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18 Black Water River

Sandy hailed loudly, "Boatman! Come and ferry us across!" The man in the boat answered, "I am no ferryman, and I do not carry people." Sandy called again, "We are scripture-seeking monks from the Great Tang in the East. We do not often trouble you. Grant us the favor." The man, hearing this, brought the boat to the bank, braced his oar and said, "My boat is small; it can only carry two at a time." Bajie, wanting to shirk work, said, "Brother Monkey and Wujing stay here and look after the luggage. I will escort Master across first." The man waited until the Tang Monk and Bajie were aboard, then pushed off, pulled the oar, and rowed toward the far bank. But they had barely reached midstream when a great crash was heard, a wild wind rose, and towering waves blotted out the sky. The boatman was in truth a monster of the Black Water River. He stirred up the gale, seized the Tang Monk and Pigsy, and sank them together with the boat beneath the water. In an instant, all had vanished without a trace. Sandy, who had watched from the bank, cried in alarm, "Could the boat have capsized? Let us hurry downstream and look." Wukong replied, "If the boat had capsized, Bajie, who can swim, would surely have brought Master ashore. That boatman looked wicked. I suspect it is his doing, and he has dragged our Master under." Sandy said, "If that is so, let me go down into the water and look." Wukong replied, "The color of this water is not right. I fear you cannot enter it." Sandy answered, "How does it compare with my old Flowing Sand River? I can go! I can go!" Sandy stripped off his outer robe, gripped his monster-quelling staff, and with a plunge dived into the water. He parted the current and strode forward in great strides. As he went, he suddenly heard voices. Sandy slipped to one side and saw, ahead, a pavilion. Above its gate was inscribed, in eight large characters, "Hengyang Valley — Palace of the Black Water River God." Within, a monster sat on high and said, "I have kept watch for many a day, and at last today my wish is granted. A single taste of the Tang Monk's flesh will grant eternal life." He then ordered, "Lads, bring out the iron cage at once. Steam these two monks, and go invite my second uncle. I wish to celebrate his birthday!" Sandy, overhearing from outside, felt rage flare in his heart. He brandished his staff and beat furiously at the gate, shouting, "Monster! Send my Master and elder brother out at once!" The little demons within were startled and ran inside to report. The monster, hearing the report, armed himself at once, took up his bamboo-jointed steel whip, and strode out, calling, "Who is making this uproar at my door?" Sandy cursed, "Ignorant fiend! You dared to disguise yourself as a boatman and carry off my Master. Return him at once, and I will spare your life!" The monster laughed aloud, "It was I who took your Master. If you cannot best me today, you shall be steamed along with him, and your hopes of the Western Paradise are at an end!" Sandy, in a fury, swung his staff and struck at his head. The monster raised his steel whip and parried the blow. The two fought a great battle beneath the water for thirty rounds, with neither the victor. Sandy thought to himself, This fiend is a match for me. I shall lure him above the surface and let my elder brother deal with him. With this thought, Sandy feinted a stroke and retreated, staff in hand. But the fiend did not give chase. He said, "Go on, then. I have invitations to prepare for my guests. I have no time to brawl with you." Sandy, fuming, leapt from the water and told Wukong all that had passed. Wukong pondered, "He spoke of inviting his uncle. I wonder who that uncle might be."

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