Then did the peerless Chaoukeun narrate, in few words, the treachery and
avarice of Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow.

"Hasten, O mandarins, let the scissors of disgrace cut off the two tails
of this wretch, and then let the sword of justice sever off his head."

But the rumour of his sentence flew on the wind to Suchong Pollyhong
Ka-te-tow; and before the executioner could arrive, he had mounted a
horse fleeter than the wind, and with the portrait of the peerless
Chaoukeun in his vest, had left even rumour far behind.

Ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, tilly-lilly, ti-tum, ti.

And to whom did the miscreant minister fly, to hide his devoted head? He
flew to the wild nations of the north, the riders of wild horses, with
sharp scimitars and long lances. For three days and three nights did the
hoofs of his fiery steed strike fire upon the flints, which he spurned
in his impetuous course, and then, as an immortal poet hath already
sung, "he bowed his head and died." With the portrait of the peerless
Chaoukeun in his bosom, and his mandarin garments raised up under each
arm, the miscreant Suchong Pollyhong Ka-te-tow reached the presence of
the Great Khan. "O Khan of Tartary," said he, "may thy sword be ever
keen, thy lance unerring, and thy courser swift. I am thy slave. O thou
who commandest a hundred thousand warriors, hath thy slave permission to
address thee?"

"Speak, and be d----d," replied the warrior chief, of few words, whose
teeth were busy with some pounds of horse-flesh.

"Thou knowest, O Khan, that it hath been the custom for ages, that the
celestial empire should provide for thee a fair damsel for thy nuptial
bed, and that this hath been the price paid by the celestial court, to
prevent the ravages of thy insatiate warriors. O Khan, there is a maid,
whose lovely features I now have with me, most worthy to be raised up
to thy nuptial couch." And the miscreant laid at the feet of the Great
Khan the portrait of the peerless Chaoukeun.

The chief finished his repast, and then with his lance turned over the
image of the pearl beyond all price. He looked at it, then passed it to
those around him. The savage warriors stared at the lovely portrait, and
admired it not--yet did they long for war. "Tell me, O chiefs," said the
Great Khan, "is that baby-face you look at worth contending for?"

And, with one voice, the chiefs replied that she was worthy to share the
nuptial couch of the Great Khan.

"Be it so," replied he,