Amid them, one, above whose head

There hung a sword about to fall.

I saw him quit that festive throng

And westward ride, a lonely way;

I saw a squadron follow swift,

Intent the fugitive to slay.

I saw him reach the River Tan,

Whose swirling current rushes by;

Adown the bank he galloped fast,

“Now leap, my steed!” I heard him cry.

His steed's hoofs churn the swollen stream;

What chills he that the waves run high?

He hears the sound of clashing steel,

Of thundering squadrons coming nigh.

And upward from the foaming waves

I saw two peerless beings soar;

One was a destined western king,

And him another dragon bore.

The Tan still rolls from east to west.

Its roaring torrent never dry.

Those dragons twain, ah! Where are they?

Yes, where? But there is no reply.

The setting sun, in dark relief

Against the glowing western sky.

Throws out the everlasting hills

While, saddened, here I stand and sigh.

Humans died to found the kingdoms three,

Which now as misty dreams remain.

Of greatest deeds the traces oft

Are faint that fleeting years retain.

Thus Liu Bei crossed the rolling river. Then he turned and looked back at the other bank which his pursuers had just gained.

“Why did you run sway from the feast?” called out Cai Mao.

“Why did you wish to harm one who has done you no injury?” replied Liu Bei.

“I have never thought of such a thing; do not listen to what people say to you.”

But Liu Bei saw that his enemy was fitting an arrow to his bowstring, so he whipped up his steed and rode away southwest.

“What spirits aided him?” said Cai Mao to his followers.

Then Cai Mao turned to go back to the city, but in the gate he saw Zhao Yun coming out at the head of his company of guards.

By wondrous leap the dragon steed his rider's life could save,

Now follows him, on vengeance bent, his master's henchman brave.

The next chapters will tell what fate befell the traitor.

CHAPTER 35. Liu Bei Meets A Recluse At Nanzhang; Shan Fu Sees A Noble Lord At Xinye

Just as Cai Mao was going into the city, he met Zhao Yun and his three hundred coming out. It had happened that, while at the banquet, Zhao Yun had noticed some movement of soldiers and horses and had at once gone to the banquet-hall to see if all was well with his lord. Missing Liu Bei from his place, Zhao Yun had become anxious and gone to the guest-house. There he heard that Cai Mao had gone off to the west gate with troops. So he quickly took his spear, mounted and went, he and the escort, in hot haste along the same road.

Meeting Cai Mao near the gate, he said, “Where is my lord?”

“He left the banquet-hall quite suddenly, and I know not whither he has gone,” was the reply.

Now Zhao Yun was cautious and careful and had no desire to act hastily, so he urged his horse forward till he came to the river. There he was checked by a torrent without ford or bridge. At once he turned back and shouted after Cai Mao, “You invited my lord to a feast; what means this going after him with a squadron of horse?”

Cai Mao replied, “It is my duty to guard the officials of forty-one counties who have assembled here as I am the Chief Commander.”

“Whither have you driven my lord?” asked Zhao Yun.

“They tell me he rode quite alone out through the west gate, but I have not seen him.”

Zhao Yun was anxious and doubtful. Again he rode to the river and looked around. This time he noticed a wet track on the farther side. He thought to himself that it was almost an impossible crossing for a person and a horse, so he ordered his followers to scatter and search. But they also could find no trace of Liu Bei.