Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/66

 So they silently stepped out into a straw hut at the back. Presently some one said, “Bind before killing, eh?”

“As I thought;” said Ts‘ao Ts‘ao, “now unless we strike first we shall be taken.”

Suddenly they dashed in, sword in hand, and slew the whole household male and female; in all eight persons.

After this they searched the house. In the kitchen they found a pig bound ready to kill.

“You have made a huge mistake,” said Ch‘ên Kung, “and we have slain honest folk.”

They at once mounted and rode away. Soon they met their host coming home and over the saddle in front of him they saw two vessels of wine. In his hands he carried fruit and vegetables.

“Why are you going, Sirs?” he called to them.

“Accused people dare not linger,” said Ts‘ao.

“But I have bidden them kill a pig! Why do you refuse my poor hospitality? I pray you ride back with me.”

Ts‘ao Ts‘ao paid no heed. Urging his horse forward he suddenly drew his sword and rode after Lu.

“Who is that coming along?”

Lu turned and looked back and Ts‘ao at the same instant cut him down.

His companion was frightened.

“You were wrong enough before,” cried he. “What now is this?”

“When he got home and saw his family killed, think you he would bear it patiently? If he had raised an alarm and followed us we should have been killed.”

“To kill deliberately is very wrong,” said Ch‘ên Kung.

“I would rather betray the world then let the world betray me,” was the reply.

Ch‘ên Kung only thought. They rode on some distance by moonlight and presently knocked up an inn for shelter. Having first fed their horses, Tsʻao Ts‘ao was soon asleep, but his companion lay thinking.

“I took him for a true man and left all to follow him, but he is cruel as a wolf. If I spare him he will do more harm,” thought Ch‘ên.

And he rose intending to kill his companion.

The further fortunes of Ts‘ao Ts‘ao will be told in later chapters.