244 STRANGE STORIES FROM
reached a country of high hills and dense jungle,^ where, after making fast his boat and taking provisions with him, he landed, hoping to meet with some of the inhabitants. He then saw that the rocks were covered with large holes, like the cells of bees ; and, hearing the sound of voices from within, he stojpped in front of one of them and peeped in. To his infinite horror he beheld two hideous beings, with thick rows of horrid fangs, and eyes that glared like lamps, engaged in tearing to pieces and devouring some raw deer's flesh ; and, turning round, he would have fled instantly from the spot, had not the cannibals already espied him ; and, leaving their food, they seized him and dragged him in. Thereupon ensued a chattering between them,.resembUng the noise of birds or beasts,* and they proceeded to puU off Hsii's clothes as if about to eat him ; but Hsii, who was frightened almost to death, offered them the food he had in his wallet, which they ate up with great relish, and looked inside for more. Hsii waved his hand to show it was all finished, and then they angrily seized him again ; at which he cried out, " I have a saucepan in my boat, and can cook you some.'* The cannibals did not understand what he said ; but, by dint of gesticulating freely, they at length seemed to have an idea of what he meant ; and, having taken him down to the shore to fetch the saucepan, they returned with him to the cave, where he lighted a fire and cooked the remainder of the deer, with the flavour of which they appeared to be mightily pleased. At night they rolled a big stone to the mouth of the cave,^ fearing lest he should try to escape ; and Hsii himself lay down at a distance from them in doubt as to whether his life would be spared. At daybreak the cannibals went out, leaving the entrance blocked, and by-and-by came back with a deer, which they gave to Hsii to cook. Hsii flayed the carcase, and from a remote
- The island of Hainan, inhabited as it was in earlier times by a
race of savages, is the most likely source of the following marvellous adventures.
- To which sounds the languages of the West have been more
than once likened by the Chinese. It is only fair, however, to the lettered classes to state that they have a similar contempt for tlieir own local dialects ; regarding Mandarin^ or the Court dialect, as the only form of speech worthy to be employed by men.
- The occasional analogies to the story of the Cyclops must be
evident to all readers.
