Kai Lungs Golden Hours | Page 8

one whose habit it is to call together a company to listen to your
word you have drawn it tight."

"Every rope has two ends," remarked Kai Lung philosophically, "and
to-morrow is yet to come. Tell me rather, since that is our present
errand, who is she whom you pursue and to what intent?"
"That is not so simple as to be contained within the hollow of an acorn
sheath. Let it suffice that she has the left ear of Shan Tien, even as
Ming-shu has the right, but on which side his hearing is better it might
be hazardous to guess."
"And her meritorious name?"
"She is of the house of K'ang, her name being Hwa-mei, though from
the nature of her charm she is ofttime called the Golden Mouse. But
touching this affair of your own immediate danger: we being both but
common men of the idler sort, it is only fitting that when high ones
threaten I should stand by you."
"Speak definitely," assented Kai Lung, "yet with the understanding that
the full extent of my store does not exceed four or five strings of cash."
"The soil is somewhat shallow for the growth of deep friendship, but
what we have we will share equally between us." With these auspicious
words Li-loe possessed himself of three of the strings of cash and
displayed an empty sleeve. "I, alas, have nothing. The benefits I have in
mind are of a subtler and more priceless kind. At Yu-ping my office
will be that of the keeper of the doors of the yamen, including that of
the prison-house. Thus I shall doubtless be able to render you frequent
service of an inconspicuous kind. Do not forget the name of Li-loe."
By this time the approaching sound of heavy traffic, heralded by the
beating of drums, the blowing of horns and the discharge of an
occasional firework, indicated the passage of some dignified official.
This, declared Li-loe, could be none other than the Mandarin Shan Tien,
resuming his march towards Yu-ping, and the doorkeeper prepared to
join the procession at his appointed place. Kai Lung, however,
remained unseen among the trees, not being desirous of obtruding
himself upon Ming-shu unnecessarily. When the noise had almost died
away in the distance he came forth, believing that all would by this

time have passed, and approached the road. As he reached it a single
chair was hurried by, its carriers striving by increased exertion to regain
their fellows. It was too late for Kai Lung to retreat, whoever might be
within. As it passed a curtain moved somewhat, a symmetrical hand
came discreetly forth, and that which it held fell at his feet. Without
varying his attitude he watched the chair until it was out of sight, then
stooped and picked something up--a red blossom on a thorny stalk, the
flower already parched but the stem moist and softened to his touch.
CHAPTER II
The Inexorable Justice of the Mandarin Shan Tien
"BY having access to this enclosure you will be able to walk where
otherwise you must stand. That in itself is cheap at the price of three
reputed strings of inferior cash. Furthermore, it is possible to breathe."
"The outlook, in one direction, is an extensive one," admitted Kai Lung,
gazing towards the sky. "Here, moreover, is a shutter through which the
vista doubtless lengthens."
"So long as there is no chance of you exploring it any farther than your
neck, it does not matter," said Li-loe. "Outside lies a barren region of
the yamen garden where no one ever comes. I will now leave you,
having to meet one with whom I would traffic for a goat. When I return
be prepared to retrace your steps to the prison cell."
"The shadow moves as the sun directs," replied Kai Lung, and with
courteous afterthought he added the wonted parting: "Slowly, slowly;
walk slowly."
In such a manner the story-teller found himself in a highly-walled
enclosure, lying between the prison-house and the yamen garden, a few
days after his arrival in Yu-ping. Ming-shu had not eaten his word.
The yard itself possessed no attraction for Kai Lung. Almost before
Li-loe had disappeared he was at the shutter in the wall, had forced it
open and was looking out. Thus long he waited, motionless, but

observing every leaf that stirred among the trees and shrubs and
neglected growth beyond. At last a figure passed across a distant glade
and at the sight Kai Lung lifted up a restrained voice in song:
"At the foot of a bleak and inhospitable mountain An insignificant
stream winds its uncared way; Although inferior to the Yangtze-kiang
in every detail Yet fish glide to and fro among its crannies Nor would
they change their home for the depths of the