Page:Shen of the Sea.pdf/268

 for distant miles. More dust and more, more men and more. At first they asked, "What's it all about?" Later, "Catch him," and "Kill him," they cried.

Hai Low had long since lost sight of the fast fleeing horseman. But he reasoned that the traveler would enter Ying Ling, the capital city. Hence, he too, leading his curious host, entered Ying Ling. He was determined to do as his brother had bidden.

Now it chanced that King How Wang was a most unpopular ruler. Threats had been made against him. A prince from the north was said to be raising an army of rebels. Hence, when King How Wang beheld Hai Low's approach at the head of a vast army, he imagined Hai Low to be the northern prince. Hai Low's curious rabble he thought a rebel army. So thinking, he called for his horse And what became of him no one can say. He vanished, for good and all.

The royal generals, instead of ordering a fight, promptly knelt before Hai Low and bumped their heads in the dust. Said they,