The War Tiger

by William Dalton

  CHAPTER XXXV.

  TREACHERY OF THE GUIDE.--THE PRINCESS SEIZED BY ROBBERS.

  After a sojourn of three days in this hiding-place their provisions grewshort; moreover, it was probable that the enemy had left the village,if, indeed, they had not taken their departure upon the first day;therefore, it was arranged that one of the party should proceed upon atour of observation, and as the guide not only volunteered, but from hisprofession seemed to be the most fitting person, he was sent. After anabsence of some hours, he brought them the information that not only hadthe enemy left the neighborhood, but there was plenty of game at hand,the great proof of which was the carcass of a yellow goat that hecarried across his shoulders; and so joyful was Nicholas at the news,that he proposed their immediate departure.

  "It would not be wise, O my young friend, for these thieves are artful,and may be only lurking near till they can pounce upon us like tigers,"said the innkeeper.

  This advice being reasonable, and, fearing more for the princess thanhimself, Nicholas readily agreed to remain for a few more days; butthen, tired of confinement, and knowing that one small kid would beinsufficient, he took his bow in his hands, saying, "Leave not thisplace, O Chow, till I return."

  "This may not be, O my master, for while here, there are two men, and astrong room to protect the ladies; among the hills it will be as much astwo can do to protect each other from strolling thieves," said Chow;which reasonable view, being supported by the princess and theinnkeeper, Nicholas was compelled, although against his will, to complywith; and so the two youths started off in company.

  Along mountain ridges, through valleys, and up steep crags, they toiledfor some hours without meeting man or beast. At length, however, as theycrossed a small hill covered with trees there was a rustling among theunderwood, and they heard the grunt of some animal. "It is a boar,prepare thy bow," said Nicholas.

  "No, no, master, no; he is running from us," said Chow, who was uponhigher ground and could see better. "See," he added, as Nicholas came byhis side, "he is sniffing something good; what can it be?" For a minutethey watched the animal, who was quietly sniffing the ground near asmall opening of the mountain. "See, he seeks the entrance, we must notlose him," said Nicholas; and in another minute the boar fell over withan arrow in his side when, drawing his sword, Nicholas ran up to it. Theanimal, however, was too quick, for instead of being unduly alarmed atthe sudden attack, like a sensible beast, he had, with his teeth,plucked the arrow from his body; an operation he effected so quickly,that before Nicholas could stop, the boar met him half-way, tripped himover, and, placing his huge paws upon the boy's face, would speedilyhave killed him, but for another arrow which Chow had sent through thebrute's thick neck.

  "That was a good aim, my brave Chow," said Nicholas, as he arose, andpassed his sword through the beast.

  "The obstinacy of thy servant in coming with thee was good, O nobleNicholas."

  "Thou shalt be rewarded with a leg, at least," said Nicholas.

  Thus satisfied with their foraging expedition, they carried the animalbetween them till they came within a short distance of the refuge, whenthey stopped to rest; but, starting suddenly Chow said, "Let us listen;"and both put their ears to the ground. "Surely, it is plain, it is thetrampling of a large party of horses," replied Nicholas, rising to hisfeet and running up a steep hill, "still there is nothing to be seen, noliving being--yet," he added, "it was the trampling of horses."

  "It can not be otherwise," said Chow.

  "Let us haste, then, O Chow!" and leaving the carcass of the boar uponthe ground, they ran till they reached the cavern. The camel and muleswere gone--their worst fears were confirmed; and Nicholas ascended thestairs, followed by Chow, entered the room, when involuntarily placinghis hand upon his forehead, as if to assist his astonished vision, hegave a scream of horror.

  As for Chow, for a minute his astonishment deprived him of speech; then,falling upon his face, he exclaimed, "My beloved mother!"

  Well might they be horrified, for the princess and her attendant wereabsent; the innkeeper, his wife and daughter, and the guide, were boundwith cords and gagged, so that they could neither move nor speak.

  While Nicholas released the innkeeper, Chow performed a like office forthe women, when they all fell upon the guide, thumping him with theirfists, kicking him with their feet, and exclaiming, "Thou rat, thousnake, thou shalt be strangled." As for the miserable fellow, with hislimbs bound and his mouth gagged, he could do nothing but roll his eyesat them. Then being released by Nicholas, he would have got upon hislegs but for Chow, who threw him upon his back, and, stamping his footupon his breast, cried, "Lie there, thou dog, for thou art the villain."

  "It is not so, Chow, or he would not himself be so bound and gagged,"said Nicholas.

  "Nevertheless, he is the traitor; he it was who brought the soldiersupon us, who discovered our retreat," said the innkeeper, giving theprostrate rogue another kick.

  "Open thy lips, thou rascal; say what has become of the two ladies, or Iwill slay thee," said Nicholas.

  "Speak, thou rogue," said Chow, almost breathless with anxiety.

  "Truly it was the misfortune and not the crime of thy servant; for hadhe not been chosen as thy guide, this thing could not have happened,"replied the trembling fellow.

  "Open thy lips to a purpose, thou rogue; give me a clue to the track ofthese robbers, and thy life shall be spared," said Nicholas, moreanxious to rescue the princess than to punish the guide, who, gainingcourage from the promise, said, "Truly, then, the princess is on her wayto the camp of the Emperor."

  This was too much for Nicholas, who fell upon the man, and would havekilled him, but for Chow, who, in his turn, becoming more calm, said,"Let the rogue earn his life by enabling us to follow these thievingrats."

  Perceiving the wisdom of this, Nicholas removed his hand from the throatof the rogue, who said, "Truly this is a heavy misfortune; for till thyservant left this place, he intended no mischief, when in the mountainshe met with a party of soldiers, who have been pursuing us all the wayfrom Kin-Chow for the purpose of earning the reward offered for theprincess."

  "How is this possible, thou rogue?" said Nicholas.

  "On the day of the festival, these soldiers landed on their way togather troops for the service of the Emperor Li, whom they were orderedto join on the borders of the province; on the same day that thy outrageupon the person of my uncle, the innkeeper of Kin-Chow, was discovered,and the venerable man in his indignation told the soldiers that theprincess, for whom so large a reward was offered, was on the road toLao-yang, accompanied by a woman, two youths, and his nephew, who mightbe known by the name of Leang, and who would, doubtless, when he heardof the affront put upon his uncle, aid in capturing the whole party. Thesoldiers, anxious to obtain the reward, pressed forward with such haste,that, but for our crossing the platform, they would have overtaken us,"said the guide; adding, "And would that they had, for then thy servantwould have been innocent."

  "If innocent, then, thou rogue, what hath since caused thee to become atraitor," said Nicholas.

  "When the soldiers informed the nephew of the affront offered to hisvenerable uncle, how under heaven and the social laws could he refuse toaid in the punishment of such offenders?"

  "How came it, O thou great rogue, that the soldiers should repay thygreat services with so much ingratitude?"

  "Truly thy mean servant is not a god, that he can foresee theingratitude of mankind."

  "These are dog's words, O noble youth," said the innkeeper; adding,"This fellow had promised the thieves to keep thee under some pretencetill they came up, when they intended to have sold thee as a slave; andfinding that they had missed a portion of their expected prize, partlyin their rage, and partly that the rogue should not claim a portion ofthe reward, they first beat and then left him as you found him, notdoubting that upon your return you would kill so false a rascal."

  "Shall we not kill the traitor, who has stolen my beloved mother and theprincess?"
said Chow, very fiercely.

  "Truly we will do better--make him useful," said Nicholas; adding, "Isthe rogue certain that these soldiers have proceeded to Lao-yang?"

  "It must be so, for it is to that city the Emperor Li is marching tobesiege the rebel Woo-san-Kwei," said the guide.

  "Thou rascal, to call so great a thief an emperor, and so great ageneral a rebel," said Chow, menacing him with his fist; adding, as heagain bound his arms to his side, "Thou shalt at least be in safekeeping till either the princess be discovered, or thy day arrives to bestrangled."

  The excitement past, then came despair. The soldiers had stolen themules and camel; it was, therefore, useless to attempt to overtake them,even if their numbers had been sufficiently large. What was to be done?and they both sat with their heads upon their hands. Nothing! At lengthNicholas said, "Bring the rogue with us, we will seek the GeneralWoo-san-Kwei."

  "The roads are dangerous, and may be filled with rebels," said theinnkeeper.

  "Then must we fight our way through the vermin," said Nicholas.

  "This rogue shall go before and get the first sword in his wretchedbody," said Chow, jerking the rope by which he held the guide, whoseteeth chattered together with terror at the notion.

  Then telling the innkeeper where to find the dead boar, Nicholas badehim and his family farewell.

  "May the great Tien aid thee!" said the woman.

  "Leave us thy name, O noble youth, that it may be marked on the memoriesof our descendants," said the innkeeper.

  Nicholas took the man aside, and whispered in his ear.

  "It is a terrible name," said the man, bowing his head to the ground.

  "It is a good one, and the son will restore thee thy village, O worthyman, if the rebels take not his life," said Nicholas.

  "The princess, the princess, and my beloved mother," exclaimed Chow.

  "Are protected by Heaven till we rescue them from the hands of thevillain Li," said Nicholas, and they proceeded on their journey.