Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/282

266 fear, for he would certainly vanquish their enemy.

The new general was aware of the source of the magician's power, and he instructed all of the soldiers to gather large quantities of a certain plant. This was done, and a great fire was made of all that was collected, and then everyone was ordered to fill a bag full of the ashes.

Shiku, accompanied by Haki and Oku, marched at the head of his army against Korkwi, who, knowing that water would extinguish fire, laughed at him. As the army approached, the magician caused the water to rise, thinking to speedily destroy his foes. But Shiku showed no fear; he ordered every soldier to scatter the ashes they carried, and this mingling with the water, turned into a sort of clay, thus stopping the progress of the water.

When Korkwi saw that Shiku was his superior in wisdom, he became furious with rage, and charged the enemy headlong.

Oku rode to meet him, and soon the two were engaged in deadly combat. For a long time they fought without advantage to either,