THE RUNNINH MUCK, 
71 
“I replied in the negative, adding that I had never 
before heard the expression. 
“ He expressed great surprise at this, and proceeded to 
tell us that the running muck "was often productive of 
many deaths. 
“I thought this a rather singular piece of information 
to come by itself, but contented myself with observing, 
‘ You don't say so !* 
The Englishman cleared his throat, swelled very 
large, called for a glass of ^ 'arf-and-'arf/ and continued 
as follows : — 
“ ^ Some few of the natives here consume quantities 
of opium in various forms ; and the result is that, in due 
course of time, their features become shai-p, the skin is 
drawn over them like parchment, and, losing their 
minds, they become more ferocious and bloodthirsty 
than the tigers themselves. Armed with the long and 
flexible kreiss, (a sharp dirk-knife, 'whose edges are 
wavy and of beautiful temper,) they rush frantically 
from their houses, and run as swiftly as their limbs will 
carry them, — sometimes naked, sometimes clothed, 
always mad. Rushing through the crowded streets in 
this way, their only aim seems to be to destroy life, — 
stabbing, biting, cursing, kicking every one whom 
chance throw's across their path. 
As soon as he is seen in this state, terror proclaims 
the news far and wide. ^Amoak! amoak!” is screamed 
by the w^hole population, just as “fire! fire!” is in our 
own cities. Every man grasps the first weapon that 
comes to hand, and follows the flying path of the com- 
mon enemy. Very long spears are, however, preferred 
