Page:The jade story book; stories from the Orient (IA jadestorybooksto00cous).pdf/364

348 that it was covered with foam, and full of immense sea-serpents.

This river was so wide that Pei-Hang was really surprised when, on throwing another of the red seeds into it, there lay before him a tiny brook, in the bottom of which some eels were wriggling.

Stepping across this, Pei-Hang walked on for some time until he came in sight of the Red River, which was three-quarters of a mile wide, and bright scarlet. Stretched right across it, like a bridge, was a row of huge alligators, each of which had its mouth wide open.

Into the river Pei-Hang threw one of the little red seeds, and one of the nearest alligators made a snap at it, but missed it. The seed sank into the water, and there before him was a small stream less than two feet across, and at the bottom of it a row of tiny lizards.

Pei-Hang crossed the stream, and was met by one of the Genii, who had come down from the snow-peak to see who had been playing tricks with the three mighty rivers.

Then Pei-Hang showed him the white