The long minutes limped slowly by fon leaden heels with the four men ing there silent, each with a Dbreviary in his hand, reading over to himself the prayers of his church for those about to die. At five O'clock, old Tang sak arose and went quietly into the kitchen. With-Out a tremor he divided the white powder impartially between" the steaming pots and then called the youngest boy to serve' the—meal, while he heated the yellow rice wine that was to accompany it, They had all arrayed themselves in new clothes 2s soon as the cook had left the house: it is not seemly to meet one's Maker in. solled garments and had just seated themselves at the table when a crash at the front door and a volley of rifle shots
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.