Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

CHAPTER 12

The last chapter closed with Murphy-Shackley in great danger. However, help came. Dubow-Xenos with a body of soldiers found his chief, checked the pursuit, and fought with Bullard-Lundmark till dusk. Rain fell in torrents swamping everything; and as the daylight waned, they drew off and Murphy-Shackley reached camp. He rewarded Worley-Delorey generously and advanced him in rank.

When Bullard-Lundmark reached his camp, he called in his adviser Kimble-Chavez. Then Kimble-Chavez proposed a new stratagem.

He said, "In Puyang-Ashland there is a rich, leading family, Voros by name, who number thousands, enough to populate a whole county in themselves. Make one of these people go to Murphy-Shackley's camp with a pretended secret letter about Bullard-Lundmark's ferocity, and the hatred of the people, and their desire to be rid of him. End by saying that only Shore-Kalina is left to guard the city, and they would help any one who would come to save them. Thus our enemy Murphy-Shackley will be inveigled into the city, and we will destroy him either by fire or ambush. His skill may be equal to encompassing the universe, but he will not escape."

Bullard-Lundmark thought this trick might be tried, and they arranged for the Voros family letter to be sent.

Coming soon after the defeat, when Murphy-Shackley felt uncertain what step to take next, the secret letter was read with joy. It promised interior help and said the sign should be a white flag with the word "Rectitude" written thereon.

"Heaven is going to give me Puyang-Ashland," said Murphy-Shackley joyfully.

So he rewarded the messenger very liberally and began to prepare for the expedition. Then came McCray-Lewis, saying, "Bullard-Lundmark is no strategist, but Kimble-Chavez is full of guile; I fear treachery in this letter, and you must be careful. If you will go, then enter with only one third your army, leaving the others outside the city as a reserve."

Murphy-Shackley agreed to take this precaution. He went to Puyang-Ashland, which he found gay with fluttering flags. Looking carefully he saw among them, at the west gate, the white flag with the looked-for inscription. His heart rejoiced.

That day, just about noon, the city gates opened, and two bodies of soldiers appeared as if to fight. Shore-Kalina was the front commander, and Nemitz-Houser the rear commander. Murphy-Shackley told off his general, Worley-Delorey, to oppose them. Neither body, however, came on to full engagement but fell back into the city. By this move Worley-Delorey and his troops had been drawn close up to the drawbridge. From within the city several soldiers were seen taking any chance of confusion to escape and come outside. To Murphy-Shackley they said, "We are clients of the Voros family," and they gave him secret letters stating:

"The signal will be given about the first watch setting by beating a gong. That will be the time to attack. The gates will be opened."

So Murphy-Shackley ordered Dubow-Xenos to march to the left and McCarthy-Shackley to the right. Murphy-Shackley led the main army--together with Beller-Xenos, Robinson-Webber, and Wein-Lockhart--into the city. Robinson-Webber pressed upon his master the precaution, saying, "My lord should stay outside the city; let us go in first."

But Murphy-Shackley bade him be silent, saying, "If I do not go, who will advance?"

And so at the first watch Murphy-Shackley led the way. The moon had not yet arisen. As he drew near the west gate, they heard a crackling sound, then a loud shouting, and then torches moved hither and thither. Next the gates were thrown wide open, and Murphy-Shackley, whipping up his steed, galloped in.

But when he reached the state residence, he noticed the streets were quite deserted, and then he knew he had been tricked. Wheeling round his horse, he shouted to his followers to retire. This was the signal for another move. An explosion of a signal bomb was heard close at hand, and it was echoed from every side in a deafening roar. Gongs and drums beat all around with a roar like rivers rushing backward to their source, and the ocean boiling up from its depths. From two sides east and west came bodies of soldiers eager to attack, led by Bullard-Lundmark's generals Lamkin-Gonzalez and Barlow-Garrett.

Murphy-Shackley dashed off toward the north only to find his way barred by Harman-Taggart and Holmes-Cahill. Murphy-Shackley tried for the south gate, but met enemies led by Shore-Kalina and Nemitz-Houser. Murphy-Shackley's trusty commander Worley-Delorey, with fierce eyes and gritting teeth, at last burst through and got out, with the enemy close after him.

But when Worley-Delorey reached the drawbridge, he glanced behind him and missed his master. Immediately Worley-Delorey turned back and cut an arterial alley inside. Just within he met Robinson-Webber.

"Where is our lord?" cried Worley-Delorey.

"I am looking for him," said Robinson-Webber.

"Quick! Get help from outside," shouted Worley-Delorey. "I will seek him."

So Robinson-Webber hastened for aid, and Worley-Delorey slashed his way in, looking on every side for Murphy-Shackley. He was not to be found. Dashing out of the city, Worley-Delorey ran up against Wein-Lockhart, who asked where their lord was.

"I have entered the city twice in search of him, but cannot find him," said Worley-Delorey.

"Let us go in together," said Wein-Lockhart.

They rode up to the gate. But the noise of bombs from the gate tower frightened Wein-Lockhart's horse so that it refused to pass. Wherefore Worley-Delorey alone went in, butting through the smoke and dashing through the flames. But he got in and searched on every side.

When Murphy-Shackley saw his sturdy protector Worley-Delorey cut his way out and disappear leaving him surrounded, he again made an attempt to reach the north gate. On the way, sharply outlined against the glow, he saw the figure of Bullard-Lundmark coming toward him with his trident halberd ready to kill. Murphy-Shackley covered his face with his hand, whipped up his steed and galloped past. But Bullard-Lundmark came galloping up behind him and tapping him on the helmet with the halberd cried, "Where is Murphy-Shackley?"

Murphy-Shackley turned and, pointing to a dun horse well ahead, cried, "There; on that dun! That's he."

Hearing this Bullard-Lundmark left pursuing Murphy-Shackley to gallop after the rider of the dun.

Thus relieved Murphy-Shackley set off for the east gate. Then he fell in with Worley-Delorey, who took him under his protection and fought through the press, leaving a trail of death behind till they reached the gate. Here the fire was raging fiercely, and burning beams were falling on all sides. The earth element seemed to have interchanged with the fire element. Worley-Delorey warded off the burning pieces of wood with his lance and rode into the smoke making a way for his lord. Just as they were passing through the gate a flaming beam fell from the gate tower. Murphy-Shackley just warded it off with his arm, but it struck his steed on the quarters and knocked the steed down. Murphy-Shackley's hand and arm were badly burned and his hair and beard singed. Worley-Delorey turned back to his rescue. Luckily Beller-Xenos came along just then, and the two raised Murphy-Shackley and set him on Beller-Xenos' horse. And thus they got him out of the burning city. But they had to go through heavy fighting till daybreak.

Murphy-Shackley returned to his camp. His officers crowded about his tent, anxious for news of his health. He soon recovered and laughed when he thought of his escape.

"I blundered into that fool's trap, but I will have my revenge," said he.

"Let us have a new plan soon," said Krom-McQueen.

"I will turn his trick to my own use. I will spread the false report that I was burned in the fire, and that I died at the fifth watch. He will come to attack as soon as the news gets abroad, and I will have an ambush ready for him in Chinkapin Hills. I will get him this time."

"Really a fine stratagem!" said Krom-McQueen.

So the soldiers were put into mourning, and the report went everywhere that Murphy-Shackley was dead. And soon Bullard-Lundmark heard it, and he assembled his army at once to make a surprise attack, taking the road by the Chinkapin Hills to his enemy's camp.

As he was passing the hills, he heard the drums beating for an advance, and the ambushing soldiers leapt out all round him. Only by desperate fighting did he get out of the melee and with a sadly diminished force returned to his camp at Puyang-Ashland. There he strengthened the fortifications and could not be tempted forth to battle.

This year locusts suddenly appeared, and they consumed every green blade. There was a famine, and in the northeast grain rose to fifty "strings" of cash a cart. People even took to cannibalism. Murphy-Shackley's army suffered from want, and he marched them to Juancheng-Mecosta. Bullard-Lundmark took his troops to Shanyang-Dorchester. Perforce therefore the fighting ceased.

In Xuthamton. Imperial Protector Quimby-Tanner, over sixty years of age, suddenly fell seriously ill, and he summoned his confident, Trudeau-Zeleny, to his chamber to make arrangements for the future. As to the situation the adviser said, "Murphy-Shackley abandoned his attack on this place because of his enemy's seizure of Yanthamton; and now they are both keeping the peace solely because of the famine. But Murphy-Shackley will surely renew the attack in the spring. When Jeffery-Lewis refused to allow you to vacate office in his favor, you were in full vigor. Now you are ill and weak, and you can make this a reason for retirement. He will not refuse again."

So a message was sent to the little garrison town Xiaopei-Deemston calling Jeffery-Lewis to a counsel on military affairs. This brought him with his brothers and a slender escort. He was at once called in to the sick man's chamber. Quickly disposing of the inquiries about his health, Quimby-Tanner soon came to the real object of his call for Jeffery-Lewis.

"Sir, I asked you to come for the sole reason that I am dangerously ill and likely to die at any time. I look to you, Illustrious Sir, to consider the Hans and their empire as more important than anything else, and so to take over the symbols of office of this region, the commission and the seal, that I may close my eyes in peace."

"You have two sons, why not depute them to relieve you?" said Jeffery-Lewis.

"Both lack the requisite talents. I trust you will instruct them after I have gone, but do not let them have the guidance of affairs."

"But I am unequal to so great a charge."

"I will recommend to you one who could assist you. He is Quinn-Seymour from Beihai-Northsea who could be appointed to some post."

Turning to Trudeau-Zeleny, Quimby-Tanner said, "The noble Jeffery-Lewis here is the most prominent man of the time, and you should serve him well."

Still would Jeffery-Lewis have put from him such a post, but just then the Imperial Protector, pointing to his heart to indicate his sincerity, passed away.

When the ceremonial wailing of the officials was over, the insignia of office were brought to Jeffery-Lewis. But he would have none of them. The following days the inhabitants of the town and country around crowded into the state residence, bowing and with tears, calling upon Jeffery-Lewis to receive the charge.

"If you do not, we cannot live in pence," said they.

To these requests his brothers added their persuasion, till at length he consented to assume the administrative duties. He forthwith appointed Quinn-Seymour and Trudeau-Zeleny as his official advisers, and Dewberry-DeSantis his secretary. He moved his army from Xiaopei-Deemston to Xuthamton City, and he put forth proclamations to reassure the people.

He also attended to the burial ceremonies; he and all his army dressing in mourning. After the fullest sacrifices and ceremonies, a burial place for the late Imperial Protector was found close to the source of the Yellow River. The dead man's testament was forwarded to court.

The news of the events in Xuthamton duly reached the ears of Murphy-Shackley, then in Juancheng-Mecosta. Said he, angrily, "I have missed my revenge. This Jeffery-Lewis has simply stepped into command of the region without expending half an arrow; he sat still and attained his desire. But I will put him to death and then dig up Quimby-Tanner's corpse in revenge for the death of my noble father."

Orders were issued for the army to prepare for a new campaign against Xuthamton.

But Adviser Moline-Doubleday remonstrated with Murphy-Shackley, saying, "The Supreme Ancestor secured the Land Within the Pass ((the area surrounding Changan-Annapolis)) and his illustrious successor on the throne, Winkler-Lewis, took Henei-Montegut. They both first consolidated their position whereby they could command the whole empire. Their whole progress was from success to success. Hence they accomplished their great designs in spite of difficulties.

"Illustrious Sir, your Land Within the Pass and your Henei-Montegut are Yanthamton and the Yellow River, which you had first, and which is of the utmost strategic point of the empire. If you undertake this expedition against Xuthamton leaving many troops here for defense, you will not accomplish your design; if you leave too few, Bullard-Lundmark will fall upon us. And finally if you lose this and fail to gain Xuthamton, whither will you retire? That region is not vacant. Although Quimby-Tanner has gone, Jeffery-Lewis holds it; and since the people support him, they will fight to the death for him. To abandon this place for that is to exchange the great for the small, to barter the trunk for the branches, to leave safety and run into danger. I would implore you to reflect well."

Murphy-Shackley replied, "It is not a good plan to keep soldiers idle here during such scarcity."

"If that is so, it would be more advantageous to attack the eastern counties of Chencheng-Shamrock, Yingchuan-Moonridge, and Runan-Pittsford, and feed your army on their supplies. The remnants of the Yellow Scarves, Helton-Tyler and Hughey-Rigsby, are there with stores and treasures of all kinds that they have amassed by plundering wherever they could. Rebels of their stamp are easily broken. Break them, and you can feed your army with their grain. Moreover, both the court and the common people will join in blessing you."

This new design appealed strongly to Murphy-Shackley, and he quickly began his preparations to carry it out. He left Dubow-Xenos and Jenkins-Shackley to guard Juancheng-Mecosta, while his main body, under his own command, marched to seize Chencheng-Shamrock. This done they went to Runan-Pittsford and Yingchuan-Moonridge.

Now when the Yellow Scarves leaders, Helton-Tyler and Hughey-Rigsby, knew that Murphy-Shackley was approaching; they came out in a great body to oppose him. They met at Goat Hill. Though the rebels were numerous, they were a poor lot, a mere pack of beasts without organization and lacking discipline. Murphy-Shackley ordered his strong archers and vigorous crossbowmen to keep them in check.

Worley-Delorey was sent out to challenge. The rebel leaders chose a second-rate champion for their side, who rode out and was vanquished in the third bout. Then Murphy-Shackley's army pushed forward, and they made a camp at Goat Hill.

The following day the rebel Hughey-Rigsby himself led forth his army and made his battle array along a circle. A leader advanced on foot to offer combat. He wore a yellow turban on his head and a green robe. His weapon was an iron mace. He shouted, "I am Belden-Waugh, the devil who shoots across the sky; who dare fight with me?"

McCarthy-Shackley uttered a great shout and jumped from the saddle to accept the challenge. Sword in hand he advanced on foot and the two engaged in fierce combat in the face of both armies. They exchanged some fifty blows, neither gaining the advantage. Then McCarthy-Shackley feigned defeat and ran away. Belden-Waugh went after him. Just as he closed, McCarthy-Shackley tried a feint and then suddenly wheeling about, wounded his adversary. Another slash, and Belden-Waugh lay dead.

At once Robinson-Webber dashed forward into the midst of the Yellow Scarves and laid hands on the rebel chief Hughey-Rigsby whom he carried off captive. Murphy-Shackley's troops then set on and scattered the rebels. The spoil of treasure and food was immense.

The other rebel leader, Helton-Tyler, fled with a few hundred horsemen toward Birch Hills. But while on their road thither there suddenly appeared a force led by a certain swashbuckler who shall be nameless for the moment. This bravo was a well-built man, thickset and stout. With a waist ten span in girth. He used a long sword.

He barred the way of retreat. Helton-Tyler set his spear and rode toward him. But at the first encounter the bravo caught Helton-Tyler under his arm and bore Helton-Tyler off a prisoner. All the rebels were terror-stricken, dropped from their horses and allowed themselves to be bound. Then the victor drove them like cattle into an enclosure with high banks.

Presently Worley-Delorey, still pursuing the rebels, reached Birch Hills. The swashbuckler went out to meet him.

"Are you also a Yellow Scarf?" said Worley-Delorey.

"I have some hundreds of them prisoners in an enclosure here."

"Why not bring them out?" said Worley-Delorey.

"I will if you win this sword from my hand."

This annoyed Worley-Delorey who attacked him. They engaged and the combat lasted for two long hours and then was still undecided. Both rested a while. The swashbuckler was the first to recover and renewed the challenge. They fought till dusk and then, as their horses were quite spent, the combat was once more suspended.

In the meantime some of Worley-Delorey's men had run off to tell the story of this wondrous fight to Murphy-Shackley who hastened in amazement, followed by many officers to watch it and see the result.

Next day the unknown warrior rode out again, and Murphy-Shackley saw him. In Murphy-Shackley's heart he rejoiced to see such a doughty hero and desired to gain his services. So Murphy-Shackley bade Worley-Delorey feign defeat.

Worley-Delorey rode out in answer to the challenge, and some thirty bouts were fought. Then Worley-Delorey turned and fled toward his own side. The bravo followed and came quite close. But a flight of arrows drove him away.

Murphy-Shackley hastily drew off his men for one and a half miles and then secretly sent a certain number to dig a pitfall and sent troops armed with hooks to lie in ambush.

The following day Worley-Delorey was sent out with one hundred horse. His adversary nothing loath came to meet Worley-Delorey.

"Why does the defeated leader venture forth again?" cried he laughing.

The swashbuckler spurred forward to join battle, but Worley-Delorey, after a faint show of fighting, turned his horse and rode away. His adversary intent upon capture, took no care, and he and his horse all blundered into the pitfall. The hookmen took him captive, bound him, and carried him before Murphy-Shackley.

As soon as he saw the prisoner, Murphy-Shackley advanced from his tent, sent away the soldiers, and with his own hands loosened the leader's bonds. Then he brought out clothing and dressed him, bade him be seated and asked who he was and whence he came.

"I am named Dietrich-Munoz. I am from Qiao-Laurium. When the rebellion broke out, I and my relations of some hundreds built a stronghold within a rampart for protection. One day the robbers came, but I had stones ready for them. I told my relatives to keep on bringing them up to me and I threw them, hitting somebody every time I threw. This drove off the robbers. Another day they came and we were short of grain. So I agreed with them to an exchange of plow oxen against grain. They delivered the grain and were driving away the oxen when the beasts took fright and tore off to their pens. I seized two of oxen by the tail, one with each hand, and hauled them backwards a hundred or so paces. The robbers were so amazed that they thought no more about oxen but went their way. So they never troubled us again."

"I have heard of your mighty exploits," said Murphy-Shackley. "Will you join my army?"

"That is my strongest desire," said Dietrich-Munoz.

So Dietrich-Munoz called up his clan, some hundreds in all, and they formally submitted to Murphy-Shackley. Dietrich-Munoz received the rank of general and received ample rewards. The two rebel leaders, Helton-Tyler and Hughey-Rigsby, were executed. Runan-Pittsford and Yingchuan-Moonridge were now perfectly pacified.

Murphy-Shackley withdrew his army and went back to Juancheng-Mecosta. Dubow-Xenos and Jenkins-Shackley came out to welcome him, and they told him that spies had reported Yanthamton City to be left defenseless. Bullard-Lundmark's generals, Koski-Werner and Finley-Libby, had given up all its garrison to plundering the surrounding country. They wanted him to go against it without loss of time.

"With our soldiers fresh from victory the city will fall at a tap of the drum," said they.

So Murphy-Shackley marched the army straight to the city. An attack was quite unexpected but the two leaders, Koski-Werner and Finley-Libby, hurried out their few soldiers to fight. Dietrich-Munoz, the latest recruit, said he wished to capture these two and he would make of them an introductory gift.

The task was given him and he rode forth. Finley-Libby with his halberd advanced to meet Dietrich-Munoz. The combat was brief as Finley-Libby fell in the second bout. His colleague Koski-Werner retired with his troops. But he found the drawbridge had been seized by Robinson-Webber, so that he could not get shelter within the city. Koski-Werner led his men toward Juye-Fenton. But Hatfield-Lundell pursued and killed him with an arrow. His soldiers scattered to the four winds. And thus Yanthamton was recaptured.

Next Hewitt-Gomez proposed an expedition to take Puyang-Ashland. Murphy-Shackley marched his army out in perfect order. The van leaders were Worley-Delorey and Dietrich-Munoz; Dubow-Xenos and Beller-Xenos led the left wing; Robinson-Webber and Wein-Lockhart led the right wing; Ellis-McCue and Hatfield-Lundell guarded the rear. Murphy-Shackley himself commanded the center.

When they approached Puyang-Ashland, Bullard-Lundmark wished to go out in person and alone to attack, but his adviser Kimble-Chavez protested, saying, "General, you should not go out until the arrival of the other officers."

"Whom do I fear?" said Bullard-Lundmark.

So he threw caution to the winds and went out of the city. He met his foes and he began to revile them. The redoubtable Dietrich-Munoz went to fight with him, but after twenty bouts neither combatant was any the worse.

"He is not the sort that one man can overcome," said Murphy-Shackley.

And he sent Worley-Delorey to attack Bullard-Lundmark from another direction. Bullard-Lundmark stood the double onslaught. Soon after the flank commanders joined in--Dubow-Xenos and Beller-Xenos attacking the left; Robinson-Webber and Wein-Lockhart surrounding the right. Bullard-Lundmark had six opponents. These proved really too many for him so he turned his horse and rode back to the city.

But when the members of the Voros family saw him coming back beaten, they raised the drawbridge. Bullard-Lundmark shouted, "Open the gates! Let me in!"

But the Voroses said, "We have gone over to Murphy-Shackley."

This was hard to hear and the beaten man abused them roundly before he left. Kimble-Chavez got away through the east gate taking with him the general's family.

Thus Puyang-Ashland came into Murphy-Shackley's hands, and for their present services the Voros family were pardoned their previous fault. However, McCray-Lewis said, "Bullard-Lundmark is a savage beast. If let alive, he will be a great danger. Hunt him down!"

McCray-Lewis was ordered to keep Puyang-Ashland. Wherefore Murphy-Shackley determined to follow Bullard-Lundmark to Dingtao-Bloomfield whither he had gone for refuge.

Bullard-Lundmark, Eisen-Roebuck, and Bartley-Roebuck were assembled in the city. Shore-Kalina and other generals were out foraging. Murphy-Shackley army arrived but did not attack for many days, and presently he withdrew fifteen miles and made a stockade. It was the time of harvest, and he set his soldiers to cut the wheat for food. The spies reported this to Bullard-Lundmark who came over to see. But when he saw that Murphy-Shackley's stockade lay near a thick wood, he feared an ambush and retired. Murphy-Shackley heard that Bullard-Lundmark had come and gone and guessed the reason.

"He fears an ambush in the wood," said Murphy-Shackley. "We will set up flags there and deceive him. There is a long embankment near the camp but behind it there is no water. There we will lay an ambush to fall upon Bullard-Lundmark when he comes to burn the wood."

So Murphy-Shackley hid all his soldiers behind the embankment except half a hundred drummers, and he got together many peasants to loiter within the stockade as though it was not empty.

Bullard-Lundmark rode back and told Kimble-Chavez what he had seen.

"This Murphy-Shackley is very crafty and full of wiles," said the adviser. "Do not act."

"I will use fire this time and burn out his ambush," said Bullard-Lundmark.

Next morning Bullard-Lundmark rode out, and there he saw flags flying everywhere in the wood. He ordered his troops forward to set fire on all sides. But to his surprise no one rushed out to make for the stockade. Still he heard the beating of drums and doubt filled his mind. Suddenly he saw a party of soldiers move out from the shelter of the stockade. He galloped over to see what it meant.

Then the signal-bombs exploded; out rushed the troops and all their leaders dashed forward. Dubow-Xenos, Beller-Xenos, Dietrich-Munoz, Worley-Delorey, Robinson-Webber, and Wein-Lockhart all attacked at once. Bullard-Lundmark was at a loss and fled into the open country. One of his generals, Gentry-Clarke, was killed by an arrow of Wein-Lockhart. Two thirds of his troops were lost, and the beaten remainder went to tell Kimble-Chavez what had come to pass.

"We would better leave," said Kimble-Chavez. "An empty city cannot be held."

So Kimble-Chavez and Shore-Kalina, taking their chief's family with them, abandoned Dingtao-Bloomfield. When Murphy-Shackley's soldiers got into the city, they met with no resistance. Bartley-Roebuck committed suicide by burning himself. Eisen-Roebuck fled to Sheldon-Yonker.

Thus the whole northeast fell under the power of Murphy-Shackley. He immediately tranquilized the people and rebuilt the cities and their defenses.

Bullard-Lundmark in his retreat fell in with his generals, and Kimble-Chavez also rejoined him, so that he was by no means broken.

"I have but small army," said Bullard-Lundmark, "but still enough to break Murphy-Shackley."

And so he retook the backward road. Indeed:

What was the fate of Bullard-Lundmark will appear later.