air of wings； he could not escape。 Only I will just order the workers to delay him as much as they can； and not supply him with materials； so that he is sure to fail。 And then； when the certain penalty is incurred； who can criticize？ You can go and inquire about it all and keep me informed。〃
So off went Lu Su to seek Zhuge Liang； who at once reproached him with having blabbed about the former business。
Zhuge Liang said； 〃He wants to hurt me； as you know； and I did not think you could not keep my secret。 And now there is what you saw today； and how do you think I can get a hundred thousand arrows made in three days？ You will simply have to rescue me。〃
〃You brought the misfortune on yourself； and how can I rescue you？〃 said Lu Su。
〃I look to you for the loan of twenty vessels； manned each by thirty people。 I want blue cotton screens and bundles of straw lashed to the sides of the boats。 I have good use for them。 On the third day； I shall undertake to deliver the fixed number of arrows。 But on no account must you let Zhou Yu know； or my scheme will be wrecked。〃
Lu Su consented； and this time he kept his word。 He went to report to his chief as usual； but he said nothing about the boats。
He only said； 〃Zhuge Liang is not using bamboo or feathers or glue or varnish； but has some other way of getting arrows。〃
〃Let us await the three days' limit；〃 said Zhou Yu； puzzled though confident。
On his side Lu Su quietly prepared a score of light swift boats； each with its crew and the blue screens and bundles of grass plete and； when these were ready； he placed them at Zhuge Liang's disposal。
Zhuge Liang did nothing on the first day； nor on the second。 On the third day at the middle of the fourth watch； Zhuge Liang sent a p