at he would eat all that he killed. This bloody vow was
accomplished, for they killed none; they returned discomfited, without
their bows, or arrows, or their swords, fleeing before the rage of the
Tartar chief. Then rose the great Youantee in wrath, and issued another
edict that the barbarians should be driven even into the sea which
bounds the empire of the world. And the armies were again sent forth,
but again they returned discomfited, saying, "How can we, who eat rice
with chop sticks, combat with barbarians, who not only ride on horses,
but eat them too?" The celestial edict was not attended to by the
Tartars, for they were barbarians, and knew no better; and they
continued to advance until within one day's progress of the celestial
capital; and the brother of the sun and moon, the magnificent Youantee,
was forced to submit to the disgrace of receiving an envoy from the
barbarians, who thus spoke, in sugared words:--

"The great khan of Tartary greets the magnificent Youantee; he has
slaughtered some millions of his subjects, because they were traitors,
and would not defend the celestial throne. He has burnt some thousands
of his towns, that the great Youantee may order them to be rebuilt in
greater beauty. All this has he done with much trouble and fatigue, to
prove his regard to the magnificent Youantee. All that he asks in
return is, that he may receive as his bride the peerless Chaoukeun, the
pearl beyond all price."

The great Youantee spoke from his celestial throne--"Return my thanks to
the great khan your master, for his considerate conduct, and tell him,
that he well deserves a bride from our celestial empire, but the pearl
beyond all price is wedded to the brother of the sun and moon. Any
other maiden in our empire shall be sent to him with gifts worthy to be
offered by the great Youantee, and worthy to be accepted by the great
khan of Tartary. Let it be an edict."

But the Tartar replied, "O great monarch, the great khan my master does
not require an edict, but the peerless Chaoukeun. If I return without
her, he enters the celestial city, and spares not man, or woman, or
child." Then fell at the celestial feet all the princes and mandarins
of every class, performing solemnly the great _kow tow_, and the chief
minister of state spoke thus:--"Lord of the universe, brother of the sun
and moon, who governs the world with thine edicts, whose armies are
invincible, and numerous as the sands upon