the mirror of kong ho-第34节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
and shudder that we want。 Now how does 'Fang' strike you？〃 and upon my
courteous acquiescence that this indeed united within it those
qualities which he required； he traced its characters in red ink upon
a lavish scale。
〃'Fang Hung Sin' about fits the idea of snap and bloodthirstiness； I
should say；〃 he continued； and using the brush and all the colours
with an expert proficiency which would infallibly gain him an early
recognition at any of our competitive examinations； he presently laid
before me the following gracefully…composed notice； which was
suspended from a conspicuous pole about the door of the tent on the
following day。
FANG HUNG SIN
The Captured Boxer Chieftain。
Under a strong guard； and by arrangement with the British and
Chinese authorities concerned；
Fang Hung Sin
Will positively re…enact the GORY SCENES of CARNAGE in which
he took a LEADING and SANGUINARY PART during the LATE RISING。
ALONE IN PEKIN
Or； What a Woman can do。
PANEL I。 PEACE： The Missionary's Tent by NightAll's Well
The Dread Warning〃I am by your side； Beloved。〃
PANEL II。 ALARM： The SignalThe SpyThe Mob Outside
Treachery〃Save Yourself； my Darling〃〃And Leave
You？ Never！〃
PANEL III。 REVENGE： The AttackThe Blow FallsWho Can Save
Her Now？〃Back； Renegade Viper！〃The English Guns
〃Rule Britannia！〃
FANG HUNG SIN； The Desperado。
There is only one FANG； and he must be seen。
FANG！ FANG！！ FANG！！！
I will not upon this occasion； esteemed one； delay myself with an
account of this barbarian Festival of Lanterns； or； as their language
would convey it； Feast of Cocoa…nuts； beyond admitting that with the
possible exception of an important provincial capital during the
triennial examinations I doubt whether our own unapproachable Empire
could show a more impressively…extended gathering； either in the
diverse and ornamental efflorescence of head garb； in the affectionate
display openly lavished by persons of one sex towards those of the
other； or even one more successful in our own pre…eminent art of
producing the multitudinous harmony of conflicting sounds。
At the appointed hour this person submitted himself to be heavily
shackled； and being led out before the assembled crowd； endeavoured by
a smiling benignity of manner and by reassuring signs of welcome； to
produce a favourable impression upon their sympathies and to allure
them within。 This pacific face was undoubtedly successful； however
offensively the ill…conditioned one who stood by was inspired to
express himself behind his teeth； for the space of the tent was very
quickly occupied and the actions of simulation were to begin。
Without doubt it might have been better if this person had first made
himself more fully acquainted with the barbarian manner of acting。 The
fact that this imagined play； which even in one of our inferior
theatres would have filled the time pleasantly for two or three
months； was to be compressed into the narrow limits of seven minutes
and a half； should reasonably have warned him that amid the ensuing
rapidity of word and action； most of the leisurely courtesies and all
the subtle range of concealed emotion which embellish our own wood
pavement must be ignored。 But it is well and suggestively written；
〃The person who deliberates sufficiently before taking every step will
spend his life standing upon one leg。〃 In the past this one had not
found himself to be grossly inadequate on any arising emergency； and
he now drew aside the hanging drapery and prepared to carry out a
preconcerted part with intrepid self…reliance。
It has already been expressed； that the reason and incentive urging me
to a ready agreement lay in the opportunities by which suitable
passages from the high Classics could be discreetly woven into the
fabric of the plot； and the occupation thereby permeated with an
honourable literary flavour。 In accordance with this resolve I
blended together many imperishable sayings of the wisest philosophers
to present the cries and turmoil of the approaching mob； but it was
not until I protruded my head beneath the hanging canopy in the guise
of one observing that an opportunity arose of a really well…sustained
effort。 In this position I recited Yung Ki's stimulating address to
his troops when in sight of an overwhelming foe； and； in spite of the
continually back…thrust foot of the undiscriminating one before me； I
successfully accomplished the seventy…five lines of the poem without a
stumble。 Then entering fully； with many deprecatory bows and
expressions of self…abasement at taking part in so seemingly
detestable an action； I treacherously； yet with inoffensive tact；
struck the one wearing an all…round collar delicately upon the back。
Not recognising the movement； or being in some other way obtuse； the
person in question instead of sinking to the ground turned hastily to
me in the form of an inquiry； leaving me no other reasonable course
than to display the knife openly to him； and to assure him that the
fatal blow had already been inflicted。 Undoubtedly his immoderate
retorts were inept at such a moment； nor was his ensuing strategy of
turning completely round three times； striking himself about the head
and body； and uttering ceremonious curses before he fell devoid of
lifeas though the earlier remarks had been part of the ordained
schemeto any degree convincing； and the cries of disapproval from
the onlookers proved that they also regarded this one as the victim of
an unworthy rebuke。
〃Not if the benches were filled at half a guinea a head would I take
on another performance like that；〃 exclaimed the one with whom I was
associated； when it was over。 〃Besides the dead loss of lasting three
quarters of an hour it's tempting providence when the seats are
movable。 I suppose it isn't your fault； Kong； you poor creature； but
you haven't got no glare and glitter。 There's only one thing for it：
you must be the Rev。 Mr。 Walker and I'll take Fang。〃 He then robed
himself in my attire； guided me among the intricacies of the all…round
collar and outer garments in exchange； hung a slender rope about his
back； and after completing the artifice by a skilful device of massing
coloured inks upon our faces； he commanded me to lead him out by a
chain and observe intelligently how a captive Boxer chief should
disport himself。
No sooner had we reached the platform than the one whom I controlled
leapt high into the air； dragged me to the edge of the erection；
showed his teeth towards the assembly and waved his arms menacingly at
them； then turning upon this person； he inflamed his face with
passion； rattled his chain furiously； and uttered such vengeance…laden
cries that； unable to subdue the emotion of fear； I abandoned all
pretence； and dropping the chain； fled to the furthest recess of the
tent； followed by the still threatening Fang。
There is an expression among us； 〃Cheng…hu was too considerate： he
tried to drive nails with a cucumber。〃 Cheng…hu would certainly have
quickly found the necessity of a weapon of three…times hardened steel
if he had lived among these barbarians； who are insensible to the
higher forms of politeness； in addition to acting in a contrary and
illogical manner on all occasions。 Instead of being repelled and
discouraged by Fang's outrageous behaviour； they clamoured to be
admitted into the tent more vehemently than before； and so
successfully established the venture that the one to whom I must now
allude throughout as Fang signified to me his covetous intention of
reducing the performance by a further two and a half minutes in order
to reap an added profit and to garner all his rice before the Hoang Ho
rose。
As for myself； revered； it would be immature to hold the gauze screen
of prevarication between your all…discerning mind and my own
trepidation。 From the moment when I first saw the expression of
utterly depraved malignity and deep…seared hate which he had cunningly
engraved upon his face by means of the coloured inks； I was far from
being comfortabl
