CHINESE SECRET SOCIETIES. 13 



mounts his pulpit or throne on the North of the altar, and 

 orders Ban-To-hong and Ban-To-liong to guard the "Aug* 

 Gate''; Tan-TeRg-seng and Ten Ki-ia to the "Hall of 

 Sincerity and Justice" ; Go Kim-lai, and Go Hoan-ji to the 

 East Gate of the " City of Willows." Each of these Generals 

 is presented with a small triangular warrant flag, (9b) 

 which is stuck behind his head ; and a sword or " iron 

 plank." 



Chiang Kiet-hin with the water of the " Sam-ho" or three 

 rivers, is ordered to take up his station in front of the Pavi- 

 lion ; Kiet Ban-pu and Ban Bun-beng, each being armed 

 with a sword, are sent to the '-Two-planked Bridge." 



The " Red Boy," (his face well rouged and a circular frame 

 as a halo, round his head) armed with a spear, is posted at 

 the " Red furnace," and old Chia Pang-heng is stationed to 

 sell fruit in the " market of Universal Peace." 



The guards being set, an alarm is given from the " Aug 

 Gate," outside of which the candidates are squatted on their 

 hams, waiting admission. 



The Master, Tan Kin -lam, orders the General of the main 

 body, Tun Thien-hoai, to go out and see the cause of the 

 alarm ; iq a short while Thien-hoai returns, saying : — 



" May it please the worshipful Master, the Vanguard 

 General Thien lu-ang is without, having the secret, sign and 

 password, and he humbly begs an interview with the Five 

 Ancestors." 



The Master having granted permission, the Sien-Hong or 

 Vanguard, enters the qate, and having repeated the ap- 

 propriate verse at each barrier, passes into the city, and falls 

 prostrate before the altar. 



The Sien-Seng then catechises him thus. 



Q. " The five ancestors are above, but who is this prostrate 



beneath me " ? 

 A. "I am Thien lu-Ang of the Ko-Khe Temple " 

 Q. " What proof can j t ou shew of this "? 

 A. "I have a verse, as a proof " 

 Q. « What is the verse P" 



A. " I am indeed Thien lu-Ang, bringing myriads of 

 new troops into the City." 

 " That they to-night in the Pear Garden may take 



the oath of brotherhood." 

 "The whole Emoire desires to take the surname 

 Aug." 

 Q. For what do you come here ?" 

 A, " To worship the Thien Te-hui." 



