The New Year came and found Hongkong in festal array.  All the Chinese houses were decorated with plants and flowers, and from long cords stretched from house to house, and diagonally across the streets, were suspended hundreds upon hundreds of lanterns of various colors.  At the first peep of day thousands of people, dressed in holiday attire, began to throng the streets and crowd into the great open squares, where eatables of all sorts were to be had.  Here were tables loaded down with all kinds of Chinese delicacies, many of which, I fear, my little readers would not find palatable.  For example, there were sugar-coated worms, preserved red snails, trepang,—­a kind of sea-worm,—­and putrid doves’ eggs in an unspeakable sauce.  The cakes made of honey, sugar and rice-meal, I am sure, would have been much more to your liking.  Each hour the crowd increased, as the people poured into the city from the villages on the island of Hongkong, and from neighboring places.  It was a general reception day.  Whenever a Chinaman met an acquaintance, putting his hands in the wide, flowing sleeves of his gown, he greeted him with many bows, wished him a happy New Year, and invited him to have a cup of tea or saki.  Even the poorest people had saved up enough to take part in the celebration.  All over the great city joy reigned.

The missioners, glad to give their pupils English as well as Chinese, all the pleasure they could, always celebrated the New Year by having a more elaborate supper than usual, and taking the boys to see the brilliantly lighted city and the puppet shows.  For weeks beforehand all looked forward to the great holiday, and could hardly wait for the time to come when the city would be in holiday attire, and the fireworks and puppet shows in progress.  On this night supper was over, the bell had rung, and the boys were in a double line ready to start on their little excursion.  At the head of the ranks stood young Peppo, the leader, in a state of subdued excitement.  He was anxious to see the beautiful lights, and also hoped to find his little companion, Willy, at the puppet show, where he knew he would be, if possible.  Just as the happy band was about to start, Father Somazzo called Peppo back, for it occurred to him that perhaps the man, who had a few days previous to this so impudently demanded possession of him, might try to kidnap him.

“Peppo”, he said, addressing Lihu by his Italian nickname, “Peppo, you know that I mean well by you.”

“Yes, Father,” answered the boy impatiently, “but please don’t keep me now.  We are going to the city and I am to be the leader of the ranks.”

“Peppo, not very long ago you said that you were willing to make a great sacrifice to God, because he saved you from death, and permitted you to be baptized, and because you are soon to receive your first communion.”

“Yes, Father, I did, and I will willingly make a sacrifice, but let me go now.  Brother Onufrio has already opened the door.”