Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/311

 on a low table. An involuntary exclamation of wonder escaped at the majesty of the figure.

“Really a god!” he sighed.

“Who is there?” suddenly asked the reader at the sound.

Hu Pan entered and said he was the Prefect’s secretary.

“Surely you are the son of Hu Hua, who lives outside Hsütu,” said Kuan.

“I am he,” replied Hu Pan.

Then Kuan Yü called up his followers and bade them look among the baggage for the letter, which they brought. Kuan Yü handed it to the secretary, who read it and then breathed long, saying, “I very nearly caused the death of a good man.”

Then he betrayed the whole plot. “This Wang is a wicked man, who wanted to kill you. At this moment you are surrounded and at the third watch they will set fire to this place. Now I will go and open the city gates while you hastily prepare for flight.”

Kuan Yü was greatly surprised, but he quickly buckled up his armour, got his steed ready, roused the two ladies and put them into their carriage. Then they left the rest-house and as they passed out they saw the soldiers all about them, each with a torch. The party hastened to the outskirts of the city and found the gate already open and they lost no time in getting clear of the city. Hu Pan returned to give orders to fire the rest house.

The fugitives pressed on but before long they saw lights coming up behind them and Wang Chih called out to them to stop. Kuan Yü reined in his horse and began to abuse him.

“Worthless fellow! What had you against me that you wished to burn me to death?”

Wang Chih whipped up his steed and set his spear, but Kuan Yü cut him through with the short sword he wore at his side and scattered his followers.

Then the carriage pushed on. Kuan Yü’s heart was filled with gratitude to Hu Pan. When they drew near Huachou some one told Liu Yen, who rode out to welcome him. Kuan Yü did not dismount but bowed from horseback, saying, “Have you been quite well since we parted?”

“Whither are you going, Sir?” replied Liu Yen.

“I have left the Minister and am on my way to find my brother.”

“Yüan-tê is with Yüan Shao, who is at enmity with the Minister. How can you be allowed to go to him?” asked Liu Yen.

“That matter was settled long ago.”

“The Yellow River ferry is an important point and is guarded by a lieutenant of Hsiahou Tun; he will not let you cross.”

“But suppose then you provide boats for me?”

“Though there are boats I dare not give them to you.”