122 



ft. 7. Where is it, and who gave it t.o you to stamp with it? 



A. The president Wan gave it to me to stamp with it. 



ft. 8. How heavy is the seal? 



A. Two pounds and thirteen ounces. ( l ) 



ft. 9. Have you the sword? 



A. I have. 



ft. 10. Which marks are on it ? 



A. There are tour characters on it. 



ft. 11. Which characters? 



A. Two dragons dispute (about a) pearl. ( 2 ) 



ft. 12. Which marks are on the point of the sword? 



A. Also two characters. 



ft. 13. Which characters ? 



A. Overturn Tsing — Restore Ming. ( 3 ) 



Each member of the whole brotherhood now takes nine blades of grass in his hands , in- 

 stead of taking incense; in commemoration of the manner in which the five founders of their 

 league pledged fraternity. This ceremony is called: //Taking grass instead ofincense." ( 4 ) The 

 folio wing quatrains are recited during this ceremony. 



I. 

 Nine blades of green grass were growing at the way-side; 

 Five men pledged themselves before the pure Heaven. 

 This day we remember the affair of that year; 

 We wish to take revenge as soon as occasion is offered. 



m 9 & ft< 



* 



m 



« 



s. 



A 



/po 



^ 



m 



IE 



ii. 



AU ye brethem please enter the City of willows , 



And move the great army of the five camps. 



The leader gives you the order to give, simultaneously, the signal: 



Take green grass in your hands instead of fragrant incense. 



(') Meaning the two capitals and 13 provinces of old China. 



( 2 ) HL eff| ^f? ^k 5 meaning, probably, that the Tartars and Chinese dispute about the possession 

 of China. (Comp. p. 14). 



i s ) R ït % 59 ( Com P- p- 14 )- ( 4 ) tt M % # ( Com p- p- 15 )- 



