We immediately turned about again Into the woods, dropping what Dagunge could be dispensed with, und Grove on throughout that day and far Into the night, The advance guard stopped frequently to enable ust arch up with them. AS soon as we Teached them, they would push on again, so there was no rest for me was 48 hours singe T had last been permitted to rest. Weakened general. through lack also of food, T nex stumbled and fell. more frequent, words I had heard but occasionally before now ringing constantly in 1 ears—"shall T kill him'
The night of this third day deserted cabin was sighted on on adjoining hill and a decision wax made to pass the night there, 1 was too weary and exhausted to sleep. Long before dawn we were again awakened and once more plowed to the mountain top, Now the entire group, held back by my ability. 16 maintain their speed, were demanding my death lest the soldiers should take them. For some reason which 1 do not know, Captain Chant would answer—"Wait a while; just him now, Day followed day for two weeks while we-passed from one shelter of trees to another, stumbling to the top of one hill only to find another and higher mountain before us, One day in mid-winter the copt Jooked at me. I raised my eyes his. "He stepped before me and, ay parently not wishing that 1 should know of what they spoke, said:—"Shentu, let your heart be' at ease To-morrow we shall reach a horse were you can eat, warm yoursel! and rest, T have just sent a jetter commander, Wang Feng-ko, out within two weeks you will ret home, Do not worry," 1 knew there words of the Captain to be untrue for I had heard. their conversation with the words "Kill him" ringing 23 my ears day and night for the past weeks, Ienew also that he could neither read nor write; that no mes: senger had either come or left us dut~ Ing. the last month, 'The following few days seemed pass more quickly, for the end seemed near and we prayed 2:34 trusted in Mary, our Mother, that after this our exile She would' sio% us Her Divine Son.
'Again the argument among the m=" and as I prayed I recalled my com panion Wu's words, "Do not kill the Shenfu—do not kill the Shenfu." do not recall all their conversation for I prayed, as death seemed ver' near, when Wu came and: placed hands upon my shoulder and said. "Shenfu, Captain Chang wishes 10 speak to you; we are going home. With these words Wu stepped aside: Captain Chang stood before me and addressed me in those words with which this story begins,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.