Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait121878roya).pdf/116

 place, they treated him every way in accordance with the rites and ceremonies, offering him tea and tobacco.

The priests addressed Kien-Chhiu as follows. "We were guilty of some disrespect in not proceeding a sufficient distance to meet Your Excellency, but we humbly beg you will pardon our fault." Kien-Chhiu replied "How dare I call you disrespectful! On the contrary your behaviour has gratified me very much. His Majesty fondly remembering your nobility of character, regrets his inability to visit you in person, but to shew clearly the benevolent intentions of his sacred mind, he has specially deputed me to present you with this gift of Imperial Wine, with which you may celebrate this feast of the new year."

On hearing this, the priests were filled with gratitude for this act of condescension on the part of His Majesty. All took their proper seats in the large Hall, and taking the Imperial gift, were pouring out the wine, and about to drink, when a certain odour caused suspicion to all;—so the Abbot taking in his hand a magic sword bequeathed to the brethren by the founder of the monastery, and dipping it in the jar of wine, immediately there arose a mephitie vapour which forced itself on all present, and made them fall to the ground with terror. After recovering themselves, the priests broke the jar of poisoned wine in pieces, and cursing the treacherous minister, cried: "What ancient grudge have you against us, or what present injury have we done, that you should deceive His Majesty, and turn him against us to our destruction? Truly it is without cause that you have done this thing, and there is nothing for us but to defend ourselves with the force we have at our disposal; why await further injury?" After again cursing him, they seized Kien-Chhiu, and struck off his head, but at the same moment, they saw the mountain above, and the monastery within and without, illuminated by fire, which blazed up to heaven; everywhere, they were surrounded by the flames, and there appeared no way of escape. The conflagration continued for two hours, and it is hard to say how many perished in the flames, but only eighteen priests were seen, and they carrying the seal and magic sword of the founder, ran into the inner-hall, where they cast themselves before the Image of Buddha, and piteously, with tears, implored his protection to save them. Suddenly, the Celestial Spirit, Tai-lo, exercising his Buddhistic powers, ordered his assistants Chu-khai and Chu-kang to open out black and yellow roads, by which the eighteen brethren were enabled to make their escape from the burning monastery.

At the break of day, these priests saw afar off, Ji-hok guiding