hills　wherefrom　rolled　the　sound　of　beaten　drums。　And　men　were　shouting。　Soon　appeared　a　large　force　with　Zhu　Ran　at　their　head。

He　came　dashing　forward；　and　summoned　the　small　party；　saying；　〃Guan　Yu；　do　not　run！　Surrender　and　live！〃

But　Guan　Yu　whipped　his　steed　to　a　gallop　and　bore　down　on　the　leader　with　anger　in　his　eyes。　Then　Zhu　Ran　ran　away。　Guan　Yu　followed　him　till　there　came　the　loud　boom　of　a　large　drum；　and　out　sprang　troops　from　all　sides。　Guan　Yu　dared　not　engage　such　a　number；　and　fled　in　the　direction　of　Linju。　Zhu　Ran　came　up　behind　and　attacked　the　flying　soldiers；　so　that　Guan　Yu's　following　gradually　became　smaller　and　smaller。

Still　he　struggled　on。　A　few　miles　farther　the　drums　rolled　again；　and　torches　lit　up　all　round。　This　was　Pan　Zhang's　ambush；　and　he　appeared　flourishing　his　sword。　Guan　Yu　whirled　his　blade　and　went　to　meet　him；　but　Pan　Zhang　ran　away　after　a　couple　of　bouts。　However；　Guan　Yu　saw　they　were　too　many　for　him；　and　sought　refuge　among　the　mountains。

His　son　followed；　and　when　he　got　within　speaking　distance；　Guan　Ping　gave　him　the　mournful　tidings：　〃Zhao　Lei　has　fallen　in　the　melee！〃

Guan　Yu　was　very　sad；　and　bade　his　son　try　to　protect　the　rear　while　he　should　force　his　way　forward。

With　about　ten　men　he　reached　Zhuxi；　a　place　with　mountains　on　both　sides。　At　their　foot　was　a　thick　mass　of　reeds　and　dried　grass。　The　trees　grew　very　close。　It　was　then　the　fifth　watch。　Presently　the　small　party　stumbled　into　another　ambush；　and　the　ambushing　soldiers　thrust　forth　hooks　and　threw　ropes。　Entangled　in　these；　Guan　Yu's　horse　fell；　and　Guan　Yu　reeled　out　of　the　saddle。　In　a　moment　Ma　Zhong；　the　Marching　General　of　Pan　Zhang；　made　him　a　prisoner。　Guan　Ping　dashed　to　his　rescue；　but　before　h