Page:Shen of the Sea.pdf/236

 "A blessing—to be crippled? Why then this Chueh Chun must have known beforehand that the Tartars were coming to carry away my people. He must have known it, and knowing, gave us no warning. Bid this traitorous fellow appear. Soldiers—go. Headsman—draw your sword."

Fortunately, Chueh Chun's wife heard the Emperor's command. Swiftly she ran home. As she entered the cave Chueh Chun sneezed. "Kou Chu." The sneeze led to an excellent idea. Said the wife: "Aha. Aha," with much emphasis. "You were out in your boat on the river last week, and now you have a cold." Adding with proper severity, "Don't you dare go near the river again. Do you hear?" She knew very well what would happen. "My husband—come back."

Lame as he was, Chueh Chun promptly left the cave and got into his boat. The good wife smiled and screamed, "Don't row with such vigor."

Soldiers ran to the bank of the stream and called, "Come back." And louder they shouted, "Come back." That was extremely