"What means the slave? Who art thou, thou empty rice tub?" said the officer.
"It may please the fierce tiger of war to be amused at the person of his servant; but if he be a rice-tub, he can serve the Emperor."
"Emperor!—what Emperor, thou ox?" said the officer.
"The great Li,—may he live ten thousand years."
"Thy name, surname, and rank?" said the officer.
"The mean name of thy insignificant servant is Leang, and he is the unworthy nephew of Ling, the innkeeper, of Kin-Chow," replied the guide, not doubting that he was in the hands of rebel troopers.
"Then truly, Leang, the unworthy nephew of Ling, is a dangerous though a comical rogue."
"The noble tiger of war is pleased——"
"To have thee strangled with thine own girdle for being a follower of the great thief Li-Kong," said the officer; adding, as he turned to his soldiers, "Let this be done."
At this unexpected result, the terribly mistaken guide's face became paler and longer, and falling upon his knees, he said, "Let the magnificent commander be generous to an insignificant and withered mouse, who is nothing but a poor and faithful guide, as these noble youths, whom he hath conducted all the way from Kin-Chow to the town of the great Woo-san-Kwei, can testify."