his name. He did so, at the same time smearing the blood as a sign of the oath and saying, “I swear to die rather than betray this pledge.”
Pointing to the five he said, “We require ten for this business and we can accomplish our design.”
“We cannot get many true and loyal men. One of the wrong sort will spoil all,” said Tung Ch‘êng.
Ma T‘êng told them to bring in the list of officials. He read on till he came to the name Liu, of the Imperial clan, when clapping his hands he cried, “Why not consult him?”
“Whom?” cried they altogether.
Ma T‘êng very slowly and deliberately spoke his name.
To a very trusty servant comes an Emperor’s decree,
And a scion of the ruling house can prove his loyalty.
If the reader turns to the next chapter he will see who was Ma T‘êng’s hero.
