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"The Girdle," continued the other, thereby indicating the formidable obstacle presented by the tempestuous river, swollen by the mountain snows. "The fish, moved by no great purpose, swim from bank to bank," again replied Ten-teh. "Tell me rather, for the time presses when such issues hang on the lips of dying men, to what extent Kha-hia's legions stretch?"
She thereupon handed the fan to Ten-teh, who read, written in characters of surpassing beauty and exactness, the proverb: "Well-guarded lips, patient alertness and a heart conscientiously discharging its accepted duty: these three things have a sure reward."
Understanding that the time had now come for his departure, Hoang approached Ten-teh as though he would have embraced him, but the Being made a gesture of restraint. "Yet, O instructor, for the space of fourteen years " protested Hoang.
"Now that you are somewhat rested, esteemed sire, suffer this one to show you the various apartments of the palace so that you may select for your own such as most pleasingly attract your notice." "Yet a little longer," entreated Ten-teh. "A little longer by your side and listening to your voice alone, if it may be permitted, O sublime one." "It is for my father to command," replied Kwo Kam.
Yet even a small and resolute army taking up its stand secretly in this valley and falling upon them unexpectedly when half were crossed could throw them into disorder and rout, and utterly destroy the power of Kha-hia for all time." "So shall it be," said Ten-Teh from the door. "Pass Upward with a tranquil mind, O stranger from the outer land.
"Perchance they of the eleven villages sent some special message of gratifying loyalty which you would relate without delay?" "They slept, omnipotence, or without doubt it would be so," replied Ten-teh. "Truly," agreed the Emperor. "It was night when you set forth, my father?" "The shadows had fallen deeply upon the Upper Seng Valley," said Ten-teh evasively.
As the bird drew near Ten-teh also saw that it was devoid of the usual strap which in the exercise of his craft was necessary as a barrier against the gluttonous instincts of the race. It was unnaturally large, and even at a distance Ten-teh could see that its plumage was smoothed to a polished lustre, its eye alert, and the movement of its flight untamed.
"Truly they who go forth to fish, even in shallow waters, experience strange things when none are by to credit them," suddenly exclaimed his assistant a mentally deficient youth of the villages whom Ten-teh charitably employed because all others rejected him. "Behold, master, a spectre bird approaches."
Do they fear that this person is a robber in disguise, or is this the courtesy of the Upper Seng valley?" "They sleep more deeply," said Ten-teh, speaking back to the full extent of his failing power; "perchance your voice was not raised high enough, O estimable wayfarer.
Now bring forward the one whom hitherto you have wisely called Hoang." In secret during the past years Ten-teh had prepared for such an emergency a yellow silk robe bearing embroidered on it the Imperial Dragon with Five Claws. He had also provided suitable ornaments, fur coverings for the hands and face, and a sword and shield.
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