40
THE CHINA REVIEW.
ed a horse-boy and went off to the Minister's house to thank him. He was there told he was ont, but Hsi-chen waited his return, till at last he left his card and left a message to Bee Ya-nei. Ya-nei said, "I must come to my adopted father's house, when I will bring wine and food. Hai-chen declined and re- turned, and then giving the horse-boy some money, said, "I want to buy a good do horse, but it is difficult to meet with one; you know where there is one?" The boy said, "I heard them say to-day that by the North bridge Chen died, he had a capital chestaut horse, called the "Clothed with thunder," but his widow being without means to pay his funeral expenses says she wants to sell it. I too have seen it, and it is a rare good one." Hai-chen much startled said, "Is it not Chen Ying?" "It is him," said the boy. Hai-chen sighed and said, "I know well enough, he was a very fiue fellow, skilled in the military art, and not very old, but his family was poor and his wife weak; well, he is dead then. But whether his horse was a good oue, I don't know: am I to buy it now or not?" The horse-boy said, "I don't know." Hsi-chen said, "You wait a bit till I can go with you."
Hsi-chen quickly went inside and called out Li-ching to fetch some silver which he put in his breast. He then told the boy to show him the way, and soon arrived at Ying's house near the North bridge; there were only some bare rooms, and all he heard was the wife of Ying crying in solitude inside. Ch'en entered and called to her. The woman dried her eyes and clasping her child to her breast came out and seeing him asked, "Sir, where are you from, with whom do you want to speak ?" flsi said, "My hum- ble name is Ch'en, I am from Great East street; I have well known my elder brother Chen, how is it he is no more?" The woman said, "It is most pitiable; why do you, Sir, come to my lonesome dwelling ?" Hsi said, "I have heard my elder brother had a riding horse, you want to sell; is this so She said, "Yes." Hai-chen said, "Is he sold yet?" She said, "Two days before my
late husband's death he put out a notice, but no buyer has come; some came to look but did not see him, saying the horse was not worth mach, and I in anger then had him tied up behind; don't tell any one I want to sell him." Hsi anid, "Your servant really wants to buy and is willing to pay the price, may I not see him?" She said, "Come and look at him behind the house." The boy was told to wait outside, and Hsi went in with the woman to look; en seeing the horse he was startled, he only saw he was tied to his manger and with his head down nibbling his hoof. He began to feel his body all over. He then asked, why he had been starved till he was so thin. She said, "When my husband was alive, although he much liked the horse, yet he then could not give him a good feed, and when he got so ill how could I attend him; hence he has fallen away so." Hsi then looked at his mouth, "How much do you want for him?" She said, “I won't deceive you, but the price must suit me, for
I am a quiet person and will tell you the truth; when my husband was so ill he never said anything about the money; all he said was, if one knowing a horse buy him you must sell him cheapish, but if no one recog- nises his worth you must starve him and give him no fodder. A few days ago some one advised me to sell him for food, when 1 could get five to seven taels for him, where- upon I sent him off pretty quickly. At pre- sent you, Sir, want to buy him; it is for you therefore to say." Hsi-chen said, "You must not be offended at me." "Why should 1p" said she. Hsi-chen, seeing the beast suited him exactly, whispered, "What do you say The to one hundred tale of good silver?" woman was startled, "Is it worth so much?” she thought, so she tried for a little more and said, "One hundred taels is rather cheap; little." Hsi- please raise the figure a chen said, "One hundred and twenty taels." The woman thought to herself, " 1 don't sell now he may break off the bargain," so she asked, "What do you want to buy this horse for, Sir ?" "I
THE TANG HOU CHL
won't deceive you, Ma'am, but I have 2 800 a Lieutenant in the South camp, he can find a horse to suit him, but hearing you had this excellent beast I am come to purchase him." The woman hearing this said, "Well then, you can take him, but I must have good silver." Hsi-chen quickly went to a shop opposite and got the silver 120 taels, and brought and handed it over; he then called the horse horse-boy to come in to lead the horse out; the woman having got her money and seeing the horse was being led away, began to think of times when her husband was alive, and was unable to prevent the tears running down her cheeks. Old Hsi-ohen was very ancomfortable; but the woman said, "There is also a saddle, &c., belonging to the horse, won't you buy them too?" Hsi-chen went to look at them and saw they were torn, and declined them, but told the woman he did not want to annoy her and offered to give more money. He then gave her ton taels in addition; she would not take it and said, Your slave is grieved at looking at the things, 1 am not concerned about the amount of the silver." Hsi-chen said, "I give this
to you for Chen's sake, to buy some paper money and offerings for him to put on his grave." She then took out twenty more taels and told his horse-boy to go and fetch the above and to keep the change. The woman said, "I will give you the suddle, &e." Hsi-ehen said, "I have such at home." He then bowed and took his leave; the woman clasping her child wished him much happi- ness and said, "Sir, sir, a day will come when I shall be able to recompense you." Hsi-chen told the boy to lead the horse and follow him. The neighbours, seeing what had been done, would hardly believe it. This man is crochety, they said, to throw away thus one hundred and fifty taela for such a beast; why, horseflesh is only worth fifteen or sixteen tsao in the market; the male of Wang's, the corn-grinder, was bought for sixteen taels, and that beast was much stronger than this horse. The women
11
in the meanwhile asked her relations to assist her, and with this money complete her hus- band's funeral. Hsi-chen in the meanwhile went off with his horse and turning a corner looked out for a tea-house, at the door of which he tied up the beast; he then told the boy to go off, as he would lead the animal bimself, "and don't you go and troubla the widow any further." The boy then ran off in great delight to his own home. Ch'en took a cup of tea and took a good look at his horse, and then got up and led him off, and after going a little way turned his head to look. On reaching home be stopped at the door and then led the horse to the back, where he tied him up to a pillar of the verandah. He then called out “Ching, my child, I have bought that horse." Li-ch'ing on hearing this upstairs flew down the stairs and hurriedly asked, "Fapa, dear, where is the horse P" and then smiling with joy she came down, and on seeing was very much pleased. "How much silver did you give for him, Papa?" Iisi-chen said, "The exact price was one hundred and twenty ounces, but I added in thirty more, making a total of one hundred and fifty ounces." Ji-ch'ing said, "Cheap, very cheap." Hsi- chen said, "Well it is not very dear, is it?" Li-ching said, "No, no, the Szechuan horse was one hundred ounces, and he, though a good horse, could not compare to this one.' "But how old is he " Hsi-chen said, “I have looked, he is about eight years old;" he then laughed and said, "he seems to suit you very well; I will go then to the archery ground behind and let him out in order to try your riding powers." Li-ch'ing shook her hand and said, "He must not be ridden now, be is much too thin; if he is forced to be ridden he will be damaged; he is not now as good as that Szechuan horse; he must be fed up well and then after ten days or so, led out a bit, then your child can mouut kim and go out for a look at him, Paps," Hsi-chen laughed and said, "Why, you would make a capital groum; but it is late; I will lead him to the stables and give him
163
f