Page:Frank Owen - The Scarlett Hill, 1941.djvu/74

RV 69 (PORTRAIT OF AN EMPEROR) it was, a potent drug, the drug of doubt. In what approached panic, they turned and fled, with General Chang's troops in pursuit. It is not hard to shoot down wild geese blinded by the sun. When they were weary of killing, the troops desisted and returned to their own fortifications. A mighty feast followed. Girls from Bishbalik joined the party as guests of honor.

Not long afterwards, General Chang returned to the Capital and was decorated by the Emperor.

After the ceremonies at the palace were over, Chang and the Emperor retired to a tea-house beside a lake in the Imperial Gardens. They sat near an open window, that faced a grove of pine trees beneath which cranes drowsed in the sunshine. The dust of the morning had been stilled by a shower; the fragrance of earth blended with wistaria. Rumor had it that the single black crane was six hundred years old. No longer did he take food but lived entirely on water. He was deeply interested in human affairs and had noticed the arrival of the Emperor. It was but natural then, for him to take up a position near the window, where he could overhear the conversation.

Ming Huang was vastly amused, nor did he deem fit to banish the patriarch of birds to the ovens of his cook, because of his effrontery. The bird was a symbol of longevity, his proximity was a good omen.

A servant brought tea which he poured into thin pottery cups. His felt-soled slippers made no sound upon the blue-tiled floor.

The Emperor breathed deeply of the aroma, RV 69 (69)