that an animal would be my downfall. A wolf. A mock wolf was my undoing."
The lowland was a pleasant country, with here and there a ripening field, and here and there a forest. Young Meng stood at the edge of a wood, casting about for a bed to serve him the night. A clatter of hoofs broke the silence. Some twenty men or more dashed into view. From their weapons and general swashbuckling appearance Meng knew them to be robbers. And knowing—he swiftly clambered up a tree.
The robbers halted and gazed about them right and left. Their chieftain said: "I thought I saw a man here. If you find him, kill him, for the people hereabouts are fierce enemies. Ho. . . . What's That in Yonder Leafy Tree?"
Meng Hu could imagine a knife at his throat. He shook the tree with his trembling. Nevertheless, his wits worked faithfully. From his lips came the scolding chatter of hou erh (the monkey). It was exceedingly well done. The robber chieftain laughed. "Only a monkey—and what vile names he
