tream, in evidence of the continued
presence and barbarity of their foes. The work of reinforcement done,
Changkone, the other leader of the party of relief, who had succeeded in
bringing to the garrison certain needed supplies, felt that he was not
wanted within its walls. Outside, Litingchi was hovering near the enemy
with a force of five thousand men, and the gallant admiral of the fleet
resolved to cut his way out again and join this partisan band.

Calling together his late followers, he extolled the glory they had won
and promised them new fame. But in the midst of his address he perceived
that one of the men had disappeared, and suspected that he had deserted
to the Mongols with a warning of what was intended. Changkone, however,
did not let this check him in his daring purpose. Gathering the few
war-junks that remained, he set sail that night, bursting through the
chains that crossed the stream, and cutting his way with sword and spear
through the first line of the Mongol fleet.

Before him the river stretched in a straight and unguarded course, and
it seemed as if safety had been won. But the early light of the dawning
day revealed an alarming scene. Before the daring band lay another
fleet, flying the Mongol flag, while thousands of armed foes occupied
the banks of the stream. The odds were hopelessly against the Chinese,
there was no choice between death and surrender, but the heroic
Changkone unhesitatingly resolved to accept the former, and was seconded
in his devotion by his men. Dashing upon the Mongol fleet, they fought
on while a man was left to bend bow or thrust spear, continuing the
struggle until the blood of the whole gallant band reddened the waters
of the stream. The Mongol leader sent the body of Changkone into the
city, either as a threat or as a tribute of admiration. It was received
with loud lamentations, and given a place in burial beside that of
Changchun, his partner in the most gallant deed that Chinese history
records.

This incident, while spurring the garrison to new spirit in their
defence, roused the Mongols to a more resolute pressure of the siege. As
yet they had given their attention mainly to Sianyang, but now they drew
their lines around Fanching as well. The great extent of the Mongol
dominion is shown by the fact that they sent as far as Persia for
engineers skilful in siege-work and accustomed to building and handling
the great catapults with which huge stones were flung a