the mirror of kong ho(空赫的镜子)-第38节
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added compact that from time to time I should be led by a chain and
shown to the people from a raised platformwe agreed upon a daily
reward of two pieces of silver； an adequacy of food； and a certain
ambiguously…referred…to share of the gain。 It need not be denied that with
so favourable an opportunity of introducing passages from the Classics a
much less sum would have been accepted； but having obtained this
without a struggle； the one now recounting the facts raised the opportune
suggestion of an inscribed placard； in order to fulfil the portent
foreshadowed by William Greyson。
〃Oh； we'll star you； never fear；〃 assented the accommodating
personage； and having by this time reached that spot upon the Heath
where his Domestic Altar had been raised； we entered。
〃All the most distinguished actors in this country take another name；〃
he said reflectively； when he had drawn forth a parchment of praiseworthy
dimensions and ink of three colours； 〃and though I have nothing to say
against Kong Ho Tsin Cheng Quank Paik T'chun Li Yuen Nung for quiet
unostentatious dignity； it doesn't have just the grip 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
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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
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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
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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
