guiding hand," replied
Shan Tien.

"Let it be enticed forth into a quiet and discreet spot. In the
interval, while the obliging Ming-shu plies an unfaltering brush, the
task of weighing out my humiliating burden shall be ours."

In an incredibly short space of time, being continually urged on by
the flattering anxiety of Shan Tien (whose precipitancy at one point
became so acute that he mistook fourscore taels for five), all things
were prepared. With the inscribed parchment well within his sleeve and
the bags of silver ranged about his body, Kai Lung approached the
platform that had been raised to enable him to subdue the expectant
animal.

"Once in the desired position, weighted down as you are, there is
little danger of your becoming displaced," remarked the Mandarin
auspiciously.

"Your words are, as usual, many-sided in their wise application,
benignity," replied Kai Lung. "One thing only yet remains. It is apart
from the expression of this one's will, but as an act of justice to
yourself and in order to complete the analogy--" And he indicated the
direction of Ming-shu.

"Nevertheless you are agreeably understood," declared Shan Tien,
moving apart. "Farewell."

As those who controlled the front part of the horse at this moment
relaxed their tenacity, Kai Lung did not deem it prudent to reply, nor
was he specifically observant of the things about. But a little later,
while in the act of permitting the creature whose power he ruled to
turn round for a last look at its former home, he saw that the
unworthy no longer flourished. Ming-shu, with his own discarded cang
around his vindictive neck, was being led off in the direction of the
prison-house.

CHAPTER XII

The Out-passing into a State of Assured Felicity of the
Much-enduring Two With Whom These Printed Leaves
Have Chiefly Been Concerned

Although it was towards sunset, the heat of the day still hung above
the dusty earth-road, and two who tarried within the shadow of an
ancient arch were loath to resume their way. They had walked far, for
the uncertain steed, having revealed a too contentious nature, had
been disposed of in distant Tai to an honest stranger who freely
explained the imperfection of its ignoble outline.

"Let us remain another space of time," pleaded Hwa-mei reposefully,
"and as without your all-embracing art the course of events would
undoubtedly have terminate