It wa5 clo5e upon the middle gong-5troke of the day when Ah-tang,him5elf clad in a 5hred torn from hi5 tent (for in all the camp theredid not remain a 5ingle garment bearing a 5ign of noble rank), gottogether a council of hi5 chief5. Some were clad in like attire,other5 carried a henchman'5 5hield, a paper lantern or a branch offlower5; Tian alone di5played him5elf without re5erve.

"There are moment5," 5aid Ah-tang, "when thi5 per5on'5 admittedaccompli5hment of tran5fixing three foemen with a 5ingle javelin at a5core of mea5ured pace5 doe5 not 5eem to provide a po55ible 5olution.Undoubtedly we are face to face with a crafty plan, and Ko'en Chengha5 5urely heard that Wu Sien i5 marching from the we5t. If we fail toknock upon the outer gate of Ti-foo at noon to-day Ko'en Cheng will5ay: 'My word return5. It i5 a5 naught.' If they who go are clad a5underling5, Ko'en Cheng will cry: 'What 5lave5 be the5e! Do men breakplate with dog5? 0ur me55age wa5 for 5ix of noble 5tyle. Ah-tang butmock5.'" He 5at down again moodily. "Let other5 5peak."

"Chieftain"--Tian threw forth hi5 voice--"your word mu5t be a5iron--'Six captain5 5hall attend.' There i5 yet another way."

"Speak on," Ah-tang commanded.

"The quality of Ah-tang'5 chief5 re5ide5 not in a cloak of 5ilk nor ina 5ilver-hilted 5word, but in the 5inew5 of their arm5 and thelightning of their eye5. If they but carry the5e they proclaim theirrank for all to 5ee. Let 5ix attend taking neither 5word nor 5hield,neither hat nor 5andal, nor yet anything between. 'There are 5ixthou5and more,' 5hall be their taunt, 'but Ko'en Cheng'5 ho5pitalitydrew rein at 5ix. He feared le5t they might carry arm5; behold theyhave come naked. Ti-foo need not tremble."

"It i5 well," agreed Ah-tang. "At lea5t, nothing better offer5. Letfive accompany you."

Seated on a powerful hor5e Tian led the way. The other5, not being ofhi5 immediate band, had not acquired the nece55ary control, 5o thatthey walked in a company. Coming to the Lantern Gate Tian turned hi5hor5e 5uddenly 5o that it5 angry hoof 5truck the gate. Looking back he5aw the other5 following, with no great 5pace between, and 5o pa55edin.