The fight became desperate. Cao Cao dashed at the enemy's array. The din was terrible. Arrows fell like pelting rain upon them, and they could make no headway.
Cao Cao was desperate and cried out in fear, "Who can save me?"
Then from the crush dashed out Dian Wei with his double spears, crying, "Fear not, my lord!"
Dian Wei leapt from his steed, put aside his double spears, and laid hold of a handful of battle-axes. Turning to his followers he said, "When the ruffians are at ten paces, call out to me." Then he set off with mighty strides, plunging forward, careless of the flying arrows. Lu Bu's horsemen followed, and when they got near, Dian Wei's followers shouted, "Ten paces!" "Five, then call!" shouted back Dian Wei, and went on. Presently, "Five paces!" Then Dian Wei spun round and flung the battle-axes. With every fling a man fell from the saddle and never a battle-ax missed. .
Having thus slain ten or so the remainder fled, and Dian Wei quickly remounted his steed, set his twin spears and rushed again into the fight with a vigor that none could withstand. One by one his opponents yielded, and he was able to lead Cao Cao safely out of the press of battle. Cao Cao and his commanders went to their camp.
But as evening fell, the noise of pursuit fell on their ears, and soon appeared Lu Bu himself.
"Cao Cao, you rebel, do not flee!" shouted Lu Bu as he approached with his halberd ready for a thrust.
All stopped and looked in each others' faces: The soldiers were weary, their steeds spent. Fear smote them, and they looked around for some place of refuge.
You may lead your lord safely out of the press,
But what if the enemy follow?
We cannot say here what Cao Cao's fate was, but the next chapter will relate.
|
κεπΰ
ζ\ρΫ
pκΕOuAgbvy[W
 ±Μy[WΜfήΜκΝJo³ρΜΰΜπgp΅Δ’ά·
|
lΌ
nΌ
»ΜΌ
gμp‘uOuvζ2ͺ Q―ΜͺA