red not in the least
dismayed, and calmly awaited the wizard's onslaught.

As Kokai drew near, the old man laughed aloud merrily, and turning into
a large and beautiful white crane, flapped his wings and flew upwards
into the heavens.

When Hako and Eiko saw this, they knew that their deliverer was no mere
human being--was perhaps a god in disguise--and they hoped later on to
find out who the venerable old man was.

In the meantime they had retreated, and it being now the close of day,
for the sun was setting, both Kokai and the young warriors gave up the
idea of fighting more that day.

That night Hako and Eiko decided that it was useless to fight against
the wizard Kokai, for he had supernatural powers, while they were only
human. So they presented themselves before the Empress Jokwa. After a
long consultation, the Empress decided to ask the Fire King, Shikuyu,
to help her against the rebel wizard and to lead her army against him.

Now Shikuyu, the Fire King, lived at the South Pole. It was the only
safe place for him to be in, for he burnt up everything around him
anywhere else, but it was impossible to burn up ice and snow. To look
at he was a giant, and stood thirty feet high. His face was just like
marble, and his hair and beard long and as white as snow. His strength
was stupendous, and he was master of all fire just as Kokai was of
water.

"Surely," thought the Empress, "Shikuyu can conquer Kokai." So she sent
Eiko to the South Pole to beg Shikuyu to take the war against Kokai
into his own hands and conquer him once for all.

The Fire King, on hearing the Empress's request, smiled and said:

"That is an easy matter, to be sure! It was none other than I who came
to your rescue when you and your companion were drowning in the flood
raised by Kokai!"

Eiko was surprised at learning this. He thanked the Fire King for
coming to the rescue in their dire need, and then besought him to
return with him and lead the war and defeat the wicked Kokai.

Shikuyu did as he was asked, and returned with Eiko to the Empress. She
welcomed the Fire King cordially, and at once told him why she had sent
for him--to ask him to be the Generalissimo of her army. His reply was
very reassuring:

"Do not have any anxiety. I will certainly kill Kokai."

Shikuyu then placed himself at the head of thirty thousand soldiers,
and with Hako and Eiko showing him the way, marched to the enemy's
castle. The Fire King knew the secret of