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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78208 ***
+
+[Illustration: ㆁ ㅎ ㄱ ㅋ ㅁ ㄴ ㄹ ㅂ ㅍ ㅅ ㄷ ㅊ ㅌ ㅈ
+
+아 야 ㆍ 어 여 으 이 오 요 우 유
+]
+
+
+
+
+  WINNING BUDDHA’S
+  SMILE
+
+  _A Korean Legend_
+
+  ADAPTED AND TRANSLATED BY
+  CHARLES M. TAYLOR
+
+  [Illustration]
+
+  BOSTON
+  RICHARD G. BADGER
+  THE GORHAM PRESS
+
+
+
+
+  COPYRIGHT, 1919, BY RICHARD G. BADGER
+
+  All Rights Reserved
+
+  Made in the United States of America
+
+  The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A.
+
+
+
+
+  TO
+  MY MOTHER
+
+  WHOSE DESERVING FAR OUTSTRIPS
+  MY POWERS OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+
+Many of the best portions of Chinese literature are readily obtainable
+in an English dress. From time to time bits of Japanese literature pass
+before English-reading eyes. But Korean literature remains, as it has
+remained for years back, virtually a thing unknown and unappreciated.
+
+“Winning Buddha’s Smile” is one of the oldest existing specimens of
+Korean literature. Both the author and date of its original composition
+are unknown, but it is reasonably certain that it was well known in a
+dramatic form about the close of the fourteenth century.
+
+At one time when religious dissension was rife on the peninsula, many
+of the monuments of a rich and abundant literature, especially those
+tinged with Buddhistic doctrines and thought, were consigned to the
+bonfire. In some manner, our legend escaped this wholesale literary
+destruction, and it is here presented to English readers with the hope
+that it will meet with an indulgent reception by the ever-widening
+circle of those who take an interest in the things of other peoples and
+other lands.
+
+The translator is indebted to a French version of the original text,
+made by the Korean scholar, Hong-Jong-Ou, which was published under the
+auspices of the Musée Guimet. He has attempted to preserve the simple,
+child-like form of the narrative and has made few alterations in it,
+and these only when clearness and the English idiom required them.
+
+                                                                C. M. T.
+
+
+
+
+KOREANS WHOSE FOOTSTEPS CROSS THE PATHS OF OUR LEGEND
+
+
+SUN-YEN, the Benevolent, whose Virtue and Goodness lead him from
+Prosperity through Adversity unto Prosperity again.
+
+CHENG-SI, the Fair, his daughter.
+
+SAN-HOUNI, a scholar and friend of Sun-Yen.
+
+YENG-SI, the scholar’s wife.
+
+SAN-SYENG, the scholar’s son, whose Merit findeth pleasure in the sight
+of Heaven and taketh him unto High Offices.
+
+JA-JO-MI, the Unscrupulous, Prime Minister of Korea.
+
+KI-SI, the young Prince of Korea.
+
+SU-RUNG, a murderer and thief.
+
+SU-YENG, the robber’s brother, a goodly man by way of contrast.
+
+YENG-SO-YEI, a daughter of Korea.
+
+OU-PUNG, a Sister of Religion and a follower of the True Path.
+
+HONG-JUN, an innkeeper.
+
+
+
+
+  I
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+WINNING BUDDHA’S SMILE
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+
+In the far away days of the olden time when the earth was still in its
+childhood and when the city of Hpyeng-Yang was the capital of Korea,
+there was numbered among its inhabitants a high dignitary of the
+Court, Sun-Yen by name, who owed his exalted position solely to his
+intelligence and capability.
+
+Although very rich, Sun-Yen looked down upon no one. On the contrary,
+he sought diligently to help all those who came within his sphere of
+influence. His greatest happiness lay in alleviating the sorrows of
+others. He was, therefore, beloved by the people who saw in Sun-Yen a
+most disinterested protector in whom they had absolute confidence.
+
+Now one day, all things changed as all things sometimes do. Fortune, so
+long favorable to Sun-Yen, forsook him. Formerly happy and influential,
+our friend (for call him such we will) was to become the most
+unfortunate and the most miserable of men. It was due to the following
+circumstances.
+
+The King of Korea was giving a grand and sumptuous banquet to the
+Governors of the various provinces and the ladies of the Court.
+The occasion was a very merry one. Shouts of joy and the chords of
+harmonious music were heard on all sides. When Sun-Yen was informed of
+this, instead of rejoicing with the others, he became a prey to great
+sadness. To get away from his own thoughts, he resolved to go visit his
+friend, San-Houni, one of the greatest scholars of Korea. So Sun-Yen,
+the benevolent, set out accompanied by his servant--a faithful and
+trusted fellow.
+
+While on his way thither, his attention was suddenly drawn to a great
+crowd of people by the roadside. “Go, see what is the matter,” he said
+to his servant. The latter hastened--as all good servants do--to obey
+his master’s orders. He made a way through the crowd which had gathered
+and soon learned the reason for the gathering.
+
+They were about to carry away several people who had died by the
+highway. As soon as the servant saw this ghastly spectacle he returned
+to his master and told him what had taken place. Sun-Yen was profoundly
+moved when he heard it but, losing no time in passive sympathy, he
+summoned a police agent, of whom he demanded, “Do you know what caused
+the death of those unfortunates?”
+
+“Yes, sir, they died of hunger.”
+
+“Why not carry them away then instead of leaving them there on the
+road?” continued Sun, in a tone of reproach.
+
+“I was about to do exactly as you suggest, sir,” said the agent, who,
+with a quickened step, went toward the group which by this time had
+increased materially.
+
+Sun did not continue on his way to see his friend, San-Houni. He went
+direct to the Palace and was immediately ushered into the presence of
+the King.
+
+The monarch accorded Sun a hearty welcome, saying, “It has been a very
+long time since I have had the pleasure of having you come to see me.”
+
+“Sire,” replied Sun-Yen, “I rarely leave the comfort of my humble home.”
+
+“And what is it that keeps you so close at home?”
+
+“Sire, either my duties or sickness. The reason I have come to see you
+to-day is because I have a very important revelation to make to you.
+Several of your subjects have just died of starvation by the roadside.
+The thing at first appeared incredible to me. I could not believe that,
+if my King knew the sad conditions in which so many of his people are
+living, he would give himself up to pleasure as you are doing. However,
+I have secured the evidence. Just a few moments ago, I saw with my own
+eyes three wretches who had died from want of food.”
+
+These words seemed deeply to impress the King who, with a trace of
+emotion in his voice, inquired of Sun, “Tell me, what should be done?
+I can scarcely believe that this misfortune took place while I was
+leading this life of idleness and pleasure.”
+
+“Sire,” continued Sun-Yen respectfully, “here lies the source of the
+whole trouble. Who pays the expenses of your amusements? Your people
+and no one else, and the Governors instead of doing their duty are also
+leading a frivolous and even vicious life. You can believe the words of
+your old servant whose devotion to your interests you are well aware
+of.”
+
+“I thank you for this frankness,” rejoined the King, “but candidly I
+can hardly credit what you have just told me. I shall look more fully
+into this affair.”
+
+At these words, Sun left his sovereign and went home and told his wife
+what he had done--the mark of a dutiful husband.
+
+“You acted nobly,” she said, “but my intuition tells me that your
+devotion to the King will cost you dearly.”
+
+“Why?” asked Sun.
+
+“The King will not follow your advice. This is the course things
+are going to take, mark my words. The Governors, forewarned by your
+complaint, will not allow themselves to be injured and their pleasures
+curtailed, and upon you their anger will surely fall. Yes, I fear the
+consequences of to-day’s work.”
+
+“Reassure yourself, my dear, the King took my words in a very good
+spirit and he has never yet made light of my advice.”
+
+“I hope with all my heart that you are right. Let us see what time will
+bring forth.”
+
+The King in reality did change his way of living. His conduct made him
+a bit remorseful. He promptly followed up Sun’s complaint and summoned
+his Prime Minister.
+
+This official, who was named Ja-Jo-Mi, came immediately. He was a man
+whose severity of character and conduct had earned for him a terrible
+reputation. Although no one knew of it, he had conceived the scheme
+of usurping the throne but up to the present time had revealed his
+intentions to nobody.
+
+The King demanded of his Minister, “Have you nothing new to tell me?”
+
+“Absolutely nothing, sire.”
+
+At these words, the King cried in an excited voice, “What, you, the
+Prime Minister, and you do not know that several of my people have just
+died by the roadside and that their death was caused from lack of food?
+If there is any one who should be well informed about what is going on
+in my Kingdom, it should certainly be you.”
+
+“Sire, from whom did you get this news?”
+
+“From Sun-Yen.”
+
+“Ah, I can scarcely understand how this can be. I have just received
+the reports from the police and I did not see a single word on the
+subject of this affair, therefore, I am quite astounded.”
+
+“However that may be,” said the King, “I command that this evening’s
+fete shall not continue an instant longer.”
+
+“Your orders shall be executed. Sire, as soon as I have carried them
+out I shall return to my office and secure what testimony I can about
+this matter. The guilty parties shall have their just deserts.”
+
+Bowing humbly before the monarch, Ja-Jo-Mi withdrew. A few minutes
+later and the Palace, which formerly echoed to the shouts of
+merrymaking, was in complete silence.
+
+The Prime Minister, upon retiring to his office gave himself up to
+reflection upon the situation. He was greatly troubled because he
+feared that he might be removed from his office by the revelations of
+Sun-Yen. “That fellow is an infernal nuisance and might bring down the
+King’s wrath upon my head. To prevent a recurrence of such things there
+is but one thing to be done--to get rid of him by sending him into
+exile. With this dangerous fool out of the way, nothing, nor nobody,
+can oppose me in the execution of my ambitious designs and I can easily
+secure the throne.”
+
+Such in substance were the reflections of the Prime Minister, but
+it would be necessary to find a pretext for the exile of Sun and
+Ja-Jo-Mi, the clever, was not long in devising a scheme.
+
+He resolved to write a letter to San-Houni full of bitter criticisms
+and threats against the King. This letter he would sign with the name
+of Sun-Yen. Then he would place it in the King’s hands with the story
+that it had been found on the road by a police agent.
+
+No sooner said than done. The letter was written. Ja-Jo-Mi, adopting
+a disguise, left his home and, dropping the missive in the path of an
+agent of police, passed on in the darkness of the Korean night. When
+the agent walked by he picked up the letter and naturally glanced
+around but there was no one in sight. He carried the note directly to
+his chief so that the latter could look over the contents and restore
+it to its owner.
+
+The Chief of Police read the letter through with great astonishment.
+Desiring to give a proof of his zeal, he ran to the palace and in a
+mysterious manner demanded an immediate audience with the King. The
+monarch had the Chief of Police brought to him at once and was given
+the forged letter. One can well imagine the surprise of the King.
+Anxious for light upon the amazing situation he again called his Prime
+Minister.
+
+Ja-Jo-Mi, the clever, came with dispatch. The King passed over to him
+the malicious letter, asking if he believed that Sun-Yen was really
+the author. The Prime Minister pretended to read the communication. He
+saw that the King was in a state of uncertainty and he determined to
+take advantage of it in order to ruin Sun-Yen, once and for all time.
+
+“Sire,” he said, “it often happens that we are deceived by those whom
+we deem most faithful. As far as Sun is concerned, I consider him
+perfectly capable of this infamous business. I have known for a long
+while that he has been thinking and dreaming of taking your place on
+the throne. As for the annoyance which he caused you a short time ago,
+he was the principal instigator of that himself.”
+
+“That’s enough, my faithful Ja-Jo-Mi. Have Sun thrown into prison. He
+will be tried immediately.”
+
+The Prime Minister, rejoicing over his triumph, had Sun-Yen taken into
+custody. When the King was informed of his arrest he went personally to
+interview the prisoner.
+
+“Do you recognize this?” he shouted in rage, holding out the letter.
+
+Words fail to give an idea of Sun’s astonishment. He realized that he
+was the victim of a devilish plot but such was his stupefaction that he
+could utter nothing in his own defense. He burst into tears.
+
+The King continued: “I would never have believed this of you.”
+
+“Sire, I know nothing of this,” wailed the wretched Sun.
+
+These words irritated the King.
+
+“Ah, you understand nothing,” he cried. “Tell me, then, who is the
+writer of this letter?”
+
+“In any case, it was not I, sire.”
+
+“Of course. Now just listen to me. You have heard the proverb about the
+smoke?”
+
+“Yes, sire.”
+
+“Well, you know where there is smoke there is fire. I mean by this
+that if you had not been moved by evil intentions, you would not have
+addressed this letter to your friend.”
+
+“Sire, I see whence comes this evil. The revelations which I recently
+made to you have stirred up hatred in the hearts of certain personages
+who desire to bring about my ruin. There’s a black heart at work. I
+swear to you that I am innocent.”
+
+“So that’s all you have to say for yourself? That’s enough.”
+
+The King withdrew, leaving Sun in despair. He ordered the Prime
+Minister to banish Sun at once and designated his place of exile as
+Kang-Sin. San-Houni, who was also compromised in the plot, was exiled
+to Ko-Kum-To.
+
+Escorted to his home by an agent of police, Sun told his wife what had
+happened. The unfortunate woman was prostrated with grief.
+
+“What did I tell you the other day,” she said to her husband, but she
+soon gained control of herself and regarded the misfortune which had
+fallen on both of them in a calm light.
+
+“Let us be resigned, my dear. Doubtless it will be painful to live so
+far from our King and our friends but at least we shall have peace in
+the future.”
+
+Without delay, they busied themselves with preparations for the
+departure. Sun summoned a few poor families to whom he distributed the
+little money he possessed.
+
+’Twas but a short while and the moment to leave was at hand. Sun-Yen
+and his wife found it hard to break away from the embraces of their
+relatives and weeping friends.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Here endeth the first step of our legend._
+
+
+
+
+  II
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+
+The journey of Sun-Yen and his wife to the Island of Kang-Sin was
+uneventful and they were soon alone in their new home. Their guards
+then returned to the capital.
+
+What especially troubled Sun was the idea that his wife might be lonely
+and depressed in this isolated place. He spoke of this to her but she
+replied with a great deal of cheerfulness, “Do not trouble yourself
+about me. I have decided to follow you wherever you may go and I shall
+never find the time wearisome so long as I am with you”--the mark of a
+dutiful wife.
+
+As a matter of fact, the days passed for our two exiles just as quickly
+as if they had been living among their relatives and friends. Very soon
+signs of Spring were to be seen. So Sun said to his wife one day:
+
+“Spring time has come, it is a delightful day. Let us take advantage of
+it and go for a little outing.”
+
+“With pleasure, my dear.”
+
+“Good, let us climb the mountain if we can.”
+
+They set out gaily. On seeing them one would never have thought they
+were the victims of Fate. They enjoyed to the fullness of their hearts
+the charm of the landscape which lay about them, and happiness was in
+their souls. Madame Sun was overflowing with joy.
+
+“How peaceful everything is,” said she to her husband. “It is a real
+pleasure to be walking here alone with you. When we lived at the
+Capital I was never able to accompany you in your walks.”
+
+“You are right. I was forced to conform to the customs of the country.”
+
+“Now we are at the foot of the mountain,” she continued. “What a
+beautiful panorama lies before us. Just look at it. I feel a poetic
+instinct within me. Listen to these verses:
+
+    The day is beautiful; amid the shrubs
+    Are fragrant blossoms, clustered in sweet sleep,
+    The butterflies that seek them eagerly
+    Seem poised to count each rain-bow tinted leaf.
+    And stupid with the heat the serpent lies
+    Stretched lazily along the languid boughs.
+    Among the reeds that tremble in the wind,
+    Deliberate leaps the frog, while swallows pass
+    Bearing the insect-prisoners to their nests.”
+
+“Do you know,” she mused, “these animals are happier than we.”
+
+“What makes you say that?” queried Sun.
+
+“Because they have little ones to care for while we have no children.”
+
+“Console yourself, my dear, we are not yet so old that Heaven may not
+smile upon us. Have confidence in the future. But I think it is time to
+return. The sun is going down and you must be tired.”
+
+The two returned slowly to their home, lost in thought.
+
+Now it came to pass one night that Sun’s wife had a dream. She saw
+an angel from Heaven bending over her. She awoke, startled by the
+vividness of this vision, and immediately told her husband about it.
+
+“Yes,” said the latter, “that is very queer but I shouldn’t worry about
+it. Fatigue has caused this nightmare.”
+
+The truth was that this noble lady was soon to become a mother. In
+fact, it was not long before she gave birth to a daughter to whom they
+gave the name of Cheng-Si. Sun, the benevolent, was overwhelmed with
+joy--as one should be when Heaven smiles.
+
+Unfortunately, his wife lay seriously ill. It was soon evident that
+there was no hope of saving her. Scarcely three days had passed after
+the birth of little Cheng-Si when her mother died. She sensed the
+approach of death and whispered weakly to her husband:
+
+“My dear, I am going to leave you. I know that your grief will be very
+great but do not give yourself up to it. You must look after our
+little one. Get a nurse for her if you can.”
+
+With a supreme effort the dying woman clasped her baby to her breast.
+
+“Alas,” she said with a deep sigh, “this is the last time I shall have
+you so near me.”
+
+Sun, in tones of deepest sorrow, said to his wife:
+
+“Dearest wife, can it be true that you are going to leave me? We have
+always protected and shared with the unfortunate and yet the gods
+permit us to be parted. It is an injustice.”
+
+His wife did not hear his final words. Death had already touched her
+brow and called her to her ancestors. Sun saw but did not wish at first
+to believe.
+
+He called to his wife, tears streaming down his cheeks, but, alas, his
+words were unanswered.
+
+“Now, I am all alone,” he cried in despair. “What will become of me and
+this child!”
+
+He gazed fondly at his daughter who was still clasped to her mother’s
+breast. This sad sight increased Sun’s grief. He took the little baby
+and turned it over to the care of a nurse whom he managed to secure.
+Then, beside himself with grief, he busied himself with his wife’s
+burial.
+
+All this happened so quickly that Sun-Yen thought it had happened in
+a dream, but the sad evidence was there before his eyes. Each day he
+could be seen walking to the spot where his wife was sleeping. These
+frequent visits merely aggravated his anguish and it was impossible for
+him to control himself.
+
+Our friend was always in tears; he could get no rest nor sleep and
+shortly more ill fortune came to him. From having shed so many tears,
+Sun became blind.
+
+This terrible blow almost prostrated him but he continued to drag out
+the same wretched existence. His greatest regret was in not being able
+to look upon the face of his little daughter. So passed several years.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Meanwhile, Cheng-Si was growing up. She was now in her thirteenth
+year and was obliged to help support her poor father who was without
+resources of any kind. She had but one way to keep Sun from starving
+and that was by begging. She went about this sad task without any false
+modesty. Her wits, however, were not asleep and one day she said to her
+father:
+
+“There is something which I do not understand.”
+
+“What is that, my child?”
+
+“Father, how is it that so many other people can live with their
+relatives and friends while we are here all alone?”
+
+“Ah, my daughter, it is very true that we must live by ourselves. But
+things were not always thus. There was a time when I lived at the
+Capital of Korea with your poor mother and we were surrounded by many
+friends. I occupied a high position. Our family belonged to the highest
+nobility and was always in good standing at the Court of the King. But,
+one day, because of a malicious slander, of which the King thought me
+guilty, I was exiled here. My friend, San-Houni, was trapped in the
+same affair and was sent to Ko-Kum-To. He shares our downfall for he
+also comes from an excellent family. I am very sorry that since my
+arrival at this island I have had no news of my old friend.”
+
+“Perhaps it is not possible for him to communicate with you,” said the
+child in order to console the old man. “Excuse me, father,” she added,
+“it is time for me to go to work.”
+
+“Go, my child, and come home early.”
+
+Little Cheng-Si, the fair, walked at a rapid gait. She went first to
+the cemetery to pray a moment beside her mother’s grave. Cheng-Si was
+just as industrious as she was intelligent. She gave up her nights to
+study, while during the day she went from door to door asking alms.
+
+One day, she went as usual to pray by her mother’s resting place.
+She remained there longer than usual and did not return home at the
+customary hour.
+
+Sun, missing his daughter, was sorely troubled. At last, he resolved
+to go search for her. Leaning on his cane, he started out slowly and
+feebly. Unfortunately, when he came to the edge of a pond close by
+his home, he made a false step and fell into the water. He groaned to
+himself, “This is certain death for me, and my poor little girl will
+hunt for me everywhere.” And he began to shout lustily at the top of
+his voice.
+
+Happily Sun-Yen’s cries were heard by the disciple of an anchorite who
+lived in a cave on the mountain slope, a short distance from the lake.
+He came running and soon had Sun out of the water.
+
+He demanded of him:
+
+“Where do you live?”
+
+“Right close by.”
+
+“But how is it that you, a blind man, go out alone? Don’t you know that
+you are running a great risk in doing this?”
+
+“Yes, I know it. I never do go out alone. To-day, however, I ventured
+away from my home to hunt for my little girl. She did not return at
+her usual time so I went to look for her. That is how I came to fall
+into the lake from which I would never have come out alive without your
+assistance. You have saved my life.”
+
+“I have only done my duty,” replied the disciple, humbly.
+
+He took Sun by the arm and led him to his little dwelling. On the way,
+he asked of him:
+
+“Will you have faith in what I am going to tell you?”
+
+“Certainly.”
+
+“Well, I predict, indeed I can read in your face, that your evil
+days will not last forever. Within three years you shall recover
+your sight and you shall become Prime Minister. Your fortune also
+shall be unsurpassed. To attain this goal you must pray diligently to
+Chen-Houang (the Emperor of Heaven).”
+
+“Have I heard you aright?” cried Sun, beside himself with astonishment
+and joy.
+
+“Nothing can be nearer the truth,” gravely replied the disciple.
+
+“But what must I do? Tell me, tell me!”
+
+“You must give me three hundred bags of rice and I will pray in your
+stead.”
+
+“Alas, I cannot give what you require of me.”
+
+“That doesn’t make any difference. I do not ask for the immediate
+delivery of the three hundred bags of rice. It will be sufficient if
+you bind yourself in writing to pay me when you have the means to do
+so.”
+
+“I’ll accept on those conditions,” replied Sun.
+
+The disciple passed over to him a paper on which the poor blind man
+placed his signature.
+
+“I am obliged to leave you, now,” said the disciple.
+
+“Then, good-bye, until we meet again.”
+
+When he was alone, Sun reflected upon what the disciple had told him.
+The idea of seeing the sunlight again and of acquiring honor and wealth
+filled his very being with ecstasy. On the other hand, the obligation
+of furnishing three hundred sacks of rice considerably diminished
+his joy. A man, whose daughter was obliged to beg to keep him from
+starving, would never be able to fulfill the promise which he had
+signed. He regretted having given a promise which he could never hope
+to keep.
+
+Sun was drawn from his reveries by the arrival of his daughter.
+
+“Why so melancholy, father?” inquired the child. “Is it because I am
+late to-day that you seem sad? I must ask your pardon. I went to the
+cemetery and from there to gather some alms. They gave me some things
+to eat, as your hands can tell. Don’t you forgive me?”
+
+“My dear child, it is not you who makes me so sad. Listen, and I will
+tell you what happened to me. When you did not come home I was a little
+worried and wanted to go and meet you. On the way, I fell into the lake
+and gave myself up for lost when I was rescued by a disciple of an
+anchorite. This man led me home and said to me, while we were walking
+along, ‘I predict to you that you will no longer be blind and that some
+day you will become the King’s Prime Minister.’ But I have to pay him
+three hundred sacks of rice and I can never do it. That is why I am
+sad.”
+
+“Do not worry too much about that, father. We shall find a way that
+will enable you to keep your promise.”
+
+After they had shared their meagre meal the young girl went to her room
+where she began to reflect upon her father’s story. Not succeeding in
+going to sleep, she went out to take a bath in the lake, after which
+she began to prepare the sacrifice table in the garden. She placed in
+the centre a vase filled with water, lighted the incense burner and
+two candles, one at each end, and began to pray to Heaven. Her prayers
+continued almost until daybreak.
+
+Not until then did Cheng-Si go to her room. Exhausted with fatigue, she
+fell asleep almost immediately. She dreamed that an old man was saying
+to her, “Very shortly something is going to happen to you. Some one
+will cross your path who will make you an attractive proposal. Do not
+hesitate to accept, for it is an exceptional opportunity.”
+
+On awakening, the child recalled her dream and was pensive and
+thoughtful for a long while. In reality her dream was soon to come
+true. Some dreams do.
+
+In the days of our story, Korean merchants in search of business were
+accustomed to make one trip a year across the Yellow Sea, which lies
+between China and Korea. The crossing was very difficult and dangerous
+because of the rapidity of the current in certain spots. After each
+trip they were always sure to report the loss of some boat. Thinking
+to avoid this danger, the merchants had recourse to a very ancient
+and very barbarous practice. In each village where they traded they
+purchased a young girl. These victims were thrown into the sea and the
+perils of the voyage were thought to be in this way forestalled.
+
+Now, this day, Cheng-Si, the fair, had scarcely left her home when she
+met one of these traders in search of a human victim. The merchant
+asked the young girl if she knew where he could find what he wanted. To
+this request Cheng-Si replied:
+
+“You need not look any farther. If you want to take me, I will go, but
+what will you give me in exchange for my life?”
+
+“Anything that you want.”
+
+“Suppose I ask for three hundred bags of rice?”
+
+“I’ll accept the offer, but I have some partners and must consult with
+them, so I will not be able to give you a positive answer for a few
+days.”
+
+“I’ll wait, then.”
+
+“Good-bye,” said the merchant.
+
+Happy at having concluded this bargain which was to result so seriously
+for her, the young girl impatiently awaited the merchant’s return. One
+beautiful morning she saw him coming toward the house and immediately
+went to meet him.
+
+“Has the affair been settled?” she asked him, without manifesting the
+least emotion.
+
+“Yes, you shall have your three hundred bags of rice. Do you want them
+right away?”
+
+“Yes, indeed, if I may. Please wait a moment, I must tell my father.”
+
+Cheng-Si went into the house. She did not know how to tell her father
+about her fatal decision.
+
+“To tell him the truth,” she said to herself “is to condemn him to a
+death from grief. I can remember his anxiety that day when I was a
+little late in coming home. Now suppose I should never come back--but
+it must be done.”
+
+The young girl threw her arms about her father’s neck and cried in a
+joyful voice:
+
+“Father, I have found a way to get you the three hundred bags of rice
+that you owe the disciple. Send for him at once.”
+
+When the disciple had come, Cheng-Si took him to the merchant’s place
+of business and turned over to him the three hundred bags of rice. She
+then demanded, in exchange, the paper bearing her father’s signature,
+thanked him for having saved Sun-Yen’s life, and asked him to continue
+his prayers for the blind man. The disciple promised to do so and left
+the young girl.
+
+Very happy because of her sacrifice, she hastened to her father and
+handed him the paper which he had signed.
+
+“Where did you get this?” demanded the surprised Sun.
+
+“From the disciple, to whom I gave the three hundred sacks of rice.”
+
+“But, how in the world did you get all that rice, my daughter?”
+
+“In a very simple way. I sold myself the other day.”
+
+“What are you saying! Ah, unhappy girl, do you want to kill me?”
+
+“Now do not worry about this, father. Let me finish what I have to tell
+you. It is true that I have sold myself but I am not going very far
+away and perhaps I shall see you every day. There isn’t anything to be
+troubled about. I am sacrificing my liberty with the best of good will
+so as to insure your happiness. When we have saved up enough money I
+will pay back the price of the rice and then, once I am free, nothing
+can prevent me from remaining with you forever.”
+
+The young girl, having calmed somewhat her father’s fears, went to the
+merchant’s to learn the date of her departure.
+
+The merchant told her that they were not going to set sail for three
+months. Meanwhile, Cheng-Si was thinking constantly of the solitude in
+which her father would be after she had gone. What would become of the
+poor blind man, alone and without resources? This thought haunted her
+day and night. She sought to accumulate a little money and some food
+which would be enough for him to live on decently for some little time.
+
+The three months soon came to an end and the merchant returned to
+remind her of her promise. She asked permission to speak to her father
+for the last time. She had not yet revealed to him the entire truth.
+The merchant, of course, consented and even went into the house with
+her.
+
+“Father,” she said, “I must leave you.”
+
+“My daughter, leave me? And where are you going?”
+
+“Father, I deceived you the other day. It was not my liberty but my
+life which I gave in exchange for the three hundred sacks of rice which
+you promised the disciple. Yes, I was purchased, body and soul. I have
+to plunge to the bottom of the Yellow Sea to pray for a favorable
+passage for our sailors.”
+
+Cheng-Si had tenderly placed her arms about her father to support him
+while she was making this fatal confession. Nevertheless, the blind
+man could not bear the shock and he fell into a swoon.
+
+When he regained consciousness, he said in a voice that was scarcely
+audible, “Unhappy child, is it indeed true that you are going to
+abandon me in this way? After having seen your mother die, must I see
+you, too, leave the world before me? Oh, tell me that it is a dream!
+Consider your poor blind father and think what will become of him when
+he no longer has you with him. No, it cannot be, you are not going to
+die.”
+
+Sun-Yen burst into tears. His daughter tried vainly to keep from
+weeping herself for she felt that her heart was broken. The merchant, a
+witness of the scene, was very much moved, too. He beckoned the girl to
+him and said:
+
+“I will give you another hundred bags of rice and we will not set sail
+for three days. Would you like that?”
+
+Cheng-Si thanked the man profusely and went with him to the door.
+The following day, after she had obtained the hundred sacks of rice,
+she sought an audience with the leading magistrate of the town. He
+consented to take charge of the maintenance of the old gentleman in
+consideration of the one hundred bags of rice which he took as a sort
+of deposit.
+
+The young girl did not leave her father until the merchant came for
+her. She endeavored to console the old gentleman as best she could.
+When the time for the separation came, it was heart-rending. Sun-Yen
+threw his arms about his daughter’s neck while his frame was shaken
+with sobs.
+
+“I want to die with you. I will not let you go alone.”
+
+The cries of the poor blind man attracted a number of the neighbors,
+who were also moved to tears at the pathetic sight. Finally the trader
+grasped the girl by the arm and said in a trembling, gentle voice, “We
+must go now.”
+
+Paralyzed by grief, Sun fainted and his arms slipped from about his
+daughter’s form.
+
+“Good-bye, father,” she called back as she walked away. “Don’t worry,
+we shall meet again in a better place where we shall be happy forever.”
+
+Cheng-Si renewed her requests to the magistrate, who, shortly after,
+visited the unfortunate father and tried to console him a bit, without
+succeeding to the slightest extent.
+
+For Cheng-Si had gone.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Here cometh to a close the second step of our legend._
+
+
+
+
+  III
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+
+San-Houni, the scholar and intimate friend of Sun-Yen, was likewise
+condemned to exile on account of his friendship for the disgraced.
+He was obliged to leave the Korean Capital, a circumstance which he
+regretted exceedingly just at this time because his wife, Yeng-Si, who
+was soon to become a mother, would not have the comforts and advantages
+of the city. But of what avail are innocence and regret when a Prime
+Minister has rendered one undesirable in the eyes of the Monarch? It
+was decreed that San-Houni be banished and that he be forced to live
+on the island of Ko-Kum-To, a desolate, sparsely populated rock in the
+Yellow Sea.
+
+It was a long journey. The trip would consume several days. San-Houni’s
+few servants took care of the details of the packing but he himself
+went in quest of a boatman who would agree to take him and his wife
+across the waters to the island. His choice was not a happy one but he
+was unaware of it.
+
+The most violent contrast existed between the characters of Su-Rung and
+Su-Yeng, the two brothers, whom San-Houni engaged for the trip. From
+this difference in temperament great misfortunes were to come.
+
+As long as they were in sight of the coast, things went well, but when
+the party was on the open sea, Su-Rung the wicked, revealed his designs.
+
+“I am somewhat taken with the wife of our passenger,” he whispered to
+his brother, “I want her and I’m going to get her. Her husband grates
+on my nerves. I must get him out of the way.”
+
+“You are mad,” replied Su-Yeng. “Do you think for a minute that I will
+ever allow you to do anything like that?”
+
+“Bah! You are jealous of me,” cried Su-Rung, in a fury.
+
+“Not at all, but your intentions disgust me.”
+
+Su-Rung said nothing further but it could readily be seen that he had
+not given up his project.
+
+The terrible thing about all this was that San-Houni and his wife had
+overheard the brothers. Their anxiety grew and soon merged into real
+fear. They discussed in low tones the peril which threatened them and
+how it would be possible to escape.
+
+There was not much time left to them for reflection. Su-Rung called
+the oarsmen and whispered aside to them, “Men, I want you to grab that
+fellow and his servant. Take and keep what money they have on them and
+kill them. The woman alone must live. Make a good job of it.”
+
+Su-Yeng here interposed, “I think you should be content with taking
+their money, but at least spare their lives.”
+
+“Mind your own business,” shouted Su-Rung in a rage. “I am master here.
+Get out of my way and let me alone!”
+
+Su-Yeng was forced to obey his brother’s injunction. As soon as he
+had turned his back, San-Houni and his servant were put to death. The
+murder was committed under the very eyes of the scholar’s wife. She was
+dazed with anger and sorrow. Having no desire to survive her husband,
+she plunged into the sea, crying, “In spite of you, I shall die with my
+husband.”
+
+Su-Rung, however, ordered his sailors to turn about and rescue the
+unhappy woman. A few minutes more and Yeng-Si was pulled into the boat
+alive and safe.
+
+Then the assassin, judging it indiscreet to continue in the direction
+of Ko-Kum-To, changed the course of his vessel to a spot he was well
+acquainted with. The boat made a landing shortly after. Su-Rung jumped
+ashore and approached an old woman on the beach, to whom he said:
+
+“Go aboard my boat, you will find a woman there. I want you to take
+her home with you. Be very gentle and kind to her, encourage her, and
+console her, for she has been deeply afflicted.”
+
+The old lady at once set about doing what Su-Rung had requested.
+
+Meanwhile, Su-Rung had anchored his boat and as a sign of
+self-satisfaction he invited his men to a feast, where they made merry
+and drank freely. Shortly all the guests were drunk except Su-Yeng.
+He was broken up at the turn of events and his inability to avert
+Su-Rung’s crime. Therefore, he resolved to profit by the present
+situation by assisting, if it were possible, his brother’s unfortunate
+captive. He left the revelers without being noticed and, setting out at
+a rapid gait, soon reached the home of the old lady. He paused before
+entering at the sound of voices and in the midst of the lamentations of
+Yeng-Si, he could make out these words:
+
+“Where do you come from?”
+
+“The Capital.”
+
+“Is that so? I lived at Yeng-Yang.”
+
+“Then how is it that you are in these parts?”
+
+The old lady, for it was she who was talking with Yeng-Si, uttered a
+deep sigh.
+
+“Alas, I have lived here for ten years, much against my will. Like you,
+I am a victim of Su-Rung, who murdered my husband. I am awaiting the
+hour of vengeance, but it is slow in coming. Will this monster remain
+unpunished forever?”
+
+Touched by her story, Yeng-Si forgot for the time her own misfortunes
+to sympathize with her companion. It was just at this moment that
+Su-Yeng entered the room where the two women were and said in a
+troubled voice:
+
+“Do not take things too hard. Perhaps you will be rescued very soon.
+There is some one who is looking out for you. I have a profound horror
+of my brother’s evil deeds. Listen, if you wish to escape you will
+never have an easier time than now.”
+
+“How so, your brother....”
+
+“Don’t be afraid. For the time being, he is not capable of following
+you for he is asleep and dead drunk, but there is not a minute to be
+lost. You know the country for you have lived here a long while. You
+must show the way to this lady who is a stranger. Here, take this
+money, it will not do to wait any longer.”
+
+The two women, weeping and sobbing, threw themselves at the feet of
+their rescuer in gratitude.
+
+Su-Yeng helped them to their feet and urged them again to leave. It
+would be advisable, he insisted, to make haste for the rage of Su-Rung,
+if he captured them, would be terrible.
+
+Yielding to the entreaties of Su-Yeng, the two women set out. Their
+friend accompanied them for a short distance. When they were alone,
+they walked as rapidly as their strength would permit. At the end of
+two hours Yeng-Si, thoroughly fatigued, requested that they rest for
+a few moments. Her companion consented quite willingly. So the two
+fugitives sat down to rest their weary bodies. Suddenly the elder of
+the two said to the other:
+
+“I’m going to ask you something.”
+
+“What can I do for you?”
+
+“Well, I would consider it a great favor if you would let me have your
+sandals in exchange for mine.”
+
+This request puzzled Yeng-Si a great deal as she did not understand the
+purpose of the elder woman’s intentions. However, the old lady gave her
+little time for reflection.
+
+“You are,” she said, “like me, very tired, but you are still young,
+consequently you are capable of enduring greater hardships than I. I
+am very old. You go on. If Su-Rung catches up--and he will not wait
+long--I will tell him that I do not know in what direction you went.
+Now, hurry on, but leave your sandals here with me if you wish to be
+real kind.”
+
+Yeng-Si arose at once. She thanked her friend for her excellent advice
+and handed her sandals to her without understanding in the least what
+motive she had in this request. As she was leaving, the old lady
+continued:
+
+“Just a moment. I am going to show you the road which you should take
+to escape from Su-Rung. Keep straight ahead until you come to a grove
+of bamboo where you might rest a few moments if you like, then keep on
+walking in the same direction until you come upon the temple of Buddha.
+When you arrive at this spot, you will be out of danger but be careful
+to follow my directions explicitly.”
+
+“I will do so, thank you.”
+
+“Good, now, good-bye.”
+
+When Yeng-Si had gone a short way, the old woman arose, and taking the
+sandals, she turned toward a lake which was a short distance away.
+Placing them at the water’s edge, she uttered a brief prayer and jumped
+into the water.
+
+Yeng-Si, however, heard her cries. She immediately retraced her steps,
+hastening to the lake where she noticed the sandals beside the water
+and the body of the old lady floating on the surface. This sight almost
+overbore her.
+
+“Why did this poor woman drown herself?” she muttered. “Can it be--yes,
+I imagine--her persistency in asking for my sandals--oh, blessed one!
+She had the idea of dying before saying good-bye. She did not wish her
+death to be fruitless, so she placed my sandals on the shore, that it
+would appear as if I had committed suicide. Poor woman, how devoted she
+was! May she have her reward in the Hereafter.”
+
+If she had listened to the promptings of her heart, Yeng-Si would have
+remained there mourning for her unfortunate companion. Remembering
+the entreaties of the latter, however, she hurried her steps and
+shortly came to the forest of bamboo. Suddenly she experienced the
+most agonizing pains. She trembled, shivered, broke out into a cold
+perspiration and suffered terribly. She understood that she was about
+to become a mother. What a terrible situation she was in! Here alone,
+away from everybody, what was to become of her?
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Yes, it was a little boy. She seized the poor, little being and covered
+it with tears and kisses.
+
+“Poor child,” she said, “what can I do with you? You have no father and
+your mother does not know what is going to become of you.”
+
+Fortunately for Yeng-Si, some one had heard her shrieks and cries. It
+was a nun from the temple that the old lady had told her about. This
+nun ran to the spot whence the cries came and was somewhat surprised to
+find there the mother and child.
+
+After rendering what assistance she could, she asked her how it came
+about that she gave birth to the child in that place.
+
+Yeng-Si told briefly her sad story. The nun was deeply touched at the
+tale--so fraught with sorrow.
+
+“What do you count upon doing?” she asked her.
+
+“Alas, I do not know. Here I am alone and without resources. How can
+I bring up my little one? I shall have to abandon him, but I shall not
+live long anyway, I am sure of that, so perhaps I shall make way with
+myself.”
+
+“That would not be doing exactly right. Suppose you try to follow my
+advice. Give your child to some charitable person and come live with
+me.”
+
+“I could not ask for anything better, but why can’t I take my little
+one along with me?”
+
+“Because it is against the rules of our order to receive children.
+I know it is hard for you to give up your little one, but since you
+scarcely have any choice in the matter, you must resign yourself.
+If you were to continue on your way with your little son you would
+unquestionably fall into the hands of the brigands. Besides, it is
+possible that you may be able to reclaim your child some day in the
+future. When he becomes a man he will aid you in getting retribution
+for his father’s death.”
+
+Yeng-Si followed the advice of the nun. She wrapped the little fellow
+as well as she could, tearing bandages from her own clothes. Since
+she wished to have some sign which would enable her to recognize her
+son, she took his arm and with a needle traced on the pink flesh the
+characters forming the name of San-Syeng. Then she went over these
+letters with India ink which the nun gave her. Finally, slipping off
+the ring which she wore, she placed it in the wrappings of the child.
+This finished, she started out accompanied by the nun. They were going
+to the neighboring village to place the child at a street corner and
+then return to the temple.
+
+Very soon, Yeng-Si could sight the roofs of the little village where
+she was to say “good-bye” to her son. Alas, the child, whom she and
+her husband had been looking forward to with such great joy, would be
+abandoned just as if she were an unnatural mother. Her cup was filled
+to the brim with sorrow, for her husband had been murdered before her
+eyes and now her son was to be left on a street corner. More dead than
+alive, she gently placed the child on the ground after giving him a
+last fond kiss. With a supreme effort she regained her courage and
+walked slowly away, shedding tears of sorrow, while the hunger-cries of
+the baby grew louder and louder.
+
+She tottered along very, very feebly, she was so torn with emotion and
+anguish. The nun, familiar with sad scenes, was nevertheless deeply
+moved.
+
+“Pray, pray to Heaven,” she said to Yeng-Si, “some day you will find
+your son. He will come to you when he grows up. Something within me
+gives me confidence in what I am telling you, but prepare yourself for
+a long separation--take courage.”
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Here endeth our third chapter._
+
+
+
+
+  IV
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+
+When the vapors of intoxication had cleared from Su-Rung’s brain, his
+first thought was of his captive. He ran to the old woman’s hut where
+the widow of San-Houni was confined. Great was his astonishment on
+finding the house empty. In vain did he burst into anger, and shout. No
+one answered. Breathless from rage, he went to his brother.
+
+“Have you seen these two women?”
+
+“No. I have not seen them since I was here last.”
+
+“They have disappeared, but I know how to find them.”
+
+Su-Rung set out in pursuit accompanied by his brother. The latter
+feared that Su-Rung in his fury would do harm if he succeeded in coming
+upon the fugitives and Su-Yeng wished to be present to protect them
+should the worst come to the worst.
+
+Traveling speedily, the two brothers very soon reached the shores of
+the lake, of which we have spoken before. Here they saw Yeng-Si’s
+sandals by the water’s edge and a body floating in the middle of the
+lake.
+
+Even Su-Rung was moved by the sight and cried:
+
+“The poor woman is drowned.”
+
+“Brother,” replied Su-Yeng, “you would not listen to me and you have
+been punished. You wished to make this woman your slave and she has
+escaped from your clutches in spite of your efforts. What a great
+misfortune for us.”
+
+“You mean to say that it is my fault,” took up Su-Rung, angrily, “You
+are to blame yourself. Why did you let my prisoner escape?”
+
+The dispute between the two brothers lasted in this manner until
+Su-Rung’s rage had cooled. Instead of retracing their steps at once
+they continued on their way to the neighboring village and were the
+first ones to find the baby which Yeng-Si had left there a half hour
+or so before. Quite pleased at his unusual discovery Su-Rung took the
+little being and carried it home with him where he confided it to a
+nurse, instructing her to take the greatest care of the little boy.
+
+Several times Su-Rung questioned his brother concerning the escape of
+the two women. Not being successful, however, in learning anything
+about the matter he dismissed the entire subject from his mind.
+
+The murderer of San-Houni gave all his time to the education of the
+child he had adopted. He treated him as if he were his own son. It
+must be said that the little fellow gave him abundant cause for
+satisfaction. He was good to look upon, extremely intelligent and grew
+up rapidly. One day he asked Su-Rung:
+
+“Father, where is my mother?”
+
+“Your mother,” replied Su-Rung, very much embarrassed by the question,
+“your mother died a short time after you were born.”
+
+Su-Rung was in the habit of accompanying his adopted son to school. The
+young scholar was not long in distinguishing himself among his comrades
+who could not witness his success without a show of jealousy and hate.
+To obtain revenge they could find nothing better to do than to taunt
+him about having no parents.
+
+“No parents,” shouted the indignant boy. “Why, I have a father and it
+is not my fault if I lost my mother before I was able to know her. I do
+not see why I deserve your reproaches.”
+
+“That shows that you really do not know anything about yourself.
+Su-Rung is not your father. He is only a thief and a robber. He found
+you on a street corner and brought you up.”
+
+This revelation troubled the child very much and he made it known to
+Su-Rung.
+
+“Don’t be troubled about that, my child,” replied the latter. “These
+boys are jealous of you and they invent these stories to anger you.
+They are not worth bothering about at all.”
+
+Yeng-Si’s son was somewhat reassured by this. But other circumstances
+aroused his suspicions. He accidentally discovered the name of
+San-Syeng tattooed on his arm. Additional evidence was furnished him
+when he found a ring one day while rummaging among some old books and
+papers. He hid this precious object in his pocket, saying to himself:
+
+“I believe what the fellows told me was true after all.”
+
+From this day on, San-Syeng was constantly preoccupied with thoughts as
+to who his parents might be. In order to more easily solve this problem
+he determined to travel through the country, thinking that some day he
+would be able to discover those to whom he owed his birth.
+
+When he had reached his seventeenth year, San-Syeng asked Su-Rung
+for permission to make a trip through Korea in order to finish his
+education. Su-Rung made no opposition, although he preferred that his
+adopted son take a traveling companion. Nevertheless, he did not insist
+but gave his consent for San-Syeng to travel alone on a journey that
+would consume perhaps two years.
+
+San-Syeng had been gone several weeks when he came to a beautiful
+little village where he counted upon remaining but a short while. Until
+now, his voyage had been uneventful. But the time for adventure was
+at hand. The first incident was somewhat distasteful. San-Syeng had
+stopped for a moment in the street where some children were playing. He
+was watching their antics with pleasure when he received a shock. He
+had just heard one of the gamins ask one of his comrades.
+
+“Do you know that robber, Su-Rung?”
+
+“By name, yes, but I have never seen him. Why do you ask me that? He’s
+a wicked man.”
+
+“Because they tell a remarkable story about that fellow. One of my
+friends was at school with the son, or rather the adopted son, of this
+thief. It seems, in fact, that Su-Rung found the child abandoned by the
+roadside and took him home and raised him. Thanks to his robberies, the
+man is very rich. He has just sent his son on a long trip. That’s what
+my friend told me.”
+
+San-Syeng had not missed a word of this conversation. His curiosity was
+aroused to the highest pitch, so he approached the youngster who had
+spoken, and asked,
+
+“Pardon me, friend, would you tell me your name? Do you know Su-Rung?”
+
+“Sir, I know this man only through having heard tales of him.”
+
+This reply hardly satisfied San-Syeng, but, believing that the child
+had been frightened, he did not pursue his questioning further but
+walked on.
+
+Shortly afterward, San-Syeng came to the village of Yen-Yu, where he
+decided to tarry for a few days to recover from the fatigue of his
+travels.
+
+Before seeking a lodging he took a stroll through the village to see
+the sights. His attention was drawn to a great mansion surrounded by a
+vast garden, so he turned in this direction to view it more closely.
+He came to a pause when he saw in the garden a young girl of marvelous
+beauty. It was impossible to approach her as the garden was surrounded
+by a continuous wall. He walked on for a few paces and then, yielding
+to some indescribable impulse, he retraced his steps. The young girl
+was still there. She turned a candid look toward the walker, giving
+the young man a subtle thrill of pleasure. It is true that his eyes
+had never met such a sight--a bright oval face as fresh as a half
+ripened peach, eyes that rivaled the stars in their brilliancy. Her
+hair, which fell down over her shoulders, was as fine and golden as
+the clouds which disappear behind the mountain peaks in the rays of
+the setting sun. Add to these attractions a very small hand and a gait
+as graceful as the flight of a bird. The admiration of San-Syeng could
+not be restrained. He could not take his eyes away from the vision of
+loveliness. The girl, walking up and down the garden, now and then cast
+furtive glances at the youth who was watching her.
+
+San-Syeng was in a veritable daze. For a considerable time he remained
+in the one spot, even after the beautiful unknown had disappeared.
+Finally, he decided to find a lodging, hoping also to obtain some
+information concerning the beautiful girl whose charms still held him.
+His first action, therefore, on arriving at the village inn, was to
+inquire:
+
+“To whom does yonder mansion belong that is surrounded by such
+a beautiful garden? Its owner is doubtless a personage of some
+importance?”
+
+“Yes, it is the estate of a very rich family, the head of which,
+Yeng-Yen-Sa, is dead. The only people who live in that large house are
+his wife and his daughter.”
+
+“Is the daughter married?”
+
+“No, sir, she is scarcely seventeen years old.”
+
+San-Syeng’s curiosity was satisfied for the moment. When alone, he
+gave himself up to reflection. First, he determined to lengthen his
+stay in Yen-Yu. He was burning with desire to see the unknown beauty
+again. Each day for hours at a time he would walk in the neighborhood
+of the garden where he had first seen the young girl who was constantly
+occupying his thoughts. Alas! his beautiful stroller of the garden
+remained indoors. He was sad unto death. One evening, when his sorrow,
+revived again by the memory of his parents, was more acute than ever,
+he sought distraction in music. He took his flute, and, stationing
+himself near the garden, improvised the following verses:
+
+  “Homeless am I--I know neither Heaven nor Earth.
+
+  I am walking in despair, seeking in vain for those who gave me birth.
+
+  In a garden there is a flower of marvelous beauty.
+
+  I would like to pluck this blossom, but the branches which bear it
+  are so high I cannot reach them.
+
+  My most ardent desire would be to die and become a butterfly so that
+  I could hover about this adorable flower.”
+
+San-Syeng then cleverly composed a sweet melody, to serve as an
+accompaniment to this poetry, which he played upon his instrument with
+much feeling.
+
+The young girl had heard everything. Deeply perplexed, she asked
+herself what could be the meaning of the charming words which had come
+to her ears.
+
+“If this young man,” she mused, “does not know Heaven nor Earth, it
+means he has lost his parents. If he wants to be transformed into a
+butterfly to flit around a flower, it means he loves a young girl.”
+
+Very much puzzled, she sent her servant to inquire who could be the
+author of the verses she had just heard. She wondered if it were
+not the young man whom she had seen a few days before walking near
+the garden. Still impressed by what she had heard, she took her own
+instrument and in turn improvised the following verses:
+
+  “The spider spins her web from flower-stem to flower-stem, but the
+  butterfly does not come.
+
+  I have dug a lake in my garden to attract the swans, but in vain are
+  my labors.
+
+  I have planted a tree to serve as a refuge for the swallow, but the
+  bird remains mute to my call while displeasing birds come a-flocking.
+
+  To-day, however, I heard the song of the blue bird. He has at last
+  arrived and very soon he will be close and dear to me.
+
+  The age of sixteen is the fair Springtime of life. If I want to be
+  happy, I should not wait much longer.”
+
+These words filled San-Syeng with a deep joy for they seemed to be a
+reply to his own verses and he felt overwhelmed with emotion. He went
+home, but it was in vain that he tried to sleep.
+
+On her part, the young girl slept with difficulty, as her mind was
+agitated by what had just taken place. Now it came to pass that her
+father appeared before her in a dream and said, “My daughter, there is
+stopping at the inn nearest our home a traveler whose merits I bring
+to your attention. It is the son of San-Houni, the scholar, one of my
+best friends. I would like you to marry this young man.”
+
+She objected that she was not even acquainted with the youth.
+
+“Yes, my daughter,” replied her father, “you have already seen him. He
+comes of a very noble family. Good-bye, my daughter.”
+
+The young girl wished to detain her father, but to her sorrow her
+efforts were of no avail; the vision faded and she awoke in tears.
+
+“How can I obey my father’s command,” she complained. “I must devise
+some way to meet this young man. I will go into the garden again this
+evening and perhaps I shall see the man whom my father has ordered me
+to marry.”
+
+She was not disappointed in her hopes. When night had lowered its
+curtain of darkness she went down into the garden and caught sight of
+San-Syeng. But instead of going to meet him, she turned and rushed into
+the house like a frightened kitten.
+
+San-Syeng was stupefied and broken up by her sudden disappearance.
+Despairing of being able to talk with the girl he loved, he resolved
+to write to her. So the next evening he returned to the garden with a
+letter. Again the young girl appeared for a few minutes. He walked in
+front of her, tossed the letter over the garden wall, and left.
+
+The young girl ran to pick it up, hurried with it to her room, where
+she read the neat characters:
+
+  “Mademoiselle, excuse my boldness. I have but a few words to say.
+  Do you know what the butterfly is? It is an insect that is fond of
+  flowers. Nights when attracted by the light of the lamps which it
+  takes for flowers, it throws itself into the flame and perishes.”
+
+“This is a comparison that applies to me closely,” thought the young
+girl. “I shall have my answer for this young man to-morrow.”
+
+The next evening when San-Syeng returned to his post by the garden wall
+he saw the girl raise both hands and point to the moon.
+
+After this graceful and significant gesture she ran into the house.
+
+San-Syeng went home, much perplexed. “She made a sign to me,” he
+pondered, “but what meaning does this sign have?” He reflected for a
+long time, conjuring up hypothesis after hypothesis. Finally, he struck
+his forehead with an exclamation of joy, crying: “I believe I have it.
+The girl raised both of her hands, she must have meant the number ten.
+Then she pointed to the moon, that surely means at night. She wanted to
+tell me that she would meet me to-morrow evening at ten o’clock. That’s
+it beyond a doubt.”
+
+He awaited with impatience the following evening. Long before the
+appointed time he was in the garden, worried and anxious as to whether
+he had not given an erroneous interpretation to the young girl’s
+gesture. At ten o’clock she came daintily along the garden path,
+advancing gaily and smiling. She paused to pick a flower which she
+placed between her lips. One might have thought she was playing the
+flute, so sweet were the soft, low sounds of song which came from her
+throat. Picking up a dead branch she amused herself by whipping the
+leaves which strewed the ground. San-Syeng contemplated the vision
+with an admiration that held him spellbound. One might have said it
+was like a cat entrapping a mouse. When she arrived within a few paces
+of him she stopped as if frightened and seemed about to draw back.
+Then San-Syeng advanced toward her. “How beautiful she is,” was his
+thought. So great was his admiration that he could not find a single
+word to say. The young girl too remained silent. San-Syeng thought, “My
+first words must express all the love I feel, but my tongue is weak and
+incapable of it. What is her feeling toward me? Does she have a tender
+and loving heart, or has wickedness already penetrated this beautiful
+young soul? Let’s try a little trick.”
+
+The girl saw San-Syeng drop suddenly to the ground. Without an
+instant’s hesitation she ran to his help. Supporting his head in her
+hands, and after dusting off his clothes which had been soiled by the
+fall, she assisted him to arise and led him to a nearby bench.
+
+Then San-Syeng said wearily, as if he were just regaining
+consciousness, “Pardon me, mademoiselle, I am confused with all the
+trouble I am giving you.”
+
+“Not at all, sir,” replied the young girl. “I am happy to have been
+able to render you assistance. I only ask for permission to put one
+question to you. Where do you live?”
+
+“I live at Nam-Hai and my name is San-Syeng.”
+
+“Has it been very long since you left that town?”
+
+“Almost six months.”
+
+“And have you seen many interesting things on your journey?”
+
+“Yes, many.”
+
+“Your parents are still alive, I suppose?”
+
+“No, mademoiselle, I lost my parents a long time ago. And are your
+father and mother still alive?”
+
+“My father is dead and I live with my mother. Wasn’t it you who came
+here playing the flute the other evening?”
+
+“It was I, mademoiselle. And tell me, didn’t you reply on your
+instrument?”
+
+“Yes.”
+
+“I am very grateful. You have condescended to listen, you have not
+repulsed me, and this evening you have given me the greatest of
+pleasures by talking with me.”
+
+“But, sir, were you ill just a while ago?”
+
+“Mademoiselle, I lost my head through love of you. May I in turn ask
+why you did not reply to my note? You made a sign to me and I imagined
+that you were inviting me to return this evening at ten o’clock. Was I
+right?”
+
+“Yes, sir, you divined my thoughts exactly. Do you know you have
+given evidence of great intelligence. You have captured my heart
+without the slightest effort, like the fisherman who catches a fish
+that is surprised to see itself so easily taken. Now you may call me
+Yeng-So-Yei, for that is my name.”
+
+At these words, San-Syeng seized the hand of the girl and covered it
+with kisses.
+
+“I have not sought to ensnare you. It was merely my love, my boundless
+love, which impelled me to act thus. But it is late. Your mother
+will notice your absence and will become worried. Let us meet again
+to-morrow at the same hour.”
+
+The young girl nodded her head as a sign of acquiescence and withdrew
+into the house. In the solitude of her room she thought for a long time
+of the events of the evening. “I love this young man,” she said, “he
+is so intelligent and has such a splendid appearance. In giving him my
+heart I have done nothing but obey my father’s counsel. Therefore, I
+should have no remorse about my conduct. I shall marry the man I love
+and accomplish my father’s wish.”
+
+Similar reflections agitated San-Syeng’s mind. “How beautiful and good
+she is!” he would repeat to himself. “I love her to distraction. I can
+never wait until to-morrow evening to see her. How long this night and
+day are going to be!”
+
+The hours rolled around, however, and the time came for San-Syeng
+to visit the girl once more. She came running to meet him, her face
+radiant with joy and happiness. After they had exchanged a few words of
+greeting she said to San-Syeng:
+
+“Let’s go into the house. We can talk better. You can come to my room
+where no one will disturb us.”
+
+“But don’t you fear that your mother will notice something?”
+
+“My mother is very old and feeble, we have nothing to fear from her.”
+
+San-Syeng followed the young girl. He was much impressed to see with
+what skill she had arranged her room. He complimented her on her taste
+and good judgment and added: “How happy you must be!”
+
+“And aren’t you happy, too?”
+
+“Alas, I have lost my parents, and I am alone in the world. Life is no
+longer attractive to me. You have given me the first pleasure in my
+life and I am obliged to resume my travels within a few days.”
+
+“But why must you leave? Haven’t you told me that you loved me?”
+
+“Yes, I love you with all my heart and soul. But it is only another
+misfortune for me because I can never marry you.”
+
+“Why do you say that?”
+
+“I can never marry you because you are rich, while I am penniless.”
+
+“Fie, foolish,” teased the girl, drawing him to her. “Don’t you know
+that I love you and that nothing can prevent me from being your
+wife and companion? We shall marry. Do not leave me. Remain with me
+to-night, my mother will not know.”
+
+Their lips were united in one long kiss. At daybreak San-Syeng
+departed. He regarded himself as the happiest of mortals and promised
+to spare no effort to make life happy for the girl who had chosen him
+for her husband.
+
+Every evening the young man went to visit his wife. Now it came to
+pass one night, that her mother, unable to sleep, arose from her couch
+and went walking through the house. Passing before the door of her
+daughter’s room she heard, above the sound of mingled kisses, her
+daughter speaking with some one. Immediately she fell into a great
+fury. She tried to open the door, but was unsuccessful. Calling a
+servant, she said:
+
+“Take a sabre, and place yourself before this door. You are to kill the
+first person who leaves that room.”
+
+San-Syeng and his wife had not heard these words for they were asleep.
+The girl had another dream in which she saw her father. “My daughter,”
+he said, “you are in great danger. Your husband’s life is threatened.
+Arise and see what is on the other side of your door. Find a way for
+your husband to escape. Give him my favorite horse so that he can take
+flight. You may also give him my sword. You will be separated for some
+time, but you will be united in the days to come.”
+
+Startled by the warning, the young girl softly opened the door where
+she saw the servant with drawn sabre.
+
+“What are you doing here--and with a weapon, too?” she demanded.
+
+“I am standing guard at your mother’s orders and I am to kill the first
+person who leaves your room.”
+
+“Why, my mother is mad. There is no one with me. I was just about to
+call you anyway and send you on an errand. I would like to write and I
+haven’t a single bit of paper. Will you get me some?”
+
+“I cannot leave this post, mademoiselle.”
+
+“Why not? If you are afraid that my mother’s prisoner will escape, let
+me have your sabre. I will take your place while you get me what I
+want.”
+
+The servant was persuaded with little difficulty. Scarcely had he left
+than the young lady ran to her husband and cried: “Up at once or you
+are lost. My mother has learned that there is some one with me and has
+stationed a servant at the door with orders to kill any one who leaves
+my room. Wait for me in the garden.”
+
+San-Syeng arose hurriedly and descended cautiously and quietly into the
+garden. The servant returned and received the assurance that no one had
+left the room which he had been guarding.
+
+“I think I shall take a walk in the garden,” the girl suggested. “This
+room is too warm for me.”
+
+She went direct to the stables where she led out the horse which her
+father had mentioned and brought him to San-Syeng. The two lovers
+embraced and wept bitterly at being forced to part in so abrupt a
+fashion. The girl had gathered together her jewels and what silver
+she had at hand and turned them over to San-Syeng together with her
+father’s favorite sword. San-Syeng, despite his protest, was forced to
+accept them. He slipped from his finger the ring which he had found
+among the books long years before and the significance of which he did
+not even guess.
+
+“Take this keepsake,” he said to his wife. “It is a token of my undying
+love. As long as I live I shall think only of you and I hope soon
+to come back for you. I will go to the Capital and shall soon have
+matters fixed so that I may rejoin you. Good-bye.”
+
+He went away, his head bowed in sadness, while the young girl, tears
+rolling down her cheeks, followed him with her eyes until she saw him
+disappear in the black depths of the wood.
+
+“I wish I could burn that forest and then my San-Syeng would have to
+take the mountain road, and I wish the plagued mountains were at the
+bottom of the sea,” cried the unhappy girl--“for I would be able to see
+my husband again.”
+
+She remained for a long time in the one spot motionless as a statue. At
+last, she decided to go to her room, following in spirit San-Syeng who
+was galloping briskly toward the Capital. He arrived there when there
+was great excitement among the people of the city because of the death
+of the King and the exile of the young Prince to the Isle of Cho-To,
+events upon which we shall comment in the coming stage of our story.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Here the fourth stage of our legend cometh to a close._
+
+
+
+
+  V
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+
+It was Ja-Jo-Mi, the Prime Minister, who had been the chief cause of
+all the evils which had come to Sun-Yen and San-Houni. This dignitary,
+no longer having any one to fear, enjoyed absolute power. The King had
+entire confidence in him and placed in his hands the administration
+of the government. Ja-Jo-Mi had taken advantage of this to give all
+the important and lucrative offices to his followers. For example, he
+discharged in disgrace a general whom he disliked and replaced him
+with one of his most zealous but incompetent partisans. Even with all
+this power the ambitious Minister was not satisfied. Why should he not
+push things to the limit and place himself upon the throne? For the
+present, it was only a dream which Ja-Jo-Mi hoped to realize some day.
+But he was only awaiting a favorable occasion and this was not long in
+presenting itself.
+
+The King fell suddenly ill. His condition became so grave that the
+leading physicians of the Kingdom were obliged to confess their
+inability to cure him. He was well aware of his serious condition and
+cherished no illusions about it. He sensed the flutter of the wings of
+Death--wings drenched with the tears of weeping humanity. He sent for
+the Prime Minister, to whom he spoke after the following fashion:
+
+“I am going to die. My great regret is in leaving a son too young
+efficiently to govern the country. Factions will take advantage of the
+situation to disturb the peace of the Kingdom. Yet I want my son to
+succeed me on the throne. Consequently I am requiring of you a further
+proof of your devotion. Promise me to give this child the guidance of
+your counsel and wisdom. Teach him to govern kindly and finish his
+education.”
+
+Ja-Jo-Mi, the unscrupulous, swore solemnly that he would faithfully
+observe the last commands of his master. The monarch desired to see his
+son, so the latter was brought to his bedside. The King tenderly took
+the youth in his arms. He seemed to wish, through him, to cling longer
+to the life he was leaving. But the fatal hour had come; he drew his
+last breath in a sob.
+
+His son, overcome by grief, uttered wild cries--“Oh, my father, my only
+refuge, why do you forsake me? Why must you leave me?” Finally he fell
+into a swoon.
+
+The Prime Minister, who was present at this scene, tried to calm the
+young Prince with profuse and hypocritical condolences. His words were
+far from being in accord with his inner thoughts. The King’s death
+filled his soul with joy, for it rendered easier the project he had
+been dreaming about for so long.
+
+When the funeral ceremonies were over, the Governors of the provinces
+held a conference upon the question of choosing a new King. The
+Governors’ choice naturally fell upon the shoulders of the deceased
+King’s son. This decision exasperated Ja-Jo-Mi; he protested furiously
+against it, saying that the Prince was too young to attend to affairs
+of state and he painted a very black picture of the conditions of the
+country if the government were placed in his hands.
+
+“Moreover, the dying King appointed me to rule until his son should be
+capable of taking the throne.”
+
+The Prime Minister expected favorable results from this announcement.
+The Governors, however, contented themselves with exchanging
+significant glances, but they did not utter a word in support of the
+Minister’s proposal.
+
+This cold reception did not leave Ja-Jo-Mi any delusions as to the
+attitude of the Governors on the subject. Renouncing the powers of
+peaceful persuasion, he resolved to employ force. He summoned the
+General whose support he was assured of and said to him:
+
+“You will throw into prison any official who is hostile to me.”
+
+The General bowed in a sign of obedience and withdrew. Although very
+much terrified, the Governors did not submit peacefully to this new
+means of intimidation and Ja-Jo-Mi condemned several of the most
+influential of them to banishment. No one was in a position now to
+oppose the execution of his designs.
+
+Having thus overridden the opposition of the Governors, Ja-Jo-Mi went
+to the young King.
+
+“All powerful Prince,” he said, kneeling respectfully, “forgive me if
+I disturb you in your grief. The welfare of the people compels me to
+discuss with you certain things which I fain would defer to a more
+opportune moment.”
+
+“Speak,” bade the young King.
+
+“You are doubtless well aware that, according to the precepts laid down
+by the venerable philosopher, Kong-Ji, no one can reign in Korea before
+attaining a certain age. In spite of your exceptional intelligence and
+remarkable ability I fear that you are too young to rule alone. Your
+father, my regretted master, on his death bed, requested me to look
+after the interests of the State while you were preparing to assume
+them yourself. It is with great regret that I remind you of this last
+wish of the deceased King, for I am aggravating your sorrow, I know.
+But I hope that you will conform to your father’s desires and the
+philosopher’s wisdom.”
+
+Ja-Jo-Mi had hoped to convince the Prince with these arguments. Great
+then was his astonishment when the youth replied:
+
+“You are interpreting the last words of my dear father for your own
+ends and in your own interests. He asked you to guide and advise me
+but did not intimate that you should take my place at the head of the
+Koreans. Know then, that it is my intention to govern in person. I have
+nothing more to add.”
+
+It was a summary dismissal. Ja-Jo-Mi, feigning to acquiesce in the
+desires of his sovereign, withdrew backwards, saying:
+
+“Sire, it shall be as you wish.”
+
+Thus the ambitious Minister had encountered, in the energy of the young
+King, a formidable obstruction in the path of his plans. But it did not
+discourage him. Since the Prince would not relinquish his post with a
+good grace, he would commandeer it by force. It would be very easy.
+All the office-holders at the Capital were devoted to Ja-Jo-Mi, for it
+was through him that they held their places. The people were not to
+be feared for they lacked leaders. One bright and beautiful day, the
+King found himself under arrest and transported to Cho-To. The Prime
+Minister had ordered the prisoner to be guarded by the troops day and
+night and the deposed Prince was kept under the strictest surveillance
+all the time.
+
+Ja-Jo-Mi, the unscrupulous, for the time being, was master of the land.
+He hoped soon to be completely rid of the legitimate King and to finish
+his days tranquilly on the throne that he had so treacherously usurped.
+
+These events had caused a growing unrest throughout the length and
+breadth of Korea. The people were talking and grumbling, but they
+did not dare openly to manifest their disapproval. The conduct of
+the Prime Minister became an every-day topic of conversation. On the
+street corners, bolder groups were wont to gather and discuss matters
+vigorously.
+
+One day, when San-Syeng was out walking he noticed one of these crowds;
+he hurried back to his lodgings and inquired of Hong-Jun, his landlord,
+who had formerly held an important commission in the army,
+
+“What has happened? I see that the inhabitants of this city, ordinarily
+so calm and peaceful, laboring under unusual excitement. What’s the
+cause of it?”
+
+“What, don’t you know?” replied Hong-Jun. “It is rumored that the Prime
+Minister, who always did have a detestable reputation, has just crowned
+his infamy by exiling the King’s son. Instead of occupying the throne,
+our young ruler is in prison.”
+
+San-Syeng was thunder-struck. Heeding only the impulses of his noble
+heart, he resolved to discover some means to help the unfortunate young
+ruler.
+
+He had a dream that night which served to strengthen his resolution. He
+saw in his dream a person whom he had already met in the course of his
+travels and who asked his name.
+
+“My name is San-Syeng.”
+
+“Good, I belong to the same family as you. My name is San-Houni. I was
+banished from the Capital by Ja-Jo-Mi. While on my way to the island
+of Ko-Kum-To I was murdered by the robber Su-Rung. Listen, for I have
+something to ask of you. At this very moment, the deceased King’s son
+is in exile at Cho-To. He is also a victim of Ja-Jo-Mi. Go, help him.”
+
+San-Syeng told his questioner that he had fully made up his mind to
+assist the young ruler. “Can you not,” he added subsequently, “give me
+some information about my family?”
+
+“It is impossible for me to grant your wish for the present,” was the
+rejoinder, and the vision disappeared. When San-Syeng awoke he recalled
+his dream in all its minute details.
+
+What could this mystery be which surrounded Su-Rung? San-Syeng had
+heard the man whom he regarded as a father spoken of as a thief and now
+he was pictured as an assassin. All this gave the young man food for
+serious reflection. However, the most urgent matter now was to go to
+the succour of the young exile and San-Syeng took immediate steps to
+leave for Cho-To.
+
+It was an island that was easily accessible but by the orders of
+Ja-Jo-Mi no one was permitted to land there without a permit from the
+Prime Minister. In vain did San-Syeng try to evade the vigilance of the
+soldiers who were guarding the shore. He was forced to confess that it
+was impossible to land on the island. Not disheartened by his failure,
+however, he resolved to await more auspicious circumstances for the
+carrying out of his project.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Here endeth the fifth stage of our legend._
+
+
+
+
+  VI
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+
+Let us retrace our steps. The reader will recall how the adorable
+Cheng-Si, daughter of the unfortunate Sun-Yen, had agreed, in order
+to procure help for her father, to become the victim that the Korean
+merchants were to offer the hungry monsters of the Yellow Sea.
+
+When the vessel that bore the young girl had reached the open sea and
+the merchants had finished a session of prayer, they summoned Cheng-Si
+before them.
+
+“The time for the sacrifice has come,” they told her. “Now you may
+retire, purify your body, put on your most beautiful gown. We will wait
+for you here.”
+
+Cheng-Si obeyed their commands with resignation. She soon appeared on
+the deck, fresh as a new rose. One might have thought that she was
+going to her wedding instead of her death.
+
+The traders had prepared a magnificent altar covered with white and
+bearing curiously carved incense burners. From the midst of the incense
+arose fragrant blue clouds of myrrh. At each end of the table burned
+an immense candle, the flames from which flickered to and fro in the
+breeze.
+
+The girl was stationed between the two candles, in front of the incense
+burners. The merchants knelt and began to pray. Cheng-Si, the fair,
+consigned her soul to Heaven. Not that she experienced regret at
+leaving this life, but her last thoughts were of the blind father whom
+she had forsaken.
+
+Her prayers concluded, the girl, without showing a trace of emotion,
+threw herself resolutely into the sea while the vessel continued on
+its way. Cheng-Si, who fully expected to drown in a few minutes,
+perceived with astonishment that she was resting on the surface of the
+water. In her plunge she had struck an obstacle and this obstacle was
+nothing else than a gigantic sea turtle. The animal kept on swimming,
+without seeming to be incommoded by his unusual burden. The young girl
+naturally seized this unlooked for chance of salvation. She allowed
+herself to be borne by the turtle and soon she enjoyed such a feeling
+of security that she fell asleep and a vision came to her. Her mother
+appeared before her, borne on the fleecy sheets of a cloud, and left
+with her these words:
+
+“My daughter, be not afraid. Heed what I have to say to you and, above
+all things, follow my advice. Do not forsake the turtle who has saved
+your life until he has carried you safely to the shore.” With this
+message, the vision vanished.
+
+Upon awakening, Cheng-Si glanced about her in all directions and
+noticed an island in the near distance. “Doubtless that is to be my
+future home,” she said to herself. “My dream is already beginning to
+come true. I shall follow my dear mother’s advice.”
+
+The turtle, arriving close to the shore, turned aside into a deep
+subterranean passage and kept on swimming for several hours until
+it reached a point where the channel was very narrow. The innocent
+Cheng-Si jumped ashore crying:
+
+“Thank you, good turtle, for saving my life.”
+
+While the large animal turned and swam back toward the sea the girl
+tried to comprehend the situation in which she found herself. Amidst
+the deep darkness she was seized with a great fear. “Alas!” she cried,
+“poor me! I have escaped death only for a little while. How can I get
+out of this cave?” Suddenly she saw a ray of sunlight that filtered
+through the rocky vault above her head. She turned in this direction
+and saw two small polished stone flasks which shone in the sunlight.
+Lying conspicuously close by was a letter addressed to Cheng-Si
+herself. The young girl had had so many adventures in so short a time
+that this strange coincidence did not cause her any surprise. Breaking
+the seal on the letter, she read the following:
+
+“Drink the contents of these two bottles. One of them will wash away
+the fatigue of your long voyage. The other will clarify your ideas
+about the strange events which no doubt have troubled you.”
+
+Cheng-Si drank the two beverages and she immediately felt a renewed
+energy flowing through her veins. Her head was as clear as a bell. She
+picked her way carefully along the sides of the cavern in the direction
+whence the sunlight came. Her way was soon blocked by a pile of dirt
+which she painfully dug aside with her own hands. Presently she had
+made an opening large enough to admit her slender body. Drawing herself
+up through the hole she found that she was in the hollow trunk of an
+immense tree whose roots reached way down into the floor of the cave.
+
+Cheng-Si enjoyed to the fullest measure the dazzling bright daylight.
+She was in an enchanted garden. Not only were there trees of luxuriant
+green foliage, spreading gorgeous blossoms caressed by the soft, sweet
+breath of variegated butterflies, and bees and birds, but the air
+itself was laden with an intoxicating perfume. A huge wall served to
+close the garden from outside view. In the centre arose a magnificent
+dwelling which harmonized nicely with its surroundings.
+
+After a few minutes rest, Cheng-Si picked her way carefully through the
+briars and brambles covering the trunk of the tree and began to stroll
+about the garden.
+
+Now it so happened that the beautiful house and this fairy garden were
+the residence and place of recreation for the young King whom Ja-Jo-Mi,
+the unscrupulous, in his wickedness, had exiled, as we have previously
+seen. His captivity had already lasted for several months. The young
+Prince, giving himself up to a bitter melancholy, could not take his
+thoughts from the memory of his parents. Ceaselessly he thought of
+his father and his mother, both of whom had shown him such tender
+affection. At times he would ponder over the future where he could see
+no issue from the plight in which he found himself but death.
+
+“Why should I cling to life any longer? This everlasting loneliness,
+is it not the most cruel of punishments? Yes, it is better to die,”
+mourned the young Prince so sadly that at his approach even the birds
+stopped singing.
+
+This very day he was determined to carry out his dismal plans. He
+carefully made all his preparations. A rope tightly attached to the
+bough of a tree at one end with the other end passed around his neck
+would be his instrument of deliverance. The poor victim of Ja-Jo-Mi
+said his last prayers. In a few minutes his body would be swinging
+into space. But the Prince hesitated. He had just seen a young girl,
+a beautiful vision in white, strolling along the shady paths of his
+garden.
+
+“Who in the world can that be?” queried the Prince. “It seems that I am
+not here all alone, after all. I must solve this mystery.”
+
+He forgot his plans of suicide; his melancholy mood disappeared. A
+single glimpse of a woman had had this potent effect on him--believe it
+or not. He untied the cord from about his neck and started in headlong
+pursuit after the charming apparition. ’Twas effort wasted! The girl
+turned around a tree and vanished as if by magic.
+
+The young Prince was sorely perplexed. He questioned whether he was not
+dreaming. But no, his eyes had clearly seen. Later on, when the curtain
+of twilight began to lower its darkness the prisoner entered his house
+to seek slumber but all night long he was haunted by the memory of the
+girl he had seen in his garden and he could not sleep.
+
+Almost before daybreak, he dressed in great haste and left the house. A
+butterfly hovered about his head. He tried to catch it but could not.
+He stubbornly gave chase, following it in its many turns and wanderings
+about the garden. Suddenly the insect disappeared in the hollow trunk
+of a tree. The young man had closely watched the insect’s flight, and
+feeling certain now of capturing his prey, he advanced with open hands.
+He expected to find a butterfly, and, behold, he discovered a beautiful
+young girl before him. So great was his surprise that he recoiled for
+a moment, but quickly suppressing this instinctive impulse, he went
+toward her, saying:
+
+“Excuse me, for having disturbed you in your retreat. I stumbled upon
+it purely by accident. I was chasing a butterfly that took refuge in
+the trunk of this tree, and in trying to catch it I came upon you.”
+
+Cheng-Si needed these words to reassure her. At the sight of the young
+man she was seized with an unusual fear. Her agitation prevented her
+from speaking, but the young King continued:
+
+“I am very sorry to have troubled you. Calm yourself. May I ask where
+you live?”
+
+“I have no parents, or home, sir. I was walking by the seashore when I
+fell into the water. A turtle caught me on his back and carried me to
+this island where I have been for several days.”
+
+“Like you, I am an orphan,” the Prince went on. “I am a son of the late
+King of Korea. After my father’s death I was banished to this island
+by the Prime Minister, Ja-Jo-Mi. Both of us have been unfortunate it
+seems. But, wouldn’t you like to come and rest yourself for awhile in
+my house?”
+
+“Thank you very much. But as you are a prisoner you are not free to
+allow this, are you?”
+
+“Be at ease about that. It is quite true that I am a prisoner, but no
+one disturbs my lonely life. They think that behind these high thick
+walls, outside of which they have stationed a number of soldiers, it
+would be useless to inflict upon me other guards or restrictions. You
+can follow me fearlessly. Come, it will rest you a bit.”
+
+Cheng-Si followed the young man. Hand in hand they went toward the
+exile’s home, exchanging very few words.
+
+“Here, this will be your room,” said the young King. “I will leave you
+to make yourself at home.”
+
+Cheng-Si, once alone, reflected upon what had happened to her. “This
+young man is charming and very likable,” was her thought. “Like me, he
+has undergone great hardships.”
+
+As for Ki-Si, he had totally forgotten that only a short time before
+he had planned to take his own life. He could think of nothing but his
+beautiful guest. He was drawn from his meditation by the arrival of the
+servant who came each day to bring his food.
+
+“Good,” said the young King. “Place it on that table and leave me. I
+shall serve myself to-day.”
+
+When the servant had gone, Ki-Si went for the girl.
+
+“Will you share my meagre dinner?” he asked.
+
+“Gladly, sir.”
+
+They seated themselves and began to eat.
+
+“How happy I am to take my repast in your company,” said the young
+Prince.
+
+“Why, sir, how is that?”
+
+“Because I have been here alone for so long.”
+
+“Yes, I should think it must be very dreary for you.”
+
+When the meal was over they went for a walk in the garden, the King
+meanwhile relating all his troubles to Cheng-Si, who was greatly moved
+thereby, and said:
+
+“Do not take things too hardly, my friend. Have patience. Later, when
+you regain the throne, you will forget these unhappy days.”
+
+“No,” said the young man. “There will be no throne for me. Ja-Jo-Mi
+will have me killed.”
+
+Cheng-Si gave him a little pat on the cheek and said,
+
+“Don’t be sad, my friend. Cheer up. The future will smile upon you.”
+
+Several weeks passed. One afternoon, the two went to sit down upon a
+bench in the garden, as was their custom. The young Prince laughed
+scornfully, as he pointed out to Cheng-Si the graves scattered here and
+there in the sun-kissed grass.
+
+“Why are you laughing like that?” she questioned.
+
+“Why,” he replied absently, and as if speaking in a trance. “I am
+laughing when I think that life is nothing more than a long mockery of
+bitterness and sorrow and lasts so briefly after all. Like the flies
+that spend their lifetime in a single sun’s ray, we live but a moment.
+We strive for honors and glory and what not. And to what purpose, since
+death gathers all of us under a common shroud and places us on an
+equality. Friendship and love alone can bind mankind to one another.”
+
+Then he was silent. The contrast between his own sentiments and the
+aspect of Nature was striking. The most profound sadness filled his
+heart. Everything out-of-doors on the contrary seemed to be dancing in
+a delightful frolic of love.
+
+Ki-Si, his head close to the pearly shell-like ear of Cheng-Si,
+continued:
+
+“See that butterfly yonder! He is robbing that little white flower.
+Perhaps he is intoxicated with its perfume; perhaps he is leaving a
+kiss on its rosy lips? Ah, these insects are happier than we mortals.”
+
+Cheng-Si was pensive. She was thinking of the many troubles that had
+made the young Prince esteem life so lightly. But she said to herself
+that if he could so easily detect love and the loveable in Nature, his
+soul could not be entirely immune to the sentiment itself. Possibly she
+was beloved by her companion.
+
+She said to him merrily, “Chase away your sorrow. You will not always
+be unhappy. As the Spring-time follows Winter, so laughter follows
+tears. Soon the moon will be shining, for the moon loves the sun and
+will pursue it into the darkness of night. When it rains the earth is
+refreshed and gladdened.”
+
+The sun was sinking below the horizon in a blaze of gold and glory.
+Everything marked the hour of rest and peace. The birds were flying to
+their nests, shaking the branches in their flight. A great silence lay
+over all Nature. The young Prince took Cheng-Si’s delicate little hand
+in his and murmured,
+
+“I love you.”
+
+“I love you,” was the girl’s answer.
+
+After this tender confession, the two remained for a long time without
+saying a word, buried in a deep reverie, happy in their mutual love.
+
+When they had gone home and had finished their evening repast, Ki-Si
+said to the young girl:
+
+“It is customary in our country for parents to give their children in
+marriage, but we are orphans, so what shall we do to get married?”
+
+“Let’s marry ourselves,” replied Cheng-Si, naively.
+
+“Good, let’s get ready for the ceremony.”
+
+They drew up a large table and covered it with a red cloth. Two
+candles--signifying youth; a needle and thread--signifying union; and
+incense burners, were placed on this improvised altar before which the
+betrothed pair knelt to pray to Heaven, after which they drank the
+sacramental wine from the same cup.
+
+The ceremony was over. Love soon invited them to its wedding joys and
+the following days were filled with an ineffable happiness and delight.
+
+Now it came to pass one night that the Prince had a dream. He saw in
+his dream a large bottle the upper portion of which had been broken,
+whence a crimson stream was slowly flowing. Ki-Si awoke with a start
+and aroused his companion. “Ja-Jo-Mi is going to kill me,” he cried
+with a sob. “I shall be forced to desert you, soul of my soul. Listen
+to my dream.”
+
+Cheng-Si, too, fell a victim to despair. “Let’s save ourselves while we
+can,” she cried. “We will set fire to our house and try to reach the
+seacoast. Ja-Jo-Mi will believe that you are dead.”
+
+“No,” vetoed the King. “It will be futile. I have had a dream which
+tells me of misfortune which I shall try in vain to escape.”
+
+“But, I think,” rejoined Cheng-Si, who had regained her composure,
+“that you are wrong to be so alarmed at this dream. It does not have
+the meaning which you attribute to it. When one breaks the neck of
+a bottle one holds it carefully by the bottom. This means that your
+people are determined to convey to you their good wishes, and the
+blood which trickles from the bottle signifies the royal purple with
+which you will be vested.”
+
+This explanation assuaged Ki-Si’s griefs but imperfectly. Nevertheless
+he said to Cheng-Si:
+
+“Well, suppose we leave. Let the fire burn up this place. I have spent
+too many sad days here.”
+
+Placing burning brands in various parts of the house they hurried into
+the garden. They made their way to the hollow tree where Ki-Si had
+discovered his treasure and through it descended into the cave. Shortly
+they were by the seaside.
+
+How could they go any farther? They had no boat. The young King, rather
+than fall alive into the hands of Ja-Jo-Mi, determined to kill himself.
+He ran toward the water but Cheng-Si like a flash seized her husband by
+his gown and showered upon him gentle reproaches:
+
+“Why would you desert me? Is it not my duty to follow you wherever you
+may go, even to the bottom of the sea? If you are bound to die, let us
+die together.”
+
+“No, my dear, you are young. I met you by chance. It is not fitting
+that your fate should be thus linked to mine. Life for you may yet be a
+happy one. Let me go. Let me die alone.”
+
+But Cheng-Si clung desperately to her lover. She wanted to follow him
+into the Valley of the Shadows; in fact, she would have preferred to
+have preceded him into the Darkness.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Here endeth the sixth stage of our legend._
+
+
+
+
+  VII
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+
+San-Syeng had been waiting impatiently for several months for an
+opportunity to penetrate the defenses of the island of Cho-To where the
+young King was exiled. He was beginning to feel discouraged when he had
+another dream. San-Houni appeared before him saying, “You should take a
+boat and go to the southern cape of the island. There you will find the
+King and his Queen. But make haste, if you are too late you will find
+that the Prince has gone to abide with his ancestors.”
+
+On the strength of his dream, San-Syeng immediately began preparations
+for his journey to the spot that had been indicated to him. While yet
+some distance from the island, he could distinguish on the beach a man
+and woman, both apparently very young, talking and gesticulating with
+great earnestness. Soon he imagined he could catch a few words which
+were carried to him on the light breeze, causing the impression that
+a disagreement had arisen between the two young people. When he came
+within hailing distance he called politely: “Why are you quarreling in
+this way when Spring-time is smiling upon you so sweetly?”
+
+Ki-Si replied: “We would like to cross the sea but having no boat and
+deprived of all resources, we are contemplating suicide. But I do not
+want my gentle companion to follow me to the grave, while she, on
+the other hand, is bent upon dying with me. That is the cause of our
+dispute.”
+
+“Give up your melancholy ideas,” remonstrated San-Syeng. “You are
+not going to die. I will place my boat at your disposal and take you
+wherever you want to go.”
+
+“Many thanks, you have saved our lives,” cried Ki-Si, joyfully.
+
+The young King and Queen immediately clambered aboard the boat and
+San-Syeng made a rapid trip over the arm of the sea which separated the
+island of Cho-To from the city of Chang-Yang.
+
+When they were safely ashore, Ki-Si inquired of San-Syeng if he would
+kindly direct him to a place where he and his wife could pass the
+night. San-Syeng suggested that they put up at the same inn where he
+was staying--an invitation which they heartily accepted.
+
+So far San-Syeng’s dream had been realized. Nothing was left for him
+to do but to make sure that the young people were really those of whom
+San-Houni had told him. But this was no easy thing. He did not dare
+question them too closely. There was too much at stake to reveal the
+truth. San-Syeng resolved to wait until time and opportunity would
+dispel his doubt.
+
+Meantime, the house on the island where the young Prince had lived
+since he had left the Capital had become food for the fire and flame.
+The guard in charge of Ki-Si rushed to inform the General whom Ja-Jo-Mi
+had appointed to watch the island of Cho-To. The General, greatly
+agitated and worried, gave orders to double the guards about the garden
+wall. Anyone who sought to leave was to be arrested on the spot. Other
+soldiers were instructed to do their utmost in fighting the spread of
+the flames. They were too late. The house was now like unto a gigantic
+furnace.
+
+“Search everywhere for the King,” ordered the General. “If he isn’t
+dead he must be hidden somewhere in the garden. Look in all the corners
+and dark places.”
+
+This hunt was, as we well know, unsuccessful, and the General,
+concluding that the royal prisoner had perished in the flames, sent
+word to that effect posthaste to Ja-Jo-Mi.
+
+Upon receipt of this news, the Prime Minister was elated. The death
+of the rightful King swept aside the last obstruction in the path of
+his plans. He immediately summoned the General whom he had placed in
+command of the guards at Cho-To, and when the latter came Ja-Jo-Mi met
+him with these words:
+
+“How lucky we are! Such an event deserves to be celebrated in proper
+style. Let’s have a grand banquet to which we can invite all our
+friends.”
+
+Ja-Jo-Mi’s partisans were living in idleness and ease, wallowing in
+an era of merry-making and debauchery. Everywhere they went they
+continually sang the praises of Ja-Jo-Mi, “the coming King of Korea.”
+The people, however, were grumbling and commenting, but the fear of the
+tyrant kept them from expressing too openly their complaints.
+
+Ki-Si, whom Ja-Jo-Mi believed to be dead, was keeping under cover
+at the little town of Chang-Yang. One day when he was chatting with
+San-Syeng, the proprietor of the inn burst in upon them excitedly,
+saying: “There is great excitement in the streets. Quite a number of
+troops, who are on their way to the Capital, have just arrived in town.”
+
+“What’s exciting about that?” questioned San-Syeng.
+
+“These soldiers were ordered to guard our young exiled King at the
+island of Cho-To. It seems that the poor Prince lost his life in a
+big fire and the General, who had charge of this mission, is bringing
+back his men. The people, you know, fairly hate Ja-Jo-Mi, who holds
+the support of the army and who has placed a heavy yoke about the neck
+of all Korea. Hence, at the sight of these soldiers, excitement has
+spread all over the town.”
+
+“Do you hate Ja-Jo-Mi, too?” asked San-Syeng of the inn-keeper.
+
+“The same as every one else, sir.”
+
+“Well, it doesn’t seem an easy matter to me to overthrow this Ja-Jo-Mi.
+He has the army with him and they haven’t much love for the common
+people.”
+
+“That’s where you are wrong, sir. The only troops really devoted to the
+Prime Minister’s cause are those at the Capital; in fact, the others
+are hostile to him. Why, the garrison of our town and the Mandarin
+himself are opposed to Ja-Jo-Mi. If our Mandarin were to appeal to the
+soldiers who are here and if his example were followed by the other
+Mandarins, Ja-Jo-Mi and his satellites could easily be put down.”
+
+“But once Ja-Jo-Mi is deposed, whom can they place upon the throne?”
+
+“That, sir, is a difficult question. Unhappily, the King’s son is dead.
+Perhaps, however, a member of the Royal Family might be found who would
+accept the trust.”
+
+“And suppose, for the sake of argument, that it were not true that the
+King’s son were dead?”
+
+“The simplest thing would be to confer upon him the succession to his
+father.”
+
+“Your reasoning is good,” continued San-Syeng. “You stand well in the
+eyes of the people and you are a friend of the Mandarin. Would you
+consent for us to undertake the enterprise?”
+
+“Willingly,” replied the innkeeper. “We should get together on this. I
+must, however, leave you now for a while. I’ll see you presently.”
+
+When he was alone with Ki-Si, San-Syeng asked: “Would you like to join
+us in our fight against Ja-Jo-Mi?” At the question the Prince, who had
+seemed afflicted with great uneasiness and a sort of illness during
+the preceding conversation, fell to the floor in a faint. San-Syeng
+turned his attention at once to the prostrate form of his friend who
+lay as rigid as a log and seemed to be unable to utter the least
+sound. San-Syeng called Cheng-Si and she came running in terror to her
+husband. San-Houni’s son told her what had taken place. The young woman
+threw herself on her husband’s breast and drenched him with her tears.
+San-Syeng, profoundly moved by this sight, cried to Cheng-Si: “In
+Heaven’s name, madame, tell me who you are!”
+
+“I have great confidence in you, sir. You have saved our lives and I
+will tell you the truth. My husband is Ja-Jo-Mi’s victim, the King’s
+son. I met him by chance. I fell into the sea and was carried by a
+turtle to the island where the Prince was held captive. I became his
+wife and we fled from our prison together and you met us, rescued us,
+and brought us here. That’s our story. And, now you understand, sir,
+do you not?”
+
+Meanwhile the young King had regained consciousness. When San-Syeng
+observed this he began to withdraw toward the door saying: “Sire,
+forgive my imprudence--excuse my impatience--.”
+
+Ki-Si tried to stop him.
+
+“No, sire, first of all you must pardon the familiarity with which
+I treated you. My excuse is that I did not know with what august
+personages I was speaking. Now that I do know, it is hardly fitting
+that I remain in the same room as yourselves.”
+
+It happened that the owner of the inn was passing before the door of
+the room where Ki-Si and his wife were and San-Syeng promptly told him
+the story. The innkeeper prostrated himself and, with his face to the
+floor, cried: “It is a supreme honor to be permitted to house Your
+Majesties.”
+
+He lost no time in telling the Mandarin, who was thunderstruck with
+amazement and who could scarcely suppress his joy at hearing the news.
+Summoning an escort of troops, he marched to the inn where the King
+lodged. The soldiers surrounded the house, while the Mandarin, in
+all the glory of his gorgeous robes, went to pay his respects to the
+Sovereign.
+
+The Prince gave him a hearty welcome. By his side stood San-Syeng,
+who, after bowing to the King, turned to the Mandarin and said: “We
+must take our Sovereign to the To-Wan (the Mandarin’s palace, or town
+hall) so that he may be sheltered by a roof worthy of his rank.”
+
+The Mandarin approved this suggestion, and at once the party set out
+for the To-Wan.
+
+Hardly was he there before the King turned to San-Syeng, saying: “I
+wish to bring about a complete re-organization of the Government.”
+
+“Sire, all my ability, all my strength, are at your disposal,” was
+San-Syeng’s respectful reply.
+
+“Good, then you become my General!” replied the Prince.
+
+San-Syeng was confused, but had to obey the wishes of the Prince and he
+knew the latter would confer offices only upon those whom he deemed the
+most worthy among his followers. Orders were issued for the preparation
+of a great banquet and for the dispatch of couriers to all corners of
+the Kingdom to announce to the people the coming of their King.
+
+This welcome news put joy and happiness into the hearts of the Koreans,
+and shouts of joy were heard throughout the length and breadth of the
+land.
+
+“O Beloved King! Night has vanished to give place to the day. The times
+of wretchedness and evil are gone and the era of happiness is at hand.
+Clouds were hiding the face of the Sun, and the flowers, deprived of
+light, were wasting away; but the wind has swept away the clouds and
+the light comes to us again. Everything will flourish in the gentle,
+healthful rays of the wonderful Sun. Hail, son, hail brother--hail to
+our King! Forward! Hold back--not for fire, nor for the waters, nor for
+the mountains. Sweep aside all obstacles. If the wicked-hearted seek
+to restrain you, kill them. But look ever to the Sun; its warmth will
+give you strength and courage. We want you--beloved King! And we will
+serve you and keep you always. Now--away with tender things and soft
+things--we’re off to war!”
+
+While the populace was manifesting its delight in talk and other
+harmless ways, the King was busy with his preparations for the
+overthrowing of the usurper. He questioned San-Syeng as to the distance
+to the Capital. This distance was considerable and, at the advice of
+his General, he decided that he would put his forces on the march as
+soon as possible.
+
+San-Syeng took an active interest in the training of the army. To
+toughen his men, he made them attach small, but heavy, bags of sand
+to their legs. For an entire day they were obliged to march with this
+equipment.
+
+The following day, the army broke camp and took the field. The soldiers
+now having only their weapons to carry, made rapid progress. At
+the end of two days they were before the Capital City. San-Syeng
+stationed his troops in a cordon about the city with orders to let
+no one--no matter who it might be--leave or enter the town. Then he
+wrote an ultimatum, which he ordered to be copied many times on strips
+of bamboo, and distributed widely in all parts of the city. This
+proclamation announced the arrival of the legitimate King at the head
+of his army and that His Majesty came to give battle to the unfaithful
+Minister, Ja-Jo-Mi, the unscrupulous. The latter was living in an
+atmosphere of absolute security. Entertainment followed entertainment;
+feast followed feast. Suddenly it was announced to Ja-Jo-Mi that the
+King’s son was at the gates of the Capital with an army and that there
+was a great disturbance among the people.
+
+Ja-Jo-Mi, astounded by the news, summoned his General, at whom he cast
+the most violent reproaches and profane oaths (some of these we dare
+not print as the transcriber of this legend is a pious man). “How is
+it that you told me that the King’s son was dead and now they say that
+the city is in a state of siege? Who is it that is at the head of the
+troops who are attacking us?”
+
+“It cannot possibly be the King’s son,” replied the General, humbly. “I
+am positive that he died in that fire--his body is ashes. Doubtless
+it is some daring adventurer who has brought this horde of rogues and
+robbers upon us.”
+
+There was no time for further discussion. The populace, having read
+the bamboo messages, arose in revolt. They were already advancing
+toward the Prime Minister’s palace. They burst down the doors and swept
+through the palace like the demon waves of the Yellow Sea. Ja-Jo-Mi and
+his General were seized--the palace set on fire. Simultaneously the
+King made a peaceful entry into the city at the head of his troops and
+the people turned over to him the usurping Minister and his General.
+
+Ki-Si called his Commander-in-Chief, San-Syeng.
+
+“No one shall be put to death. It will be sufficient, for the time
+being, to throw the guilty wretches into prison.” Subsequently, he
+issued orders to the effect that only Ja-Jo-Mi, his General, and their
+principal adherents, be held as prisoners.
+
+The new King had barely taken possession of the palace of his fathers
+than he ordered a reduction in the taxes which were oppressing his
+people. These measures were approved by his Queen who desired that they
+be even carried further.
+
+“Who knows,” she said, “if the Mandarins will carry out the orders;
+perhaps they will continue to persecute the people to their profit?
+You must be assured that everything is going as you wish and dispatch
+deputies who are charged with seeing that your decrees are observed.”
+
+The King recognized the wisdom of this idea and ordered San-Syeng to
+send out in all directions honest and devoted men on this errand. This
+done, the new General left the Capital, wearing the modest clothes he
+had worn when the King had placed the command of the troops in his
+hands.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Here cometh to a close the seventh stage of our legend._
+
+
+
+
+  VIII
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+
+San-Syeng had been a very powerful factor in establishing the
+legitimate sovereign of Korea on the throne but he did not by any
+means consider his life work as finished. His primary duty was to find
+his parents and to return to the lovely girl to whom he had given his
+heart. Despite the many adventures through which he had passed, he had
+never ceased thinking of Yeng-So-Yei. He did not suspect that serious
+events were also taking place in her own little sphere.
+
+Now it came to pass one morning after San-Syeng’s departure that
+Yeng-So-Yei found her mother dead in her room. The poor young woman was
+prostrated with grief. She refused to be consoled and the solitude in
+which she lived merely aggravated her anguish. And yet a new calamity
+lay right in her path. The populace, rising in revolt against the
+nobility and tax collectors, were burning and pillaging throughout the
+village and Yeng-So-Yei just had time enough to dash through a secret
+gate in the city wall and make her escape into the open country.
+
+In a short space of time she had lost her mother, her fortune and
+her home. She did not, however, feel entirely cast down. “At least
+San-Syeng is left to me,” was her thought.
+
+“I shall go to the Capital and hunt for him.” In order to carry out her
+project more easily, she assumed masculine attire and, thus disguised,
+set out on her journey.
+
+Now it came to pass that having no notion of the road she should
+follow, she completely lost her way. Moreover, an intense fog settled
+down upon the fields and earth to make her situation more unpleasant.
+She walked and walked, but to her great despair she met no one, nor
+could she find the slightest shelter wherein she might escape the
+dampness. Tired, almost unto death, she threw herself down beside a
+clump of tall bamboo, intending to rest but a few moments, but in spite
+of her well-meaning resolutions, she was soon fast asleep.
+
+The grove of bamboo toward which Fate had turned the steps of
+Yeng-So-Yei was the very one where so many long years before Yeng-Si
+had given birth to San-Syeng. The unfortunate woman who was obliged to
+abandon her child and to become a nun would often visit the spot which
+brought back such painful memories; indeed, she seemed to take a keen
+pleasure in seeing the spot where she had become a mother. And the
+sight thereof would cause her to weep.
+
+It so happened that one day the nun, returning from her sad
+pilgrimage, saw a young man, sound asleep, stretched across the
+narrow footpath. At first she was a bit startled and frightened but,
+conquering her distrust, she gazed curiously at the sleeper. “My son
+would have been about the same age,” she reflected. “I will wait until
+this young man awakes and speak with him.” She stood by his prostrate
+form and it seemed as if she were unable to take her eyes from his
+face. Finally, unable to be patient any longer, and after satisfying
+herself that no one was watching her, she decided to wake the strange
+traveler.
+
+“Pardon my curiosity, sir--but this situation is a strange one.”
+
+“What situation?” demanded Yeng-So-Yei.
+
+“How comes it that you are sleeping here on this road?”
+
+“It comes--because I was very tired.”
+
+“Where do you live?”
+
+“At Yen-Yu, but I am on my way to the Capital.”
+
+“To the Capital? But you are not on the right road.”
+
+“Am I lost? Oh, what shall I do?”
+
+Tears came into the poor girl’s eyes. Yeng-Si was moved also.
+
+“How,” she asked again, “does it happen that you are traveling alone in
+this way? It is hardly safe for you.”
+
+“I know that, but I am forced to do so for I am an orphan.”
+
+“Would you like to come with me?”
+
+“Yes, but I can accept your hospitality for a short time only. I must
+be on my way.”
+
+At these words, they walked together toward the temple of Ro-Ja.
+
+Ou-Pung, the sister, consented to take the young traveler in, but made
+it very plain that it was impossible for her to keep a man about the
+house for more than two or three days.
+
+Yeng-So-Yei asked no more than that. After she was installed in her
+room, she went to seek Yeng-Si. The latter related the tale of her sad
+life and this pitiful story so touched the young woman that she wept
+with her new friend in sympathy.
+
+The next morning Yeng-Si stopped at the traveler’s room. Picking up
+a ring which she saw lying on the table, she examined it closely and
+demanded, sharply:
+
+“Perhaps, I may be a bit inquisitive, but I would be very much obliged
+to you if you would tell me where you obtained this ring?”
+
+“It is a keepsake from my best friend.”
+
+“Where is your best friend?”
+
+“He has gone to the Capital. I want to join him as soon as I can.”
+
+“How old is he?”
+
+“We are almost the same age--both of us. But why do you ask these
+questions?”
+
+Yeng-Si did not reply, at once. Her eyes filled with tears, and
+suddenly she broke out, sobbing:
+
+“My son! My poor son! Where are you?”
+
+These words made a vivid impression on Yeng-So-Yei. “Can it be that
+this poor woman is my husband’s mother?” she thought to herself.
+
+She tenderly took her tearful companion in her arms and asked gently,
+
+“Was your son called San-Syeng?”
+
+At the sound of this name, Yeng-Si, more agitated than before, cried:
+
+“Yes, that was the name I gave him and I personally inscribed the name
+of San-Syeng on my baby’s arm in characters that could not be removed.
+This ring, which I hold in my hand, I placed in his clothes when I was
+obliged to abandon him.”
+
+“Mother, my dear mother,” cried Yeng-So-Yei, throwing herself in
+Yeng-Si’s arms. “Your son is my husband and I am on my way to find him.”
+
+“Do my ears hear aright?” cried Yeng-Si. “But, what in the world does
+this costume mean?”
+
+“I put it on so as to be able to travel with more security.”
+
+The two women embraced each other tenderly, mingling their warm tears.
+Ou-Pung, the sister, who was passing outside, hearing the sound of
+sobs, entered the room.
+
+“What are you crying about?” she asked.
+
+“Good friend, we have been showing hospitality not to a young man, but
+to the wife of my own lost son,” replied Yeng-Si.
+
+“How happy I am for your sakes!”
+
+Yeng-So-Yei then explained to the nun why she had assumed the garb of a
+man.
+
+“You were right,” rejoined the sister, “but what motive impelled you to
+leave the town where you were living?”
+
+The young wife briefly told the story of her misfortune. She was now
+more anxious than ever to find her husband and she wasted few words in
+her recital.
+
+“I shall find him easily,” she added, “no matter how changed he may be.
+He has probably kept the horse which I gave him when he left me and if
+I cannot recognize the husband, I will know my father’s horse.”
+
+“Well,” said the nun to Yeng-Si, “the end of all your sorrows is at
+hand. Follow your daughter and together you will find San-Syeng.”
+
+“Yes, it will not be our fault if we do not find him.”
+
+Accustomed to having lived together for so long, Yeng-Si and the
+sister experienced keen regret at parting from each other. But Ou-Pung
+was the first to suggest that Yeng-Si leave with her daughter-in-law
+for she was happy at the good fortune which had come to her deserving
+companion.
+
+So it came to pass that Yeng-Si and Yeng-So-Yei set out together for
+the Capital. When they came close to the grove of bamboo, San-Syeng’s
+mother could not suppress her tears.
+
+“Why are you crying so, mother?”
+
+“It was here, my child, that seventeen years ago I gave birth to him
+who is now your husband. A short distance from here I abandoned him to
+go with Ou-Pung, the nun. These recollections pain me greatly.”
+
+The two women continued on their way. After several hours’ walking,
+they came to the shores of a wide lake. Yeng-Si paused by the water’s
+edge, and raising her eyes to Heaven, cried in a weak and trembling
+voice:
+
+“Dear and unfortunate friend, what has become of you?”
+
+She told Yeng-So-Yei of the sublime devotion of the woman, who had
+enabled her to escape from the hands of Su-Rung.
+
+During the few following days their trip was without incident until
+they came to the town of San-Jon. Here they resolved to remain for a
+day as they were fatigued by their journey and they entered the first
+inn which they stumbled upon.
+
+The inn-keeper’s son was at once smitten by Yeng-So-Yei who was, as we
+know, a marvel of grace and beauty. Finding his attentions repulsed,
+he resolved to obtain revenge--the mark of a small mind. One of the
+maid-servants was ordered to place in the young wife’s apartment some
+jewels which belonged to the young man. The thing was done without
+difficulty--and the servant swore under threats of punishment that she
+would tell the plot to no one.
+
+Next morning the rejected suitor entered Yeng-So-Yei’s room, saying:
+
+“Madame, you will pardon me? Some one has stolen my jewels. I have
+searched in all the other rooms of the house and I ask your permission
+to do the same in yours.”
+
+“Willingly, sir.”
+
+It can be readily imagined that the two women were greatly astonished
+to see the young man discover in their rooms, as if by magic, the
+jewels which he claimed had been stolen from him. They asserted that
+they were innocent, but it was useless. They were arrested in the name
+of the Mandarin and were taken before him for a preliminary examination.
+
+They renewed vigorously their denials, the Mandarin meanwhile listening
+attentively. He had been impressed by the singular beauty of
+Yeng-So-Yei, but gave no visible evidence of it, and committed the two
+women to prison. A few moments after, he had word brought to them that
+if Yeng-So-Yei would consent to marry him, no mention would ever be
+made of the theft. In case of refusal--it was to be--death.
+
+The young wife spurned the Mandarin’s messenger with great indignation.
+
+“Tell your master that he is a villain. I am married and I will never
+be unfaithful to my husband, not even to escape torture and death.”
+
+The Mandarin, very much irritated, gave orders that the execution
+of the prisoners should take place in three days. The keeper of
+the prison, who was also the executioner, went about his sinister
+preparations. Keenly touched by the plight of the two women, he visited
+them and said:
+
+“I shall be very glad to render you any service that you ask. I am
+obliged to obey the commands of the Mandarin, but I do not hesitate to
+say that he is one of the vilest of men.”
+
+The jailer’s voice trembled as he spoke. Yeng-Si and her
+daughter-in-law, torn with anguish, were wailing and sobbing. Was it
+thus that they were to leave the world--one without having seen her
+son--the other without embracing her husband?
+
+“Oh, my San-Syeng! Oh, my San-Syeng!” they cried. Their grief was
+so poignant that it overmastered their strength and they lost
+consciousness.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Here the eighth stage of our legend cometh to a close._
+
+
+
+
+  IX
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+IX
+
+
+On leaving the Capital, San-Syeng had a three-fold mission in view: to
+make certain of the faithful execution of the King’s commands, to find
+his parents, and to rejoin his wife. The young man did not make light
+of the difficulties that lay before him, but he resolved to bend all
+his efforts toward accomplishing his heart’s desires. He was optimistic
+and cherished the brightest hopes of having his wishes crowned with
+success.
+
+His adorable Yeng-So-Yei obviously had the first claim to his
+attention, and he set out with haste to see her. When but a short
+distance from the town of Yen-Yu where his wife dwelt, the new General
+learned that the place had been given over to revolt and pillage.
+San-Syeng immediately mobilized the royal troops from the neighboring
+towns and order was restored in a few days. The Mandarin, whose
+exactions had been the primary cause of the revolt, was arrested and
+sent to the Capital together with the ring-leaders in the disturbance.
+
+This task accomplished, San-Syeng made pleasant preparations to
+surprise Yeng-So-Yei by his home-coming. Alas the house where he
+expected to find his beautiful little wife had been burned to the
+ground, as if blasted by a dragon’s fiery breath. He could not master
+his sorrow and burst into sobs. His orderly, who accompanied him,
+endeavored to console him, but in vain, and was at last obliged to lead
+his master away from the heap of charred embers and ashes. He learned
+that Yeng-So-Yei’s mother was dead and that the orphan, when the fire
+broke out, had fled and no one could tell whither she had gone.
+
+San-Syeng naturally determined to travel in search of his wife, but
+his body was tired and weary and he resolved to indulge in the luxury
+of a short nap before leaving the town. During his slumbers, San-Houni
+appeared before him for the third time, saying:
+
+“My poor child! You are looking for your parents and you are unable to
+find them. It is now time to tell you that I am your father. In the
+olden days I enjoyed a great deal of influence at the Court, but my
+enemy, Ja-Jo-Mi, had me sent into exile, with my best friend, Sun-Yen.
+I was murdered by Su-Rung whom I hired to take me to Ko-Kum-To. As
+for your mother and your wife, you will find them at San-Jon. A cruel
+Mandarin has condemned them to death. Hurry to their rescue; the
+slightest delay may be fatal.”
+
+San-Syeng awoke with a start, shook himself and started on his
+journey. Presently he reached the town referred to in his dream. He was
+not long in learning that his mother and his wife, unjustly accused of
+theft, were in a prison cell and were to be put to death the very next
+morning.
+
+The young man ran to the prison where, of course, he found it
+impossible to enter, so he had recourse to a wise little trick. He
+entered a merchant’s shop near by, threw his robe over a random object
+and dashed out of the doorway. He was soon caught, arrested, and thrown
+into prison.
+
+Before employing this ruse, San-Syeng had ordered his servant to come
+early the next day with his master’s horse and take his place before
+the prison gates.
+
+The room into which the young man was thrust after his arrest was
+very dark and small. Several persons were already occupying it but it
+was too dark to distinguish any of them clearly. He joined one of the
+inmates in a loud protest for some light--the inevitable result of
+which would be to bring the jailer, who indeed did come running to see
+what their outcries portended. He stepped between the two men to quiet
+them.
+
+“I shall report you to the Mandarin,” he declared, turning to
+San-Houni’s son. “What’s your name, anyway?”
+
+“San-Syeng.”
+
+Yeng-So-Yei and Yeng-Si were naturally very much surprised at hearing
+this name. They whispered to each other:
+
+“That’s my son’s name, sure enough,” said Yeng-Si, “but it cannot
+possibly be he for he is no thief.”
+
+The night passed without San-Syeng being recognized by the two women.
+At daybreak, they were startled by the loud neighing of a horse and
+Yeng-So-Yei, who had gone to the narrow opening which served as a
+window to their cell, cried:
+
+“Mother, come here. That horse which has been neighing is the very one
+which I gave my husband, or at least it resembles it very much.”
+
+Yeng-Si, by way of reply, moaned:
+
+“Oh, where can my poor son be?”
+
+Thereupon, San-Syeng approached his mother and inquired the cause
+of her grief. Yeng-Si told him of the many sad experiences she had
+undergone since her departure into exile with San-Houni up to her
+arrest and condemnation to death by the Mandarin of San-Jon.
+
+When she had finished, the young man in turn told his story. His
+concluding words were--“I have on my arm the name of San-Syeng, but I
+do not know how it is that I bear these characters which I have tried
+in vain to remove.”
+
+Yeng-So-Yei who had been listening to the conversation could restrain
+herself no longer and cried:
+
+“Tell me, what was your wife’s name and where did she live?”
+
+“Yeng-So-Yei was my wife’s name; she lived in the village of Yen-Yu,
+but I found her home burned to the ground.”
+
+“Oh, my dear San-Syeng,” cried the young woman. “Have I found you at
+last,” and turning to Yeng-Si, “Mother mine, here is your son!”
+
+Their greetings naturally consumed some time--their hearts were glad
+and they were not ashamed to display their emotion. And yet the two
+women felt bitter and sad to think that soon they were about to die
+after having touched the threshold of that happiness which their
+reunion promised. San-Syeng ultimately succeeded in calming them. He
+enjoyed, he said, certain extraordinary powers of which he intended to
+make instant use.
+
+Presently the young General’s orderly visited his master’s prison where
+he received orders to announce to the village the arrival of San-Syeng,
+a special envoy of the King, and to arrest the Mandarin at once.
+
+’Twas but a brief while and the orderly came to report to his master
+that his commands had been carried out. Meantime, the town officials
+had rushed to the prison where they surrounded San-Syeng and paid him
+their homage. At their urging, San-Houni’s son left the prison and
+betook himself to the town-hall.
+
+Yeng-So-Yei, catching sight of the horse she had given her husband, ran
+to the stately looking steed and imprinted a kiss on the end of its
+nose. The animal seemed to understand her message, for its eyes as they
+turned toward the young wife, seemed moist with tears.
+
+“No tears now, my good fellow,” laughed Yeng-So-Yei. “You are happier
+than I for you can continually accompany him whom I love, while I am to
+be separated from him.”
+
+San-Syeng, a witness of his wife’s gentle act, tenderly drew her to his
+heart, and kissing her hair said:
+
+“Henceforth we shall never part from each other.”
+
+San-Syeng, his cup overflowing with happiness at having found his
+mother and his wife at one and the same time, desired to be told about
+his father, and, at his urgent request, Yeng-Si, with tears in her eyes
+and a faltering voice, related to him the misfortunes of San-Houni.
+
+“Don’t worry, mother dear,” pleaded San-Syeng. “After so much
+suffering, you are going to have happiness in abundance. I shall do
+everything I can to make life pleasant for you. Suppose that first we
+go visit Ou-Pung, the sister, who was so kind to you.”
+
+This suggestion was very pleasing to Yeng-Si and they started on their
+journey to the temple of Ro-Ja. When they were passing by the lake
+which recalled so many bitter memories, Yeng-Si bade her son to pause.
+The little party halted while she told the melancholy tale of the
+devotion of the old lady who had sacrificed herself without hope of
+recompense or reward.
+
+“Mother,” declared San-Syeng, “I am going to place a memorial in this
+spot to perpetuate the sublime sacrifice of your poor companion.” The
+General’s orderly was at once commissioned to employ workmen who were
+to begin immediately to erect a suitable tribute to the old lady’s
+memory.
+
+Before reaching the shrine of Ro-Ja, Yeng-Si related to her son,
+while they were passing by the grove of bamboo, which figures so
+conspicuously in our story, under what pitiful circumstances he had
+been born.
+
+Ou-Pung, the sister, did not count upon seeing Yeng-Si and her
+daughter-in-law so soon again. “This is my son,” proudly declared the
+nun’s former companion.
+
+San-Syeng showered warm and profuse thanks upon the sister for all the
+attentions and kindnesses she had shown to Yeng-Si.
+
+“Do not thank me, sir,” replied the sister. “I have only done my duty
+in sheltering an unfortunate woman. Buddha has taken pity upon her and
+has rewarded her piety and her long suffering by permitting her to find
+you.”
+
+Under the supervision of the orderly, a magnificent pagoda was rapidly
+built by the water’s edge. Upon it could be read this inscription:
+
+  WITH EVERLASTING GRATITUDE TO
+  THE BENEFACTOR OF MY MOTHER.
+
+Ou-Pung consented to go with her visitors to see the temple that
+had just been completed. San-Syeng had directed that an altar for
+sacrifices be placed before the pagoda and that Su-Rung be arrested and
+brought to him. All of the thief’s property was to be seized.
+
+This very moment, strange to say, Su-Rung was telling his brother,
+Su-Yeng, of a peculiar dream he had had the preceding night. He had
+seen himself surrounded by tongues of flame and his head, severed from
+his body, was boiling in a large copper kettle.
+
+“It signifies that your end is near and that you will die through the
+will of man,” asserted Su-Yeng. “Why must you continue to lead this
+sinful life? It would be more fitting that you experience remorse and
+fear for an envoy of the King is in the neighborhood.”
+
+Scarcely had Su-Yeng uttered these words, when there came a loud
+rapping at the door. After a brief struggle, Su-Rung was reduced to
+helplessness and securely bound. All the stolen objects that could be
+found were collected, thrown in a heap, and the party turned their
+steps toward the pagoda.
+
+When the criminal was brought face to face with the young General, the
+latter demanded:
+
+“My name is San-Syeng. You know me, don’t you?”
+
+Su-Rung, much surprised, could not imagine that his adopted son had
+been elevated to the dignity of a King’s envoy, so he replied, coolly:
+
+“Your name is not unfamiliar to me. My son was called San-Syeng.”
+
+“You have a son, then?”
+
+“Yes, he left me three years ago, to go to the Capital and since that
+day I have had no news of him.”
+
+“Well, you may know that I am the man of whom you boast being the
+father. But I am not the son of a murderer. I have found my mother
+who has told me about my birth and your infamous crimes. There, do
+you recognize my mother?” added San-Syeng, indicating Yeng-Si to the
+brigand with a gesture of his hand.
+
+Yeng-Si, who had been watching Su-Rung attentively for some time, burst
+out with:
+
+“You vile wretch, so you’re still alive! Thank Heaven it is granted me
+to satisfy my thirst for vengeance. My son, there stands your father’s
+murderer. Kill him, strike him down, with your own hand! I could tear
+the very eyes from his head!”
+
+San-Syeng’s mother was beside herself and he sought to calm her,
+representing that he had no authority to put any man to death without
+an order from the King. Yeng-Si did not insist; her mind was crowded
+with other more charitable thoughts when, in company with her friends,
+she knelt in the beautiful pagoda to pray for the soul of the martyred
+woman to whom she owed her life.
+
+Su-Rung was immediately dispatched to the Capital under heavy guard.
+When the troops and their prisoner were about to depart, San-Syeng,
+turning to Su-Yeng, said:
+
+“You have always been an honest, loyal man. Take these things which
+your brother has unlawfully appropriated. They are yours.”
+
+“Thank you so much, sir. But I no longer am in need of anything, for I
+am going to die with my brother.”
+
+“What is that? I do not comprehend your decision.”
+
+“When a tree is brought to the ground by the woodsman, can the branches
+continue to live?”
+
+“But if your brother was a criminal, you have nothing to reproach
+yourself with.”
+
+“That may be true, but nevertheless I am determined to leave this
+life with the brother I have always loved and with whom I have always
+lived.” And San-Syeng found it useless to endeavor to dissuade Su-Yeng
+from his fatal purpose.
+
+Before returning to the Capital, San-Houni’s son visited several more
+of the provinces, looking after the King’s business. When his mission
+was concluded, he sought audience with the King for the purpose of
+reporting what he had seen, heard, and done. The Queen was a patient
+and attentive listener while the young General was telling the story
+of his adventures. However, when San-Syeng had finished speaking,
+Cheng-Si, with a sob in her voice, cried:
+
+“Oh, you are so much happier than I!”
+
+Her strength failed her and she slipped from her seat to the floor.
+Those in the Royal Chamber crowded about the prostrate Queen--at
+a respectful distance, however--who was not long in regaining her
+consciousness. Thereupon San-Syeng asked her tenderly, as he bowed
+before her, what had been the cause of her sudden swoon.
+
+“Alas!” mourned Cheng-Si. “It has been three years since I have seen my
+father, and in all that time I have had no word of him. That is why I
+am so sad and down-hearted.”
+
+The King and his General assured her that they would use all possible
+means within their power to find the Queen’s father. The Queen’s pretty
+and shapely head was bowed in deep meditation, when suddenly she cried:
+
+“Well, let’s collect all the blind men in the Kingdom; invite them to a
+big feast. I’m going to give every one of them a little token.”
+
+“Majesty,” replied San-Syeng, “it shall happen as you have wished.”
+
+No time was lost; orders were issued to every Mandarin to send every
+blind man in his jurisdiction to the Capital. And thus it came to pass
+that Cheng-Si collected all the blind men of Korea in order to give
+them a token.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_But more anon, for here endeth the ninth step of our legend._
+
+
+
+
+  X
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+
+
+X
+
+
+Many months had come and gone since the day when the unfortunate and
+broken-hearted Sun-Yen had seen his daughter pass away to certain
+death. He led a wretched existence--his strength being sustained only
+by the promise of the disciple that his sight would be restored to him
+at the end of three years. But the allotted time had passed and the
+poor victim of Ja-Jo-Mi, the unscrupulous, had not recovered his sight.
+His dejection was pitiful to behold, and he awaited with impatience the
+death that would free him from his constant misery.
+
+Now, one day Sun-Yen was disturbed in the midst of his morbid
+meditations by the arrival at his poor dwelling of the Mandarin of the
+province.
+
+“The King,” declared this dignitary, “desires to assemble all the blind
+men of the Kingdom at a banquet. You must go to the Capital.”
+
+“My strength will never permit me to make such a long journey,” replied
+Sun-Yen. “As it is, I can scarcely take a few steps from my own door.”
+
+“You need not be troubled about that. I will provide you with a horse
+and guide.”
+
+“I thank you from the bottom of my heart, but is it really necessary to
+spend so much on my account?”
+
+“It is the King’s order. Everything is prepared and you can start this
+very moment.”
+
+Sun-Yen was easily persuaded. A few days and he was in the Capital.
+
+At the orders of San-Syeng, an elaborate and tasty feast had been
+prepared. The ladies of the Court had been instructed to see that
+nothing was lacking for the comfort of the blind men who had come
+from all corners of Korea. They watched over them and came to their
+assistance when--on account of their blindness--they were awkward and
+clumsy. The banquet was nearing an end when Sun-Yen arrived--tired and
+travel-stained. The servants led him to one of the ladies who could
+not conceal a grimace of disgust when she saw him. In fact, the old
+gentleman did present a very disagreeable appearance to the eye. The
+lady made a disparaging remark which Sun-Yen overheard and to which he
+replied:
+
+“I am well aware of what you are saying, but kindly listen to what I
+have to say. The actions and outer garb of men may differ much, but
+good hearts and good manners should be in the bosoms of us all. The
+wicked and crafty often conceal a cowardly and vile disposition beneath
+a beautiful exterior. People of wisdom pay no attention to form, but
+probe to the bottom where kindness and gentleness often abide. When
+you see an apple that looks attractive but contains a worm, you may
+contemplate its beauty but you keep your mouth away. Heaven alone is of
+lasting beauty and nothing beside it matters. I have been deceived by a
+so-called religious man who had no other intention but a selfish desire
+to supplant his Master.
+
+“I planted a beautiful fruit tree and it bore a single flower of
+exquisite beauty and charm. A gust of wind swept this flower toward
+the sea where it was peacefully rocked in the cradle of the waves. The
+flower often thought of the poor tree from which it had been stolen and
+the latter, shorn of its only child, was slowly dying of a broken heart.
+
+“The crescent of the moon seems to emerge from the waters. The fishes
+are frightened, believing they see a golden hook on a gigantic line
+which will lift them from their homes in the sea.
+
+“Every month the moon is hidden from our sight for a brief season.
+Then soon its light reappears in all its wondrous glory. But I, on the
+contrary, have never seen the light of day since I was stricken by
+blindness.
+
+“For three years my eyes have shed tears more abundant than the rain
+which comes from the Heavens. My sighs are sadder than the night wind
+that whistles through the forest tops.”
+
+Concluding, the blind man said, with a sigh: “If my lack of a comely
+appearance and a rich garb displeases you, put me in a corner by
+myself, please.”
+
+The lady was surprised to hear such profound and poetic speech from the
+mouth of this old man. She begged his pardon for having treated him
+with so little respect. At the request of Sun-Yen he was placed at a
+table by himself.
+
+While he was eating, the lady went to the Queen and repeated to her the
+strange speech of the blind visitor.
+
+Cheng-Si was very much struck by the recital. She told her impressions
+to her husband and then expressed a desire to have all the blind men in
+the Palace pass before her--one by one.
+
+“I wish to make a present to each one,” she said.
+
+Immediately, the long file began to form, Sun-Yen being the last of the
+line. When he stood before the Queen, the lady said:
+
+“Majesty, here is the blind man whose startling words I brought you.”
+
+Cheng-Si summoned the old man closer and said to him:
+
+“Why do you express such radical views against our government, our
+religion and the world?”
+
+“Because, my Queen, the world and religion and the government have
+caused me evils without number. I was powerful and I was exiled. I
+had the best of wives and I lost her. I became blind and my only
+consolation, a little daughter, was taken away. She furnished a
+beautiful example of filial love, sacrificing her life on the promise
+that I would regain my sight. The poor girl is dead and I am still
+deprived of the light of day.”
+
+These words moved Cheng-Si profoundly for in this sordid old man she
+recognized her father. She uttered a cry.
+
+“Don’t you know Cheng-Si?”
+
+“My daughter,” stammered Sun-Yen, and instantly his eyes opened and he
+saw before him the daughter that he had thought forever lost.
+
+The prediction of the disciple was at last fulfilled and under these
+happy circumstances, shaken by emotion and joy, father and daughter
+fell into each other’s arms.
+
+The King, a witness of this scene--to him incomprehensible--did not
+delay long in finding out the cause, and he cried:
+
+“Stop the banquet. This requires no witnesses.”
+
+When alone with her father and her husband, Cheng-Si told the King the
+story of her family.
+
+Sun-Yen was completely transformed with delight as he heard his
+daughter speaking. When she had finished her story he asked, “How did
+you escape death? How did you come to marry the King?”
+
+So Cheng-Si told her father of her adventures from the time of her
+embarkation on the merchant’s vessel up to her arrival at the Capital
+with the King.
+
+“Then,” cried Sun-Yen, “it was San-Syeng who saved you?”
+
+“Yes, father.”
+
+“What’s he doing? Where is he?”
+
+“The King has appointed him General. I shall have him brought to you.”
+
+When San-Syeng arrived, Sun-Yen asked him:
+
+“What was your father’s name?”
+
+“San-Houni.”
+
+On hearing this name, Sun-Yen embraced the young man, crying, “Oh, son
+of my dearest friend, tell me quickly where your father is.”
+
+“Alas, he is no longer in the world. He was exiled when you were, but
+he was murdered by Su-Rung, the thief, before reaching Ko-Kum-To. He
+sleeps with his ancestors.”
+
+“What, he is dead?” cried the old man, bursting into tears.
+
+San-Syeng’s eyes also moistened at the mention of the father whom he
+had never known.
+
+The King offered them a few words of condolence and said: “You shall
+be my Prime Minister,” indicating Sun-Yen. The old man accepted this
+responsible charge with a bow and a few well chosen words of gratitude.
+
+“Now, proceed with the banquet,” said the Queen.
+
+The other blind men had been informed of what had taken place and a few
+among them envied the good fortune of Sun-Yen.
+
+“Alas,” they cried, “We cannot even see the recipient of this good
+fortune.”
+
+Sun-Yen the benevolent, spoke to them in a gentle tone and in the name
+of the King invited them to stay several days at the Capital, and the
+blind men, you may believe, accepted with joy, for they knew they would
+be well taken care of.
+
+The new Prime Minister was not long in assuming his office. The King
+constantly summoned him to his councils. Now it came to pass one day
+that he sent for him and said, “I am intending to lead an army against
+Jin-Han. My father suffered a severe defeat while attacking that
+country and it is my duty to avenge him. What do you think of it?”
+
+“Sire,” replied Sun-Yen, “May I have permission to reflect upon this
+matter for a few days before giving you my opinion?”
+
+The same day, San-Syeng questioned the King’s father-in-law upon the
+subject of Ja-Jo-Mi and Su-Rung. The young General was thirsting for
+revenge. He expected to find Sun-Yen in a similar frame of mind but the
+Prime Minister spoke to him as he had done to the King.
+
+“You will know my decision in a few days. I must consider this.”
+
+When he was alone Sun-Yen considered the problem from every angle.
+
+Although misfortunes a-plenty had been his share, he did not hold any
+resentment against humanity. He felt a great tolerance for his most
+bitter enemies. “Of what good is revenge,” he thought. “What will it
+profit us to declare war which sooner or later will bring reprisals?”
+Inspired by such sentiments, the Prime Minister went to the Sovereign.
+“Sire,” he said, “do you not believe that it would be advisable to know
+what your subjects think of this war before undertaking the campaign?”
+
+“Assuredly,” replied the King. “I would gladly be informed upon that
+question, but how can we learn the opinion of all the Koreans?”
+
+“That will be very easy, sire. Have a grand meeting of your people here
+at the Capital. Their sentiment will be the sentiment of the country at
+large. I shall have a few words to say, and then if you persist in your
+intentions, we shall begin the war.”
+
+The King approved Sun-Yen’s suggestion and orders were issued that an
+immense feast be prepared. Hundreds of tables were decorated and filled
+with food. The guests were to be divided into five groups: the Royal
+Family, the Governors, the Army, the common people and the criminals
+and other unfit. The repast, the first of this kind in all Korea, was a
+merry one. Before the guests separated, Sun-Yen asked for silence, and
+in a powerful voice pronounced the following words:
+
+“By virtue of my office as Prime Minister, I have taken it upon myself
+to put one question to all of you. Our Master, the King, wishes to
+undertake an expedition against Jin-Han to avenge his father’s defeat.
+Is this expedition opportune? To me, war is the worst of evils. It
+causes destruction beyond measure, and it is impossible to count the
+innocent ones who perish on the battlefield and at home. What is the
+cause of your heavy taxes if not the need of maintaining a large army?
+
+“With peace all is different. The public welfare increases. Mankind,
+created to love and not to slaughter, may enter into relations which
+will increase mutual happiness. Nature furnishes us an example of
+peace, does it not? When we see a ferocious dog on the highway
+attacking another dog, incapable of defending itself, we hasten to help
+the weaker. Why should we be more cruel with our fellow men than with
+our animals? Perhaps the stronger dog will always seek to oppress the
+weaker, but are we not superior beings and do we not possess reason
+which teaches tolerance and mercy to our neighbors? Therefore, it is my
+opinion, sire, that we should not declare war.
+
+“I do not wish the punishment of our guilty neighbors although several
+of them have done me a great deal of harm. Let us pardon them. May this
+example serve as a lesson to those peoples who have similar wicked
+thoughts.”
+
+These words met with unanimous approbation. Every one seemed to be of
+Sun-Yen’s opinion and loud shouts of approval went up from the crowd.
+“What happiness is ours! We are like the grass which the Springtime
+brings to life, like the beneficial rain after a long drought.” From
+the tremendous crowd arose cries of gladness which were a token of
+thanks, a hymn of joy and a fervent prayer for the future of the land.
+
+’Twas a happy epoch for our country. Content reigned everywhere. Under
+the benevolent influence of Sun-Yen, everybody in Korea worked and
+lived in peace.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+One day the Prime Minister disappeared. He could not be found. Possibly
+he had been carried to Heaven in a cloud--to his last and well-deserved
+home with his ancestors.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_For it has been proclaimed by The Great Teacher and Venerable
+Philosopher from the depths of his Wisdom, that all things having the
+appearance of Evil are transient and that Goodness will overcome and
+Virtue triumph._
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_So--having passed through the ten stages of its life--our legend here
+cometh to an end._
+
+
+
+
+TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
+
+
+Page 79: “Governor’s” corrected to “Governors’”.
+
+Page 97: “revery” corrected to “reverie”.
+
+Inconsistencies in hyphenation have been left unchanged.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78208 ***