Some one of those who were at the head of the centre table called to Ah Lin, and tried to prevail upon him to stake some money in a game which was played by means of a round board with a hole in the centre through which a slender stick was passed and fastened underneath to a larger board. The top piece of wood was designed to be moved around like a wheel; it was marked off into many parts upon which cabalistic figures were painted. Ah Lin had no inclination to spin the wheel, and turned to another man who sat near holding three sticks in his hand. Those three sticks were three lots; three ends projected outwards; three ends were grasped and hidden by the man’s hand, hanging down from which was a red tassel or string professedly attached to one of the sticks. The sport consisted in guessing which stick had the red string. Ah Lin ventured twenty-five cents on one of the lots or sticks, but lost. The head gambler pocketed the twenty-five cents and Ah Lin moved silently away. If he had won he would have received his quarter back with another quarter added. At the other end of the table was a deep earthen vessel, and around it were grouped the major part of the men in the room. One man was tying up small bundles containing sums of money from one cent up to twenty-five dollars. Each package was marked with a sign word. When his task was completed, the man cast all the bundles into the vessel, and in a loud voice announced that all who wished could cast lots and for twenty-five cents have the chance of making twenty-five dollars. A number, including Ah Lin, paid twenty-five cents and marked their names on a list of signs. Then the vessel and its contents were shaken up. All in turn were then invited to take at hazard from its portentous belly, the parcel for which they had staked. As he opened his, Ah Lin’s face turned grey; it contained but one cent. [Illustration] “What have you got?” asked Hom Lock, in an excited whisper, leaning over Ah Lin’s shoulder. “Just one cent, eh? Well, I have the twenty-five dollars--the Tiger favors me--he’s a great God.” There was a crash; the lamps were knocked down and extinguished. Ah Lin had leapt across the table and was dragging the Gambling God around the room, striking it repeatedly with a stick. “It’s a great God, isn’t it,” he yelled. “See how it likes to be insulted. Oh, it’s a big God.” “It’s a great God,” shouted Hom Lock; there was a knife in his hand; he pressed close to Ah Lin. Ah Lin saw the knife, and something slipped from his sleeve and two knives gleamed--then disappeared. Some one struck a light. The owner of the place picked up the fallen God and placed it on the table. It calmly looked down upon two dead men. SUI SEEN FAR. OUR HERITAGE.