第217部分(第1/7 页)

their　shoulders；　and　they　were　barefooted。　They　danced　and　skipped　and　went　through　their　performance　outside。　The　guests　inside　clapped　their　hands　and　applauded　their　skill；　and　the　soldiers　joined　in　the　choruses。

Presently；　at　a　signal　from　their　father；　two　of　Yang　Fang's　sons　bore　two　goblets　to　Meng　Huo　and　Meng　You。　Meng　Huo　and　Meng　You　took　the　cups　and　were　raising　them　to　their　lips　when　Yang　Fang　shouted　a　single　word　of　mand；　and；　instantly；　the　cupbearers　had　the　two　brothers　out　of　their　seats　and　helpless　in　their　hands。　At　this；　Duo　Si　jumped　up　to　run　away；　but　Yang　Fang　gripped　him；　and　he　was　a　prisoner　too。　The　Mang　maidens　ranged　themselves　in　a　line　along　the　front　of　the　tent　so　that　none　dared　approach。

〃When　the　hare　dies　the　fox　mourns；〃　said　Meng　Huo。　〃One　sympathizes　with　one's　own　as　a　rule。　We　are　both　chiefs　and　have　been　friends。　I　know　not　why　you　should　injure　me。〃

〃I　had　to　repay　Zhuge　Liang　the　Minister　for　his　passion　on　me　and　my　people；　and　there　was　no　way　till　you　rebelled。　Why　should　I　not　offer　up　a　rebel　in　propitiation？〃

Leaving　Meng　Huo；　Meng　You；　and　Duo　Si　in　the　hands　of　Yang　Fang；　the　Mang　warriors　dispersed；　each　man　returning　to　his　own　valley。

Yang　Fang　then　took　the　prisoners　to　the　camp　of　Shu；　where　he　bowed　at　the　tent　door；　saying；　〃I　and　my　sons　and　the　sons　of　my　brother　are　grateful　to　you　for　much　kindness；　wherefore　we　bring　to　you　as　an　offering　the　persons　of　these　rebels。〃

Zhuge　Liang　rewarded　Yang　Fang　and　bade　them　bring　forward　Meng　Huo。

〃This　time　are　you　prepared　to　yield？〃　said　the　Prime　Minister。

〃It　is　not　your　ability；　but　the　treachery　of　my　own　people　that　has　brought　me　to　this。　If　you　wish　to　slay；　slay。　But　I　will　not　yield。〃