CHINESE SECRET SOCIETIES. B9 



Having received this order, they went back to their monaste- 

 ry, and each of them having packed up his things, and buckled 

 on his weapon, the whole body started next morning in the 

 train of the Commissioner. 



In a short time, they arrived at the capital, and were accom- 

 modated by the Commissioner, at the Hall of the Military Board, 

 where he told them to stay till next morning, when they would 

 have an Audience of his Sacred Majesty. 



In the 5th watch, about 8 a. il f the Emperor being seated on 

 his throne, the Commissioner approached, and prostrating him- 

 self, said, " your servant having reverently received your Majes- 

 ty's command to summon together brave heroes from every place 

 under heaven, he, in circulating the Edict, fortunately found, in 

 the Kiu Lien Mountains, a monastery containing 128 Buddhist 

 priests, all of whom are perfect in the Civil and Military arts and 

 exercises, and they boast that without using the Imperial sol- 

 diers, they will at sight exterminate the Eleuths, as easily as 

 a person can wave his hand ; your minister has brought them to 

 the gate of the Palace, where they are now awaiting your Majes- 

 ty 's decision." 



The Emperor ordered the priests to be brought before him, 

 and on seeing their manly and robust appearance, he was much 

 pleased ; while they were yet in the Palace, His Majesty appointed 

 them to the rank of generals, and presented them with a sword, 

 on which were engraved the characters Jit, and San, % the 

 inscription being of triangular form. 



His Majesty also appointed the minister Te n -Kun-Tat to 

 act as Commissary General, and Commissioner to accompany the 

 Army. 



On the day following, having sacrificed to the standards, the 

 army was set in motion, having received the Imperial command 

 to march forward. 



Now at this time, the barbarians were besieging the frontier 

 town of Tung-Kuan, and when the army of relief arrived, 

 the beleaguered generals Lau and 'Ng were on the walls ; they 

 suddenly saw a body of Imperial Soldiers approaching, which 

 they knew must be a force sent to their assistance, so at once 



t The official business of the Chinese Court and cabinet is usually con- 

 ducted at a very early hour in the morning, the Emperor frequently taking- 

 hie seat at 3 or 4 a. m. 



1 Sun and mountain. 



