These，Kimtoldme，weretheTigerHuntersofPyeng-yang，thefiercestandmostterriblefightingmenofwhichCho-Sencouldboast。
Butenough。OnmeredescriptionoftheEmperor’spalaceathousandpagesofmynarrativecouldbeworthilyexpended。Letitsufficethathereweknewpowerinallitsmaterialexpression。Onlyacivilizationdeepandwideandoldandstrongcouldproducethisfar-walled，many-gabledroofofkings。
Tonoaudience-hallwerewesea-cuniesled，but，aswetookit，toafeasting-hall。Thefeastingwasatitsend，andallthethrongwasinamerrymood。Andsuchathrong！Highdignitaries，princesoftheblood，swordednobles，palepriests，weather-tannedofficersofhighcommand，courtladieswithfacesexposed，paintedKI-SANGordancinggirlswhorestedfromentertaining，andduennas，waitingwomen，eunuchs，lackeys，andpalaceslavesamyriadofthem。
Allfellawayfromus，however，whentheEmperor，withafollowingofintimates，advancedtolookusover。Hewasamerrymonarch，especiallysoforanAsiatic。Notmorethanforty，withaclear，pallidskinthathadneverknownthesun，hewaspaunchedandweak-
legged。Yethehadoncebeenafineman。Thenobleforeheadattestedthat。Buttheeyeswereblearedandweak-lidded，thelipstwitchingandtremblingfromthevariousexcessesinwhichheindulged，whichexcesses，asIwastolearn，werelargelydevisedandpanderedbyYunsan，theBuddhistpriest，ofwhommoreanon。
Inoursea-garmentswemarinerswereamotleycrew，andmotleywasthecueofourreception。Exclamationsofwonderatourstrangenessgavewaytolaughter。Theki-sanginvadedus，draggingusabout，makingprisonersofus，twoorthreeofthemtooneofus，leadingusaboutlikegomanydancingboarsandputtingusthroughourantics。Itwasoffensive，true，butwhatcouldpoorsea-cuniesdo？
WhatcouldoldJohannesMaartensdo，withabevyoflaughinggirlsabouthim，tweakinghisnose，pinchinghisarms，ticklinghisribstillhepranced？ToescapesuchtormentHansAmdenclearedaspaceandgaveaclumsy-footedHollandishbreakdowntillalltheCourtroareditslaughter。
ItwasoffensivetomewhohadbeenequalandbooncompanionofKimformanydays。Iresistedthelaughingki-sang。Ibracedmylegsandstooduprightwithfoldedarms；norcouldpinchorticklebringaquiverfromme。Thustheyabandonedmeforeasierprey。
\"ForGod’ssake，man，makeanimpression，\"HendrikHamel，whohadstruggledtomewiththreeki-sangdraggingbehind，mumbled。
Wellmighthemumble，forwheneverheopenedhismouthtospeaktheycrammeditwithsweets。
\"Saveusfromthisfolly，\"hepersisted，duckinghisheadabouttoavoidtheirsweet-filledpalms。\"Wemusthavedignity，understand，dignity。Thiswillruinus。Theyaremakingtameanimalsofus，playthings。Whentheygrowtiredofustheywillthrowusout。
You’redoingtherightthing。Sticktoit。Standthemoff。
Commandrespect，respectforallofus——\"
Thelastwasbarelyaudible，forbythistimetheki-sanghadstuffedhismouthtospeechlessness。
AsIhavesaid，Ihadthewillandthefearlessness，andIrackedmysea-cunybrainsforthewit。Apalaceeunuch，ticklingmyneckwithafeatherfrombehind，gavememystart。Ihadalreadydrawnattentionbymyaloofnessandimperviousnesstotheattacksoftheki-sang，sothatmanywerelookingonattheeunuch’sbaitingofme。
Igavenosign，madenomove，untilIhadlocatedhimanddistancedhim。Then，likeashot，withoutturningheadorbody，merelybymyarmIfetchedhimanopen，back-handedslap。Myknuckleslandedflatonhischeekandjaw。Therewasacracklikeasparpartinginagale。Hewasbowledcleanover，landinginaheapontheflooradozenfeetaway。
Therewasnolaughter，onlycriesofsurpriseandmurmuringsandwhisperingsof\"YiYong-ik。\"AgainIfoldedmyarmsandstoodwithafineassumptionofhaughtiness。IdobelievethatI，AdamStrang，hadamongotherthingsthesoulofanactorinme。Forseewhatfollows。Iwasnowthemostsignificantofourcompany。Proud-
eyed，disdainful，Imetunwaveringtheeyesuponmeandmadethemdrop，orturnaway——alleyesbutone。Theseweretheeyesofayoungwoman，whomIjudged，byrichnessofdressandbythehalf-
dozenwomenflutteringatherback，tobeacourtladyofdistinction。Intruth，shewastheLadyOm，princessofthehouseofMin。DidIsayyoung？Shewasfullymyownage，thirty，andforallthatandherripenessandbeautyaprincessstillunmarried，asIwastolearn。
ShealonelookedmeintheeyeswithoutwaveringuntilitwasIwhoturnedaway。Shedidnotlookmedown，fortherewasneitherchallengenorantagonisminhereyes——onlyfascination。Iwaslothtoadmitthisdefeatbyonesmallwoman，andmyeyes，turningaside，lightedonthedisgracefulroutofmycomradesandthetrailingki-
sangandgavemethepretext。IclappedmyhandsintheAsiaticfashionwhenonegivescommand。
\"Letbe！\"Ithunderedintheirownlanguage，andintheformoneaddresseeunderlings。
Oh，Ihadachestandathroat，andcouldbull-roartothehurtofear-drums。IwarrantsoloudacommandhadneverbeforecrackedthesacredairoftheEmperor’spalace。
Thegreatroomwasaghast。Thewomenwerestartled，andpressedtowardoneanotherasforsafety。Theki-sangreleasedthecuniesandshrankawaygigglingapprehensively。OnlytheLadyOmmadenosignnormotionbutcontinuedtogazewide-eyedintomyeyeswhichhadreturnedtohers。
Thenfellagreatsilence，asifallwaitedsomewordofdoom。A
multitudeofeyestimidlystolebackandforthfromtheEmperortomeandfrommetotheEmperor。AndIhadwittokeepthesilenceandtostandthere，armsfolded，haughtyandremote。
\"Hespeaksourlanguage，\"quoththeEmperoratthelast；andIsweartherewassucharelinquishmentofheldbreathsthatthewholeroomwasonevastsigh。
\"Iwasbornwiththislanguage，\"Ireplied，mycunywitsrunningrashlytothefirstmadnessthatprompted。\"Ispokeitatmymother’sbreast。Iwasthemarvelofmyland。Wisemenjourneyedfartoseemeandtohear。ButnomanknewthewordsIspoke。InthemanyyearssinceIhaveforgottenmuch，butnow，inCho-Sen，thewordscomebacklikelong-lostfriends。\"
AnimpressionIcertainlymade。TheEmperorswallowedandhislipstwitchedereheasked:
\"Howexplainyouthis？\"
\"Iamanaccident，\"Ianswered，followingthewaywardleadmywithadopened。\"Thegodsofbirthwerecareless，andIwasmislaidinafarlandandnursedbyanalienpeople。IamKorean，andnow，atlast，Ihavecometomyhome。\"
Whatanexcitedwhisperingandconferringtookplace。TheEmperorhimselfinterrogatedKim。
\"Hewasalwaysthus，ourspeechinhismouth，fromthetimehecameoutofthesea，\"Kimliedlikethegoodfellowhewas。
\"Bringmeyang-ban’sgarmentsasbefitsme，\"Iinterrupted，\"andyoushallsee。\"AsIwasledawayincompliance，Iturnedontheki-
sang。\"Andleavemyslavesalone。Theyhavejourneyedfarandareweary。Theyaremyfaithfulslaves。\"
InanotherroomKimhelpedmechange，sendingthelackeysaway；andquickandtothepointwasthedress-rehearsalhegaveme。HeknewnomoretowardwhatIdrovethandidI，buthewasagoodfellow。
Thefunnything，oncebackinthecrowdandspoutingKoreanwhichI
claimedwasrustyfromlongdisuse，wasthatHendrikHamelandtherest，toostubborn-tonguedtolearnnewspeech，didnotknowawordIuttered。
\"IamofthebloodofthehouseofKoryu，\"ItoldtheEmperor，\"thatruledatSongdomanyalongyearagonewhenmyhousearoseontheruinsofSilla。\"
Ancienthistory，all，toldmebyKimonthelongride，andhestruggledwithhisfacetohearmeparrothisteaching。
\"These，\"Isaid，whentheEmperorhadaskedmeaboutmycompany，\"thesearemyslaves，allexceptthatoldchurlthere\"——IindicatedJohannesMaartens——\"whoisthesonofafreedman。\"ItoldHendrikHameltoapproach。\"Thisone，\"Iwantonedon，\"wasborninmyfather’shouseofaseedslavewhowasborntherebeforehim。Heisveryclosetome。Weareofanage，bornonthesameday，andonthatdaymyfathergavehimme。\"
Afterwards，whenHendrikHamelwaseagertoknowallthatIhadsaid，andwhenItoldhim，hereproachedmeandwasinaprettyrage。
\"Thefat’sinthefire，Hendrik，\"quothI。\"WhatIhavedonehasbeenoutofwitlessnessandtheneedtobesayingsomething。Butdoneitis。NoryounorIcanpluckforththefat。Wemustactourpartsandmakethebestofit。\"
Taiwun，theEmperor’sbrother，wasasotofsots，andasthenightworeonhechallengedmetoadrinking。TheEmperorwasdelighted，andcommandedadozenofthenoblestsotstojoininthebout。Thewomenweredismissed，andwewenttoit，drinkfordrink，measureformeasure。KimIkeptbyme，andmidwayalong，despiteHendrikHamel’swarningscowls，dismissedhimandthecompany，firstrequesting，andobtaining，palacelodgmentinsteadoftheinn。
Nextdaythepalacewasa-buzzwithmyfeast，forIhadputTaiwunandallhischampionssnoringonthematsandwalkedunaidedtomybed。Never，inthedaysofvicissitudethatcamelater，didTaiwundoubtmyclaimofKoreanbirth。OnlyaKorean，heaverred，couldpossesssostrongahead。
Thepalacewasacityinitself，andwewerelodgedinasortofsummer-housethatstoodapart。Theprincelyquartersweremine，ofcourse，andHamelandMaartens，withtherestofthegrumblingcunies，hadtocontentthemselveswithwhatremained。
IwassummonedbeforeYunsan，theBuddhistpriestIhavementioned。
Itwashisfirstglimpseofmeandmyfirstofhim。EvenKimhedismissedfromme，andwesataloneondeepmatsinatwilightroom。
Lord，Lord，whatamanandamindwasYunsan！Hemadetoprobemysoul。HeknewthingsofotherlandsandplacesthatnooneinCho-
Sendreamedtoknow。Didhebelievemyfabledbirth？Icouldnotguess，forhisfacewaslesschangefulthanabowlofbronze。
WhatYunsan’sthoughtswereonlyYunsanknew。Butinhim，thispoor-clad，lean-belliedpriest，IsensedthepowerbehindpowerinallthepalaceandinallCho-Sen。Isensedalso，throughthedriftofspeech，thathehaduseofme。NowwasthisusesuggestedbytheLadyOm？——anutIgaveHendrikHameltocrack。Ilittleknew，andlessIcared，forIlivedalwaysinthemomentandletothersforecast，forfend，andtravailtheiranxiety。
Ianswered，too，thesummonsoftheLadyOm，followingasleek-
faced，cat-footedeunuchthroughquietpalacebywaystoherapartments。Shelodgedasaprincessofthebloodshouldlodge。
She，too，hadapalacetoherself，amonglotuspondswheregrowforestsoftreescenturiesoldbutsodwarfedthattheyreachednohigherthanmymiddle。Bronzebridges，sodelicateandrarethattheylookedasiffashionedbyjewel-smiths，spannedherlilyponds，andabamboogrovescreenedherpalaceapartfromallthepalace。
Myheadwasawhirl。Sea-cunythatIwas，Iwasnodoltwithwomen，andIsensedmorethanidlecuriosityinhersendingforme。Ihadheardlove-talesofcommonmenandqueens，andwasa-wonderingifnowitwasmyfortunetoprovesuchtalestrue。
TheLadyOmwastedlittletime。Therewerewomenabouther，butsheregardedtheirpresencenomorethanacarterhishorses。Isatbesideherondeepmatsthatmadetheroomhalfacouch，andwinewasgivenmeandsweetstonibble，servedontiny，foot-hightablesinlaidwithpearl。
Lord，Lord，Ihadbuttolookintohereyes——Butwait。Makenomistake。TheLadyOmwasnofool。Ihavesaidshewasofmyownage。Allofthirtyshewas，withthepoiseofheryears。Sheknewwhatshewanted。Sheknewwhatshedidnotwant。Itwasbecauseofthisshehadnevermarried，althoughallpressurethatanAsiaticcourtcouldputuponawomanhadbeenvainlyputuponhertocompelhertomarryChongMong-ju。HewasalessercousinofthegreatMinfamily，himselfnofool，andgraspingsogreedilyforpowerastoperturbYunsan，whostrovetoretainallpowerhimselfandkeepthepalaceandCho-Seninorderedbalance。ThusYunsanitwaswhoinsecretalliedhimselfwiththeLadyOm，savedherfromhercousin，usedhertotrimhercousin’swings。Butenoughofintrigue。ItwaslongbeforeIguessedatitheofit，andthenlargelythroughtheLadyOm’sconfidencesandHendrikHamel’sconclusions。
TheLadyOmwasaveryflowerofwoman。Womensuchasshearebornrarely，scarcetwiceacenturythewholeworldover。Shewasunhamperedbyruleorconvention。Religion，withher，wasaseriesofabstractions，partlylearnedfromYunsan，partlyworkedoutforherself。Vulgarreligion，thepublicreligion，sheheld，wasadevicetokeepthetoilingmillionstotheirtoil。Shehadawillofherown，andshehadaheartallwomanly。Shewasabeauty——yes，abeautybyanysetruleoftheworld。HerlargeblackeyeswereneitherslittednorslantedintheAsiaticway。Theywerelong，true，butsetsquarely，andwithjusttheslightesthintofobliquenessthatwasallforpiquancy。
Ihavesaidshewasnofool。Behold！AsIpalpitatedtothesituation，princessandsea-cunyandlovenotalittlethatthreatenedbig，Irackedmycuny’sbrainsforwittocarrythethingoffwithmanhoodcredit。Itchanced，earlyinthisfirstmeeting，thatImentionedwhatIhadtoldalltheCourt，thatIwasintruthaKoreanofthebloodoftheancienthouseofKoryu。
\"Letbe，\"shesaid，tappingmylipswithherpeacockfan。\"Nochild’staleshere。KnowthatwithmeyouarebetterandgreaterthanofanyhouseofKoryu。Youare……\"
Shepaused，andIwaited，watchingthedaringgrowinhereyes。
\"Youareaman，\"shecompleted。\"NoteveninmysleephaveIeverdreamedtherewassuchamanasyouonhistwolegsupstandingintheworld。\"
Lord，Lord！andwhatcouldapoorsea-cunydo？Thisparticularsea-
cuny，Iadmit，blushedthroughhisseatantilltheLadyOm’seyesweretwinpoolsofroguishnessintheirteasingdeliciousnessandmyarmswereallbutabouther。Andshelaughedtantalizinglyandalluringly，andclappedherhandsforherwomen，andIknewthattheaudience，forthisonce，wasover。Iknew，also，therewouldbeotheraudiences，theremustbeotheraudiences。
BacktoHamel，myheadawhirl。
\"Thewoman，\"saidhe，afterdeepcogitation。HelookedatmeandsighedanenvyIcouldnotmistake。\"Itisyourbrawn，AdamStrang，thatbullthroatofyours，youryellowhair。Well，it’sthegame，man。Playher，andallwillbewellwithus。Playher，andIshallteachyouhow。\"
Ibristled。Sea-cunyIwas，butIwasman，andtonomanwouldIbebeholdeninmywaywithwomen。HendrikHamelmightbeonetimepart-owneroftheoldSparwehr，withanavigator’sknowledgeofthestarsanddeepversedinbooks，butwithwomen，no，thereIwouldnotgivehimbetter。
Hesmiledthatthin-lippedsmileofhis，andqueried:
\"HowlikeyoutheLadyOm？\"
\"Insuchmattersacunyisnaughtparticular，\"Itemporized。
\"Howlikeyouher？\"herepeated，hisbeadyeyesboringintome。
\"Passingwell，ay，andmorethanpassingwell，ifyouwillhaveit。\"
\"Thenwintoher，\"hecommanded，\"andsomedaywewillgetshipandescapefromthiscursedland。I’dgivehalfthesilksoftheIndiesforamealofChristianfoodagain。\"
Heregardedmeintently。
\"Doyouthinkyoucanwintoher？\"hequestioned。
Iwashalfintheairatthechallenge。Hesmiledhissatisfaction。
\"Butnottooquickly，\"headvised。\"Quickthingsarecheapthings。
Putaprizeuponyourself。Becharyofyourkindnesses。Makeavalueofyourbullthroatandyellowhair，andthankGodyouhavethem，fortheyareofmoreworthinawoman’seyesthanarethebrainsofadozenphilosophers。\"
Strangewhirlingdayswerethosethatfollowed，whatofmyaudienceswiththeEmperor，mydrinkingboutswithTaiwun，myconferenceswithYunsan，andmyhourswiththeLadyOm。Besides，Isatuphalfthenights，byHamel’scommand，learningfromKimalltheminutiaeofcourtetiquetteandmanners，thehistoryofKoreaandofgodsoldandnew，andtheformsofpolitespeech，noblespeech，andcooliespeech。Neverwassea-cunyworkedsohard。Iwasapuppet——puppettoYunsan，whohadneedofme；puppettoHamel，whoschemedthewitoftheaffairthatwassodeepthataloneIshouldhavedrowned。
OnlywiththeLadyOmwasIman，notpuppet……andyet，andyet，asIlookbackandponderacrosstime，Ihavemydoubts。IthinktheLadyOm，too，hadherwillwithme，wantingmeforherheart’sdesire。Yetinthisshewaswellmet，foritwasnotlongereshewasmyheart’sdesire，andsuchwastheimmediacyofmywillthatnotherwill，norHendrikHamel’s，norYunsan’s，couldholdbackmyarmsfromabouther。
Inthemeantime，however，IwascaughtupinapalaceintrigueI
couldnotfathom。Icouldcatchthedriftofit，nomore，againstChongMong-ju，theprincelycousinoftheLadyOm。BeyondmyguessingtherewerecliquesandcliqueswithincliquesthatmadealabyrinthofthepalaceandextendedtoalltheSevenCoasts。ButI
didnotworry。IleftthattoHendrikHamel。TohimIreportedeverydetailthatoccurredwhenhewasnotwithme；andhe，withfurrowedbrows，sittingdarklingbythehour，likeapatientspiderunravelledthetangleandspunthewebafresh。Asmybodyslaveheinsisteduponattendingmeeverywhere；beingonlybarredonoccasionbyYunsan。OfcourseIbarredhimfrommymomentswiththeLadyOm，buttoldhimingeneralwhatpassed，withexceptionoftendererincidentsthatwerenothisbusiness。
IthinkHamelwascontenttositbackandplaythesecretpart。Hewastoocold-bloodednottocalculatethattheriskwasmine。IfI
prospered，heprospered。IfIcrashedtoruin，hemightcreepoutlikeaferret。Iamconvincedthathesoreasoned，andyetitdidnotsavehimintheend，asyoushallsee。
\"Standbyme，\"ItoldKim，\"andwhatsoeveryouwishshallbeyours。
Haveyouawish？\"
\"IwouldcommandtheTigerHuntersofPyeng-Yang，andsocommandthepalaceguards，\"heanswered。
\"Wait，\"saidI，\"andthatwillyoudo。Ihavesaidit。\"
Thehowofthematterwasbeyondme。Buthewhohasnaughtcandispensetheworldinlargess；andI，whohadnaught，gaveKimcaptaincyofthepalaceguards。ThebestofitisthatIdidfulfilmypromise。KimdidcometocommandtheTigerHunters，althoughitbroughthimtoasadend。
SchemingandintriguingIlefttoHamelandYunsan，whowerethepoliticians。Iwasmeremanandlover，andmerrierthantheirswasthetimeIhad。Pictureittoyourself——ahard-bitten，joy-lovingsea-cuny，irresponsible，unawareeverofpastorfuture，wininganddiningwithkings，theacceptedloverofaprincess，andwithbrainslikeHamel’sandYunsan’stodoallplanningandexecutingforme。
MorethanonceYunsanalmostdivinedthemindbehindmymind；butwhenheprobedHamel，Hamelprovedastupidslave，athousandtimeslessinterestedinaffairsofstateandpolicythanwasheinterestedinmyhealthandcomfortandgarrulouslyanxiousaboutmydrinkingcontestswithTaiwun。IthinktheLadyOmguessedthetruthandkeptittoherself；witwasnotherdesire，but，asHamelhadsaid，abullthroatandaman’syellowhair。
MuchthatpawedbetweenusIshallnotrelate，thoughtheLadyOmisdeardustthesecenturies。Butshewasnottobedenied，norwasI；
andwhenamanandwomanwilltheirheartstogetherheadsmayfallandkingdomscrashandyettheywillnotforgo。
Camethetimewhenourmarriagewasmooted——oh，quietly，atfirst，mostquietly，asmerepalacegossipindarkcornersbetweeneunuchsandwaiting-women。Butinapalacethegossipofthekitchenscullionswillcreeptothethrone。Soontherewasaprettyto-do。
ThepalacewasthepulseofCho-Sen，andwhenthepalacerocked，Cho-Sentrembled。Andtherewasreasonfortherocking。OurmarriagewouldbeablowstraightbetweentheeyesofChongMong-ju。
Hefought，withashowofstrengthforwhichYunsanwasready。
ChongMong-judisaffectedhalftheprovincialpriesthood，untiltheypilgrimagedinprocessionsamilelongtothepalacegatesandfrightenedtheEmperorintoapanic。
ButYunsanheldlikearock。Theotherhalfoftheprovincialpriesthoodwashis，with，inaddition，allthepriesthoodofthegreatcitiessuchasKeijo，Fusan，Songdo，Pyen-Yang，Chenampo，andChemulpo。YunsanandtheLadyOm，betweenthem，twistedtheEmperorrightabout。Assheconfessedtomeafterward，shebulliedhimwithtearsandhysteriaandthreatsofascandalthatwouldshakethethrone。Andtocapitall，atthepsychologicalmoment，YunsanpanderedtheEmperortonoveltiesofexcessthathadbeenlongpreparing。
\"Youmustgrowyourhairforthemarriageknot，\"Yunsanwarnedmeoneday，withtheghostofatwinkleinhisaustereeyes，morenearlyfacetiousandhumanthanIhadeverbeheldhim。
Nowitisnotmeetthataprincessespouseasea-cuny，orevenaclaimantoftheancientbloodofKoryu，whoiswithoutpower，orplace，orvisiblesymbolsofrank。SoitwaspromulgatedbyimperialdecreethatIwasaprinceofKoryu。Next，afterbreakingthebonesanddecapitatingthethengovernorofthefiveprovinces，himselfanadherentofChongMong-ju，IwasmadegovernorofthesevenhomeprovincesofancientKoryu。InCho-Sensevenisthemagicnumber。TocompletethisnumbertwooftheprovincesweretakenoverfromthehandsoftwomoreofChongMong-ju’sadherents。
Lord，Lord，asea-cuny……anddispatchednorthovertheMandarinRoadwithfivehundredsoldiersandaretinueatmyback！Iwasagovernorofsevenprovinces，wherefiftythousandtroopsawaitedme。
Life，death，andtorture，Icarriedatmydisposal。Ihadatreasuryandatreasurer，tosaynothingofaregimentofscribes。
Awaitingmealsowasafullthousandoftax-farmers；whosqueezedthelastcoppersfromthetoilingpeople。
Thesevenprovincesconstitutedthenorthernmarch。BeyondlaywhatisnowManchuria，butwhichwasknownbyusasthecountryoftheHong-du，or\"RedHeads。\"Theywerewildraiders，onoccasioncrossingtheYaluingreatmassesandover-runningnorthernCho-Senlikelocusts。Itwassaidtheyweregiventocannibalpractices。I
knowofexperiencethattheywereterriblefighters，mostdifficulttoconvinceofabeating。
Awhirlwindyearitwas。WhileYunsanandtheLadyOmatKeijocompletedthedisgraceofChongMong-ju，Iproceededtomakeareputationformyself。OfcourseitwasreallyHendrikHamelatmyback，butIwasthefinefigure-headthatcarrieditoff。ThroughmeHameltaughtoursoldiersdrillandtacticsandtaughttheRedHeadsstrategy。Thefightingwasgrand，andthoughittookayear，theyear’sendsawpeaceonthenorthernborderandnoRedHeadsbutdeadRedHeadsonoursidetheYalu。
IdonotknowifthisinvasionoftheRedHeadsisrecordedinWesternhistory，butifsoitwillgiveacluetothedateofthetimesofwhichIwrite。Anotherclue:whenwasHideyoshitheShogunofJapan？InmytimeIheardtheechoesofthetwoinvasions，agenerationbefore，drivenbyHideyoshithroughtheheartofCho-SenfromFusaninthesouthtoasfarnorthasPyeng-
Yang。ItwasthisHideyoshiwhosentbacktoJapanamyriadtubsofpickledearsandnosesofKoreansslaininbattle。Italkedwithmanyoldmenandwomenwhohadseenthefightingandescapedthepickling。
BacktoKeijoandtheLadyOm。Lord，Lord，shewasawoman。Forfortyyearsshewasmywoman。Iknow。Nodissentingvoicewasraisedagainstthemarriage。ChongMong-ju，clippedofpower，indisgrace，hadretiredtosulksomewhereonthefarnorth-eastcoast。
Yunsanwasabsolute。Nightlythesinglebeaconsflaredtheirmessageofpeaceacrosstheland。TheEmperorgrewmoreweak-leggedandblear-eyedwhatoftheingeniousdeviltriesdevisedforhimbyYunsan。TheLadyOmandIhadwontoourhearts’desires。Kimwasincommandofthepalaceguards。KwanYung-jin，theprovincialgovernorwhohadplankedandbeatenuswhenwewerefirstcastaway，IhadshornofpowerandbanishedforeverfromappearingwithinthewallsofKeijo。
Oh，andJohannesMaartens。Disciplineiswellhammeredintoasea-
cuny，and，despitemynewgreatness，IcouldneverforgetthathehadbeenmycaptaininthedayswesoughtnewIndiesintheSparwehr。AccordingtomytalefirsttoldinCourt，hewastheonlyfreemaninmyfollowing。Therestofthecunies，beingconsideredmyslaves，couldnotaspiretoofficeofanysortunderthecrown。
ButJohannescould，anddid。Theslyoldfox！IlittleguessedhisintentwhenheaskedmetomakehimgovernorofthepaltrylittleprovinceofKyong-ju。Kyong-juhadnowealthoffarmsorfisheries。
Thetaxesscarcepaidthecollecting，andthegovernorshipwaslittlemorethananemptyhonour。Theplacewasintruthagraveyard——asacredgraveyard，foronTabongMountainwereshrinedandsepulturedthebonesoftheancientkingsofSilla。BettergovernorofKyong-juthanretainerofAdamStrang，waswhatI
thoughtwasinhismind；nordidIdreamthatitwasexceptforfearoflonelinessthatcausedhimtotakefourofthecunieswithhim。
Gorgeouswerethetwoyearsthatfollowed。MysevenprovincesI
governedmainlythoughneedyyang-bansselectedformebyYunsan。
Anoccasionalinspection，doneinstateandaccompaniedbytheLadyOm，wasallthatwasrequiredofme。Shepossessedasummerpalaceonthesouthcoast，whichwefrequentedmuch。Thentherewereman’sdiversions。Ibecamepatronofthesportofwrestling，andrevivedarcheryamongtheyang-bans。Also，therewastiger-huntinginthenorthernmountains。
AremarkablethingwasthetidesofCho-Sen。Onournorth-eastcoasttherewasscarceariseandfallofafoot。Onourwestcoasttheneaptidesranashighassixtyfeet。Cho-Senhadnocommerce，noforeigntraders。Therewasnovoyagingbeyondhercoasts，andnovoyagingofotherpeoplestohercoasts。Thiswasduetoherimmemorialpolicyofisolation。OnceinadecadeorascoreofyearsChineseambassadorsarrived，buttheycameoverland，aroundtheYellowSea，acrossthecountryoftheHong-du，anddowntheMandarinRoadtoKeijo。Theroundtripwasayear-longjourney。
TheirmissionwastoexactfromourEmperortheemptyceremonialofacknowledgmentofChina’sancientsuzerainty。
ButHamel，fromlongbrooding，wasripeningforaction。Hisplansgrewapace。Cho-SenwasIndiesenoughforhimcouldhebutworkitright。Littleheconfided，butwhenhebegantoplaytohavememadeadmiraloftheCho-Sennavyofjunks，andtoinquiremorethancasuallyofthedetailsofthestore-placesoftheimperialtreasury，Icouldputtwoandtwotogether。
NowIdidnotcaretodepartfromCho-SenexceptwiththeLadyOm。
WhenIbroachedthepossibilityofitshetoldme，warminmyarms，thatIwasherkingandthatwhereverIledshewouldfollow。Asyoushallseeitwastruth，fulltruth，thatsheuttered。
ItwasYunsan’sfaultforlettingChongMong-julive。AndyetitwasnotYunsan’sfault。Hehadnotdaredotherwise。DisgracedatCourt，neverthelessChongMong-juhadbeentoopopularwiththeprovincialpriesthood。Yunsanhadbeencompelledtoholdhishand，andChongMong-ju，apparentlysulkingonthenorth-eastcoast，hadbeenanythingbutidle。Hisemissaries，chieflyBuddhistpriests，wereeverywhere，wenteverywhere，gatheringineventheleastoftheprovincialmagistratestoallegiancetohim。IttakesthecoldpatienceoftheAsiatictoconceiveandexecutehugeandcomplicatedconspiracies。ThestrengthofChongMong-ju’spalacecliquegrewbeyondYunsan’swildestdreaming。ChongMong-jucorruptedtheverypalaceguards，theTigerHuntersofPyeng-YangwhomKimcommanded。
AndwhileYunsannodded，whileIdevotedmyselftosportandtotheLadyOm，whileHendrikHamelperfectedplansforthelootingoftheImperialtreasury，andwhileJohannesMaartensschemedhisownschemeamongthetombsofTabongMountain，thevolcanoofChongMong-ju’sdevisinggavenowarningbeneathus。
Lord，Lord，whenthestormbroke！Itwasstandoutfromunder，allhands，andsaveyournecks。Andtherewerenecksthatwerenotsaved。Thespringingoftheconspiracywaspremature。JohannesMaartensreallyprecipitatedthecatastrophe，andwhathedidwastoofavourableforChongMong-junottoadvantageby。
For，see。ThepeopleofCho-Senarefanaticalancestor-worshippers，andthatoldpirateofabooty-lustingDutchman，withhisfourcunies，infarKyong-ju，didnolessathingthanraidthetombsofthegold-coffined，long-buriedkingsofancientSilla。Theworkwasdoneinthenight，andfortherestofthenighttheytravelledforthesea-coast。ButthefollowingdayadensefoglayoverthelandandtheylosttheirwaytothewaitingjunkwhichJohannesMaartenshadprivilyoutfitted。HeandthecunieswereroundedinbyYiSun-
sin，thelocalmagistrate，oneofChongMong-ju’sadherents。OnlyHermanTrompescapedinthefog，andwasable，longafter，totellmeoftheadventure。
Thatnight，althoughnewsofthesacrilegewasspreadingthroughCho-Senandhalfthenorthernprovinceshadrisenontheirofficials，KeijoandtheCourtsleptinignorance。ByChongMong-
ju’sordersthebeaconsflaredtheirnightlymessageofpeace。Andnightbynightthepeace-beaconsflared，whiledayandnightChongMong-ju’smessengerskilledhorsesonalltheroadsofCho-Sen。ItwasmylucktoseehismessengerarriveatKeijo。Attwilight，asI
rodeoutthroughthegreatgateofthecapital，Isawthejadedhorsefallandtheexhaustedriderstaggerinonfoot；andIlittledreamedthatthatmancarriedmydestinywithhimintoKeijo。
Hismessagesprangthepalacerevolution。Iwasnotduetoreturnuntilmidnight，andbymidnightallwasover。AtnineintheeveningtheconspiratorssecuredpossessionoftheEmperorinhisownapartments。Theycompelledhimtoordertheimmediateattendanceoftheheadsofalldepartments，andastheypresentedthemselves，onebyone，beforehiseyes，theywerecutdown。
MeantimetheTigerHunterswereupandoutofhand。YunsanandHendrikHamelwerebadlybeatenwiththeflatsofswordsandmadeprisoners。ThesevenothercuniesescapedfromthepalacealongwiththeLadyOm。TheywereenabledtodothisbyKim，whoheldtheway，swordinhand，againsthisownTigerHunters。Theycuthimdownandtrodoverhim。Unfortunatelyhedidnotdieofhiswounds。
Likeaflawofwindonasummernighttherevolution，apalacerevolutionofcourse，blewandwaspast。ChongMong-juwasinthesaddle。TheEmperorratifiedwhateverChongMong-juwilled。Beyondgaspingatthesacrilegeoftheking’stombsandapplaudingChongMong-ju，Cho-Senwasunperturbed。Headsofofficialsfelleverywhere，beingreplacedbyChongMong-ju’sappointees；buttherewerenorisingsagainstthedynasty。
Andnowtowhatbefellus。JohannesMaartensandhisthreecunies，afterbeingexhibitedtobespatuponbytherabbleofhalfthevillagesandwalledcitiesofCho-Sen，wereburiedtotheirnecksinthegroundoftheopenspacebeforethepalacegate。Waterwasgiventhemthattheymightlivelongertoyearnforthefood，steaminghotandsavouryandchangedhourly，thatwasplacetemptinglybeforethem。TheysayoldJohannesMaartenslivedlongest，notgivinguptheghostforafullfifteendays。
Kimwasslowlycrushedtodeath，bonebyboneandjointbyjoint，bythetorturers，andwasalongtimeindying。Hamel，whomChongMong-judivinedasmybrains，wasexecutedbythepaddle——inshort，waspromptlyandexpeditiouslybeatentodeathtothedelightedshoutsoftheKeijopopulace。Yunsanwasgivenabravedeath。Hewasplayingagameofchesswiththejailer，whentheEmperor’s，or，rather，ChongMong-ju’s，messengerarrivedwiththepoison-cup。
\"Waitamoment，\"saidYunsan。\"Youshouldbebetter-manneredthantodisturbamaninthemidstofagameofchess。Ishalldrinkdirectlythegameisover。\"AndwhilethemessengerwaitedYunsanfinishedthegame，winningit，thendrainedthecup。
IttakesanAsiatictotemperhisspleentosteady，persistent，life-longrevenge。ThisChongMong-judidwiththeLadyOmandme。
Hedidnotdestroyus。Wewerenotevenimprisoned。TheLadyOmwasdegradedofallrankanddivestedofallpossessions。AnimperialdecreewaspromulgatedandpostedinthelastleastvillageofCho-SentotheeffectthatIwasofthehouseofKoryuandthatnomanmightkillme。Itwasfurtherdeclaredthattheeightsea-
cunieswhosurvivedmustnotbekilled。Neitherweretheytobefavoured。Theyweretobeoutcasts，beggarsonthehighways。AndthatiswhattheLadyOmandIbecame，beggarsonthehighways。
Fortylongyearsofpersecutionfollowed，forChongMong-ju’shatredoftheLadyOmandmewasdeathless。Worseluck，hewasfavouredwithlonglifeaswellaswerewecursedwithit。IhavesaidtheLadyOmwasawonderofawoman。Beyondendlesslyrepeatingthatstatement，wordsfailme，withwhichtogiveherjustappreciation。
SomewhereIhaveheardthatagreatladyoncesaidtoherlover:\"A
tentandacrustofbreadwithyou。\"IneffectthatiswhattheLadyOmsaidtome。Morethantosayit，shelivedthelastletterofit，whenmoreoftenthannotcrustswerenotplentifulandtheskyitselfwasourtent。
EveryeffortImadetoescapebeggarywasintheendfrustratedbyChongMong-ju。InSong-doIbecameafuel-carrier，andtheLadyOmandIsharedahutthatwasvastlymorecomfortablethantheopenroadinbitterwinterweather。ButChongMong-jufoundmeout，andIwasbeatenandplankedandputoutupontheroad。Thatwasaterriblewinter，thewinterpoor\"What-Now\"VandervootfrozetodeathonthestreetsofKeijo。
InPyeng-yangIbecameawater-carrier，forknowthatthatoldcity，whosewallswereancienteveninthetimeofDavid，wasconsideredbythepeopletobeacanoe，andthat，therefore，tosinkawellinsidethewallswouldbetoscupperthecity。Soalldaylongthousandsofcoolies，water-jarsyokedtotheirshoulders，trampouttherivergateandback。Ibecameoneofthese，untilChongMong-jusoughtmeout，andIwasbeatenandplankedandsetuponthehighway。
Everitwasthesame。InfarWijuIbecameadog-butcher，killingthebrutespubliclybeforemyopenstall，cuttingandhangingthecaressesforsale，tanningthehidesunderthefilthofthefeetofthepassers-bybyspreadingthehides，raw-sideup，inthemuckofthestreet。ButChongMong-jufoundmeout。Iwasadyer’shelperinPyonhan，agold-minerintheplacersofKang-wun，arope-makerandtwine-twisterinChiksan。IplaitedstrawhatsinPadok，gatheredgrassinWhang-hai，andinMasenposoldmyselftoaricefarmertotoilbentdoubleinthefloodedpaddiesforlessthanacoolie’spay。ButtherewasneveratimeorplacethatthelongarmofChongMong-judidnotreachoutandpunishandthrustmeuponthebeggar’sway。
TheLadyOmandIsearchedtwoseasonsandfoundasinglerootofthewildmountainginseng，whichisesteemedsorareandpreciousathingbythedoctorsthattheLadyOmandIcouldhavelivedayearincomfortfromthesaleofouroneroot。ButinthesellingofitIwasapprehended，therootconfiscated，andIwasbetterbeatenandlongerplankedthanordinarily。
EverywherethewanderingmembersofthegreatPeddlers’Guildcarriedwordofme，ofmycomingsandgoingsanddoings，toChongMong-juatKeijo。Onlytwice，inallthedaysaftermydownfall，didImeetChongMong-jufacetoface。ThefirsttimewasawildwinternightofstorminthehighmountainsofKang-wun。AfewhoardedcoppershadboughtfortheLadyOmandmesleepingspaceinthedirtiestandcoldestcorneroftheonelargeroomoftheinn。
Wewerejustabouttobeginonourmeagresupperofhorse-beansandwildgarliccookedintoastewwithascrapofbullockthatmusthavediedofoldage，whentherewasatinklingofbronzeponybellsandthestampofhoofswithout。Thedoorsopened，andenteredChongMong-ju，thepersonificationofwell-being，prosperityandpower，shakingthesnowfromhispricelessMongolianfurs。Placewasmadeforhimandhisdozenretainers，andtherewasroomforallwithoutcrowding，whenhiseyeschancedtolightontheLadyOmandme。
\"Theverminthereinthecorner——clearitout，\"hecommanded。
Andhishorse-boyslasheduswiththeirwhipsanddroveusoutintothestorm。Buttherewastobeanothermeeting，afterlongyears，asyoushallsee。
Therewasnoescape。NeverwasIpermittedtocrossthenorthernfrontier。NeverwasIpermittedtoputfoottoasampanonthesea。
ThePeddlers’GuildcarriedthesecommandsofChongMong-jutoeveryvillageandeverysoulinallCho-Sen。Iwasamarkedman。
Lord，Lord，Cho-Sen，Iknowyoureveryhighwayandmountainpath，allyourwalledcitiesandtheleastofyourvillages。Fortwo-
scoreyearsIwanderedandstarvedoveryou，andtheLadyOmeverwanderedandstarvedwithme。Whatweinextremityhaveeaten！——
Leavingsofdog’sflesh，putridandunsaleable，flungtousbythemockingbutchers；MINARI，awater-cressgatheredfromstagnantpoolsofslime；spoiledKIMCHIthatwouldrevoltthestomachsofpeasantsandthatcouldbesmelledamile。Ay——Ihavestolenbonesfromcurs，gleanedthepublicroadforstraygrainsofrice，robbedponiesoftheirsteamingbean-souponfrostynights。
ItisnotstrangethatIdidnotdie。Iknewandwasupheldbytwothings:thefirst，theLadyOmbymyside；thesecond，thecertainfaiththatthetimewouldcomewhenmythumbsandfingerswouldfast-lockinthegulletofChongMong-ju。
TurnedalwaysawayatthecitygatesofKeijo，whereIsoughtChongMong-ju，wewanderedon，throughseasonsanddecadesofseasons，acrossCho-Sen，whoseeveryinchofroadwasanoldstorytooursandals。Ourhistoryandidentitywerewide-scatteredasthelandwaswide。Nopersonbreathedwhodidnotknowusandourpunishment。TherewerecooliesandpeddlerswhoshoutedinsultsattheLadyOmandwhofeltthewrathofmyclutchintheirtopknots，thewrathofmyknucklesintheirfaces。Therewereoldwomeninfarmountainvillageswholookedonthebeggarwomanbymyside，thelostLadyOm，andsighedandshooktheirheadswhiletheireyesdimmedwithtears。Andtherewereyoungwomenwhosefaceswarmedwithcompassionastheygazedonthebulkofmyshoulders，theblueofmyeyes，andmylongyellowhair——IwhohadoncebeenaprinceofKoryuandtherulerofprovinces。Andtherewererabblesofchildrenthattaggedatourheels，jeeringandscreeching，peltinguswithfilthofspeechandofthecommonroad。
BeyondtheYalu，fortymileswide，wasthestripofwastethatconstitutedthenorthernfrontierandthatranfromseatosea。Itwasnotreallywasteland，butlandthathadbeendeliberatelymadewasteincarryingoutCho-Sen’spolicyofisolation。Onthisforty-
milestripallfarms，villagesandcitieshadbeendestroyed。Itwasnoman’sland，infestedwithwildanimalsandtraversedbycompaniesofmountedTigerHunterswhosebusinesswastokillanyhumanbeingtheyfound。Thatwaytherewasnoescapeforus，norwasthereanyescapeforusbysea。
Astheyearspassedmysevenfellow-cuniescamemoretofrequentFusan。Itwasonthesouth-eastcoastwheretheclimatewasmilder。
Butmorethanclimate，itlaynearestofallCho-SentoJapan。
Acrossthenarrowstraits，justfartherthantheeyecansee，wastheonehopeofescapeJapan，wheredoubtlessoccasionalshipsofEuropecame。StronguponmeisthevisionofthosesevenageingmenonthecliffsofFusanyearningwithalltheirsoulsacrosstheseatheywouldneversailagain。
AttimesjunksofJapanweresighted，butneverliftedafamiliartopsailofoldEuropeabovethesea-rim。Yearscameandwent，andthesevencuniesandmyselfandtheLadyOm，passingthroughmiddlelifeintooldage，moreandmoredirectedourfootstepstoFusan。
Andastheyearscameandwent，nowone，nowanotherfailedtogatherattheusualplace。HansAmdenwasthefirsttodie。JacobBrinker，whowashisroad-mate，broughtthenews。JacobBrinkerwasthelastoftheseven，andhewasnearlyninetywhenhedied，outlivingTrompascanttwoyears。Iwellrememberthepairofthem，towardthelast，wornandfeeble，inbeggars’rags，withbeggars’bowls，sunningthemselvessidebysideonthecliffs，tellingoldstoriesandcacklingshrill-voicedlikechildren。AndTrompwouldmaunderoverandoverofhowJohannesMaartensandthecuniesrobbedthekingsonTabongMountain，eachembalmedinhisgoldencoffinwithanembalmedmaidoneitherside；andofhowtheseancientproudonescrumbledtodustwithinthehourwhilethecuniescursedandsweatedatjunkingthecoffins。
Assureaslootisloot，oldJohannesMaartenswouldhavegotawayandacrosstheYellowSeawithhisbootyhaditnotbeenforthefognextdaythatlosthim。Thatcursedfog！Asongwasmadeofit，thatIheardandhatedthroughallCho-Sentomydyingday。Hereruntwolinesofit:
\"YanggukenichajinangaWheanpongtoradeunda，ThethickfogoftheWesternersBroodsoverWheanpeak。\"
ForfortyyearsIwasabeggarofCho-Sen。OfthefourteenofusthatwerecastawayonlyIsurvived。TheLadyOmwasofthesameindomitablestuff，andweagedtogether。Shewasalittle，weazened，toothlessoldwomantowardthelast；butevershewasthewonderwoman，andshecarriedmyheartinherstotheend。Foranoldman，threescoreandten，Istillretainedgreatstrength。Myfacewaswithered，myyellowhairturnedwhite，mybroadshouldersshrunken，andyetmuchofthestrengthofmysea-cunydaysresidedinthemusclesleftme。
ThusitwasthatIwasabletodowhatIshallnowrelate。ItwasaspringmorningonthecliffsofFusan，hardbythehighway，thattheLadyOmandIsatwarminginthesun。Wewereintheragsofbeggary，pridelessinthedust，andyetIwaslaughingheartilyatsomemumbledmerryquipoftheLadyOmwhenashadowfelluponus。
ItwasthegreatlitterofChongMong-ju，bornebyeightcoolies，withoutridersbeforeandbehindandflutteringattendantsoneitherside。
Twoemperors，civilwar，famine，andadozenpalacerevolutionshadcomeandgone；andChongMong-juremained，eventhenthegreatpoweratKeijo。Hemusthavebeennearlyeightythatspringmorningonthecliffswhenhesignalledwithpalsiedhandforhislittertoberesteddownthathemightgazeuponuswhomhehadpunishedforsolong。
\"Now，Omyking，\"theLadyOmmumbledlowtome，thenturnedtowhineanalmsofChongMong-ju，whomsheaffectednottorecognize。
AndIknewwhatwasherthought。Hadwenotshareditforfortyyears？Andthemomentofitsconsummationhadcomeatlast。SoI，too，affectednottorecognizemyenemy，and，puttingonanidioticsenility，I，too，crawledinthedusttowardthelitterwhiningformercyandcharity。
Theattendantswouldhavedrivenmeback，butwithage-quaveringcacklesChongMong-jurestrainedthem。Heliftedhimselfonashakingelbow，andwiththeothershakinghanddrewwiderapartthesilkencurtains。Hiswitheredoldfacewastransfiguredwithdelightashegloatedonus。
\"Omyking，\"theLadyOmwhinedtomeinherbeggar’schant；andI
knewallherlong-triedloveandfaithinmyemprisewereinthatchant。
Andtheredwrathwasupinme，rippingandtearingatmywilltobefree。SmallwonderthatIshookwiththeefforttocontrol。Theshaking，happily，theytookfortheweaknessofage。Iheldupmybrassbeggingbowl，andwhinedmoredolefully，andblearedmyeyestohidethebluefireIknewwasinthem，andcalculatedthedistanceandmystrengthfortheleap。
ThenIwassweptawayinablazeofred。Therewasacrashingofcurtainsandcurtain-polesandasquawkingandsquallingofattendantsasmyhandsclosedonChongMong-ju’sthroat。Thelitterover-turned，andIscarceknewwhetherIwasheadsorheels，butmyclutchneverrelaxed。
Intheconfusionofcushionsandquiltsandcurtains，atfirstfewoftheattendants’blowsfoundme。Butsoonthehorsemenwerein，andtheirheavywhip-buttsbegantofallonmyhead，whileamultitudeofhandsclawedandtoreatme。Iwasdizzy，butnotunconscious，andveryblissfulwithmyoldfingersburiedinthatleanandscragglyoldneckIhadsoughtforsolong。Theblowscontinuedtorainonmyhead，andIhadwhirlingthoughtsinwhichI
likenedmyselftoabulldogwithjawsfast-locked。ChongMong-jucouldnotescapeme，andIknowhewaswelldeaderedarkness，likethatofananaesthetic，descendeduponmethereonthecliffsofFusanbytheYellowSea。
CHAPTERXVI
WardenAtherton，whenhethinksofme，mustfeelanythingbutpride。
Ihavetaughthimwhatspiritis，humbledhimwithmyownspiritthatroseinvulnerable，triumphant，aboveallhistortures。IsithereinFolsom，inMurderers’Row，awaitingmyexecution；WardenAthertonstillholdshispoliticaljobandiskingoverSanQuentinandallthedamnedwithinitswalls；andyet，inhisheartofhearts，heknowsthatIamgreaterthanhe。
InvainWardenAthertontriedtobreakmyspirit。Andthereweretimes，beyondanyshadowofdoubt，whenhewouldhavebeengladhadIdiedinthejacket。Sothelonginquisitionwenton。Ashehadtoldme，andashetoldmerepeatedly，itwasdynamiteorcurtains。
CaptainJamiewasaveteranindungeonhorrors，yetthetimecamewhenhebrokedownunderthestrainIputonhimandontherestofmytorturers。SodesperatedidhebecomethathedaredwordswiththeWardenandwashedhishandsoftheaffair。Fromthatdayuntiltheendofmytorturingheneversetfootinsolitary。
Yes，andthetimecamewhenWardenAthertongrewafraid，althoughhestillpersistedintryingtowringfrommethehiding-placeofthenon-existentdynamite。TowardthelasthewasbadlyshakenbyJakeOppenheimer。Oppenheimerwasfearlessandoutspoken。Hehadpassedunbrokenthroughalltheirprisonhells，andoutofsuperiorwillcouldbeardthemtotheirteeth。Morrellrappedmeafullaccountoftheincident。Iwasunconsciousinthejacketatthetime。
\"Warden，\"Oppenheimerhadsaid，\"you’vebittenoffmorethanyoucanchew。Itain’tacaseofkillingStanding。It’sacaseofkillingthreemen，forassureasyoukillhim，soonerorlaterMorrellandIwillgetthewordoutandwhatyouhavedonewillbeknownfromoneendofCaliforniatotheother。You’vegotyourchoice。You’veeithergottoletuponStandingorkillallthreeofus。
Standing’sgotyourgoat。SohaveI。SohasMorrell。Youareastinkingcoward，andyouhaven’tgottheback-boneandgutstocarryoutthedirtybutcher’sworkyou’dliketodo。\"
Oppenheimergotahundredhoursinthejacketforit，and，whenhewasunlaced，spatintheWarden’sfaceandreceivedasecondhundredhoursonend。Whenhewasunlacedthistime，theWardenwascarefulnottobeinsolitary。ThathewasshakenbyOppenheimer’swordsthereisnodoubt。
ButitwasDoctorJacksonwhowasthearch-fiend。TohimIwasanovelty，andhewasevereagertoseehowmuchmoreIcouldstandbeforeIbroke。
\"Hecanstandtwentydaysoffthebat，\"hebraggedtotheWardeninmypresence。
\"Youareconservative，\"Ibrokein。\"Icanstandfortydays。
Pshaw！Icanstandahundredwhensuchasyouadministerit。\"And，rememberingmysea-cuny’spatienceoffortyyears’waitingereIgotmyhandsonChongMong-ju’sgullet，Iadded:\"Youprisoncurs，youdon’tknowwhatamanis。Youthinkamanismadeinyourowncowardlyimages。Behold，Iamaman。Youarefeeblings。Iamyourmaster。Youcan’tbringasquealoutofme。Youthinkitremarkable，foryouknowhoweasilyyouwouldsqueal。\"
Oh，Iabusedthem，calledthemsonsoftoads，hell’sscullions，slimeofthepit。ForIwasabovethem，beyondthem。Theywereslaves。Iwasfreespirit。Myfleshonlylaypentthereinsolitary。Iwasnotpent。Ihadmasteredtheflesh，andthespaciousnessoftimewasminetowanderin，whilemypoorflesh，notevensuffering，layinthelittledeathinthejacket。
MuchofmyadventuresIrappedtomytwocomrades。Morrellbelieved，forhehadhimselftastedthelittledeath。ButOppenheimer，enrapturedwithmytales，remainedasceptictotheend。Hisregretwasnaive，andattimesreallypathetic，inthatI
haddevotedmylifetothescienceofagricultureinsteadoftofictionwriting。
\"But，man，\"Ireasonedwithhim，\"whatdoIknowofmyselfaboutthisCho-Sen？Iamabletoidentifyitwithwhatisto-daycalledKorea，andthatisaboutall。Thatisasfarasmyreadinggoes。
Forinstance，howpossibly，outofmypresentlife’sexperience，couldIknowanythingaboutkimchi？YetIknowkimchi。Itisasortofsauerkraut。Whenitisspoileditstinkstoheaven。Itellyou，whenIwasAdamStrang，Iatekimchithousandsoftimes。I
knowgoodkimchi，badkimchi，rottenkimchi。IknowthebestkimchiismadebythewomenofWosan。NowhowdoIknowthat？Itisnotinthecontentofmymind，DarrellStanding’smind。ItisinthecontentofAdamStrang’smind，who，throughvariousbirthsanddeaths，bequeathedhisexperiencestome，DarrellStanding，alongwiththerestoftheexperiencesofthosevariousotherlivesthatintervened。Don’tyousee，Jake？Thatishowmencometobe，togrow，howspiritdevelops。\"
\"Aw，comeoff，\"herappedbackwiththequickimperativeknucklesI
knewsowell。\"Listentoyouruncletalknow。IamJakeOppenheimer。IalwayshavebeenJakeOppenheimer。Nootherguyisinmymakings。WhatIknowIknowasJakeOppenheimer。NowwhatdoIknow？I’lltellyouonething。Iknowkimchi。KimchiisasortofsauerkrautmadeinacountrythatusedtobecalledCho-Sen。ThewomenofWosanmakethebestkimchi，andwhenkimchiisspoileditstinkstoheaven。Youkeepoutofthis，Ed。WaittillItietheprofessorup。
\"Now，professor，howdoIknowallthisstuffaboutkimchi？Itisnotinthecontentofmymind。\"
\"Butitis，\"Iexulted。\"Iputitthere。\"
\"Allright，oldboss。Thenwhoputitintoyourmind？\"
\"AdamStrang。\"
\"Notonyourtintype。AdamStrangisapipe-dream。Youreaditsomewhere。\"
\"Never，\"Iaverred。\"ThelittleIreadofKoreawasthewarcorrespondenceatthetimeoftheJapanese-RussianWar。\"
\"Doyourememberallyouread？\"Oppenheimerqueried。
\"No。\"
\"Someyouforget？\"
\"Yes，but——\"
\"That’sall，thankyou，\"heinterrupted，inthemannerofalawyerabruptlyconcludingacross-examinationafterhavingextractedafataladmissionfromawitness。
ItwasimpossibletoconvinceOppenheimerofmysincerity。HeinsistedthatIwasmakingitupasIwentalong，althoughheapplaudedwhathecalledmy\"to-be-continued-in-our-next，\"and，atthetimestheywererestingmeupfromthejacket，wascontinuallybeggingandurgingmetorunoffafewmorechapters。
\"Now，professor，cutoutthathigh-browstuff，\"hewouldinterruptEdMorrell’sandmymetaphysicaldiscussions，\"andtellusmoreabouttheki-sangandthecunies。And，say，whileyou’reaboutit，telluswhathappenedtotheLadyOmwhenthatrough-neckhusbandofherschokedtheoldgeezerandcroaked。\"
HowoftenhaveIsaidthatformperishes。Letmerepeat。Formperishes。Matterhasnomemory。Spiritonlyremembers，ashere，inprisoncells，afterthecenturies，knowledgeoftheLadyOmandChongMong-jupersistedinmymind，wasconveyedbymeintoJakeOppenheimer’smind，andbyhimwasreconveyedintomymindintheargotandjargonoftheWest。AndnowIhaveconveyeditintoyourmind，myreader。Trytoeliminateitfromyourmind。Youcannot。
AslongasyoulivewhatIhavetoldwilltenantyourmind。Mind？
Thereisnothingpermanentbutmind。Matterfluxes，crystallizes，andfluxesagain，andformsareneverrepeated。Formsdisintegrateintotheeternalnothingnessfromwhichthereisnoreturn。Formisapparitionalandpasses，aspassedthephysicalformsoftheLadyOmandChongMong-ju。Butthememoryofthemremains，shallalwaysremainaslongasspiritendures，andspiritisindestructible。
\"Onethingsticksoutasbigasahouse，\"wasOppenheimer’sfinalcriticismofmyAdamStrangadventure。\"Andthatisthatyou’vedonemorehangingaroundChinatowndumpsandhop-jointsthanwasgoodforarespectablecollegeprofessor。Evilcommunications，youknow。Iguessthat’swhatbroughtyouhere。\"
BeforeIreturntomyadventuresIamcompelledtotelloneremarkableincidentthatoccurredinsolitary。Itisremarkableintwoways。Itshowstheastoundingmentalpowerofthatchildofthegutters，JakeOppenheimer；anditisinitselfconvincingproofoftheverityofmyexperienceswheninthejacketcoma。
\"Say，professor，\"Oppenheimertappedtomeoneday。\"WhenyouwasspielingthatAdamStrangyarn，Irememberyoumentionedplayingchesswiththatroyalsouseofanemperor’sbrother。Nowisthatchesslikeourkindofchess？\"
OfcourseIhadtoreplythatIdidnotknow，thatIdidnotrememberthedetailsafterIreturnedtomynormalstate。Andofcoursehelaughedgood-naturedlyatwhathecalledmyfoolery。YetIcoulddistinctlyrememberthatinmyAdamStrangadventureIhadfrequentlyplayedchess。ThetroublewasthatwheneverIcamebacktoconsciousnessinsolitary，unessentialandintricatedetailsfadedfrommymemory。
ItmustberememberedthatforconvenienceIhaveassembledmyintermittentandrepetitionaljacketexperiencesintocoherentandconsecutivenarratives。Ineverknewinadvancewheremyjourneysintimewouldtakeme。Forinstance，IhaveascoreofdifferenttimesreturnedtoJesseFancherinthewagon-circleatMountainMeadows。Inasingleten-days’boutinthejacketIhavegonebackandback，fromlifetolife，andoftenskippingwholeseriesoflivesthatatothertimesIhavecovered，backtoprehistorictime，andbackofthattodayserecivilizationbegan。
SoIresolved，onmynextreturnfromAdamStrang’sexperiences，wheneveritmightbe，thatIshould，immediately，Ionresumingconsciousness，concentrateuponwhatvisionsandmemories。Ihadbroughtbackofchessplaying。Asluckwouldhaveit，IhadtoendureOppenheimer’schaffingforafullmonthereithappened。Andthen，nosooneroutofjacketandcirculationrestored，thanI
startedknuckle-rappingtheinformation。
Further，ItaughtOppenheimerthechessAdamStranghadplayedinCho-Sencenturiesagone。ItwasdifferentfromWesternchess，andyetcouldnotbutbefundamentallythesame，tracingbacktoacommonorigin，probablyIndia。Inplaceofoursixty-foursquaresthereareeighty-onesquares。Wehaveeightpawnsonaside；theyhavenine；andthoughlimitedsimilarly，theprincipleofmovingisdifferent。
Also，intheCho-Sengame，therearetwentypiecesandpawnsagainstoursixteen，andtheyarearrayedinthreerowsinsteadoftwo。
Thus，theninepawnsareinthefrontrow；inthemiddlerowaretwopiecesresemblingourcastles；andinthebackrow，midway，standstheking，flankedinorderoneithersideby\"goldmoney，\"\"silvermoney，\"\"knight，\"and\"spear。\"ItwillbeobservedthatintheCho-
Sengamethereisnoqueen。Afurtherradicalvariationisthatacapturedpieceorpawnisnotremovedfromtheboard。Itbecomesthepropertyofthecaptorandisthereafterplayedbyhim。
Well，ItaughtOppenheimerthisgame——afarmoredifficultachievementthanourowngame，aswillbeadmitted，whenthecapturingandrecapturingandcontinuedplayingofpawnsandpiecesisconsidered。Solitaryisnotheated。Itwouldbeawickednesstoeaseaconvictfromanyspiteoftheelements。AndmanyadrearydayofbitingcolddidOppenheimerandIforgetthatandthefollowingwinterintheabsorptionofCho-Senchess。
ButtherewasnoconvincinghimthatIhadintruthbroughtthisgamebacktoSanQuentinacrossthecenturies。HeinsistedthatI
hadreadaboutitsomewhere，and，thoughIhadforgottenthereading，thestuffofthereadingwasneverthelessinthecontentofmymind，ripetobebroughtoutinanypipe-dream。Thusheturnedthetenetsandjargonofpsychologybackonme。
\"What’stopreventyourinventingitrighthereinsolitary？\"washisnexthypothesis。\"Didn’tEdinventtheknuckle-talk？Andain’tyouandmeimprovingonitrightalong？Igotyou，bo。Youinventedit。Say，getitpatented。IrememberwhenIwasnight-
messengersomeguyinventedafoolthingcalledPigsinCloverandmademillionsoutofit。\"
\"There’snopatentingthis，\"Ireplied。\"DoubtlesslytheAsiaticshavebeenplayingitforthousandsofyears。Won’tyoubelievemewhenItellyouIdidn’tinventit？\"
\"Thenyoumusthavereadaboutit，orseentheChinksplayingitinsomeofthosehop-jointsyouwasalwayshangingaround，\"washislastword。
ButIhavealastword。ThereisaJapanesemurdererhereinFolsom——orwas，forhewasexecutedlastweek。Italkedthematteroverwithhim；andthegameAdamStrangplayed，andwhichItaughtOppenheimer，provedquitesimilartotheJapanesegame。TheyarefarmorealikethaniseitherofthemliketheWesterngame。
CHAPTERXVII
You，myreader，willremember，farbackatthebeginningofthisnarrative，how，whenalittleladontheMinnesotafarm，IlookedatthephotographsoftheHolyLandandrecognizedplacesandpointedoutchangesinplaces。Alsoyouwillremember，asIdescribedthesceneIhadwitnessedofthehealingofthelepers，ItoldthemissionarythatIwasabigmanwithabigsword，astrideahorseandlookingon。
Thatchildhoodincidentwasmerelyatrailingcloudofglory，asWordsworthputsit。NotinentireforgetfulnesshadI，littleDarrellStanding，comeintotheworld。Butthosememoriesofothertimesandplacesthatglimmereduptothesurfaceofmychildconsciousnesssoonfailedandfaded。Intruth，asisthewaywithallchildren，theshadesoftheprison-houseclosedaboutme，andI
rememberedmymightypastnomore。Everymanbornofwomanhasapastmightyasmine。Veryfewmenbornofwomenhavebeenfortunateenoughtosufferyearsofsolitaryandstrait-jacketing。Thatwasmygoodfortune。Iwasenabledtorememberonceagain，andtoremember，amongotherthings，thetimewhenIsatastrideahorseandbeheldthelepershealed。
MynamewasRagnarLodbrog。Iwasintruthalargeman。IstoodhalfaheadabovetheRomansofmylegion。Butthatwaslater，afterthetimeofmyjourneyfromAlexandriatoJerusalem，thatI
cametocommandalegion。Itwasacrowdedlife，that。Booksandbooks，andyearsofwritingcouldnotrecorditall。SoIshallbriefenandnomorethanhintatthebeginningsofit。
Nowallisclearandsharpsavetheverybeginning。Ineverknewmymother。IwastoldthatIwastempest-born，onabeakedshipintheNorthernSea，ofacapturedwoman，afteraseafightandasackofacoastalstronghold。Ineverheardthenameofmymother。Shediedattheheightofthetempest。ShewasoftheNorthDanes，sooldLingaardtoldme。HetoldmemuchthatIwastooyoungtoremember，yetlittlecouldhetell。Aseafightandasack，battleandplunderandtorch，aflightseawardinthelongshipstoescapedestructionupontherocks，andakillingstrainandstruggleagainstthefrosty，founderingseas——who，then，shouldknowaughtormarkastrangerwomaninherhourwithherfeetfastsetonthewayofdeath？Manydied。Menmarkedthelivingwomen，notthedead。
Sharp-bittenintomychildimaginationaretheincidentsimmediatelyaftermybirth，astoldmebyoldLingaard。Lingaard，toooldtolabouratthesweeps，hadbeensurgeon，undertaker，andmidwifeofthehuddledcaptivesintheopenmidships。SoIwasdeliveredinstorm，withthespumeofthecrestingseassaltuponme。
NotmanyhoursoldwasIwhenTostigLodbrogfirstlaideyesonme。
Hiswastheleanship，andhisthesevenotherleanshipsthathadmadetheforay，fledtherapine，andwonthroughthestorm。TostigLodbrogwasalsocalledMuspell，meaning\"TheBurning\"；forhewaseveraflamewithwrath。Bravehewas，andcruelhewas，withnoheartofmercyinthatgreatchestofhis。Erethesweatofbattlehaddriedonhim，leaningonhisaxe，heatetheheartofNgrunafterthefightatHasfarth。Becauseofmadangerhesoldhisson，Garulf，intoslaverytotheJuts。Iremember，underthesmokyraftersofBrunanbuhr，howheusedtocallfortheskullofGuthlafforadrinkingbeaker。SpicedwinehewouldhavefromnoothercupthantheskullofGuthlaf。
Andtohim，onthereelingdeckafterthestormwaspast，oldLingaardbroughtme。Iwasonlyhoursold，wrappednakedinasalt-
crustedwolfskin。Nowithappens，beingprematurelyborn，thatI
wasverysmall。
\"Ho！ho！——adwarf！\"criedTostig，loweringapotofmeadhalf-
drainedfromhislipstostareatme。
Thedaywasbitter，buttheysayhesweptmenakedfromthewolfskin，andbymyfoot，betweenthumbandforefinger，dangledmetothebiteofthewind。
\"Aroach！\"heho-ho’d。\"Ashrimp！Asea-louse！\"Andhemadetosquashmebetweenhugeforefingerandthumb，eitherofwhich，Lingaardavers，wasthickerthanmylegorthigh。
Butanotherwhimwasuponhim。
\"Theyounglingisa-thirst。Lethimdrink。\"
Andtherewith，head-downward，intothehalf-potofmeadhethrustme。Andmightwellhavedrownedinthisdrinkofmen——Iwhohadneverknownamother’sbreastinthebriefnessoftimeIhadlived——
haditnotbeenforLingaard。Butwhenhepluckedmeforthfromthebrew，TostigLodbrogstruckhimdowninarage。Werolledonthedeck，andthegreatbearhounds，capturedinthefightwiththeNorthDanesjustpast，spranguponus。
\"Ho！ho！\"roaredTostigLodbrog，astheoldmanandIandthewolfskinweremauledandworriedbythedogs。
ButLingaardgainedhisfeet，savingmebutlosingthewolfskintothehounds。
TostigLodbrogfinishedthemeadandregardedme，whileLingaardknewbetterthantobegformercywherewasnomercy。
\"Hopo’mythumb，\"quothTostig。\"ByOdin，thewomenoftheNorthDanesareascurvybreed。Theybirthdwarfs，notmen。Ofwhatuseisthisthing？Hewillnevermakeaman。Listenyou，Lingaard，growhimtobeadrink-boyatBrunanbuhr。Andhaveaneyeonthedogslesttheyslobberhimdownbymistakeasameat-crumbfromthetable。\"
Iknewnowoman。OldLingaardwasmidwifeandnurse，andfornurserywerereelingdecksandthestampandtrampleofmeninbattleorstorm。HowIsurvivedpulinginfancy，Godknows。Imusthavebeenbornironinadayofiron，forsurviveIdid，togivethelietoTostig’spromiseofdwarf-hood。Ioutgrewallbeakersandtankards，andnotforlongcouldhehalf-drownmeinhismeadpot。
Thislastwasafavouritefeatofhis。Itwashisrawhumour，asallyesteemedbyhimdeliciouswit。
MyfirstmemoriesareofTostigLodbrog’sbeakedshipsandfightingmen，andofthefeasthallatBrunanbuhrwhenourboatslaybeachedbesidethefrozenfjord。ForIwasmadedrink-boy，andamongstmyearliestrecollectionsaretoddlingwiththewine-filledskullofGuthlaftotheheadofthetablewhereTostigbellowedtotherafters。Theyweremadmen，allofmadness，butitseemedthecommonwayoflifetomewhoknewnaughtelse。Theyweremenofquickragesandquickbattling。Theirthoughtswereferocious；sowastheireatingferocious，andtheirdrinking。AndIgrewlikethem。
HowelsecouldIgrow，whenIservedthedrinktothebellowingsofdrunkardsandtotheskaldssingingofHialli，andtheboldHogni，andoftheNiflung’sgold，andofGudrun’srevengeonAtliwhenshegavehimtheheartsofhischildrenandherstoeatwhilebattlesweptthebenches，toredownthehangingsrapedfromsoutherncoasts，and，litteredthefeastingboardwithswiftcorpses。
Oh，I，too，hadarage，welltutoredinsuchschool。IwasbuteightwhenIshowedmyteethatadrinkingbetweenthemenofBrunanbuhrandtheJutswhocameasfriendswiththejarlAgardinhisthreelongships。IstoodatTostigLodbrog’sshoulder，holdingtheskullofGuthlafthatsteamedandstankwiththehot，spicedwine。AndIwaitedwhileTostigshouldcompletehisravingsagainsttheNorthDanemen。ButstillheravedandstillIwaited，tillhecaughtbreathoffurytoassailtheNorthDanewoman。WhereatI
rememberedmyNorthDanemother，andsawmyrageredinmyeyes，andsmotehimwiththeskullofGuthlaf，sothathewaswine-drenched，andwine-blinded，andfire-burnt。Andashereeledunseeing，smashinghisgreatgropingclutchesthroughtheairatme，Iwasinandshort-dirkedhimthriceinbelly，thighandbuttock，thanwhichIcouldreachnohigherupthemightyframeofhim。