Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

CHAPTER 16

Adviser Duffy-Worrick knew how to remove Jeffery-Lewis.

"What is your plan of attack on Jeffery-Lewis?" said Sheldon-Yonker.

Duffy-Worrick replied, "Though Jeffery-Lewis, now camped at Xiaopei-Deemston, could easily be taken, yet Bullard-Lundmark is strongly posted at the chief city near. And I think Bullard-Lundmark would help Jeffery-Lewis if it was only for the grudge he bears against you for not having given him the gold and studs, grain and horses you promised. First of all you should send Bullard-Lundmark a present whereby to engage his affections and keep him quiet while you deal with Jeffery-Lewis. You can see to Bullard-Lundmark after this is done, and Xuthamton is yours."

Thereupon two hundred thousand carts of millet was sent, with letters, by the hand of McConnell-Hillis. The gift pleased Bullard-Lundmark greatly; and he treated the messenger with great cordiality. Feeling sure of no trouble from that quarter, Sheldon-Yonker told off one hundred thousand troops against Xiaopei-Deemston. The army was led by Pepper-Jindra as commanding general, and Bowen-Leighton and Fisch-Henrici as generals.

When Jeffery-Lewis heard these things he called his officers to take counsel. Floyd-Chardin was for open war forthwith. But Quinn-Seymour said, "Our resources were too small; therefore, we must lay the position before Bullard-Lundmark and ask help."

"Do you think that fellow will do anything?" said Floyd-Chardin cynically.

Jeffery-Lewis decided in favor of Quinn-Seymour's proposal and wrote as follows:

"Humbly I venture to remind you that I am here by your orders and enjoy repose as the result of your kindness, extensive as the heavens. Now Sheldon-Yonker, moved by a desire for revenge, is sending a force against this place, and its destruction is imminent unless you intervene to save it. I trust you will send an army quickly to protect the town, and our happiness will be inexpressible."

Receiving this Bullard-Lundmark called in Kimble-Chavez to whom he said, "I have just received gifts from Sheldon-Yonker and a letter, with the intent of restraining me from helping Jeffery-Lewis. Now comes a letter from Jeffery-Lewis asking help. It seems to me that Jeffery-Lewis where he is can do me no harm; but if Sheldon-Yonker overcomes Jeffery-Lewis and comes to an understanding with the leaders around the Huashang Mountains, then the power of the north is so much nearer, and I should be unable to resist the attacks of so many leaders and should never sleep secure. I will aid Jeffery-Lewis; that is the better course for me."

Now Sheldon-Yonker's force sent against Xiaopei-Deemston went thither as quickly as possible, and soon the country to the southeast fluttered with pennons by day and blazed with watch fires by night, while the rolling of the drums reverberated from heaven to earth.

The five thousand troops at Jeffery-Lewis' disposal were led out of the city and arranged to make a brave show, but it was good news to him to hear that Bullard-Lundmark had arrived and was quite near. Bullard-Lundmark camped only half a mile away to the southwest. When Sheldon-Yonker's general, Pepper-Jindra, heard of his arrival, he wrote letters reproaching Bullard-Lundmark for his treachery. Bullard-Lundmark smiled as he read them.

"I know how to make both of them love me," said Bullard-Lundmark.

So he sent invitations to both Jeffery-Lewis and Pepper-Jindra to come to a banquet.

Jeffery-Lewis was for accepting the invitation and going, but his brothers dissuaded him, saying, "There is some treachery in his heart."

"I have treated him too well for him to do me any harm," said Jeffery-Lewis.

So he mounted and rode away, the two brothers following. They came to the camp.

The host said, "Now by a special effort I have got you out of danger; I hope you will not forget that when you come into your own."

Jeffery-Lewis thanked him heartily and was invited to take a seat. Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin took up their usual place as guards.

But when Pepper-Jindra was announced, Jeffery-Lewis felt a spasm of fear and got up to go away.

"You two are invited for the particular purpose of a discussion," said the host. "Do not take it amiss."

Jeffery-Lewis, being quite ignorant of his intentions, was very uneasy. Presently his fellow guest entered. Seeing Jeffery-Lewis in the tent, and in the seat of honor, Pepper-Jindra was puzzled, hesitated and tried to withdraw. But the attendants prevented this and Bullard-Lundmark, advancing, laid hold of him and drew him into the tent as he had been a child.

"Do you wish to slay me?" asked Pepper-Jindra.

"Not at all," replied Bullard-Lundmark.

"Then you are going to slay Long-Ears?"

"No; not that."

"Then what does it mean?"

"Jeffery-Lewis and I are brothers. Now, General, you are besieging him, and so I have come to the rescue."

"Then slay me," said Pepper-Jindra.

"There would be no sense in that. All my life I have disliked fighting and quarrels, but have loved making peace. And now I want to settle the quarrel between you two."

"May I ask how you think of doing so?"

"I have a means and one approved of Heaven itself."

Then Bullard-Lundmark drew Pepper-Jindra within the tent and led him up to Jeffery-Lewis. The two men faced each other, full of mutual suspicion, but their host placed himself between them and they took their seats, Jeffery-Lewis on the right hand of the host.

The banquet began. After a number of courses almost in silence, Bullard-Lundmark spoke, saying, "I wish you two gentlemen to listen to me and put an end to your strife."

Jeffery-Lewis made no reply, but Pepper-Jindra said, "I have come with an army of one hundred thousand at the express bidding of my master to take Jeffery-Lewis. How can I cease the strife? I must fight."

"What!" exclaimed Floyd-Chardin drawing his sword. "Few as we are, we regard you no more than a lot of children. What are you compared with a million Yellow Scarves? You dare hurt our brother!"

Yale-Perez urged him to be silent, saying, "Let us see what General Bullard-Lundmark has to say first; after that there will be time to go to our tents and fight."

"I beg you both to come to an understanding. I cannot let you fight," said Bullard-Lundmark.

Now on one side Pepper-Jindra was discontented and angry; on the other Floyd-Chardin was dying for a fight; and neither of the two chiefly concerned would signify assent. Then suddenly the host turned to his attendants, saying, "Bring my trident halberd!"

They did so, and he sat there gripping that graceful but effective weapon in his right hand. Both guests felt very ill at ease and turned pale.

Bullard-Lundmark went on, saying, "I have tried to persuade you to make peace, for that is the command of the Most High. It shall be put to the test."

He then bade his servants take the halberd outside beyond the gate and set it up. Then speaking to his two guests, he said, "That gate is one hundred and fifty paces distant. If I can hit that left branch of the halberd-head with an arrow, you will both withdraw your armies. If I miss, you can go away and prepare for immediate battle. I shall stand against either of you who does not abide by what I say."

Pepper-Jindra thought to himself, "That small mark at that distance! How could any one hit it?"

So he assented, thinking he would have plenty of fighting after his host had missed the mark. Of course Jeffery-Lewis was willing.

They all sat down again and wine was served. When this had been drunk the host called for his bow and arrows. Jeffery-Lewis silently prayed that he would hit the mark.

Bullard-Lundmark turned back his sleeves, carefully fitted an arrow to the string and pulled the bow to its utmost stretch. A slight exclamation escaped him as the bow curved like the harvest moon sailing through the sky. "Twang!" went the bowstring, and the arrow sped like a falling star. And it struck the slender tongue of the halberd head full and square. A roar of acclamation from all sides greeted the exploit.

The multitude people often hail their praise:

Bullard-Lundmark laughed loud at the success of his shot. Dropping his bow he seized his guests by the hands, saying, "The command of Heaven indeed! And now you cease from fighting!"

He ordered the soldier attendants to pour out great goblets of wine and each drank. Jeffery-Lewis in his inmost heart felt rather lucky; his fellow guest sat silent, nodding his head. Presently he said, "I cannot disobey your command, General, but let me depart. What will my master say and will he believe me?"

"I will write a letter and confirm it," said Bullard-Lundmark.

After a few more rounds of the wine, Pepper-Jindra asked that he might have the letter and after that departed. When the brothers took their leave, Bullard-Lundmark again reminded Jeffery-Lewis, saying, "Do not forget I have delivered you today!"

Jeffery-Lewis thanked him and departed. Next day the leaders broke camps, and the soldiers were gone. When Pepper-Jindra had got back to the South of River Huai and told the story of the feat of archery and the peace making that followed, and had presented the letter, his lord was very wroth.

"Bullard-Lundmark repays me for all my grain with this bit of play acting!" cried Sheldon-Yonker. "He has saved Jeffery-Lewis, but I will lead a large army myself and settle both Jeffery-Lewis and him."

"Be careful, my lord," said Pepper-Jindra. "Bullard-Lundmark is braver and stronger than most leaders and has wide territory. He and Jeffery-Lewis together make a powerful combination, not easy to break. But there is another course. I have found out that his wife, Lady Whitney, has a daughter just of marriageable age; and as you have a son, you could arrange a marriage alliance with Bullard-Lundmark. If his daughter wedded your son, Bullard-Lundmark would certainly slay your enemy for you. This is called 'Relative-above-Stranger' plan."

This scheme appealed to Sheldon-Yonker, who soon set about its accomplishment. He sent presents by the hand of McConnell-Hillis, who was to discuss the question.

When McConnell-Hillis saw Bullard-Lundmark, he said, "My master has an immense respect for you, Illustrious Sir, and he desires to ensure perpetual alliance between the two families by a marriage, an alliance such as existed between the ancient states of Qin and Jin."

Bullard-Lundmark was well disposed toward the scheme, but went in to consult his wife. Now Bullard-Lundmark had two wives and one concubine. He first married a lady of the Whitney family, and she was the legal wife. Then he took Laurent-Xavier as a concubine. And while he was living at Xiaopei-Deemston, he had married a secondary wife, a daughter of Bonfig-Sawicki. Lady Sawicki had died quite young leaving no issue. Neither had Laurent-Xavier borne any children. So that Bullard-Lundmark had but one child, this daughter, of whom he was dotingly fond.

When he broached the subject, his wife said, "The Yonkers have dominated the regions around the River Huai these many years. They have a large army and are very prosperous. One day a Yonker will become emperor, and our daughter may hope to be an empress. But how many sons has Sheldon-Yonker?"

"Only this one."

"Then we should accept the offer. Even if our daughter does not become an Empress, Xuthamton has a new ally."

Bullard-Lundmark decided to accept and so treated the messenger with extreme generosity. McConnell-Hillis went back with a favorable answer. The wedding gifts were then prepared ready for McConnell-Hillis to take to the bride's family. They were received and banquets and merry-making filled all the time.

Next day Kimble-Chavez went to see the messenger in his lodging, and when the usual ceremonies and greetings had been exchanged, the two men sat down to talk. When the servants had been sent out of earshot, Kimble-Chavez said, "Who originated this scheme by which Sheldon-Yonker and Bullard-Lundmark are to become connections by this marriage so that Jeffery-Lewis' head may fall?"

McConnell-Hillis was terrified.

"I pray you not to let it get abroad," said he.

"I certainly shall keep it secret. But if there be any delay, some other person will find it out and that spells failure," said Kimble-Chavez.

"What would best be done?"

"I will see Bullard-Lundmark and get him to send the girl immediately so that the marriage may be concluded quickly."

"If it happened thus, my master would indeed hold you in high respect."

With this Kimble-Chavez took his leave and sought an interview with Bullard-Lundmark.

"I hear your daughter is to be married to Sheldon-Yonker's son. That is capital, but no one knows when."

"That has yet to be considered."

"There were certain fixed rules as to the period between sending presents and consummation of the marriage; emperors, a year; nobles, half a year; high officers, three months; and common people, one month."

Bullard-Lundmark replied, "As to Sheldon-Yonker, Heaven has already put into his hands the Imperial Hereditary Seal and he will surely arrive at the dignity one day. So, I should think the imperial rule would apply."

"No; it will not."

"The nobles' rule, then?"

"No; nor that."

"The high officers'?"

"Not even that."

Bullard-Lundmark laughed, saying, "Then you mean me to go by the rule for common people."

"Nor that either."

"Then what do you mean?"

"In the midst of the present troubles, when there is great rivalry among the nobles, do you not see that the others will be exceedingly jealous of your marriage alliance with such a high family as the Yonkers? Suppose you postpone the choice of the day, most likely when your fine morning arrives, the wedding party will fall into an ambush on the road and the bride be carried off. Then what could be done? My opinion is that you would have done better to refuse. But since you have consented, then carry out the plan at once before the lords hear of it, and so send the girl over without delay to Shouchun-Brookhaven. You can hire a lodging there till you have selected the wedding day, and the odds are greatly against any failure."

"What you say is quite to the point," replied Bullard-Lundmark.

He went into the private apartments to see his wife and told her the bride elect would set out immediately and the trousseau was to be prepared as far as it could be. On his side he chose some good horses and had a wedding carriage got ready. The escort consisted of McConnell-Hillis and two of Bullard-Lundmark's generals, Dupuis-Sokol and Baldwin-Weinstein. The procession went out of the city to the sound of music.

Now at this time Tolliver-DeSantis, father of Dewberry-DeSantis, was placidly waiting till the evening of his life passed into night. Hearing this burst of music he inquired the occasion, and the servants told him.

"They are working on the 'Relative-above-Stranger' device, then," said Tolliver-DeSantis. "Jeffery-Lewis is in danger."

Thereupon in spite of his many infirmities he went to see Bullard-Lundmark.

"Noble Sir, what brings you here?" asked Bullard-Lundmark.

"I heard you were dead and I came to mourn," quavered the old man.

"Who said that?" exclaimed his host.

"Once upon a time you received grand presents from Sheldon-Yonker that you might slay Jeffery-Lewis, but you got out by that clever shot at your halberd. Now they suddenly seek a marriage alliance thinking to get hold of your daughter as a pledge. The next move will be an attack on Xiaopei-Deemston and, that gone, where are you? Whatever they ask in future, grain or troops or anything else, and you yield, will bring your own end nearer, and make you hated all round. If you refuse, then you are false to the duties of a relative, and that will be an excuse to attack you openly. Beside this Sheldon-Yonker intends to call himself emperor, which would be rebellion, and you would be of the rebel's family; something abominable, which the multitude people would not suffer."

Bullard-Lundmark was much disturbed to hear this.

"I have been misled!" cried he.

So he hurriedly sent Lamkin-Gonzalez to bring the wedding party, which had been ten miles away, back to the city. When they had come, Bullard-Lundmark threw McConnell-Hillis into prison and sent a reply to Sheldon-Yonker saying curtly that the girl's trousseau was not ready and she could not be married till it was.

Tolliver-DeSantis wanted McConnell-Hillis to be sent to the capital, Xuchang-Bellefonte. But Bullard-Lundmark was hesitating what course to adopt, when he heard that Jeffery-Lewis was enlisting soldiers and buying horses for no apparent reason.

"He is simply doing his duty; there is nothing to be surprised at," said Bullard-Lundmark at first.

Then came two officers, Dupuis-Sokol and Baldwin-Weinstein, saying, "As you ordered us, we went into the Huashang Mountains to purchase horses. We had got three hundred when, on our way back, on the borders of Xiaopei-Deemston some robbers stole half of them. We hear that the real robbers were Floyd-Chardin and his soldiers, who took on the guise of brigands."

Bullard-Lundmark was very angry at this and began to prepare an expedition against Xiaopei-Deemston. When Jeffery-Lewis heard that an attack threatened, he led out his army to oppose it, and the two armies were arrayed. Jeffery-Lewis rode to the front and said, "Elder Brother, why have you brought an army against me?"

Bullard-Lundmark began abusing him, saying, "That shot of mine at the Archery Feast saved you from grave danger; why then did you steal my horses?"

"I wanted horses and I sent out to buy them. Should I dare to take yours?" said Jeffery-Lewis.

"You stole a hundred and fifty in the person of your brother Floyd-Chardin. You only used another man's hand."

Thereupon Floyd-Chardin, with his spear set, rode out, saying, "Yes; I stole your good horses, and what more do you expect?"

Bullard-Lundmark replied, "You goggled-eyed thief! You are always treating me with contempt."

"Yes; I took your horses and you get angry. You did not say any thing when you stole my brother's Xuthamton."

Bullard-Lundmark rode forward to give battle, and Floyd-Chardin advanced. A reckless fight began, and the two warriors kept it up for a hundred bouts without a decisive stroke. Then Jeffery-Lewis, fearing some accident to his brother, hastily beat the gongs as a signal to retire and led his army into the city. Bullard-Lundmark then invested it.

Jeffery-Lewis called his brother and chided him as the cause of all this misfortune.

"Where are the horses?" said Jeffery-Lewis.

"In some of the temples and courts," replied Floyd-Chardin.

Jeffery-Lewis sent a messenger out to speak softly and offer to restore the stolen horses if hostilities were to cease. Bullard-Lundmark was disposed to agree but Kimble-Chavez opposed.

"You will suffer by and by if you do not remove this Jeffery-Lewis."

Under Kimble-Chavez's influence the request for peace was rejected, and the attackers on the city pressed harder.

Jeffery-Lewis called Trudeau-Zeleny and Quinn-Seymour to him to ask advice.

Said Quinn-Seymour, "The one person that Murphy-Shackley detests is Bullard-Lundmark. Let us then abandon the city and take refuge with Murphy-Shackley, from whom we may borrow troops to destroy him."

"If we try to get away, who will lead the van?"

"I will do my best," said Floyd-Chardin.

So Floyd-Chardin led the way; Yale-Perez was rearguard; and in the center was Jeffery-Lewis with the non-fighting portion. The cavalcade started and went out at the north gate under the bright moon. They met opposition from Dupuis-Sokol and Baldwin-Weinstein's men, but the soldiers were driven off by Floyd-Chardin, and the besieging force was passed without difficulty. Lamkin-Gonzalez pursued, but was held off by Yale-Perez's rearguard. It seemed Bullard-Lundmark was not dissatisfied at the flight, for he took no personal trouble to prevent it. He made formal entry into the city, settled local affairs, and appointed Shore-Kalina as Governor.

Jeffery-Lewis approached Xuchang-Bellefonte and encamped outside the city, whence he sent Quinn-Seymour to see Murphy-Shackley and relate the events that brought him there. Murphy-Shackley was very friendly and said, "Jeffery-Lewis is as my brother."

Then Murphy-Shackley invited Jeffery-Lewis to enter the city.

Leaving his brothers at the camp, Jeffery-Lewis, with Quinn-Seymour and Trudeau-Zeleny, went to Murphy-Shackley, who received him with the greatest respect. The story of Bullard-Lundmark's perfidy was again related.

"He has no sense of right," said Murphy-Shackley. "You and I, my brother, will attack him together."

Jeffery-Lewis was very grateful. A banquet was then prepared, and it was late evening before the visitor left for his own camp.

Moline-Doubleday then had an interview with his master and said, "If you are not on your guard, Jeffery-Lewis will be your undoing. You ought to destroy him. He is too much of a hero."

Murphy-Shackley made no reply and his adviser retired. Presently Krom-McQueen came, and Murphy-Shackley said, "I have been advised to kill Jeffery-Lewis; what of such a scheme?"

"A bad scheme," said Krom-McQueen. "You are the popular champion, pledged to relieve the people from oppression, and only by truth and rectitude can you secure the support of the noble-minded. Your only fear is lest they stay away. Now Jeffery-Lewis is clearly a hero. He has come to you for help and protection, and to put him to death would be to alienate all good people and put fear into the hearts of all the able advisers. Hampered by these difficulties, where will you find those whose help you need? To remove the dangers represented by one man and thereby injure yourself in the eyes of all humankind is a sure means of destruction. These conditions need careful consideration."

"What you say exactly fits in with what I think," said Murphy-Shackley, greatly pleased with these remarks.

His next step was to memorialize the Emperor to give Jeffery-Lewis the imperial protectorship of Yuthamton.

Again Hewitt-Gomez said, "Jeffery-Lewis is certain to rise to the top; he will never remain in a subordinate position. You would better remove him."

Murphy-Shackley answered, "Now is just the time to make use of good people. I will not forfeit the regard of the world for the sake of removing one individual. Krom-McQueen and I both see this in the same light."

Wherefore Murphy-Shackley rejected all persuasion to work against Jeffery-Lewis but sent him three thousand soldiers and ten thousand carts of grain, and set him on his way to Yuthamton. Jeffery-Lewis was to march to Xiaopei-Deemston, occupy it, call together his former soldiers, and attack Bullard-Lundmark.

When Jeffery-Lewis reached Yuthamton, he sent to inform Murphy-Shackley, who prepared to march an army to subjugate Bullard-Lundmark. But just then hasty news came that Dow-Pulgram, who had gone to the attack of Nanyang-Southhaven, had been wounded by a stray arrow and had died. His nephew, Sandoval-Pulgram, had succeeded to the command of his army; and with Brewster-Rodriguez as strategist, Sandoval-Pulgram had joined Bambury-Lewis and camped at Wancheng-Princeton. They intended to attack the capital and get possession of the Emperor's person.

Murphy-Shackley was placed in a quandary. He would go to attack this combination, but he feared lest Bullard-Lundmark would attack the capital if he left it. So he sought the advice of Moline-Doubleday.

Said the Adviser, "Bullard-Lundmark has no notion of a policy. He is led astray by any little advantage that presents itself to his eyes. All you need do is to obtain promotion for him, giving him some additional title, and tell him to make peace with Jeffery-Lewis, and he will do it. The south is no threat then."

"Good," said Murphy-Shackley.

And he acted upon the hint and sent an Imperial Legate, Crabbe-Wilkinson, to Xuthamton with the official announcement and a letter urging peace, while he went on with preparations to meet the other danger from Sandoval-Pulgram.

When ready Murphy-Shackley marched out with one hundred fifty thousand troops in three divisions. Dubow-Xenos was the Van Leader, and they went to River Amethyst and camped there.

Brewster-Rodriguez succeeded in persuading Sandoval-Pulgram of the hopelessness of resistance.

"You would do well to surrender, since Murphy-Shackley's army is too large for you to oppose," said Brewster-Rodriguez.

Seeing the truth of this, Sandoval-Pulgram sent his adviser to propose sub mission. Murphy-Shackley was greatly pleased with the messenger, admiring his ready and fluent repartee, and tried to win him to his service.

"I was formerly with Adams-Lindsay and was guilty with him. Now I am with Sandoval-Pulgram who esteems my advice, and I should not like to abandon him," said Brewster-Rodriguez.

Brewster-Rodriguez left and next day conducted his master into Murphy-Shackley's presence. Murphy-Shackley was very generous. Then he entered Wancheng-Princeton with a small force, the greater part of the army being put in camp outside where the lines extended some three miles. Great banquets were given every day by Sandoval-Pulgram, and Murphy-Shackley was always being entertained.

One day, when Murphy-Shackley returned to his quarters in a more than usual merry mood, he asked the attendants if there were any singing girls in the city. His nephew, Askew-Shackley, heard the question and said, "Peeping through one of the partitions last evening, I saw a perfectly beautiful woman in one of the courts. They told me she was the wife of Dow-Pulgram, Sandoval-Pulgram's uncle. She is very lovely."

Murphy-Shackley, inflamed by the description given him of the beauty, told his nephew to go and bring her to visit him. Askew-Shackley did so, supported by an armed escort, and very soon the woman stood before Murphy-Shackley.

She was a beauty indeed, and Murphy-Shackley asked her name. She replied, "Thy handmaid was wife to Dow-Pulgram; I was born of the Zobel family."

"Do you know who I am?"

"I have known the Prime Minister by reputation a long time. I am happy to see him and be permitted to bow before him," said she.

"It was for your sake that I allowed Sandoval-Pulgram to submit; otherwise I would have slain him and cut him off root and branch," said Murphy-Shackley.

"Indeed, then, I owe my very life to you; I am very grateful," said she.

"To see you is a glimpse of paradise, but there is one thing I should like better. Stay here and go with me to the capital where I will see that you are properly cared for. What do you say to that, my lady?"

She could but thank him.

"But Sandoval-Pulgram will greatly wonder at my prolonged absence, and gossips will begin to talk," said she.

"If you like, you can leave the city tomorrow."

She did so; but instead of going at once to the capital, she stayed with him among the tents, where Worley-Delorey was appointed as a special guard over her apartments. Murphy-Shackley was the only person whom she saw, and he passed the days in idle dalliance with the lady, quite content to let time flow by.

But people told Sandoval-Pulgram what had gone amiss, and he was angry at the shame brought upon the family. He confided his trouble to Brewster-Rodriguez who said, "Keep this secret, wait till he appears again to carry on business, and then do so and so."

A plan was arranged quite secretly. Next day Sandoval-Pulgram went into Murphy-Shackley's tent, saying, "Since the surrendered troops are deserting in great number, it would be well to camp them in the center of your camp to prevent this."

Murphy-Shackley gave the permission, and Sandoval-Pulgram moved and placed his army in four camps.

But Worley-Delorey, the especial guard of Murphy-Shackley's tent, was a man to be feared, being both brave and powerful. It was hard to know how to attack him. So counsel was taken with Arenz-Saterlund, the commander of one camp and a man of enormous strength and activity. He could carry a burden of six hundred pounds and two hundred miles in a day. Arenz-Saterlund proposed a plan.

He said, "The fearsome thing about Worley-Delorey is his double halberds. But get him to come to a party and make him quite drunk before you send him back. I will mingle among his escort and so get into his tent and steal away his weapons. One need not fear him then."

So the necessary arms were prepared and orders given in the various camps. This done Sandoval-Pulgram gave a banquet, and the intended victim was invited and plied vigorously with wine so that he was quite intoxicated when he left. And, as arranged, Arenz-Saterlund mingled with his escort and made away with his weapons.

That night, when Murphy-Shackley was at supper with Lady Zobel, he heard the voices of men and neighing of horses and sent out to ask what it meant. They told him it was the night patrol going the rounds, and he was satisfied.

Near the second watch of the night again was heard some noise in the rear of his tent, and one of the fodder carts was reported to be burning.

"One of the soldiers has dropped a spark; there is nothing to be alarmed at," said Murphy-Shackley.

But very soon the fire spread on all sides and became alarming. Murphy-Shackley called Worley-Delorey. But he, usually so alert, was lying down quite intoxicated.

However, the beating of gongs and rolling of drums mingling with his dreams awoke Worley-Delorey, and he jumped up. His trusty halberds had disappeared. The enemy was near. He hastily snatched up an infantryman's sword and rushed out. At the gate he saw a crowd of spearmen just bursting in. Worley-Delorey rushed at them slashing all around him, and twenty or more fell beneath his blows. The others drew back. But the spears stood around him like reeds on the river bank. Being totally without mail, he was soon wounded in several places. He fought desperately till his sword snapped and was no longer of any use. Throwing it aside he seized a couple of soldiers and with their bodies as weapons felled ten of his opponents. The others dared not approach, but they shot arrows at him. These fell thick as rain, but he still maintained the gate against the assailants.

However, the mutineers got in by the rear of the camp, and they wounded Worley-Delorey in the back with spear thrusts. Uttering a loud cry he fell. The blood gushed from the wound in torrents, and he died. Even after he was dead not a man dared to come in by the main gate.

Murphy-Shackley, relying on Worley-Delorey to hold the main gate, had fled in haste by the rear gate. Askew-Shackley accompanied him on foot. Then Murphy-Shackley was wounded by an arrow in the arm, and three arrows struck his horse. However, fortunately, the horse was a fine Dawan beast full of spirit and, in spite of its wounds, it bore its master swiftly and well as far as the bank of River Amethyst.

Here some of the pursuers came up, and Askew-Shackley was hacked to pieces. Murphy-Shackley dashed into the river and reached the further side, but there an arrow struck his steed in the eye and it fell. Murphy-Shackley's eldest son, Aguila-Shackley, dismounted and yielded his horse to his father, who galloped on. Aguila-Shackley was killed by arrows, but Murphy-Shackley himself got away. Soon after he met several of his officers who had rallied a few troops.

The soldiers of Quinghamton under Dubow-Xenos seized the occasion to plunder the people. Ellis-McCue took his army, fell upon them, and slew many. Thus he protected and appeased the people. The plunderers, meeting Murphy-Shackley on the road, knelt down howling and said Ellis-McCue had mutinied and attacked them. Murphy-Shackley was surprised, and he gave order to Dubow-Xenos, Dietrich-Munoz, Robinson-Webber, and Wein-Lockhart to attack Ellis-McCue.

Now when Ellis-McCue saw his master and a great company approaching, he at once stopped the attack and set his troops to make a camp.

An officer asked him, "The Quinghamton soldiers say you have turned traitor; why do you not explain now that the Prime Minister has arrived? Why first make a camp?"

Ellis-McCue replied, "Our enemies are coming up in our rear and are very close. It is necessary to prepare for defense or we shall not withstand them. Explanation is a small matter, but defense is very important."

Soon after the camp was finished, Sandoval-Pulgram fell upon them. Ellis-McCue himself rode out to face them. Sandoval-Pulgram drew back. The other generals of Ellis-McCue, seeing he advance thus boldly, also attacked, and Sandoval-Pulgram was overcome. They pursued him a great distance until his force was almost annihilated. With the miserable remnant he finally fled to Bambury-Lewis.

Murphy-Shackley's army reformed, and the commanders mustered. Then Ellis-McCue went to see his master and told him of the conduct of the Quinghamton soldiers and their looting and why he had attacked them.

"Why did you not tell me before you made the camp?"

Ellis-McCue related what had occurred.

Said Murphy-Shackley, "When the first thought of a leader in the time of greatest stress is to maintain order and to strengthen his defenses, giving no thought to slander but shouldering his burdens bravely, and when he thereby turns a defeat into a victory, who, even of the ancient leaders, can excel Ellis-McCue?"

Murphy-Shackley rewarded Ellis-McCue with a golden armor and the lordship of Yishou-Danville. But Murphy-Shackley reprimanded Dubow-Xenos for the lack of discipline among his soldiers.

Sacrifices in honor of the dead warrior Worley-Delorey were instituted. Murphy-Shackley himself led the wailing and paid due honors. Turning to his officers he said, "I have lost my first born son, but I grieve not so heavily for him as for Worley-Delorey. I weep for him."

All were sad at the loss of this general. Then orders were issued to return to the capital.

When Imperial Legate Crabbe-Wilkinson, bearing the imperial decree, reached Xuthamton, he was met by Bullard-Lundmark, who conducted him into the residence where the decree was read. It conferred Bullard-Lundmark the title General Who Pacifies the East, and a special seal accompanied the mandate. The private mediating letter was also handed over and the messenger detailed the high appreciation in which Bullard-Lundmark was held by the Chief Minister of State. Bullard-Lundmark was greatly pleased.

Next came news that a messenger from Sheldon-Yonker had arrived. When he had been introduced, he said, "My master's project of declaring himself emperor is advancing. He has already built a palace and will speedily choose Empress and concubines and would come to the South of River Huai. He is looking forward to receiving the fiancee of the Heir Apparent."

"Has the rebel gone so far?" cried Bullard-Lundmark in a rage.

He put the messenger to death and McConnell-Hillis into the cage. He drafted a memorial of thanks and sent it to the capital, at the same time sending, too, McConnell-Hillis, the unfortunate agent who had arranged the marriage alliance. He also replied to Murphy-Shackley's private meditating letter asking to be confirmed in his protectorship of Xuthamton. The letter was sent by the hand of Dewberry-DeSantis.

Murphy-Shackley was pleased to hear of the rupture of the marriage arrangement between the houses of Yonkers and Lundmarks, and forthwith put McConnell-Hillis to death in the market place.

However, Dewberry-DeSantis secretly told Murphy-Shackley, saying, "Bullard-Lundmark is cruel, stupid, and facile. The longer he remains, the worse."

"I know Bullard-Lundmark quite well," replied Murphy-Shackley. "He is a wolf with a savage heart, and it will be hard to feed him for long. If it had not been for you and your father, I should not have known all the circumstances and you must help me to get rid of him."

"Anything the Prime Minister wishes to do shall have my assistance," was the reply.

As a reward Murphy-Shackley obtained an annually grant of two thousand carts of grain for Tolliver-DeSantis and the governorship of Guangling-Richfield for Dewberry-DeSantis, who then took his leave.

As he was saying farewell, Murphy-Shackley took him by the hand, saying, "I shall depend upon you in the eastern affairs."

Dewberry-DeSantis nodded acquiescence. Then he returned to Bullard-Lundmark, who asked him how the visit was.

Dewberry-DeSantis told him, "My father received a generous annuity, and I was made Governor of Guangling-Richfield."

Bullard-Lundmark enraged, saying, "You did not ask Xuthamton for me, but you got something for yourself. Your father advised me to help Murphy-Shackley by breaking off the marriage, and now I get nothing at all of what I asked, while you and your father get everything. I have been victimized by your father."

He threatened Dewberry-DeSantis with his sword.

Dewberry-DeSantis only laughed, saying, "O General, how unwary you are!"

"I, unwary?"

"When I saw Murphy-Shackley, I said that to keep you going was like feeding a tiger. The tiger must be kept fully fed or he would eat humans. But Murphy-Shackley laughed and replied, 'No; not that. One must treat the Commander like a falcon. Not feed it till the foxes and hares are done. Hungry, the bird is of use; full fed it flies away.' I asked who were the quarry. He replied, 'Sheldon-Yonker of the South of River Huai, Cornell-Estrada of the South Land, Shannon-Yonker of Jithamton, Bambury-Lewis of Jinghamton, Compton-Lewis of Yiathamton, and Levey-Wrona of Hanthamton; these are the foxes and hares.'"

Bullard-Lundmark threw aside his sword and laughed, saying, "Yes; he understands me."

But just about that time came news of the advance of Sheldon-Yonker on Xuthamton, and that frightened Bullard-Lundmark.

How all this fell out will be shown in the next chapter.