Of course, each one of the three
hundred fortunate enough to go would receive his own weight in gold,
and for him and his entire family there would be a life of wealth and
honor on his return home.
Thus Lohe explained the situation.
"More than a hundred pounds of gold, and wealth and honor," repeated
Lihoa, on whom the story of the gold which the God had said was to be
given to the Chinese and not to the hated barbarians from the West, had
made a deep impression.
"Have you heard it, my people? We can all become as rich as rich
Natse, and even richer, if we go on the ship to the southland."
"Yes", said one of the oyster carriers, "if all that is true--"
"And if we are not drowned on the long journey," put in another.
"Or, if 'the devils from the West' do not kill us for our money after
we have brought all the gold from the land to the ship for them," put
in the third fish carrier.
"Yes, but if I knew that I would surely come back with some of the
gold, I would go," added the fourth.
"There, just see how sharp you all are!" said Lohe. "Just such doubts
as these troubled my friends and myself, so we are here to consult the
priest of the God of the Golden Fish, who surely knows.
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