against Tsin Lung's attack,
failed to interpret these words as anything but a direct encouragement
to his own cause. "Before the polluting hands of one who disdains the
Classics shall be laid upon your sacred extremities this tenacious
person will fix upon his antagonist with a serpent-like embrace and,
if necessary, suffer the spirits of both to Pass Upward in one
breath." And to impress Tsin Lung with his resolution he threw away
his scabbard and picked it up again several times.

"Grow large in hope, worthy Chief Examiner," cried Tsin Lung, who from
a like cause was involved in a similar misapprehension. "Rather shall
your imperishable bones adorn the interior of a hollow cedar-tree
throughout all futurity than you shall suffer the indignity of being
extricated by an earth-nurtured sleeve-snatcher." And to intimidate
Hien by the display he continued to clash his open hand against his
leg armour until the pain became intolerable.

"Honourable warriors!" implored Thang-li in so agonized a voice--and
also because they were weary of the exercise--that Hien and Tsin Lung
paused, "curb your bloodthirsty ambitions for a breathing-space and
listen to what will probably be a Last Expression. Believe the
passionate sincerity of this one's throat when he proclaims that there
would be nothing repugnant to his very keenest susceptibilities if an
escaping parricide, who was also guilty of rebellion, temple-robbing,
book-burning, murder and indiscriminate violence, and the pollution of
tombs, took him familiarly by the hand at this moment. What,
therefore, would be his gratified feelings if two such nobly-born
subjects joined forces and drew him up dexterously by the body-cloth?
Accept his definite assurance that without delay a specific
pronouncement would be made respecting the bestowal of the one around
whose jade-like personality this encounter has arisen."

"The proposal casts a reasonable shadow, gracious Hien," remarked
Tsin Lung, turning towards the other with courteous deference. "Shall
we bring a scene of irrational carnage to an end and agree to regard
the incomparable Thang-li's benevolent tongue as an outstretched olive
branch?"

"It is admittedly said, 'Every road leads in two directions,' and the
alternative you suggest, O virtue-loving Tsin Lung, is both reputable
and just," replied Hien pleasantly. In this amiable spirit they
extricated Thang-li and bore him to the ground. At an appointed hour
he received the