road, vague in my wanderings as the clouds in the sky. But we shall meet again and till then take care of yourself."

Then Kuan Yü took leave and retook the road to Yungyang. The Prefect of this city was named Wang Chih, and he was related to Han Fu by marriage. Hearing of the death of his relative he set about a scheme to kill Kuan Yü secretly. He sent men to guard the city gates and, when he heard that Kuan Yü approached, he went himself and received him with a smiling countenance and bade him welcome. Kuan Yü told him the object of his journey.

"You, General, have been able to get some exercise on the road, but the ladies in their carriage must be cramped and fatigued. I pray you to come into the city and all of you remain the night in the official travellers' quarters. Tomorrow you can set forth again."

The offer was tempting and his host seemed in earnest so the two ladies went into the city, where they found everything very comfortably prepared for them. And, though Kuan Yü declined the Prefect's invitations to a banquet, refreshments for the travellers were sent to their lodgings. Kuan Yü was fatigued from the trials of the journey and as soon as the evening meal was over he bade the ladies retire to rest while he sat down in the main room, quite alone, for he bade all to get repose while they could. His horse was given a good feed for once. He sat with his armour loosened in order to be more at ease.

Now the Prefect had a secretary named Hu Pan to whom he had entrusted the arrangements for the destruction of his guest. Said he, "This Kuan is a traitor to the Minister and a fugitive. On the road he has murdered several Commanders of Passes and is guilty of serious crimes. But he is too strong and valiant for any ordinary soldier to overcome. So this evening a whole company of men will surround his lodging, each one armed with a torch, and we will burn him. They will start the fire about midnight. Every one of the party will perish. I will come with a force to stand by and assist if necessary."

These orders received, Hu Pan passed them on to the men, who began secretly to prepare dry wood and other combustibles which they piled up at the gate of the rest-house. Hu Pan thought within him that he would like to know what manner of man was this Kuan Yü, whose fame had spread so far, so he determined to get a peep at him. He went to the rest-house and enquired where Kuan Yü was.

"The General is the man in the main hall reading," was the reply.

Hu Pan noiselessly made his way to the outside of the room and peeped in. He saw the famous warrior stroking his beard with his left hand while he read by the light of a lamp placed

on a low table. An involuntary exclamation of wonder escaped at the majesty of the figure.

"Really a god!" he sighed.

"Who is there?" suddenly asked the reader at the sound. Hu Pan entered and said he was the Prefect's secretary. "Surely you are the son of Hu Hua, who lives outside Hsütu," said Kuan.

"I am he," replied Hu Pan.

Then Kuan Yü called up his followers and bade them look among the baggage for the letter, which they brought. Kuan Yü handed it to the secretary, who read it and then breathed long, saying, "I very nearly caused the death of a good man.

Then he betrayed the whole plot. "This Wang is a wicked man, who wanted to kill you. At this moment you are surrounded and at the third watch they will set fire to this place. Now I will go and open the city gates while you hastily prepare for flight."

Kuan Yü was greatly surprised, but he quickly buckled up his armour, got his steed ready, roused the two ladies and put them into their carriage. Then they left the rest-house and as they passed out they saw the soldiers all about them, each with a torch. The party hastened to the outskirts of the city and found the gate already open and they lost no time in getting clear of the city. Hu Pan returned to give orders to fire the rest house.

The fugitives pressed on but before long they saw lights coming up behind them and Wang Chih called out to them to stop. Kuan Yü reined in his horse and began to abuse him.

"Worthless fellow! What had you against me that you wished to burn me to death?"

Wang Chih whipped up his steed and set his spear, but Kuan Yü cut him through with the short sword he wore at his side and scattered his followers.

Then the carriage pushed on. Kuan Yü's heart was filled with gratitude to Hu Pan. When they drew near Huachou some one told Liu Yen, who rode out to welcome him. Kuan Yü did not dismount but bowed from horseback, saying, "Have you been quite well since we parted?"

"Whither are you going, Sir?" replied Liu Yen.

"I have left the Minister and am on my way to find my brother."

"Yuan-tê is with Yüan Shao, who is at enmity with the Minister. How can you be allowed to go to him?" asked Liu

Yen.

"That matter was settled long ago."

"The Yellow River ferry is an important point and is guarded by a lieutenant of Hsiahou Tun; he will not let you cross." "But suppose then you provide boats for me?"

"Though there are boats I dare not give them to you."

"Well, formerly I slew Yen Liang and Wên Ch'ou and saved you from a grave danger. Now you refuse me a ferry boat!" "I am afraid Hsiahou will know of it and make it a fault against me."

Kuan Yü perceived that no help was to be expected from this man so he pushed on and presently reached the ferry. There the commander of the guard, Ch'in Ch'i, came out to question him.

"I am one Kuan, Marquis of Hanshout'ing."

"Whither are you bound?"

"I go to Hopei to seek my brother, Liu Yüan-tê, and I respectfully ask you to grant me a passage over the river." "Where is the authority of the Minister?"

"I am not on a mission from the Minister so why should I have such an authority?"

"I have orders from my chief to guard the ferry and you will not cross; even if you grew wings you should not fly over." Kuan Yü's choler arose. "Do you know that I have been the death of all those who have hitherto tried to stop me?" said he.

"You have only slain a few officers of no rank or reputation; but you dare not kill me."

"Where would you stand beside Yen Liang and Wên Ch'ou?" asked Kuan.

The Ch'in Ch'i grew angry and he loosed his rein. Sword in hand he came at a gallop. The two met, but in the first encounter Ch'in Ch'i's head was swept off by the terrible Black Dragon.

"He who opposed me is dead; you others need not be afraid," cried Kuan Yü. "Be quick and prepare me a boat."

The boat was soon at the landing and the two women stepped on board, followed by Kuan Yü. They crossed, and were then in the country of Yüan Shao. In the course of his journey to this point Kuan Yü had forced five passes and slain six captains.

"I did not willingly slay a single one of them," mused Kuan Yü as he rode along. "There was no help for it. Nevertheless when Ts'ao hears of it he will regard me as ungrateful for his bounty."

Before long he saw a rider on the road who soon hailed him and proved to be Sun Ch'ien.

"I have never heard a word from you since we lost sight of each other at Junan; how have you fared?" said Kuan Yü.

"After your departure the city fell. I was sent to Yüan Shao to try to make peace with him and succeeded, so that he invited your brother to go to him and share in the deliberations for an attack on Ts'ao Ts'ao. But to my disgust the leaders of Yüan Shao's army showed great jealousy of each other so that one got into gaol, another was degraded and others quarrelled. Then Yüan Shao vacillated and hesitated, so that your brother and I consulted how we might get away from them all. Now the Uncle is at Junan with Liu P'i and, thinking you could not know that and might suffer some harm if you unwillingly went to Yüan Shao, I have come to warn you. It is good fortune to find you like this. Now we can hasten to Junan and you will meet your brother."

Kuan Yü took Sun Ch'ien to make his bow to the ladies, who asked after his adventures and he told them of the risks Liu Pei had run from Yüan Shao's sudden bursts of anger. Now, however, he was out of his way and safe at Junan where they would meet him.

They covered their faces and wept at the recital of his dangers. Then the party no longer travelled north but took the road toward Junan. Not long after a great cloud of dust was noticed behind them and they presently made out a squadron of horsemen. These were led by Hsiahou Tun, who shouted out to Kuan Yü to stop.

One by one the pass commanders stopped his
progress and were slain,

The river crossed, another army comes and he
must fight again.

How finally Kuan Yü escaped death will appear in the succeeding chapter.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

TS'AI YANG PUT TO DEATH, THE BROTHERS' DOUBTS DISAPPEAR: MEETING AT KUCH'ENG, LORD AND LIEGE FORTIFY EACH OTHER.

Sun Ch'ien had joined Kuan Yü in escorting the two ladies and

they were on the road to Junan when Hsiahou Tun suddenly determined to pursue. So with a couple of hundred horse he set out. When he was seen approaching, Kuan Yü bade Sun Ch'ien go ahead with the carriage while he remained to deal with the pursuers. When they were near enough Kuan Yü said, "In coming after me thus you do not reinforce the magnanimity of your master."

Replied Hsiahou Tun, "The Minister has sent no definite instructions. You have caused the death of several people, among them one of my lieutenants, and so I have come to capture you. You have behaved most grossly. He will decide."

Thereupon he dashed forward with his spear ready to thrust. But at that moment a rider came up behind him at full gallop crying, "You must not fight with Yün-ch'ang."

Kuan Yü stayed his steed at once and waited. The messenger came up, drew from his bosom an official letter and said to Hsiahou Tun, "The Minister loves General Kuan for his loyalty and honour, and fearing lest he might be stopped at the various passes, he sent me with this letter to show when necessary at any point on the road.”

"But this Kuan has slain several commanders of the passes; does the Minister know that?" said Tun.

The messenger said these things were unknown.

"Then," said Tun, "I will arrest him and take him to the Minister, who may set him free or not as he wills."

"Do you think I fear anything you can do?" said Kuan Yü getting wrathful.

And he rode forward. Tun, nothing loth, set his spear and prepared for battle. They met and had reached the tenth encounter when a second horseman came up at full speed, crying, "Generals, wait a little!"

Hsiahou Tun stayed his hand and asked the messenger, saying, "Am I to arrest him?"

"No," replied the messenger. "Fearing lest he should have difficulties at the passes the Minister has sent me with a despatch to say he is to be released."

"Did the Minister know that he had slain several men on the way?"