Directory_and_Chronicle_1841 — Page 119

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The Rebellion of the Yellow Caps.

FEB.

ly resort to Kwangtsung, where Chaug Keo was besieged by Loo Chih. The brothers at once retraced their steps, but had proceeded only half the distance, when they met Loo Chih confined in a cage and guarded by a party of soldiers, who were conducting him to the capital. The captive explained that he had been maligned at court, and that, under the false representations of a crown officer, who had been sent down to extort money from him but had failed in his at- tempts, he had orders from the emperor to hasten to the capital for examination, and that meanwhile Tung Cho was appointed to super- intend those hostilities against the chief Chang Keŏ, which had wel uigh been closed, but for this unhappy interruption. Chang Fei, when he heard this account, got furious, and was on the point of cutting down the guards with his sword, when Heuentĩh quieted him by the irresistible argument that, as it was the emperor's will, nothing could be done in opposition to it. So Loo Chĩh was allowed to pass on to meet his doom.

At the advice of Kwan Yu, the sworn brothers resolved to returů without delay, to their native district. But on their progress north- ward, they perceive, from the din of war, that conflicting parties are at hand. It is the imperial bands routed and put to flight by Chang Keo's overpowering numbers. Heuentih and his friends take a stand and, by a vigorous attack, beat the rebels back, and saved the honor of the throne. It was Tung Cho (Loo Chih's substitute,) who had been thus rescued by an unknown branch of the imperial house, but this general treated his deliverers only with disrespect, which the ever ardent Chang Fei could not brook, and he swore that nothing should appease him, short of the blood of the haughty and uncivil Tung Cho.

However, his brothers Heuentih and Kwan Yu successfully remon- strated with him; but, as it was their united opinion, that, rather than join the corps of such an officer, they should put themselves under the banner of Choo Sun one of his colleagues, they accordingly pro- ceeded to enter his ranks, and were treated by him with all urbanity. As that general was engaged in an attack on the rebel Paou's forces, he took the faithful three with him. In this instance, Heuentih also signalized himself in a close combat with one of the enemy's colonels, whom he left dead on the field. A general engagement instantly ensued, when general Paou, by some magical art (which produced a storm of wind and thunder, and drew down a black cloud from -heaven, in which appeared a countless host of matchless warriors,)

drove his opponents back in fear and consternation.

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