At these words Ling sprang from the ground in gladness, so great was his certainty of destroying the invaders utterly.

It was, however, with less pleasurable emotions that he considered how he should effect the matter, for it was in no way advisable to divide his numbers into two bands.

Without any feeling of unendurable conceit, he understood that no one but himself could hold the bowmen before an assault, however weak.

In a similar manner, he determined that it would be more advisable to attack those in the village first.

These he might have reasonable hopes of cutting down without warning the camp, or, in any event, before those from the camp arrived.