The Wallet of Kai Lung | Page 3

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THE WALLET OF KAI LUNG By Ernest Bramah
Etext prepared by John Bickers, [email protected].

THE WALLET OF KAI LUNG
BY ERNEST BRAMAH

"Ho, illustrious passers-by!" says Kai Lung as he spreads out his
embroidered mat under the mulberry-tree. "It is indeed unlikely that
you could condescend to stop and listen to the foolish words of such an
insignificant and altogether deformed person as myself. Nevertheless, if
you will but retard your elegant footsteps for a few moments, this
exceedingly unprepossessing individual will endeavour to entertain
you." This is a collection of Kai Lung's entertaining tales, told

professionally in the market places as he travelled about; told
sometimes to occupy and divert the minds of his enemies when they
were intent on torturing him.

THE WALLET OF KAI LUNG
CHAPTER I
THE TRANSMUTATION OF LING
I: INTRODUCTION
The sun had dipped behind the western mountains before Kai Lung,
with twenty li or more still between him and the city of Knei Yang,
entered the camphor-laurel forest which stretched almost to his
destination. No person of consequence ever made the journey
unattended; but Kai Lung professed to have no fear, remarking with
extempore wisdom, when warned at the previous village, that a
worthless garment covered one with better protection than that afforded
by an army of bowmen. Nevertheless, when within the gloomy aisles,
Kai Lung more than once wished himself back at the village, or safely
behind the mud walls of Knei Yang; and, making many vows
concerning the amount of prayer-paper which he would assuredly burn
when he was actually through the gates, he stepped out more quickly,
until suddenly, at a turn in the glade, he stopped altogether, while the
watchful expression into which he had unguardedly dropped at once
changed into a mask of impassiveness and extreme unconcern. From
behind the next tree projected a long straight rod, not unlike a slender
bamboo at a distance, but, to Kai Lung's all-seeing eye, in reality the
barrel of a matchlock, which would come into line with his breast if he
took another step. Being a prudent man, more accustomed to guile and
subservience to destiny than to force, he therefore waited, spreading out
his hands in proof of his peaceful acquiescence, and smiling cheerfully
until it should please the owner of the weapon to step forth. This the
unseen did a moment later, still keeping his gun in an easy and
convenient attitude, revealing a stout body and a scarred face, which in

conjunction made it plain to Kai Lung that he was in the power of Lin
Yi, a noted brigand of whom he had heard much in the villages.
"O illustrious person," said Kai Lung very earnestly, "this is evidently
an unfortunate mistake. Doubtless you were expecting some exalted
Mandarin to come and render you homage, and were preparing to
overwhelm him with gratified confusion by escorting him yourself to
your well-appointed abode. Indeed, I passed such a one on the road,
very richly apparelled, who inquired of me the way to the mansion of
the dignified and upright Lin Yi. By this time he is perhaps two or three
li towards the east."
"However distinguished a Mandarin may be, it is fitting that I should
first attend to one whose manners and accomplishments betray him to
be of the Royal House," replied Lin Yi, with extreme affability.
"Precede me, therefore, to my mean and uninviting hovel, while I gain
more honour than I can reasonably bear by following closely in your
elegant footsteps, and guarding your Imperial person with this
inadequate but heavily-loaded weapon."
Seeing no chance of immediate escape, Kai Lung led the way,
instructed by the brigand, along a very difficult and bewildering path,
until they reached a cave hidden among the crags. Here Lin Yi called
out some words in the Miaotze tongue, whereupon a follower appeared,
and opened a gate in the stockade of prickly mimosa which guarded the
mouth of the den. Within the enclosure a fire burned, and food was
being prepared. At