and fearfulness. From this cause life itself has become a detestable
observance in his eyes, for those who should be his companions of both
sexes hold him in undisguised contempt, making various unendurable
allusions to the colour and nature of his internal organs whenever he
would endeavour to join them. Instruct him, therefore, the manner in
which this cowardice may be removed, and no service in return will be
esteemed too great." "There is a remedy," replied the benevolent
Mandarin, without any hesitation whatever, "which if properly carried
out is efficacious beyond the possibility of failure. Certain
component parts of your body are lacking, and before the desired
result can be obtained these must be supplied from without. Of all
courageous things the tiger is the most fearless, and in consequence
it combines all those ingredients which you require; furthermore, as
the teeth of the tiger are the instruments with which it accomplishes
its vengeful purpose, there reside the essential principles of its
inimitable courage. Let the person who seeks instruction in the
matter, therefore, do as follows: taking the teeth of a full-grown
tiger as soon as it is slain, and before the essences have time to
return into the body, he shall grind them to a powder, and mixing the
powder with a portion of rice, consume it. After seven days he must
repeat the observance, and yet again a third time, after another
similar lapse. Let him, then, return for further guidance; for the
present the matter interests this person no further." At these words
the youth departed, filled with a new and inspired hope; for the
wisdom of the sagacious Poo-chow was a matter which did not admit of
any doubt whatever, and he had spoken with well-defined certainty of
the success of the experiment. Nevertheless, after several days
industriously spent in endeavouring to obtain by purchase the teeth of
a newly-slain tiger, the details of the undertaking began to assume a
new and entirely unforeseen aspect; for those whom he approached as