Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/296

 made a stand, but those about him trampled each other down and he could do nothing but flee. And he fled.

Then standing on the top of a mound Ts‘ao pointed to the flying leader calling out, “There is one of the most famous captains of the north; who can capture him?”

Chang Liao and Hsü Huang both mounted and dashed after him, crying, “Wên Ch‘ou, do not run away!”

Looking round, the fugitive saw two pursuers and then he set aside his spear, took his bow and adjusted an arrow, which he shot at Chang Liao.

“Cease shooting, you rebel!” shouted Hsü Huang. Chang Liao ducked his head and the shaft went harmlessly by, save that it carried away the tassel of his cap. He only pressed harder in pursuit. The next arrow however struck his horse in the head and the animal stumbled and fell, throwing his rider to the earth.

Then Wên Ch‘ou turned to come back. Hsü Huang, whirling his battle axe, stood in his way to stop him. But he saw behind Wên several more horsemen coming to help him and as they would have been too many for him he fled. Wên pursued along the river bank. Suddenly he saw coming toward him with banners fluttering in the breeze, a small party of horse, and the leader carried a great sword.

“Stop!” cried Yün-ch‘ang, for it was he, and he attacked at once. At the third bout Wên Ch‘ou’s heart failed him and he wheeled and fled, following the windings of the river. But Kuan Yü’s steed was fast and soon caught up. One blow, and the hapless Wên Ch‘ou fell.

When Ts‘ao Ts‘ao saw from the mound that the leader of the enemy had fallen, he gave the signal for a general onset and many of the northmen were driven into the river. And the carts with supplies and all the horses were quickly recovered.

Now Kuan Yü, at the head of a few horsemen, was thrusting here and striking there at the moment when Yüan-tê, with the three reserve legions, appeared on the battle field. At once they told him that the red-faced, long-bearded warrior was there and had slain Wên Ch‘ou. He hastily pressed forward to try to get a look at the warrior. He saw across the river a large body of horse and the banners bore the words “Kuan Yün-ch‘ang, Marquis of Hanshout‘ing.”

“Then it is my brother and he is really with Ts‘ao Ts‘ao,” said Yüan-tê, secretly thanking God that he was safe.

He made an attempt to wait about till he could call to Kuan Yü, but a great mass of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao’s soldiers came rushing down and he was forced to retire.

Yüan Shao, bringing reinforcements, reached Kuantu and built a stockade. Two advisers went in to see him and said, “Again that fellow Kuan has been in the battle; he killed Wên Ch‘ou. Liu Pei pretends ignorance of him.”