour. To them
+it seemed five times that length. Their clothing, their faces, and their
+hair in turn were inspected, and by each wife. They were bidden to take
+off their shoes, their wrappers, and other wearing apparel, and each
+wife in turn must try on each article. But the bulk of the curiosity was
+directed toward Helen's hair. It seemed that the women would never tire
+of handling it. They even wanted to cut it off, and but for Helen's
+heroic efforts, aided by Dorothy's quick ingenuity, would have
+succeeded.
+
+At length they were summoned before the _yangban_, the wives, unable to
+restrain their curiosity, following them to the room, where they sat
+behind a screen.
+
+The _yangban_, who was quite a young man, was lounging on his platform
+and smoking an immense cigar. He was dressed in a pea-green silk robe
+confined by a red girdle, and on each hand was a very showy
+paste-diamond ring.
+
+He had ordered the outer door to be thrown open, and had allowed as many
+of the curious crowd to enter as could be accommodated within a certain
+space. Near him stood his interpreter, for he had early been informed
+that two of the accused were foreigners. After smoking awhile in
+silence, he commanded the offenders to be brought before him for the
+usual form of questions. He began with Helen. As she stepped a little
+apart from the others, and nearer to the magistrate, in her earnestness
+to tell him her story, she happened to raise her eyes for a moment and
+let them rest upon the crowd gathered at her left. As she did so a
+little muffled cry escaped her. There, standing almost in the front
+line, and with his dark eyes fixed mournfully upon her, was Choi-So. How
+had he come there? Afterward she learned that he had not been far away
+from the sampan, and, sleeping very lightly because of the thoughts that
+disturbed him, had been attracted by the sound of running feet and by
+Helen's calls to the old woman. He had overtaken them just as they had
+been arrested and started to the _yangban's_. He had heard Helen try to
+tell one of the runners the cause of the trouble. He had gleaned just
+enough to set him on fire with interest and excitement. For an instant
+Choi-So's presence at the magistrate's court so disconcerted Helen that
+she could not remember the words she had been on the point of uttering.
+But soon more confidence returned, and she began bravely to tell her
+story.
+
+The magistrate listened patiently, but he was evidently full of
+curiosity and deeply excited over the appearance of the two young girls.
+Though he had seen the white foreigners on the streets of Seoul, yet he
+had never before been brought in such contact with them. The fearless,
+earnest manner of both girls impressed him and had much to do with his
+decision.
+
+The _mutang_ should return the image, he declared. He had not asked to
+see it yet, and so was in no wise impressed by it. Helen and Dorothy had
+proved to be of such tremendous interest that all minor objects had been
+for the time obscured.
+
+Yes, the _mutang_ should return the image, and the _yen_ that Helen had
+offered should go to himself.
+
+This decision was barely rendered when there came a communication from
+his chief wife. He appeared to frown over it for a few moments, all the
+while smoking hard. Then he further announced, and in the most laconic
+manner, that Helen was to sacrifice her hair ere receiving the image.
+
+A cry of dismay escaped Helen, while Dorothy, hot with indignation,
+began to pour out her protests, first to the magistrate, then to Helen.
+
+"It can't be done! You can't think of such a thing! Don't! _Don't!_"
+
+"Oh, yes," said Helen, who had now grown strangely quiet and calm. "It
+isn't such a dreadful sacrifice, dear. There are many far worse. I can
+endure it. My hair will grow out again. Oh, surely it is worth this when
+we remember what it means to get back the _miriok_!"
+
+All the while she was speaking, though she was looking at Dorothy, yet
+Helen saw those mournful eyes that she knew were fixed upon her from the
+other side of the room.
+
+"Take the scissors, Dorothy," she entreated. "I had forgotten until now
+that I had my folding ones here in the little case in my pocket. Oh, it
+will be so much better for you to do it, dear, for I couldn't bear any
+of those rude hands to touch me."
+
+Dorothy took the scissors, but still making vigorous protest.
+
+"Do, Dorothy, _do_, my dear," pleaded Helen.
+
+With trembling hand Dorothy grasped the rich, shining braid. The
+scissors were raised; but ere the two gleaming blades could close on the
+glossy strand, a voice cried out authoritatively:
+
+"_Stop! Stop!_"
+
+Helen and Dorothy raised their eyes simultaneously. It was Mr. Kit-ze.
+He had pressed to the extreme limit of the line of spectators, and with
+his hat gone, his clothing in wild disorder, his eyes gleaming like two
+globes of fire, was gesticulating frantically to the magistrate.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+"ONE SOUL"
+
+
+Mr. Kit-ze continued to gesticulate and to cry out to the magistrate,
+although those near-by sought to restrain him. He even tried to pass the
+barrier, but was each time pushed back by the guards.
+
+The magistrate at first appeared not to notice him, but after a while,
+overcome by his curiosity, he turned his head and called to Mr. Kit-ze:
+"What do you want, fellow? I'll put you in the _cangue_[3] if you don't
+cease that noise."
+
+"A word!" cried Mr. Kit-ze. "A word with you, O most high and exalted!"
+
+The magistrate eyed him a moment nonchalantly. Then he said to a runner:
+"Bring him here."
+
+Mr. Kit-ze approached and, falling upon his heels, prostrated himself
+three times before the _yangban_, touching his forehead to the floor
+each time.
+
+As he arose, there fluttered from his fingers a strip of yellow ribbon,
+and those who were near to him saw stamped upon it in red a dragon with
+four wings and tongue extended.
+
+"See!" said Mr. Kit-ze, as he held it before the magistrate. "See! O
+renowned son of a renowned father. O most exalted, I claim the promise."
+
+A look of intelligence began to dawn in the magistrate's eye. He looked
+closely at the streamer of yellow ribbon. "Go on," he said to Mr.
+Kit-ze. "Go on, but keep your head above your shoulders, so as to make
+clear what you are trying to say."
+
+"On a blessed day for your poor, miserable servant," began Mr. Kit-ze,
+"your exalted person came down the Han in a craft that went to grief in
+the rapids. Your polemen, losing their heads, deserted, and but for the
+assistance of the unworthy being now speaking to you and his poleman,
+there would have been neither craft nor cargo belonging to your exalted
+self to enter Seoul. You gave me _yen_, but you gave me this too,"
+holding the ribbon nearer as he spoke, "and your most eloquent tongue,
+that always speaks straight, declared that if there was ever anything
+this miserable wretch desired of you that could be granted, it should be
+so."
+
+"I remember," said the magistrate. "Go on."
+
+"I ask you now, O renowned and honorable, to spare the hair of the
+daughter of him who is known as the exalted teacher," and here Mr.
+Kit-ze turned toward Helen, who, ever since his sudden appearance, had
+been regarding him with a questioning if not puzzled wonder. How had he
+come there, and where were the others? Had he alone learned of their
+whereabouts, and how had it so happened?
+
+"Take instead something of your wretched servant's," continued Mr.
+Kit-ze to the magistrate, "and leave undisturbed the beautiful strands
+that are a happiness to her whom they adorn and a joy in the eyes of
+those who love her."
+
+"Oh, Mr. Kit-ze," said Helen softly, a great, warm flood of feeling
+sweeping over her heart as she comprehended what he had asked and noted
+the deep earnestness in his eyes as he turned them upon her, "don't mind
+about my hair; please don't. It won't be so dreadful to me to lose it.
+Don't get yourself into trouble for my sake," and now she laid her hand
+upon his shoulder in earnest pleading.
+
+"I'll fear to suffer nothing if done for _you_, O daughter of the
+honorable teacher." And now his eyes were misty with feeling as their
+gaze lingered upon her.
+
+"Come, is this all you want?" asked the magistrate impatiently and
+evidently resenting the conversation now going on between Helen and Mr.
+Kit-ze.
+
+"Yes, it is all your wretched servant has to ask of you," replied Mr.
+Kit-ze. "O most honorable," he began to plead, "spare, I entreat you,
+the beautiful hair of her who is the daughter of the exalted teacher,
+and nothing more will I ask of you. Nothing!"
+
+"But the _miriok_, Mr. Kit-ze, the _miriok_?" said Helen in an undertone
+and surprised that he had seemed to take no thought of it in his appeal
+to the magistrate. For he surely had heard enough of the proceedings to
+understand why she and Dorothy had been brought before the _yangban_.
+
+"The _miriok_?" said Mr. Kit-ze softly and looking at her with eyes
+whose confidence touched her beyond expression. "He will give you the
+_miriok_. He has said it."
+
+Then, as a sudden, strange expression came into his eyes, he glanced up
+quickly and straight toward the line of spectators. "There is another,"
+he said, his lips moving nervously, "and I must!" He paused; then she
+heard him say again, "Oh, I must!"
+
+Helen's heart leaped. Did he mean Mr. Choi-So? Had he seen him among the
+spectators? It was more than likely that he had, as the latter stood
+near to where Mr. Kit-ze was when he began to gesticulate to the
+magistrate.
+
+"I can't see why your request shouldn't be granted," said the magistrate
+after a pause, and to Mr. Kit-ze; "especially as you have brought that
+at sight of which no gentleman could break his word," and he pointed to
+the streamer of yellow ribbon that Mr. Kit-ze still held. "I remember
+the service. Now let me hear the request again."
+
+Mr. Kit-ze repeated it with all the eloquence that heart and tongue
+could bestow upon it.
+
+"Take the image from the old woman and give it to the young foreigner,"
+said the magistrate, "and there will be no cutting of her hair," he
+added firmly.
+
+As he uttered the last sentence, he threw his head up and glanced
+somewhat defiantly at the screen behind which he knew his wives were
+sitting. But the chief lady of his household was inexorable. Another
+message came to him, and quickly. She would renounce her desire for all
+of Helen's hair, but she must have some of it. A strand would now
+suffice her.
+
+"No," said Mr. Kit-ze, "no!" and moved nearer to Helen as though to
+protect her. "It must not be!"
+
+"I can spare a strand," said Helen soothingly to Mr. Kit-ze, "without
+its ever showing where it has been cut."
+
+Then she turned to Dorothy. "Help me undo the braids quickly, dear, and
+get a part of one of them. You will know where to cut. Get a good-sized
+piece," she added with a smile. "We must give her her curiosity's
+worth."
+
+As the braids were loosened and the strands swept in shining waves over
+Helen's shoulders, falling below her waist, there was a chorus of quick
+exclamations, followed by prolonged murmurs of astonishment. Only Mr.
+Kit-ze groaned.
+
+Urged by Helen, Dorothy severed the portion of hair, which was at once
+conveyed to the _yangban's_ chief wife. They could hear the excited
+expressions that sounded from behind the screen.
+
+Mr. Kit-ze looked miserable. He stood with folded hands mournfully
+regarding Helen. His eyes said plainly, though his lips did not, "I
+tried to save it. If only you had let me!"
+
+"Dear Mr. Kit-ze," said Helen, "how I do thank you for----"
+
+But here she stopped, for the runner, who had at length succeeded, with
+the assistance of another, in getting the _miriok_ from the old _mutang_
+was now offering it to her. He was also demanding for the magistrate the
+yen that had been mentioned.
+
+Helen gave them to him, then reached for the _miriok_. But how her hand
+trembled! A pang too struck her heart. How different was the feeling to
+that with which she had thought she would receive the _miriok_ if only
+she could succeed in recovering it! Though it had been stolen from Mr.
+Kit-ze, yet her chief thought when pursuing the old _mutang_ had been of
+poor Choi-So, and of how frantic he would be should the _miriok_ pass
+away from him. Now the _miriok_ had been given back to her. She stood
+there with it in her hand. But there too stood Mr. Kit-ze, and she felt,
+if she did not see, his burning glance fixed upon the image in her
+clasp. How much he had dared for her! For it is considered a serious
+matter in Korea to interrupt a magistrate in the midst of his court.
+With what earnestness and eloquence had he pleaded for her hair, seeming
+to forget even the precious _miriok_ in his desire to save to her that
+which he knew was pleasing to herself and a delight to her loved ones.
+He had even used his one claim to the favor of the magistrate in her
+behalf.
+
+Yes, there stood Mr. Kit-ze with burning eyes regarding her, and there
+too, not more than ten paces away, was Choi-So. Only the moment before
+she had seen him, standing at almost the same spot and in almost the
+same position, his eyes riveted upon her every movement. How singularly
+quiet he had been! But it was, she felt, the quiet of concentrated
+emotion--emotion that might at any moment break forth.
+
+Oh, what was she to do? A fervent prayer winged its way upward as she
+thought quickly, intently. Now of all times she must not make a mistake.
+The peace of a soul, maybe in the end the peace of two souls, was at
+stake. Suddenly her resolution was formed. She would give the _miriok_
+to Mr. Kit-ze, then, when they were released from the court and were
+away from all those inquisitive eyes, she would bravely plead with him
+to return it to Choi-So. She would see Choi-So too. She would entreat
+him to wait and to leave it to her.
+
+"Mr. Kit-ze," she said, speaking slowly and trying to make each
+expression plain to him, "I saw the old woman when she robbed you. I
+called to Dorothy, for I knew I had not the time to awaken you and the
+others, and we chased her. Oh, how anxious we were to get the _miriok_
+for--for----"
+
+But she could not tell him yet. Besides, the magistrate was through with
+them, and was even now instructing the runners to conduct them away.
+
+As they turned to leave the room, Helen gently pressed the _miriok_ into
+Mr. Kit-ze's hands. "Take it," she said; "but later, when we get away
+from here, I must tell you something."
+
+His fingers closed about it nervously, and he paused for a moment as
+though his emotion at receiving it again had overcome him. Then she
+heard him murmur, "Wrong, wrong. I must give it back," and, ere she
+could speak to him, he had moved hastily away.
+
+Surprised, Helen, with a word to Dorothy, turned to follow him. After so
+bravely coming to the rescue, was he going to abandon them in that
+strange place to make their way back to the sampan alone?
+
+"Stop, Mr. Kit-ze, stop!" entreated Helen.
+
+"Oh, do wait for us, Mr. Kit-ze!" pleaded Dorothy.
+
+He paid no heed to them, only kept on; and now Helen, for the first
+time, realized whither he was going. It was straight toward Mr. Choi-So.
+Her heart almost stopped beating. What would happen? She must follow him
+and know. As she reached them, it was to see Mr. Kit-ze holding the
+image toward Choi-So, and to hear his tremulously uttered words, "Sorry.
+Sorry. It was wrong. She showed me."
+
+Then he raised his head and added another word, but with almost pathetic
+entreaty, "Go!"
+
+"No," said Helen quickly, "no," and reached out her hand to detain Mr.
+Choi-So, but too late.
+
+With a muffled cry of joy that fell distinctly upon the ears of those
+around him, Mr. Choi-So grasped the image, dropped something into Mr.
+Kit-ze's hand and, turning, sprang away. He passed swiftly through the
+crowd that opened at once to let him by, believing that he was running
+in search of his mind, as they expressed it, and to their journey's end
+the inmates of the sampan did not see nor hear of him again.
+
+[Illustration: "'SORRY. SORRY. IT WAS WRONG! SHE SHOWED ME.'"]
+
+"Oh, Mr. Kit-ze," said Helen, "I----"
+
+But the sentence was never finished, for a joyous cry from Dorothy
+arrested her in the act of speaking the words, and, at the same time,
+she felt an arm slipped about her waist and heard a voice deep with
+emotion saying, "My daughter, this has been dreadful for you."
+
+It was her father, and there too, was Mallard. How rejoiced they were to
+find her and Dorothy safe.
+
+Soon the story of the search for them was told, and then Helen, for the
+first time, had light on a subject that even in the midst of far more
+engrossing things had caused her much wonder. This was as to how Mr.
+Kit-ze had found his way to the court-room without the others.
+
+The old boatman had slept on until sunrise. The other inmates too had
+finished their morning naps, had performed their toilets, and were ready
+for breakfast ere the disappearance of the two girls was discovered. It
+was after repeated calls and numerous sarcastic remarks on Clarence's
+part had failed either to bring them forth or to win even a retort from
+them, that Mr. Reid had raised the curtain of their sleeping apartment
+for an examination. But still their absence had not caused alarm, for
+the first thought was that they might be walking on the bank near by.
+However, as a search in that direction failed to discover them, a well
+defined fear soon spread. In a short time it became evident that they
+had either wandered away and become lost or had been abducted.
+
+It was quickly arranged that Mr. Reid, Mr. Kit-ze, and Mallard should
+set off in search for them, while Mr. Wilburn, Clarence, and Joyce
+remained to take care of the sampan.
+
+In the town they soon heard of the arrest; but as there were two
+magistrates, there were, of course, two trails to follow, as no one they
+met seemed to know before which one the girls had been carried. In the
+eagerness of inquiry, Mr. Kit-ze became separated from Mr. Reid and
+Mallard and, while they went on the wrong trail at first, he went on the
+right one, arriving almost as soon as the court had begun.
+
+There was a joyful reunion at the sampan. Only Mr. Kit-ze looked sad.
+Helen watched for the first opportunity to speak to him when alone and
+said: "Oh, Mr. Kit-ze, that was a good, brave thing you did. How glad it
+has made me!"
+
+The gloomy look began to leave his face. He turned toward her, a joy
+awakening in his eyes. "I did it," he said, "because you told me."
+
+"I?" asked Helen astonished. "Oh, no, Mr. Kit-ze, I never told you."
+
+"Not with lips, but with eyes," declared Mr. Kit-ze. "Oh, when you
+looked at me so, I knew I must. I felt it here," laying his hand with a
+pathetic movement on his heart. "And when you talked to me, daughter of
+the most honorable teacher, oh, it was like light coming, coming, that
+is almost here."
+
+"But how did you know that I knew about the _miriok_?" she asked, now
+more astonished than ever.
+
+"I heard him. The day on the bluff. Oh, how frightened poor Kit-ze, and
+wretched, wretched!"
+
+So he had heard Choi-So tell the story, and though he had hotly
+protested against his accompanying them as poleman, all the time
+vigorously declaring to himself that he would never give up the
+_miriok_, yet the seeds of better things had taken root in his heart,
+were even then beginning to push their tender shoots upward. And how
+Helen's deep interest, her kindness to him, her evident concern, above
+all, the sweet, earnest words she had spoken--how these had brought just
+the nourishment to make the seed grow! The hand that no harsh force of
+compulsion could ever have made give up the idol to which it clung had
+brought it tremblingly to the feet of love, won by its all-conquering
+power.
+
+They turned back from the old temple above Yo-Ju after thoroughly
+exploring it. They also spent a day in Yo-Ju, where Mr. Kit-ze
+fortunately found a poleman whom he knew and in whom he had confidence.
+They stopped at Mr. Ko's long enough to pick up Mr. Chefoo, whom they
+found well on the road to recovery, and to leave with their old friend
+some remembrances brought from Yo-Ju.
+
+What a joy it was to Helen, on the homeward journey, to watch Mr. Kit-ze
+coming more and more into the light.
+
+It was one afternoon, just as they were passing along beneath the
+beautifully verdured bluffs that indicate the nearness of the mountain
+range which encircles Seoul, that Dorothy, slipping her arm with warm
+pressure about Helen's waist, laid a book across Helen's knee with a
+passage marked.
+
+After a moment, Helen looked up, her eyes suffused with tears, for this
+is what she had read:
+
+     Perchance in heaven, some day, to me
+       Some blessed saint will come and say:
+     "All hail, beloved, but for thee
+       My soul to death had fallen a prey";
+     Then oh, what rapture in the thought
+     One soul to glory to have brought.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The End
+
+FOOTNOTES:
+
+[3] A wooden collar worn by Korean offenders against the law.
+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:
+
+The chapter headings in this work contain illustrated capitals. For the
+text version, these have been removed.
+
+All formatting has been removed, with italics changed to underscores,
+bolded text replaced by = signs, and small capitals replaced by
+all-capitals.
+
+
+
+
+
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