Taking a good hold I raised him up so as to look at him near by. The phosphorus on his head had melted and shone palely through my fingers. “What have you done?” I said. “A little more and you would have been drowned.” “Who are you?” he answered, trying to make his voice heavy. “Who dares to place mortal hands on the body of a god? Let me down, barbarian,” and he twisted around. “Let me go or my vengeance will annihilate you! You are a coward! I will try the effect of my divine power! Tremble....” I saw now what was the matter and whispered: “Fiam, be good.” “Shame on you! I am a Haji.” “Yes, but you are also acting disgracefully. Let me put you in your box and to-morrow you will thank me.” “You want to lock me up. You want to make me a prisoner. You aren’t satisfied to have me for a servant to carry around with you everywhere. You are the cause of all my woes, but my power is infinite. At a call from me all the animals in the world will come and tear you to pieces. My friend To, the Stork, will come and eat your eyes out. The Prince Funato will come and cut your head off with his sword.” “Fiam, keep still; you are not used to wine. Don’t you see that if I were really your enemy I should light you, and burn you to the tips of your toes? I think I will now smoke a cigarette....” These words quieted him, and in a little while I put him in his box and placed that in my pocket. [Illustration: A Curious Costume] CHAPTER XI A CURIOUS COSTUME The day after that we arrived in China. Far out at sea we spied the land—all green hills with pagodas everywhere. In the morning, not feeling Fiam move, I looked for him in his box, but it was empty, and he had disappeared. I was very anxious. There was no trace anywhere of my little friend except an odor of saki. I was afraid he had fallen on the ground and that some one had picked him up. Every time I saw a lighted pipe or cigarette my heart beat and I ran to see if the burning match could be Fiam. I couldn’t bear to leave the ship until I had found him. I actually ransacked my pockets ten times in succession. I looked in every corner of my valise, all over the floor and in every crack of the deck and in my slippers—nothing. I was afraid he had run away and I could have cried from grief. “What have you lost?” asked one of the stewards, seeing me bending over searching on the floor and stairs. “I am looking for a match,” I answered. “Here is one.” Startled, I turned quickly, but he handed me an entirely fresh box of matches. “No, thank you,” I said. “Mine is double.” He gazed at me in amazement and left me. If he had been the doctor he might, perhaps, have ordered ice on the head; but as he was only the steward he returned soon and gave me the bill for my meals. I drew out my purse to pay him, and on opening it I saw a lot of papers. I looked between them feverishly. Just guess! Fiam was among the postage stamps, but in what a state!