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I Wish it Would Rain
187

enough. It was time to teach those rebels a lesson. Away went the army again.

A whole day passed and no return order was signaled. Night came and the army tramped onward. . . . A pillar of flame shot up from a hilltop. It was a beacon. "Return," said the beacon. "Not I," said General Chang; "I've had enough of the Queen's whims. Besides, it's raining right now. Forward. March."

The army entered Kan Su and there encountered the rebels. It is better that the fight go undescribed. Here suffice it to say that if so much as one rebel escaped, he took pains to keep the fact secret. There is no mention of him in the books.

General Chang was jubilant. Surely the King would be highly pleased. The King—good gracious—King Ho Chu, himself, on a breathless steed, stumbled across the battlefield. "Why didn't you return?' panted the King. "I—I—I——————" stammered General Chang. But the King said more. "The Tartars swooped down just a few hours ago, carrying off my Queen, raiding my treasury