from　a　hill。　The　Qiangs　were　marching；　the　long　line　of　iron　chariots　one　behind　another　in　close　order。　Then　they　halted　and　camped；　their　weapons　piled　all　along　the　line　of　chariots　like　the　ramparts　of　a　moated　city。　Guan　Xing　studied　them　for　a　long　time　quite　at　a　loss　to　think　how　to　overe　them。　He　came　back　to　camp　and　consulted　with　his　two　colleagues。

Ma　Dai　said；　〃We　will　see　tomorrow　what　they　will　do　when　we　make　our　array；　and　discuss　our　plans　when　we　know　more。〃

So　the　next　day　they　drew　up　their　army　in　three　divisions；　Guan　Xing's　division　being　in　the　center；　Zhang　Bao's　in　the　left；　and　Ma　Dai's　in　the　right。　Thus　they　advanced。

The　enemy　also　drew　up　in　battle　order。　Their　Chief　Leader；　Yue　Ji；　had　an　iron　mace　in　his　hand　and　a　graven　bow　hung　at　his　waist。　He　rode　forward　on　a　curvetting　steed　boldly　enough。　Guan　Xing　gave　the　order　for　all　three　divisions　to　go　forward。　Then　the　enemy's　ranks　opened　in　the　center　and　out　rolled　the　iron　chariots　like　a　great　wave。　At　the　same　time　the　Qiangs　shot　arrows　and　bolts；　and　the　men　of　Shu　could　not　stand　against　them。

The　wing　divisions　under　Ma　Dai　and　Zhang　Bao　retired；　and　the　Qiangs　were　thus　enabled　to　surround　the　center。　In　spite　of　every　effort；　Guan　Xing　could　not　get　free；　for　the　iron　chariots　were　like　a　city　wall　and　no　opening　could　be　found。　The　troops　of　Shu　were　absolutely　helpless；　and　Guan　Xing　made　for　the　mountains　in　hope　of　finding　a　road　through。

As　it　grew　dark　a　Qiang　leader　with　a　black　flag　approached；　his　warriors　like　a　swarm　of　wasps　about　him。

Presently　the　leader　cried　out　to　him；　〃Youthful　general；　flee　not。　I　am　Yue　Ji！〃

But　Guan　Xing　only　hastened　forward；　plying　his　whip　to　urge　his　steed。　Then　he　suddenly　came　on　a　d