The day of departure for the expedition of Wang Tsao-tsun arrived.

The camels with their packs already filled the yamen court-yard and the men only awaited the arrival of their horses from the plains.

Suddenly the news spread everywhere that the herd of horses had been stolen during the night and run off toward the south.

Of two soldiers that had been sent out to follow the tracks of the herd only one came back with the news that the other had been killed.

Astonishment spread over the whole town while among the Chinese it turned to open panic.