76 THE WOODLANDS ORCHIDS 



Several of them rushed across to Sam Choon and shouted 

 great news. Roebelin understood afterwards. The caitiff 

 who had undersold them was in the village at that moment ! 

 Whilst they jabbered in high excitement another roar burst 

 out. One of the men, handling the rival's cloth, found a 

 private mark — the mark of his ' Hoey.' And it was that 

 to which they all belonged. 



The Hoey may be described as a trade guild ; but it is 

 much more. Each of these countless associations is attached 

 to one of the great secret societies, generally the T'ien T'i 

 Hung, compared with which, for numbers and power. Free- 

 masonry is but a small concern. By an oath which expressly 

 names father, son, and brother, the initiated swear to kill 

 any of their fellows who shall wrong a member of the Hoey. 

 This unspeakable villain who sold cheap had wronged them 

 all ! He must die ! 



They pressed upon the chief in a body, demanding the 

 traitor. All had arms and brandished them. Probably the 

 savages would not have surrendered a guest on any terms ; 

 but this demonstration provoked them. In howling tumult 

 they dispersed, seized their ready weapons, and formed line. 

 The war-cry was not yet raised, but spears were levelled by 

 furious hands. The issue depended on any chance move- 

 ment. Suddenly from a distance came the blast of a cow- 

 horn — a muffled bellow, but full of threat. The savages 

 paused, turned, and rushed out, shouting. Roebelin caught 

 a word, familiar by this time — ' Bagabos.' He followed ; 

 but Sam Choon seized his arm. ' They put ranjows^ he 

 said breathlessly. ' You cut foot, you die ! ' And in the 

 moonlight Roebelin saw boys running hither and thither with 

 an armful of bamboo spikes sharp as knives at each end, 

 which they drove into the earth. 



Men unacquainted with the plan of this defence can only 

 stand aside when ranjows are laid down. Roebelin waited 



