"As regards their methods--if the renowned Ling insists--they fight by means of their bows, with which they discharge arrows at the foemen, they themselves hiding behind trees and rocks.
Should the enemy be undisconcerted by the cloud of arrows, and advance, the bowmen are instructed to make a last endeavour to frighten them back by uttering loud shouts and feigning the voices of savage beasts of the forest and deadly snakes." "And beyond that ?" inquired Ling.
"Beyond that there are no instructions," replied the Chief.

"The bowmen would then naturally take to flight, or, if such a course became impossible, run to meet the enemy, protesting that they were convinced of the justice of their cause, and were determined to fight on their side in the future." "Would it not be of advantage to arm them with cutting weapons also ?" inquired Ling; "so that when all their arrows were discharged they would still be able to take part in the fight, and not be lost to us ?" "They would not be lost to us, of course," replied the Chief, "as we would still be with them.

But such a course as the one you suggest could not fail to end in dismay.

Being as well armed as ourselves, they would then turn upon us, and, having destroyed us, proceed to establish leaders of their own." As Ling and the Chief of Bowmen conversed in this enlightened manner, there arose a great outcry from among the tents, and presently there entered to them a spy who had discovered a strong force of the enemy not more than ten or twelve li away, who showed every indication of marching shortly in the direction of Si-chow.

In numbers alone, he continued, they were greatly superior to the bowmen, and all were well armed.