n could not take to himself an advantage not accorded to all other
individuals. I knew that, and yet in spite of it I was uneasy.

And I grew still more uneasy, when I found that any succored and
befriended refugee from Ireland or elsewhere could stand up before that
judge and swear, away the life or liberty or character of a refugee from
China; but that by the law of the land the Chinaman could not testify
against the Irishman. I was really and truly uneasy, but still my faith
in the universal liberty that America accords and defends, and my deep
veneration for the land that offered all distressed outcasts a home and
protection, was strong within me, and I said to myself that it would all
come out right yet.

AH SONG HI.

LETTER VII

SAN FRANCISCO, 18--.

DEAR CHING FOO: I was glad enough when my case came up. An hour's
experience had made me as tired of the police court as of the dungeon.
I was not uneasy about the result of the trial, but on the contrary felt
that as soon as the large auditory of Americans present should hear
how that the rowdies had set the dogs on me when I was going peacefully
along the street, and how, when I was all torn and bleeding, the
officers arrested me and put me in jail and let the rowdies go free, the
gallant hatred of oppression which is part of the very flesh and blood
of every American would be stirred to its utmost, and I should be
instantly set at liberty. In truth I began to fear for the other side.
There in full view stood the ruffians who had misused me, and I began
to fear that in the first burst of generous anger occasioned by the
revealment of what they had done, they might be harshly handled, and
possibly even banished the country as having dishonoured her and being
no longer worthy to remain upon her sacred soil.

The official interpreter of the court asked my name, and then spoke
it aloud so that all could hear. Supposing that all was now ready,
I cleared my throat and began--in Chinese, because of my imperfect
English:

"Hear, O high and mighty mandarin, and believe! As I went about my
peaceful business in the street, behold certain men set a dog on me,
and--

"Silence!"

It was the judge that spoke. The interpreter whispered to me that I must
keep perfectly still. He said that no statement would be received from
me--I must only talk through my lawyer.