Then these four heroes who had looked with
cheerful levity on the deadly peril of their descent became suddenly
frightened at the mysterious darkness of the cavern and turned pale at
its threshold.
"Mebbee a wicked Joss backside holee, he catchee Pilats," said Wan Lee
gravely.
Hickory began to whimper, Patsey drew back, Polly alone stood her
ground, albeit with a trembling lip.
"Let's say our prayers and frighten it away," she said stoutly.
"No! no!" said Wan Lee, with a sudden alarm. "No frighten Spillits! You
waitee! Chinee boy he talkee Spillit not to frighten you."*
* The Chinese pray devoutly to the Evil Spirits NOT to
injure them.
Tucking his hands under his blue blouse, Wan Lee suddenly produced from
some mysterious recess of his clothing a quantity of red paper slips
which he scattered at the entrance of the cavern. Then drawing from the
same inexhaustible receptacle certain squibs or fireworks, he let them
off and threw them into the opening. There they went off with a slight
fizz and splutter, a momentary glittering of small points in the
darkness, and a strong smell of gunpowder. Polly gazed at the spectacle
with undisguised awe and fascination.
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