且說艾虎下船之後，一路上想起：「蔣爺在悅來店救了自己，蒙他一番好意，帶我上臥虎溝，不想竟自落水，如今弄得我一人踽踽涼涼。」不由的悽慘落淚。正在哭啼，猛然想起蔣爺頗識水性，綽號翻江鼠，焉有淹死的呢。想到此，又不禁大樂起來。走著，走著，又轉想道：「不好，不好！俗語說的好，『慣騎馬的慣跌跤，河裡淹死是會水的』。焉知他不是藝高人膽大，陰溝裡會翻船，也是有的。可憐一世英名，卻在此處傾生。」想到此，不由的又痛哭起來。哭了多時，忽又想起那雙鞋來，別是真個的下水摸魚去了呢？若果如此，還有相逢之日。想到此，不禁又狂笑起來。他哭一陣，笑一陣。旁人看著皆以為他有瘋魔之症，遠遠的躲開，誰敢招惹於他。
且说艾虎下船之后，一路上想起：「蒋爷在悦来店救了自己，蒙他一番好意，带我上卧虎沟，不想竟自落水，如今弄得我一人踽踽凉凉。」不由的凄惨落泪。正在哭啼，猛然想起蒋爷颇识水性，绰号翻江鼠，焉有淹死的呢。想到此，又不禁大乐起来。走着，走着，又转想道：「不好，不好！俗语说的好，『惯骑马的惯跌跤，河里淹死是会水的』。焉知他不是艺高人胆大，阴沟里会翻船，也是有的。可怜一世英名，却在此处倾生。」想到此，不由的又痛哭起来。哭了多时，忽又想起那双鞋来，别是真个的下水摸鱼去了呢？若果如此，还有相逢之日。想到此，不禁又狂笑起来。他哭一阵，笑一阵。旁人看着皆以为他有疯魔之症，远远的躲开，谁敢招惹于他。
Now, after Ai Hu had left the boat, he kept thinking as he went along: “Master Jiang saved me at the Yuelai Inn, and he was kind enough to take me along to Wohugou — and then who’d have thought he’d go and fall in the water? Now here I am all on my own, lonely and forlorn.” Before he knew it, sad tears were falling. In the middle of his weeping it suddenly struck him that Jiang Ping knew the water well — his nickname was the River Rat — so how could he possibly drown? At that thought he could not help bursting into glee. On and on he walked, and then his thoughts turned again: “No good, no good! The old saying puts it well: ‘The best riders take the most falls, and the ones who drown in the river are the swimmers.’ Who knows? Great skill makes a man bold, and even a boat can capsize in a ditch — it could have happened. Poor man, a whole lifetime’s great name, and he loses his life in a place like this.” At that thought he could not help weeping bitterly again. When he had wept a good long while, he suddenly remembered that pair of shoes. Could it be he really had gone into the water to feel for fish? If so, they would meet again some day. At that thought he could not help laughing like a madman. He cried for a spell and laughed for a spell. People watching all took him for someone possessed and kept well out of his way — who would dare provoke him?
艾虎此時千端萬緒，縈繞於心，竟自忘饑，因此過了宿頭。看看天色已晚，方覺饑餓，欲覓飯食，無處可求。忽見燈光一閃，急忙奔到臨近一看，原來是個窩鋪，見有二人對面而坐，並聽有豁拳之聲。他卻趕到跟前。一人剛叫了個「八馬」，艾虎也把手一伸道：「三元。」誰知豁拳的卻是兩個漁人，猛見艾虎進來，不分青紅皁白硬要豁拳，便發話道：「你這後生，好生無理！我們在此飲酒作樂，你如何前來混攪？」艾虎道：「實不相瞞：俺是行路的，只因過了宿頭，一時肚中饑餓，沒奈何將就將就，留下相與吧。」說著話，他就要端酒碗。那漁人忙攔道：「你要吃食，也等我們吃剩下了，方好周濟於你。」艾虎道：「俺又不是乞兒化子，如何要你周濟。俺有銀兩，買你幾碗酒。你可肯賣麼？」漁人道：「俺這裡又不是酒市。你要買，前途買去，我這裡是不賣的。」說罷，二人又腦袋摘巾兒豁起拳來。一人剛叫了個「對手」，艾虎又伸一拳道：「元寶。」二漁人大怒道：「你這小廝好生憊懶！說過不賣，你卻歪廝纏則甚？」艾虎道：「不賣，俺就要搶了。」漁人冷笑道：「你說別的罷了。你說要搶，只怕我們此處不容你放搶。」說罷，站起身來，出了窩棚，揎拳掠袖道：「小廝，你搶個樣兒我看！」艾虎將包袱放下，笑哈哈的道：「你不要忙，俺先與你說明。俺要輸了，任憑你等；俺若贏了，不消說了，不但酒要夠，還要管俺一飽。」那漁人也不答應，揚手就是一拳。艾虎也不躲閃，將手接住，往旁邊一領，那漁人不知不覺爬伏在地。這漁人一見，氣忿忿的道：「好小廝竟敢動手！」抽後就是一腳。艾虎回身將腳後跟往上一托，那漁人仰巴叉栽倒在地。二人爬起來，一擁齊上。小俠只用兩手左右一分，二人復又跌倒。一連三次，漁人知道不是對手，抱頭鼠竄而去。
艾虎此时千端万绪，萦绕于心，竟自忘饥，因此过了宿头。看看天色已晚，方觉饥饿，欲觅饭食，无处可求。忽见灯光一闪，急忙奔到临近一看，原来是个窝铺，见有二人对面而坐，并听有豁拳之声。他却赶到跟前。一人刚叫了个「八马」，艾虎也把手一伸道：「三元。」谁知豁拳的却是两个渔人，猛见艾虎进来，不分青红皂白硬要豁拳，便发话道：「你这后生，好生无理！我们在此饮酒作乐，你如何前来混搅？」艾虎道：「实不相瞒：俺是行路的，只因过了宿头，一时肚中饥饿，没奈何将就将就，留下相与吧。」说着话，他就要端酒碗。那渔人忙拦道：「你要吃食，也等我们吃剩下了，方好周济于你。」艾虎道：「俺又不是乞儿化子，如何要你周济。俺有银两，买你几碗酒。你可肯卖么？」渔人道：「俺这里又不是酒市。你要买，前途买去，我这里是不卖的。」说罢，二人又脑袋摘巾儿豁起拳来。一人刚叫了个「对手」，艾虎又伸一拳道：「元宝。」二渔人大怒道：「你这小厮好生惫懒！说过不卖，你却歪厮缠则甚？」艾虎道：「不卖，俺就要抢了。」渔人冷笑道：「你说别的罢了。你说要抢，只怕我们此处不容你放抢。」说罢，站起身来，出了窝棚，揎拳掠袖道：「小厮，你抢个样儿我看！」艾虎将包袱放下，笑哈哈的道：「你不要忙，俺先与你说明。俺要输了，任凭你等；俺若赢了，不消说了，不但酒要够，还要管俺一饱。」那渔人也不答应，扬手就是一拳。艾虎也不躲闪，将手接住，往旁边一领，那渔人不知不觉爬伏在地。这渔人一见，气忿忿的道：「好小厮竟敢动手！」抽后就是一脚。艾虎回身将脚后跟往上一托，那渔人仰巴叉栽倒在地。二人爬起来，一拥齐上。小侠只用两手左右一分，二人复又跌倒。一连三次，渔人知道不是对手，抱头鼠窜而去。
With a thousand tangled threads of thought wound round his heart, Ai Hu forgot all about hunger, and so he went past the place where he should have stopped for the night. Only when he saw it was growing dark did he feel hungry. He wanted something to eat, but there was nowhere to look for it. Suddenly he saw a lamp flicker. He hurried over for a closer look: it was a shack, with two men sitting inside facing each other, and he could hear them playing the finger game. Up he went to them. One had just shouted “Eight horses!” when Ai Hu thrust out his hand as well and cried, “Three firsts!” Now, the two players were fishermen. Seeing Ai Hu burst in and, without finding out the rights and wrongs of it, insist on joining their game, they spoke up: “You young fellow, what manners! We’re drinking here and enjoying ourselves. What do you mean barging in?” “I won’t hide it from you,” said Ai Hu. “I’m on the road, and I’ve gone past the place where I should have stopped for the night. I’m starving, and there’s nothing for it — just make do and let me join you.” As he spoke he reached for a wine bowl. The fisherman hastily stopped him. “If you want food, wait till we’ve finished. Then we’ll spare you what’s left.” “I’m no beggar,” said Ai Hu. “Why would I want your charity? I’ve got silver. I’ll buy a few bowls of wine off you. Will you sell?” “This isn’t a wine shop,” said the fisherman. “If you want to buy, go and buy it up the road. We don’t sell here.” With that the two of them put their heads together again and went back to their game. One had just shouted “A pair!” when Ai Hu thrust out a fist again: “Treasure!” The two fishermen flew into a rage. “What a pest you are, boy! We told you we’re not selling. What do you mean, hanging on and pestering us?” “If you won’t sell,” said Ai Hu, “then I’ll grab it.” The fisherman gave a cold laugh. “Say anything else you like. But if you’re talking about grabbing, I’m afraid round here we don’t let people grab.” With that he stood up, came out of the shack, and pushed up his sleeves and bared his fists. “Boy, let’s see you grab, then!” Ai Hu put down his bundle and said with a grin, “Not so fast. Let’s settle it first. If I lose, do as you like with me. If I win, it goes without saying: not only do I get all the wine I want, you’ll have to feed me till I’m full.” The fisherman did not bother to answer, but raised his hand and threw a punch. Ai Hu did not dodge. He caught the fist and drew it off to one side, and before the fisherman knew what was happening he was sprawled face down on the ground. The other fisherman saw this and said furiously, “Why, the little brute dares to fight!” and lashed out a kick from behind. Ai Hu turned and heaved the heel upward, and the fisherman went over flat on his back. The two of them scrambled up and rushed at him together. The Young Hero merely parted his hands to left and right, and down they both went again. Three times running it was the same, until the fishermen knew they were no match for him, and they covered their heads and scurried off like rats.
艾虎見他等去了，進了窩棚，先端起一碗酒飲乾。又要端那碗酒時，方看見中間大盤內是一尾鮮串鯉魚，剛吃了不多，滿心歡喜。又飲了這碗酒，也不用筷著，抓了一塊魚放在口內。又拿起酒瓶來斟酒。一碗酒，一塊魚，霎時間杯盤狼藉。正吃的高興，酒卻沒了。他便端起大盤來，囫圇吞的連湯都喝了。雖未盡興，也可搪饑。回首見有現成的魚網將手擦抹了擦抹。站起身來剛要走時，覺有一物將頭碰了一下。回頭看時，原來是個大酒葫蘆，不由的滿心歡喜，摘將下來。復又回身就燈一看，卻是個錫蓋。艾虎不知是轉螺螄的，左打不開，右打不開，一時性起，用力一掰，將葫蘆嘴撅下來。他就嘴對嘴勻了四五氣飲乾，一鬆手拍叉的一聲，葫蘆正落在大盤子上，砸了個粉碎。艾虎也不管他，提了包裹，出了窩鋪，也不管東西南北，信步行去。誰知冷酒後犯，一來是吃的空心酒，二來吃的太急，又著風兒一吹，不覺的酒湧上來。晃裡晃蕩，才走了二三里的路，再也掙扎不來。見路旁有個破亭子，也不顧塵垢，將包袱放下，做了枕頭，放倒身軀，呼嚕嚕酣睡如雷，真是「一覺放開心地穩，不知日出已多時」。
艾虎见他等去了，进了窝棚，先端起一碗酒饮干。又要端那碗酒时，方看见中间大盘内是一尾鲜串鲤鱼，刚吃了不多，满心欢喜。又饮了这碗酒，也不用筷着，抓了一块鱼放在口内。又拿起酒瓶来斟酒。一碗酒，一块鱼，霎时间杯盘狼藉。正吃的高兴，酒却没了。他便端起大盘来，囫囵吞的连汤都喝了。虽未尽兴，也可搪饥。回首见有现成的鱼网将手擦抹了擦抹。站起身来刚要走时，觉有一物将头碰了一下。回头看时，原来是个大酒葫芦，不由的满心欢喜，摘将下来。复又回身就灯一看，却是个锡盖。艾虎不知是转螺蛳的，左打不开，右打不开，一时性起，用力一掰，将葫芦嘴撅下来。他就嘴对嘴匀了四五气饮干，一松手拍叉的一声，葫芦正落在大盘子上，砸了个粉碎。艾虎也不管他，提了包裹，出了窝铺，也不管东西南北，信步行去。谁知冷酒后犯，一来是吃的空心酒，二来吃的太急，又着风儿一吹，不觉的酒涌上来。晃里晃荡，才走了二三里的路，再也挣扎不来。见路旁有个破亭子，也不顾尘垢，将包袱放下，做了枕头，放倒身躯，呼噜噜酣睡如雷，真是「一觉放开心地稳，不知日出已多时」。
When Ai Hu saw they had gone, he went into the shack and first picked up a bowl of wine and drained it. As he reached for the other bowl, he noticed a whole fresh carp in broth on a big platter in the middle, with only a little of it eaten, and his heart filled with joy. He drank that bowl too, and without bothering about chopsticks he grabbed a piece of fish and popped it into his mouth. Then he picked up the jug and poured more wine. A bowl of wine, a piece of fish — in no time the cups and dishes lay strewn about in a mess. Just when he was enjoying himself most, the wine ran out. So he lifted the big platter and gulped the lot, broth and all. Though he had not had his fill, it would keep the hunger off. Looking round, he saw a fishing net lying handy and wiped his hands on it. He stood up and was just about to leave when something bumped him on the head. He turned to look: it was a big wine gourd. Overjoyed, he took it down. He turned back to look at it by the lamp: it had a pewter cap. Ai Hu did not know it was the kind that screws on. He tried it this way and it would not open, tried it that way and it would not open, until he lost his temper, gave it a hard wrench and snapped the gourd’s neck clean off. Then, mouth to mouth, he drained it in four or five steady pulls. When he let go — crash! — the gourd landed right on the big platter and smashed it to pieces. Ai Hu paid no attention. He picked up his bundle, left the shack and wandered off wherever his feet took him, without caring which way was east or west, south or north. But cold wine strikes late. For one thing he had drunk it on an empty stomach, for another he had drunk it too fast, and then the wind blew on him, and before he knew it the wine came surging up. Swaying and lurching, he had gone only two or three li when he could struggle on no further. Seeing a broken-down pavilion by the roadside, he paid no heed to the dust and dirt, put down his bundle for a pillow, stretched himself out and was soon snoring like thunder, sound asleep. Truly, “One sleep, the heart at ease and wholly settled — / he never knew the sun had long been up.”