This river was so wide that Pei-Hang was really surprised when, on throwing another of the red seeds into it, there lay before him a tiny brook, in the bottom of which some eels were wriggling.
Stepping across this, Pei-Hang walked on for some time until he came in sight of the Red River, which was three-quarters of a mile wide, and bright scarlet. Stretched right across it, like a bridge, was a row of huge alligators, each of which had its mouth wide open.
Into the river Pei-Hang threw one of the little red seeds, and one of the nearest alligators made a snap at it, but missed it. The seed sank into the water, and there before him was a small stream less than two feet across, and at the bottom of it a row of tiny lizards.
Pei-Hang crossed the stream, and was met by one of the Genii, who had come down from the snow-peak to see who had been playing tricks with the three mighty rivers.
Then Pei-Hang showed him the white seeds in the other box, and said: “With these I can make them as large as they were before, on my way back, so it is all right. But first I must find the home of the Genii, and get a pestle and mortar of jade for my future mother-in-law to pound magic drugs in.”
“First you must cross the Black River,” replied the Geni, with a rather scornful laugh. “It is a mile wide, and the fish in it are six yards long, and covered with spikes like porcupines.”
“How did you get across?” inquired Pei-Hang.
“I? O, I can fly,” said the Geni.
“And I can jump,” retorted Pei-Hang, sturdily.
The Geni walked with him as far as the Black River, and when our hero saw the great waste of water as black as ink, stretching away in front of him, it must be confessed his heart sank a little.