Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait121878roya).pdf/119

 using these as divining blocks, threw them in the air three times in succession, and each time the pieces fell to the ground uninjured; this made the brethren still more astonished, so they again bowed before the censer, and prayed as follows.

"If at a future time we are to succeed in avenging our wrongs and oppression, grant us again three favourable casts in succession."

They again threw the two pieces of pottery three times in the air, and thrice was a favourable answer given. The brethren at once prostrated themselves in gratitude, and taking stalks of grass, used them as incense sticks, and inserted them in the censer; they then all imitated the ancients Lau-pi, Kwan-ü and Tiuⁿ-hui, and took a solemn oath of mutual fidelity.

Suddenly there appeared in the censer, a magic book of fate; all saw it clearly, and were extremely delighted. But as we know," Walls have ears," and all this was overheard by the Imperial soldiers, who immediately surrounded the brethren, crying, "seize and bind these rebellious priests." The priests taking up the censer, with united strength cut away through the troops, and escaped. Now this affair took place near the spot where Koeh-siu-eng with her sister-in-law and their children were sacrificing at Kun-tat's grave, and while employed in this duty, they heard a voice, and suddenly there appeared rising from the earth a sword, on the hilt of which were engraved the characters. "Two Dragons disputing for a pearl" and on the blade, "Overturn the Chheng and restore the Beng—Just as they had deciphered the characters, they heard a cry of "save life." The sisters-in-law took up the sword, and rushing to the spot, saw the Imperial troops; so, making a trial of the sword, they rushed at the soldiers, and slaughtered a great number of them, thus rescuing the five priests.

The sisters-in-law called the brethren to the mound of the grave, and questioned them as to the circumstances under which they had been attacked; the five priests related their sad story from beginning to end, and told how much they had suffered from treachery.and deceit.

After hearing their tale, the Lady Koeh knew that these were the men who had taken the oath of brotherhood with her late husband, and that like him they were victims of the treacherous minister; she was therefore moved with compassion towards the priests, and pointing to the grave, related in turn her story, from which the priests learned that they were before the tomb