n years you have thus
really had the honour of providing the engaging Fa Fei with all the
necessities of her very ornamental existence you will see that you
already possess practically all the advantages of matrimony.
Nevertheless, if you will now bring our agreeable conversation to an
end by releasing this inauspicious person he will consider the matter
with the most indulgent sympathies."

"Withhold!" exclaimed a harsh voice before Hien could reply, and from
behind a tree where he had heard Thang-li's impolite reference to
himself Tsin Lung stood forth. "How does it chance, O two-complexioned
Chief Examiner, that after weighing this one's definite
proposals--even to the extent of demanding a certain proportion in
advance--you are now engaged in holding out the same alluring hope to
another? Assuredly, if your existence is so critically imperilled this
person and none other will release you and claim the reward."

"Turn your face backwards, imperious Tsin Lung," cried Hien. "These
incapable hands alone shall have the overwhelming distinction of
drawing forth the illustrious Thang-li."

"Do not get entangled among my advancing footsteps, immature one,"
contemptuously replied Tsin Lung, shaking the massive armour in which
he was encased from head to foot. "It is inept for pigmies to stand
before one who has every intention of becoming a rapacious pirate
shortly."

"The sedan-chair is certainly in need of new shafts," retorted Hien,
and drawing his sword with an expression of ferocity he caused it to
whistle around his head so loudly that a flock of migratory doves
began to arrive, under the impression that others of their tribe were
calling them to assemble.

"Alas!" exclaimed Thang-li, in an accent of despair, "doubtless the
wise Nung-yu was surrounded by disciples all eager that no other
should succour him when he remarked: 'A humble friend in the same
village is better than sixteen influential brothers in the Royal
Palace.' In all this illimitable Empire is there not room for one
whose aspirations are bounded by the submerged walls of a predatory
junk and another whose occupation is limited to the upper passes of the
Chunling mountains? Consider the poignant nature of this person's vain
regrets if by a couple of evilly directed blows you succeeded at this
inopportune moment in exterminating one another!"

"Do not fear, exalted Thang-li," cried Hien, who, being necessarily
somewhat occupied in preparing himself