第6章

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。