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9. Ground which is reached through narrow gorges, and from which

we can only retire by tortuous paths, so that a small number of

the enemy would suffice to crush a large body of our men: this is

hemmed in ground.

10. Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by

fighting without delay, is desperate ground.

[The situation, as pictured by Ts'ao Kung, is very similar to the

"hemmed-in ground" except that here escape is no longer possible:

"A lofty mountain in front, a large river behind, advance

impossible, retreat blocked." Ch'en Hao says: "to be on

'desperate ground' is like sitting in a leaking boat or crouching

in a burning house." Tu Mu quotes from Li Ching a vivid

description of the plight of an army thus entrapped: "Suppose an

army invading hostile territory without the aid of local

guides:-it falls into a fatal snare and is at the enemy's mercy.

A ravine on the left, a mountain on the right, a pathway so

perilous that the horses have to be roped together and the

chariots carried in slings, no passage open in front, retreat cut

off behind, no choice but to proceed in single file. Then, before

there is time to range our soldiers in order of battle, the enemy

is overwhelming strength suddenly appears on the scene.