grew this feeling, until one day, while passing through a thickly wooded lowland, a tiger rushed out, seized him, and carried him off. 'Help! help!' cried the priest, in an agonised voice, I shall perish.'

This was the moment for which Sün had been waiting; at no great distance behind, though concealed from sight, he had seen the workings in the priest's mind, and had followed on patiently, determined to befriend him when necessary. His anger was appeased when he saw that his dismissal had been a great conflict between inclination and what the priest considered duty; and it made him entertain a higher respect for the priest to see that he was willing to forego the advantages of the Monkey's superior intelligence and power for the sake of carrying out his duty. No sooner, then, did he hear the priest's cry of distress, than he rushed into the tiger's den, drew his pole, and slew the monster. Thanks to the rapidity of his movements, the tiger had not had time to do more than slightly scratch the priest, who now rose from the ground, and profusely acknowledged his thanks to Sün. He was not long in learning that the Monkey had, in anticipation of impending trouble, remained close behind him, and the priest, struck with remorse for his past severity, begged Sün to attribute it to a mistaken sense of duty, and promised in future to be guided entirely by his advice.

CHAPTER IV.

THE fortunate conclusion to the misunderstanding recorded in the last chapter was but the prelude to the most alarming danger which it had yet been the fate of the pilgrims to encounter. Seated one day on a fiery coloured cloud, the spirit or demon known by the name of the Flaming Child' ob

served the travellers wending their way westward. He no sooner observed them than he determined to effect their capture. He therefore descended in the form of a child, and stationing himself a few miles in front of the line of march, proceeded to bind himself tightly to a tree. As soon as the party came in sight he began to weep piteously.

'What is the matter?' said the priest, ever moved at signs of distress.

'Thieves have come,' sobbed the child, ‘and have killed my father and my mother; they would have killed me also, but I persuaded them to tie me to this tree, here to starve unless aid should arrive.'

'This is indeed a bad case,' said the priest, and without further parley he unbound the child from the tree, and ordered the Monkey to carry him. The Monkey, will. ing to spare the priest's feelings, made no objection to carrying him, for he had inwardly determined to crush him against the first rock that he should pass. He therefore loitered some distance behind, and at length, on coming to a rock, hurled his burden with all his might against it.

Alas! the Flaming Child was aware of his intent before it was put into execution, and leaping out of his skin into an invisible form, had left the mere skeleton behind, and this it was that the Monkey had dashed against the rocks. He immediately discovered his mistake, but it was too late, for the Flaming Child had already hurried on in front, and had seized the priest and his followers, and taken them into the Cave of Fiery Clouds.

The Monkey, on finding his master in this frightful predicament, lost no time in endeavouring to effect his escape. In order to carry this out the more effectually, he changed himself into the form of a mosquito, and flying into the cave, settled himself on the priest's ear, and buzzed

in it that he was not to be afraid. The priest was highly delighted on finding that his trusty servant was with him once more, and he told him in a whisper to lose no time. The Flaming Child was in the cave at the time, but, apparently secure of his prizes, seemed to be languidly dozing. However, in a minute or two he rose from his seat and went out of the cave.

This was the moment for the Monkey, who flew out of the cave, and changing himself into his original form, rushed wildly at the Flaming Child with his pole. The Flaming Child was quite prepared for this attack, for he knew perfectly well that the buzzing mosquito was only the Monkey in disguise. He now struck two blows on his nose, and there suddenly issued from his nostrils a flood of flame and smoke which completely enveloped the Monkey, and gave him the most excruciating agony, until insensibility came to his relief. His antagonist having been thus disposed of, the Flaming Child withdrew into the cave.

After a long time the Monkey opened his eyes, shook himself, and languidly rose from the ground, and then, remembering what had occurred, took a somersault and alighted at the feet of the Goddess of Mercy. It was none too soon. The Flaming Child had already issued from his cave, and would most certainly have treated him even more cruelly than before had the Monkey been one instant slower in appreciating his critical position. As it was he was too late, and the Child returned to his cave determined to slay him at the next opportunity.

Meanwhile the Monkey told the Goddess of Mercy his story and requested immediate assistance, as otherwise the priest would be destroyed. Without a word the goddess took up a piece of paper and wrote on it the word 'Enchant

VOL. VIII.NO. XLVI. NEW SERIES.

ment.' She gave this to the Monkey and told him to hasten back and show this word to the Flaming Child, which would at once have the effect of inducing the Flaming Child to follow him whithersoever he would. Accordingly the Monkey bounded back to the Cave of Fiery Clouds, and presenting himself before the Flaming Child, held up before him the word 'Enchantment.' The effect was instantaneous. The Flaming Child, who, on seeing the Monkey return, was preparing to wreak his vengeance upon him, instantly became as meek as a lamb, and obsequiously followed the Monkey out of the cave.

The Monkey then sauntered back to the residence of the Goddess of Mercy, being careful at the same time to keep the word 'Enchantment' immediately before the eyes of the Flaming Child. In this manner they entered into the presence of the Goddess of Mercy. Just as they entered, the Monkey lowered the hand in which the word Enchantment' was held, and in a moment the Flaming Child prepared to strike, but the Goddess of Mercy was too quick for him; in an instant she thrust before his face the word ' Clasp,' and once more the Flaming Child became meek as a dove, and clasped his hands before him in supplicatory gesture. The Goddess of Mercy then reprimanded him for venturing to attack one of her protégés, and condemned him to go backwards all the way home, at every other step submissively bending his head. this he willingly agreed, and from this time forth the Flaming Child became an ardent disciple of the pity-loving goddess.

To

The Monkey, thanking the goddess for her assistance, then took his leave and returned to the Cave of Fiery Clouds; here he released the priest and his two attendants, and the party once more proceeded on their way.

K K

To relate in detail the eighty-one adventures through which the travellers passed would be wearisome to the reader, for, striking and imaginative as all of them are, there is, nevertheless, so great a similarity in their general features, that we will pass over them unnoticed, merely premising that, difficult and dangerous as most of them were, they resulted fortunately to the pilgrims.

And now, at length, they were in sight of the long sought for temple; as they neared it, they could descry four gigantic beings guarding the entrance, and ever and anon sounds of thunder emanated from its midst, which the pilgrims rightly interpreted to be the voice of Buddha. On approaching the gates, they were challenged by the four sentries, who desired to know the reason of their visit.

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Enter,' replied the sentries, and forthwith the huge portals were opened, and the priest and his party walked in. As they passed by the four sentries, each of whom was armed with weapons proportioned to his size, and whose faces wore an expression of awful sternness, a slight tremor agitated their frames, but no harm was offered them, and they were now within the walls of the temple from which Buddha issued his decrees.

Seated on a throne of majestic height sat the reverend Deity, and on either side of him were his two confrères, the Buddhas of the Past and of the Future. Prostrating themselves before the throne, the suppliants remained motionless on their knees, with their heads bowed low to the ground. Thus they remained until the voice of Buddha said, 'What is it you seek?' The priest then with bended head explained the object of his visit, and

implored the Deity to grant his request.

Rise,' said Buddha; 'your request is granted.'

The priest and his followers then rose from the ground, but they dared not raise their eyes, and remained standing with heads reverently lowered.

In handing a copy of the True Classics to you,' said Buddha, at the same time placing the precious books in the hands of the priest,

it is necessary for me to say a few words. Unknown to you I have watched all your movements during your long journey. No other than true disciples of mine would have come unstained through the danger. ous scenes through which you have passed, and it is now my pleasure to commend you highly for the perseverance you have shown, and for the spirit of piety and faith with which you have met your difficulties. In entrusting you with the True Classics, I am only giving you what you have fairly earned, and rest assured that when you recite the sacred words you have a ready lis tener in me. To Sün the All-knowing I must speak particularly. From the time of your release until now the eyes of Heaven have been upon you. You discovered by painful experience that there are higher powers in Heaven than you possess, and that though to a certain point energy and talents will carry you, yet that beyond them is excellence that is unapproachable, to attempt to reach which is destruction. As you have conducted yourself since your release, so prosper. Once you sought to gain a seat in heaven by your own prowess; now that seat is granted you by virtue of mility and zeal. It is the will of the Supreme Deity that from hence forth you remain in heaven to assist us in ruling our subjects and to receive the prayers of the devout. This, too,' he added, turning to the priest, will be your lot likewise, but

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it is necessary for you first to return whence you came in order to offer up incantations for the dead, and to restore to the Dragon his head. Your attendants, though not yet fit for the honourable post you have obtained, are likewise deserving of approval; they will return with you, and by their holy lives at home will endeavour to earn a high position in the Buddhistic hierarchy.'

At these words the priest and his attendants fell on their faces and thanked the Deity for his munificence. They then, clasping the volumes in their hands, set out on their homeward journey. The road, which before had been so difficult, appeared now smooth and straight, no difficulties impeded them, and it was with hearts full of grateful devotion to their patron Deity that they at length arrived at their native home.

The Emperor, overwhelmed with pleasure at the success of the mission, ordered high honours to be bestowed on the priest and his followers, and at once caused the True

Classics to be recited for the benefit of the Dragon and of the departed spirits.

It only remains to add, that after their recitation for seven times seven days the Emperor was rewarded by the appearance of the Dragon in a dream, who gratefully told him that he was no longer a headless Dragon, and that the spirits of those who had been lying dead for so long had once more been restored to life. Immediately after this dream the Emperor sent for the priest and told him of its purport.

Then is my task concluded,' said the priest, and he muttered a fervent prayer to Buddha; as he prayed a mist seemed to shroud his eyes, and it appeared to him that he was being borne away in a cloud, until at length the dimness passed away, and he found himself a transformed being in the presence of Buddha, while there came out to welcome him and escort him to his heavenly seat the Spirit of the Golden Star, the Goddess of Mercy and Love, and Sün the All-knowing.