d finished their meal, they began to talk to the old
gentleman who was so kindly entertaining them. They were greatly
pleased with his courtesy and with the hearty hospitality which he had
pressed upon them. They noticed, however, that he was very
absent-minded, and looked as if some unpleasant thought lay heavy on
his heart.

"May I ask," said Sam-Chung, "what was the reason for the great
gathering here to-day? There is no festival in the Chinese calendar
falling on this date, so I thought I would take the liberty of
enquiring what occasion you were really commemorating."

"We were not commemorating anything," the old man replied with a grave
face. "It was really a funeral service for two of my grand-children,
who, though they are not yet dead, will certainly disappear out of this
life before many hours have passed."

"But how can such a ceremony be performed over persons who are still
alive?" asked Sam-Chung with a look of wonder in his face.

"When I have explained the circumstances to you, you will then be no
longer surprised at this unusual service," replied the old man.

"You must know," he continued, "that this region is under the control
of a Demon of a most cruel and bloodthirsty disposition. He is not
like the ordinary spirits, whose images are enshrined in our temples,
and whose main aim is to protect and guard their worshippers. This one
has no love for mankind, but on the contrary the bitterest hatred, and
his whole life seems to be occupied in scheming how he may inflict
sorrow and disaster on them. His greatest cruelty is to insist that
every year just about this time two children, one a boy and the other a
girl, shall be conveyed to his temple by the river side to be devoured
by him. Many attempts have been made to resist this barbarous demand,
but they have only resulted in increased suffering to those who have
dared to oppose him. The consequence is that the people submit to this
cruel murder of their children, though many a heart is broken at the
loss of those dearest to them."

"But is there any system by which the unfortunate people may get to
know when this terrible sacrifice is going to be demanded from them?"
asked Sam-Chung.

"Oh yes," replied the man. "The families are taken in rotation, and
when each one's turn comes round, their children are prepared for the
sacrifice. Moreover, that there may be no mistake, the Demon himself
appears in the home a few days before, and give