beasts, men and gods-第34章

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〃I　shall　send　you　for　supper　a　splendid　fish　pie　and　some　hot　tomato　soup。〃

As　he　left；　my　host　clasped　his　head　in　desperation　and　said：

〃With　such　scum　of　the　earth　are　we　now　forced　after　this　revolution　to　work！〃

A　few　minutes　later　a　soldier　from　Sepailoff　brought　us　a　tureen　full　of　soup　and　the　fish　pie。　　As　the　soldier　bent　over　the　table　to　set　the　dishes　down；　the　Chief　motioned　me　with　his　eyes　and　slipped　to　me　the　words：　　〃Notice　his　face。〃

When　the　man　went　out；　my　host　sat　attentively　listening　until　the　sounds　of　the　man's　steps　ceased。

〃He　is　Sepailoff's　executioner　who　hangs　and　strangles　the　unfortunate　condemned　ones。〃

Then；　to　my　amazement；　he　began　to　pour　out　the　soup　on　the　ground　beside　the　brazier　and；　going　out　of　the　yurta；　threw　the　pie　over　the　fence。

〃It　is　Sepailoff's　feast　and；　though　it　may　be　very　tasty；　it　may　also　be　poison。　　In　Sepailoff's　house　it　is　dangerous　to　eat　or　drink　anything。〃

Distinctly　oppressed　by　these　doings；　I　returned　to　my　house。　　My　host　was　not　yet　asleep　and　met　me　with　a　frightened　look。　　My　friends　were　also　there。

〃God　be　thanked！〃　they　all　exclaimed。　　〃Has　nothing　happened　to　you？〃

〃What　is　the　matter？〃　I　asked。

〃You　see；〃　began　the　host；　〃after　your　departure　a　soldier　came　from　Sepailoff　and　took　your　luggage；　saying　that　you　had　sent　him　for　it；　but　we　knew　what　it　meantthat　they　would　first　search　it　and　afterwards。　。　。　。〃

I　at　once　understood　the　danger。　　Sepailoff　could　place　anything　he　wanted　in　my　luggage　and　afterwards　accuse　me。　　My　old　friend；　the　agronome；　and　I　started　at　once　for　Sepailoff's；　where　I　left　him　at　the　door　while　I　went　in　and　was　met　by　the　same　soldier　who　had　brought　the　supper　to　us。　　Sepailoff　received　me　immediately。　　In　answer　to　my　protest　he　said　that　it　was　a　mistake　and；　asking　me　to　wait　for　a　moment；　went　out。　　I　waited　five；　ten；　fifteen　minutes　but　nobody　came。　　I　knocked　on　the　door　but　no　one　answered　me。　　Then　I　decided　to　go　to　Baron　Ungern　and　started　for　the　exit。　The　door　was　locked。　　Then　I　tried　the　other　door　and　found　that　also　locked。　　I　had　been　trapped！　　I　wanted　at　once　to　whistle　to　my　friend　but　just　then　noticed　a　telephone　on　the　wall　and　called　up　Baron　Ungern。　　In　a　few　minutes　he　appeared　together　with　Sepailoff。

〃What　is　this？〃　he　asked　Sepailoff　in　a　severe；　threatening　voice；　and；　without　waiting　for　an　answer；　struck　him　a　blow　with　his　tashur　that　sent　him　to　the　floor。

We　went　out　and　the　General　ordered　my　luggage　produced。　　Then　he　brought　me　to　his　own　yurta。

〃Live　here；　now；〃　he　said。　　〃I　am　very　glad　of　this　accident；〃　he　remarked　with　a　smile；　〃for　now　I　can　say　all　that　I　want　to。〃

This　drew　from　me　the　question：

〃May　I　describe　all　that　I　have　heard　and　seen　here？〃

He　thought　a　moment　before　replying：　　〃Give　me　your　notebook。〃

I　handed　him　the　album　with　my　sketches　of　the　trip　and　he　wrote　therein：　　〃After　my　death；　Baron　Ungern。〃

〃But　I　am　older　than　you　and　I　shall　die　before　you；〃　I　remarked。

He　shut　his　eyes；　bowed　his　head　and　whispered：

〃Oh；　no！　　One　hundred　thirty　days　yet　and　it　is　finished；　then　。　。　。　Nirvana！　　How　wearied　I　am　with　sorrow；　woe　and　hate！〃

We　were　silent　for　a　long　time。　　I　felt　that　I　had　now　a　mortal　enemy　in　Colonel　Sepailoff　and　that　I　should　get　out　of　Urga　at　the　earliest　possible　moment。　　It　was　two　o'clock　at　night。　　Suddenly　Baron　Ungern　stood　up。

〃Let　us　go　to　the　great；　good　Buddha；〃　he　said　with　a　countenance　held　in　deep　thought　and　with　eyes　aflame；　his　whole　face　contracted　by　a　mournful；　bitter　smile。　　He　ordered　the　car　brought。

Thus　lived　this　camp　of　martyrs；　refugees　pursued　by　events　to　their　tryst　with　Death；　driven　on　by　the　hate　and　contempt　of　this　offspring　of　Teutons　and　privateers！　　And　he；　martyring　them；　knew　neither　day　nor　night　of　peace。　　Fired　by　impelling；　poisonous　thoughts；　he　tormented　himself　with　the　pains　of　a　Titan；　knowing　that　every　day　in　this　shortening　chain　of　one　hundred　thirty　links　brought　him　nearer　to　the　precipice　called　〃Death。〃


CHAPTER　XXXVIII

BEFORE　THE　FACE　OF　BUDDHA


As　we　came　to　the　monastery　we　left　the　automobile　and　dipped　into　the　labyrinth　of　narrow　alleyways　until　at　last　we　were　before　the　greatest　temple　of　Urga　with　the　Tibetan　walls　and　windows　and　its　pretentious　Chinese　roof。　　A　single　lantern　burned　at　the　entrance。　The　heavy　gate　with　the　bronze　and　iron　trimmings　was　shut。　　When　the　General　struck　the　big　brass　gong　hanging　by　the　gate；　frightened　monks　began　running　up　from　all　directions　and；　seeing　the　〃General　Baron；〃　fell　to　the　earth　in　fear　of　raising　their　heads。

〃Get　up；〃　said　the　Baron；　〃and　let　us　into　the　Temple！〃

The　inside　was　like　that　of　all　Lama　temples；　the　same　multi…　colored　flags　with　the　prayers；　symbolic　signs　and　the　images　of　holy　saints；　the　big　bands　of　silk　cloth　hanging　from　the　ceiling；　the　images　of　the　gods　and　goddesses。　　On　both　sides　of　the　approach　to　the　altar　were　the　low　red　benches　for　the　Lamas　and　choir。　　On　the　altar　small　lamps　threw　their　rays　on　the　gold　and　silver　vessels　and　candlesticks。　　Behind　it　hung　a　heavy　yellow　silk　curtain　with　Tibetan　inscriptions。　　The　Lamas　drew　the　curtain　aside。　　Out　of　the　dim　light　from　the　flickering　lamps　gradually　appeared　the　great　gilded　statue　of　Buddha　seated　in　the　Golden　Lotus。　　The　face　of　the　god　was　indifferent　and　calm　with　only　a　soft　gleam　of　light　animating　it。　　On　either　side　he　was　guarded　by　many　thousands　of　lesser　Buddhas　brought　by　the　faithful　as　offerings　in　prayer。　　The　Baron　struck　the　gong　to　attract　Great　Buddha's　attention　to　his　prayer　and　threw　a　handful　of　coins　into　the　large　bronze　bowl。　　And　then　this　scion　of　crusaders　who　had　read　all　the　philosophers　of　the　West；　closed　his　eyes；　placed　his　hands　together　before　his　face　and　prayed。　　I　noticed　a　black　rosary　on　his　left　wrist。　　He　prayed　about　ten　minutes。　　Afterwards　he　led　me　to　the　other　end　of　the　monastery　and；　during　our　passage；　said　to　me：

〃I　do　not　like　this　temple。　　It　is　new；　erected　by　the　Lamas　when　the　Living　Buddha　became　blind。　　I　do　not　find　on　the　face　of　the　golden　Buddha　either　tears；　hopes；　distress　or　thanks　of　the　people。　　They　have　not　yet　had　time　to　leave　these　traces　on　the　face　of　the　god。　　We　shall　go　now　to　the　old　Shrine　of　Prophecies。〃

This　was　a　small　building；　blackened　with　age　and　resembling　a　tower　with　a　plain　round　roof。　　The　doors　stood　open。　　At　both　sides　of　the　door　were　prayer　wheels　ready　to　be　spun；　over　it　a　slab　of　copper　with　the　signs　of　the　zodiac。　　Inside　two　monks；　who　were　intoning　the　sacred　sutras；　did　not　lift　their　eyes　as　we　entered。　　The　General　approached　them　and　said：

〃Cast　the　dice　for　the　number　of　my　days！〃

The　priests　brought　two　bowls　with　many　dice　therein　and　rolled　them　out　on　their　low　table。　　The　Baron　looked　and　reckoned　with　them　the　sum　before　he　spoke：

〃One　hundred　thirty！　　Again　one　hundred　thirty！〃

Approaching　the　altar　carrying　an　ancient　stone　statue　of　Buddha　brought　all　the　way　from　India；　he　again　prayed。　　As　day　dawned；　we　wandered　out　through　the　monastery；　visited　all　the　temples　and　shrines；　the　museum　of　the　medical　school；　the　astrological　tower　and　then　the　court　where　the　Bandi　and　young　Lamas　have　their　daily　morning　wrestling　exercises。　　In　other　places　the　Lamas　were　practising　with　the　bow　and　arrow。　　Some　of　the　higher　Lamas　feasted　us　with　hot　mutton；　tea　and　wild　onions。　　After　we　returned　to　the　yurta　I　tried　to　sleep　but　in　vain。　　Too　many　different　questions　were　troubling　me。　　〃Where　am　I？　　In　what　epoch　am　I　living？〃　　I　knew　not　but　I　dimly　felt　the　unseen　touch　of　some　great　idea；　some　enormous　plan；　some　indescribable　human　woe。

After　our　noon　meal　the　General　said　he　wanted　to　introduce　me　to　the　Living　Buddha。　　It　is　so　difficult　to　secure　audience　with　the　Living　Buddha　that　I　was　very　glad　to　have　this　opportunity　offered　me。　　Our　auto　soon　drew　up　at　the　gate　of　the　red　and　white　striped　wall　surrounding　the　palace　of　the　god。　　Two　hundred　Lamas　in　yellow　and　red　robes　rushed　to　greet　the　arriving　〃Chiang　Chun；〃　General；　with　the　low…toned；　respectful　whisper　〃Khan！　　God　of　War！〃　　As　a　regiment　of　formal　ushers　they　led　us　to　a　spacious　great　hall　softened　by　its　semi…darkness。　　Heavy　carved　doors　opened　to　the　interior　parts　of　the　palace。　　In　the　depths　of　the　hall　stood　a　dais　with　the　throne　covered　with　yellow　silk　cushions。　　The　back　of　the　throne　was　red　inside　a　gold　framing；　at　either　side　stood　yellow　silk　screens　set　in　highly　ornamented　frames　of　black　Chinese　wood；　while　against　the　walls　at　either　side　of　the　throne　stood　glass　cases　filled　with　varied　objects　from　China；　Japan；　India　and　Russia。　　I　noticed　also　among　them　a　pair　of　exquisite　Marquis　and　Marquises　in　the　fine　porcelain　of　Sevres。　　Before　the　throne　stood　a　long；　low　table　at　which　eight　noble　Mongols　were　seated；　their　chairman；　a　highly　esteemed　old　man　with　a　clever；　energetic　face　and　with　large　penetrating　eyes。　His　appearance　reminded　me　of　the　authentic　wooden　images　of　the　Buddhist　holymen　with　eyes　of　precious　stones　which　I　saw　at　the　Tokyo　Imperial　Museum　in　the　department　devoted　to　Buddhism；　where　the　Japanese　show　the　ancient　statues　of　Amida；　Daunichi…Buddha；　the　Goddess　Kwannon　and　the　jolly　old　Hotei。

This　man　was　the　Hutuktu　Jahantsi；　Chairman　of　the　Mongolian　Council　of　Ministers；　and　honored　and　revered　far　beyond　the　bournes　of　Mongolia。　　The　others　were　the　MinistersKhans　and　the　Highest　Princes　of　Khalkha。　　Jahantsi　Hutuktu　invited　Baron　Ungern　to　the　place　at　his　side；　while　they　brought　in　a　European　chair　for　me。　　Baron　Ungern　announced　to　the　Council　of　Ministers　through　an　interpreter　that　he　would　leave　Mongolia　in　a　few　days　and　urged　them　to　protect　the　freedom　won　for　the　lands　inhabited　by　the　successors　of　Jenghiz　Khan；　whose　soul　still　lives　and　calls　upon　the　Mongols　to　become　anew　a　powerful　people　and　reunite　again　into　one　great　Mid…Asiatic　State　all　the　Asian　kingdoms　he　had　ruled。

The　General　rose　and　all　the　others　followed　him。　　He　took　leave　of　each　one　separately　and　sternly。　　Only　before　Jahantsi　Lama　he　bent　low　while　the　Hutuktu　placed　his　hands　on　the　Baron's　head　and　blessed　him。　　From　the　Council　Chamber　we　passed　at　once　to　the　Russian　style　house　which　is　the　personal　dwelling　of　the　Living　Buddha。　　The　house　was　wholly　surrounded　by　a　crowd　of　red　and　yellow　Lamas；　servants；　councilors　of　Bogdo；　officials；　fortune　tellers；　doctors　and　favorites。　　From　the　front　entrance　stretched　a　long　red　rope　whose　outer　end　was　thrown　over　the　wall　beside　the　gate。　　Crowds　of　pilgrims　crawling　up　on　their　knees　touch　this　end　of　the　rope　outside　the　gate　and　hand　the　monk　a　silken　hatyk　or　a　bit　of　silver。　　This　touching　of　the　rope　whose　inner　end　is　in　the　hand　of　the　Bogdo　establishes　direct　communication　with　the　holy；　incarnated　Living　God。　　A　current　of　blessing　is　supposed　to　flow　through　this　cable　of　camel's　wool　and　horse　hair。　　Any　Mongol　who　has　touched　the　mystic　rope　receives　and　wears　about　his　neck　a　red　band　as　the　sign　of　his　accomplished　pilgrimage。

I　had　heard　very　much　about　the　Bogdo　Khan　before　this　opportunity　to　see　him。　　I　had　heard　of　his　love　of　alcohol；　which