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one approached nearer to it； to wear no more pacific a face than if it had
been a carnage of the hurl…headlong or the curved…hook varieties。 In such a
competition； it occurred to him； how little deference would be paid to this
one's title of 〃Established Genius；〃 or how inadequately would he be
protected by his undoubted capacity of leaping upwards； and even in a
sideway direction； for no matter how vigorously he might propel himself；
or how successfully he might endeavour to remain self…sustained in the air；
the ill…destined moment could not be long deferred when he must come
down again into the midst of the elevenall doubtless concealing weapons
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as massive and fatally…destructive as his own。 This prospect； to a person of
quiescent taste； whose chief delight lay in contemplating the philosophical
subtleties of the higher Classics； was in itself devoid of glamour； but with
what funereal pigments shall he describe his sinking emotions when one
of his own band； approaching him as he went； whispered in his ear； 〃Look
out at this end； they kick up like the very devil。 And their man behind the
wicket is really smart； if you give him half a chance he'll have your
stumps down before you can say 'knife。'〃 Shorn of its uncouth familiarity；
this was a charitable warning that they into whose stronghold I was
turning my footstepsperhaps first deceiving my alertness with a
proffered friendshipwould kick with the ferocity of untamed demons；
and that one in particular； whose description； to my added despair； I was
unable to retain； was known to possess a formidable knife； with which it
was his intention to cut off this person's legs at the first opportunity； before
he could be accused of the act。 Truly； 〃To one whom he would utterly
destroy Buddha sends a lucky dream。〃
Behind lay the pagoda （though the fact that this one did admittedly
turn round for a period need not be too critically dwelt upon）； with three
tiers of maidens； some already waving their hands as an encouraging token；
on each side a barrier of prickly growth inopportunely presented itself；
while in front the eleven kicking crickets stood waiting； and among them
lurked the one grasping a doubly…edged blade of a highly proficient
keenness。
There are occasional moments in the life of a person when he as the
inward perception of retiring for a few paces and looking back in order to
consider his general appearance and to judge how he is situated with
regard to himself； to review his past life in a spirit of judicial severity； to
arrange definitely upon a future composed entirely of acts of benevolence；
and to examine the working of destiny at large。 In such a scrutiny I now
began to understand that it would perhaps have been more harmonious to
my love of contemplative repose if I had considered the disadvantages
closer before venturing into this barbarian region； or； at least； if I had used
the occasion profitably to advance an argument tending towards a
somewhat fuller allowance of taels from your benevolent sleeve。 Our own
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virtuous and flower…strewn land； it is true； does not possess an immunity
from every trifling drawback。 The Hoang Hoto concede specifically the
existence of some of thesefrequently bursts through its restraining
barriers and indiscriminately sweeps away all those who are so ill…advised
as to dwell within reach of its malignant influence。 From time to time wars
and insurrections are found to be necessary； and no matter how morally…
intentioned and humanely conducted； they necessarily result in the
violation； dismemberment or extirpation of many thousand polite and
dispassionate persons who have no concern with either side。 Towns are
repeatedly consumed by fire； districts scourged by leprosy； and provinces
swept by famine。 The storms are admittedly more fatal than elsewhere； the
thunderbolts larger； more numerous； and all unerringly directed； while the
extremities of heat and cold render life really uncongenial for the greater
part of each year。 The poor； having no money to secure justice； are evilly
used； whereas the wealthy； having too much； are assailed legally by the
gross and powerful for the purpose of extorting their riches。 Robbers and
assassins lurk in every cave； vast hoards of pirates blacken the surface of
every river； and mandarins of the nine degrees must make a livelihood by
some means or other。 By day； therefore； it is inadvisable to go forth and
encounter human beings； while none but the shallow…headed would risk a
meeting with the countless demons and vampires which move by night。 To
one who has spent many moons among these foreign apparitions the
absence of drains； roads； illustrated message…parchments； maidens whose
voices may be heard protesting upon ringing a wire； loaves of conflicting
dimensions； persons who strive to put their faces upon every
advertisement； pens which emit fountains when carried in the pocket； a
profusion of make…strong foods； and an Encyclopaedia Mongolia； may
undoubtedly be mentioned as constituting a material deficiency。 Affairs
are not being altogether reputably conducted during the crisis； it can never
be quite definitely asserted what the next action of the versatile and high…
spirited Dowager Empress will be； and here it is freely contended that the
Pure and Immortal Empire is incapable of remaining in one piece for
much longer。 These； and other inconveniences of a like nature； which the
fastidious might distort into actual hardships； have never been denied； yet
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at no period of the nine thousand years of our civilisation has it been the
custom to lure out the unwary； on the plea of an agreeable entertainment；
and then to abandon him into the society of eleven club…bearing
adversaries； one of whom may be depicted as in the act of imparting an
unnecessary polish to the edge of his already preternaturally acute weapon；
while those of his own band offer no protect