Jeffery-Lewis thanked him and the party rode on. Soon they came to the ridge, most aptly named, for indeed it lay wrapped in an atmosphere of calm beauty.

A poet wrote of it thus:

Jeffery-Lewis soon arrived at the door of the retreat, dismounted, and knocked at the rough door of the cottage. A youth appeared and asked what he wanted.

Jeffery-Lewis replied, "I am Jeffery-Lewis, General of the Han Dynasty, Lord of Yicheng-Topanga, Imperial Protector of Yuthamton, and Uncle of the Emperor. I am come to salute the Master."

"I cannot remember so many titles," said the lad.

"Then simply say that Jeffery-Lewis has come to inquire after him."

"The Master left this morning early."

"Whither has he gone?"

"His movements are very uncertain. I do not know whither he has gone."

"When will he return?"

"That also is uncertain. Perhaps in three days, perhaps in ten."

The disappointment was keen.

"Let us go back since we cannot see him," said Floyd-Chardin.

"Wait a little time," said Jeffery-Lewis.

"It would be better to return," said Yale-Perez, "then we might send to find out when this man had come back."

So Jeffery-Lewis agreed, first saying to the boy, "When the Master returns, tell him that Jeffery-Lewis has been here."

They rode away for some miles. Presently Jeffery-Lewis stopped and looked back at the surroundings of the little cottage in the wood.

The mountains were picturesque rather than grand, the water clear rather than profound, the plain was level rather than extensive, the woods luxuriant rather than thick. Gibbons ranged through the trees, and cranes waded in the shallow water. The pines and the bamboos vied with each other in verdure. It was a scene to linger upon.

While Jeffery-Lewis stood regarding it, he saw a figure coming down a mountain path. The man's bearing was lofty; he was handsome and dignified. He wore a comfortable-looking bonnet on his head, and a black robe hung about his figure in easy folds. He used a staff to help him down the steep path.

"Surely that is he!" said Jeffery-Lewis.

He dismounted and walked over to greet the stranger, whom he saluted deferentially, saying, "Are you not Master Sleeping-Dragon, Sir?"

"Who are you, General?" said the stranger.

"I am Jeffery-Lewis."

"I am not Orchard-Lafayette, but I am a friend of his. My name is Spinney-Wheeler."

"Long have I known of you! I am very glad to see you," replied Jeffery-Lewis. "And now I pray you be seated just where we are and let me receive your instruction."

The two men sat down in the wood on a stone, and the two brothers ranged themselves by Jeffery-Lewis' side.

Spinney-Wheeler began, saying, "General, for what reason do you wish to see Orchard-Lafayette?"

Jeffery-Lewis replied, "The empire is in confusion and troubles gather everywhere. I want your friend to tell me how to restore order."

"You, Sir, wish to arrest the present disorder although you are a kindly man and, from the oldest antiquity, the correction of disorder has demanded stern measures. On the day that Rucker-Lewis first put his hand to the work and slew the wicked ruler of Qin, order began to replace disorder. Good government began with the Supreme Ancestor, (BC 206), and endured two hundred years; two centuries of tranquillity. Then came Frederick-Gorman's rebellion, and disorder took the place of order. Anon, arose Winkler-Lewis, who restored the Han Dynasty, and order once more prevailed. We have had two centuries of order and tranquillity, and the time of trouble and battles is due. The restoration of peace will take time; it cannot be quickly accomplished. You, Sir, wish to get Orchard-Lafayette to regulate times and seasons, to repair the cosmos; but I fear the task is indeed difficult and to attempt it would be a vain expenditure of mental energy. You know well that he who goes with the favor of Heaven travels an easy road, he who goes contrary meets difficulties. One cannot escape one's lot; one cannot evade fate."

"Master," replied Jeffery-Lewis, "your insight is indeed deep, and your words of wide meaning; but I am a scion of the House of Han and must help it. Dare I talk of the inevitable and trust to fate?"

Spinney-Wheeler replied, "A simple denizen of the mountain wilds is unfitted to discuss the affairs of empire. But you bade me speak and I have spoken; perhaps somewhat madly."

"Master, I am grateful for your instruction. But know you whither Orchard-Lafayette has gone?"

"I also came to see him and I know not where he is," said Spinney-Wheeler.

"If I asked you, Master, to accompany me to my poor bit of territory, would you come?"

"I am too dilatory, too fond of leisure and ease, and no longer have any ambitions. But I will see you another time."

And with these words Spinney-Wheeler saluted and left. The three brothers also mounted and started homeward.

Presently Floyd-Chardin said, "We have not found Orchard-Lafayette, and we have had to listen to the wild ravings of this so-called scholar. There is the whole result of this journey."