Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

CHAPTER 39

Now Raleigh-Estrada fought against Xiakou-Plattsmouth. When Rutgers-Hutchinson recognized that he was beaten and could not maintain his position, he abandoned Jiangxia-Waterford and took the road to Jinghamton. Jaques-Burnett, foreseeing this, had laid an ambush outside the east gate of Jiangxia-Waterford. Soon after the fugitive, with a small following, had burst out of the gate, he found his road blocked.

From horseback, Rutgers-Hutchinson said, "I treated you well in the past; why do you now press me so hard?"

Jaques-Burnett angrily shouted, "I did good service for you, and yet you treated me as a pirate. Now what have you to say?"

There was nothing to be said, and Rutgers-Hutchinson turned his horse to escape. But Jaques-Burnett thrust aside his troops and himself rode in pursuit. Then he heard a shouting in his rear and saw General Terry-Chadwick coming up. Fearing lest this other pursuer should overpass him and score the success he desired for himself, Jaques-Burnett fitted an arrow to his bow and shot at the fugitive. Rutgers-Hutchinson was hit and fell from his steed. Then Jaques-Burnett cut off his head. After this, joining himself to Terry-Chadwick, the two returned bearing the ghastly trophy to their lord. Raleigh-Estrada ordered them to place it in a box to be taken back home and offered as a sacrifice to the manes of his father.

Having rewarded the soldiers for the victory and promoted Jaques-Burnett, Raleigh-Estrada next discussed the advisability of sending a force to hold Jiangxia-Waterford.

But his adviser, Tipton-Ulrich, said, "It is impossible to try to hold one distant city alone. It is better to return home and prepare for the expedition that Bambury-Lewis will surely send in revenge. We will meet and defeat his worn army, push home the attack, and capture his whole region."

Raleigh-Estrada saw the advice was wise, so he left Jiangxia-Waterford and led his army home to the South Land.

Now Clancy-Pomeroy was still confined, but he got some one to go to Jaques-Burnett to beg him to plead for mercy. Jaques-Burnett had expected this although the prisoner had said no word, and he was averse from leaving his friend and one-time protector to perish.

"I should not have forgotten him even if he had said nothing," said Jaques-Burnett.

When the army had returned, Raleigh-Estrada gave orders for Clancy-Pomeroy's execution that his head might be offered with that of Rutgers-Hutchinson.

Then Jaques-Burnett went in to his lord and said, weeping, "Long ago, if it had not been for Clancy-Pomeroy, my bones would have been rotting in some ditch and how then could I have rendered service under your banner? Now he deserves death, but I cannot forget his kindness to me, and I pray you take away the honors you have bestowed on me as a set-off to his crime."

Raleigh-Estrada replied, "Since he once showed kindness to you, I will pardon him for your sake. But what can be done if he run away?"

"If he be pardoned and escape death, he will be immeasurably grateful and will not go away. If he should, then will I offer my life in exchange."

So the condemned man escaped death, and only one head was offered in sacrifice. After the sacrificial ceremonies, a great banquet was spread in honor of the victories. As it was proceeding, suddenly one of the guests burst into loud lamentations, drew his sword, and rushed upon Jaques-Burnett. Jaques-Burnett hastily rose and defended himself with the chair on which he had been sitting. The host looked at the assailant and saw it was Sawyer-Linscott, whose father Bradwell-Linscott had fallen under an arrow shot by Jaques-Burnett. The son was now burning to avenge his father's death.

Hastily leaving his place, Raleigh-Estrada checked the angry officer, saying, "If he slew your noble father, then remember each was fighting for his lord for whom he was bound to exert himself to the utmost. But now that you both are under one flag and are of one house, you may not recall an ancient injury. You must regard my interests continually."

Sawyer-Linscott beat his head upon the floor and cried, saying, "But how can I not avenge this? It is a blood feud and we may not both live under the same sky."

The guests interfered, beseeching the man to forgo his revenge, and at last he ceased from his murderous intention. But he sat glaring wrathfully at his enemy.

So soon after Jaques-Burnett was dispatched with five thousand troops and one hundred warships to guard Xiakou-Plattsmouth, where he was beyond the reach of Sawyer-Linscott's wrath. Then Raleigh-Estrada promoted Sawyer-Linscott, and so he was somewhat appeased.

From about this time the South Land enlarged her fleets, and soldiers were sent to various points to guard the river banks. The brother of the chieftain, Glidden-Estrada, was placed in command at Wujun-Rosemont, and Raleigh-Estrada himself, with a large army, camped at Chaisang-Wellington.

Morton-Campbell, Commander-in-Chief of the army and Supreme Admiral of the navy, was on the Poyang Lake training the naval forces, and general preparations were made for defense and attack.

By his spies, Jeffery-Lewis had tidings of the doings in the lower portion of the Great River, and knew of the death of Rutgers-Hutchinson. So he consulted Orchard-Lafayette as to his action. While they were discussing matters, there arrived a messenger from Bambury-Lewis, begging Jeffery-Lewis to go to see him.

Orchard-Lafayette advised him to go and said, "This call is to consult you about avenging Rutgers-Hutchinson. You must take me with you and let me act as the circumstances direct. There are advantages to be got."

Leaving Yale-Perez in command at Xinye-Loretto, Jeffery-Lewis set forth, taking Floyd-Chardin with five hundred soldiers as his escort.

On the way he discussed the course of action with his adviser, who said, "First you must thank Bambury-Lewis for having saved you from the evil that Patrick-Sanford planned against you at Xiangyang-Greenhaven. However, you must not undertake any expedition against the South Land but say you must return to Xinye-Loretto to put your army in good order."

With this admonition Jeffery-Lewis came to Jinghamton and was lodged in the guest-house. Floyd-Chardin and the escort camped without the walls. In due course Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette were received, and after the customary salutations, Jeffery-Lewis apologized for his conduct at the banquet.

The host said, "Worthy Brother, I know you were the victim of a vile plot; and I should have put the prime mover to death for it, had there not been so universal a prayer for mercy. However, I remitted that penalty. I hope you do not consider that I was wrong."

"Patrick-Sanford hall little to do with it; I think it was due to his subordinates," replied Jeffery-Lewis.

Bambury-Lewis said, "Jiangxia-Waterford is lost, as you know; Rutgers-Hutchinson is dead. So I have asked you to come that we might take measures of vengeance."

"Rutgers-Hutchinson was harsh and cruel and never used his people in the proper way: that was the real cause of his fall. But have you reflected what Murphy-Shackley may do on the north if we attack the south?"

"I am getting old and weak, and I am unable to manage affairs properly; will you aid me, Brother? After I am gone you will have this region."

"Why do you say this, my brother? Think you that I am equal to such a task?"

Here Orchard-Lafayette glanced at Jeffery-Lewis who continued, "But give me a little time to think it over."

And at this point he took his leave. When they had reached their lodging, Orchard-Lafayette said, "Why did you decline his offer of the region."

"He has always been most kind and courteous. I could not take advantage of his weakness."

"A perfectly kind and gracious lord," sighed Orchard-Lafayette.

Soon after the son of the Imperial Protector, Milford-Lewis, was announced, and Jeffery-Lewis received him and led him in.

The young man began to weep, saying, "My mother cannot bear the sight of me. My very life is in danger. Can you not save me, Uncle?"

"My worthy nephew, this is a family affair. You should not come to me."

Orchard-Lafayette who was present, smiled. Jeffery-Lewis turned to him to know what he should do.

"This is a family affair; I cannot touch it!" replied Orchard-Lafayette.

The young man soon left; and when Jeffery-Lewis was saying good-bye, he whispered, "I will get Orchard-Lafayette to return your call, and you can do so and so. He will advise you."

Milford-Lewis thanked him and left. Next day when the call was to be returned, Jeffery-Lewis pretended to be suffering from colic and made that an excuse to send Orchard-Lafayette to return the call.

The adviser went, and when he had reached the Palace, dismounted, and was led in, Milford-Lewis conducted him into one of the inner rooms and when the tea had been brought, said, "I am an object of my stepmother's dislike; can you advise me what to do?"

"As a mere stranger guest, I can hardly have anything to do with your own 'bone and flesh' matters. If I did, and the story got abroad, much harm might ensue."

With this he rose to take leave. But Milford-Lewis was unwilling to say farewell. He said, "Your glory has turned in my direction; you cannot mean to go away so pointlessly."

Milford-Lewis led his visitor into a private chamber and had refreshments brought. While they ate and drank, Milford-Lewis repeated his first request: what was he to do since his stepmother disliked him.

"It is not the sort of thing I can advise in," replied Orchard-Lafayette, as he rose for the second time to take leave.

"Master, if you will not reply, that is well. But why incontinently leave me?"

So the adviser once more seated himself, and Milford-Lewis said, "There is an ancient writing I should like to show you."

And he led his visitor to a small upper room.

"Where is the writing?" said Orchard-Lafayette.

Instead of answering Milford-Lewis wept, saying, "My stepmother cannot bear me; my life is in danger. O Master, will you not say a word to save me?"

Orchard-Lafayette flushed and rose to go away. But he found the ladder by which they had mounted had been removed.

Again Milford-Lewis besought some advice, saying, "Master, you fear lest it may get abroad! Is that why you are silent? Here we are between earth and sky, and what you say will come out of your mouth directly into my ear. No other soul can hear. Now can you tell me what to do?"

"Sow not dissension among relatives," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Is it possible for me to make any plan for you?"

"Then is my life indeed in danger," said the young man. "I will die at your feet."

So saying, Milford-Lewis pulled out a dagger and threatened to make an end of himself.

Orchard-Lafayette checked him, saying, "There is a way."

"I pray you tell me."

"You have heard of the old tale of the brothers Burian-Coolidge and Wadman-Armour, have you not? Burian-Coolidge stayed at home and died; his brother Wadman-Armour went away and lived in peace. Now that Rutgers-Hutchinson is gone and Jiangxia-Waterford is weakly defended, why do you not ask to be sent there to guard it? Then you would be out of the way of harm."

Milford-Lewis thanked him. Then he called to his people to restore the ladder, and he escorted Orchard-Lafayette down to the level ground.

Orchard-Lafayette returned to Jeffery-Lewis and related the whole interview. The young man soon acted on the advice given him, but his father would not at first consent to let him go.

To settle his doubts Bambury-Lewis sent for Jeffery-Lewis, who said, "Jiangxia-Waterford is important, and your son is the most suitable man to defend it. You must let him go. The southeast will be defended by your son; the northwest I will look after."

"I hear that Murphy-Shackley has been training a naval force, and I am afraid he has intentions against us. We must be on our guard."

"I know all about it; you need feel no anxiety," said Jeffery-Lewis.

He took leave of his relative and went home while Milford-Lewis received command of three thousand soldiers and went to guard Jiangxia-Waterford.

At this time Murphy-Shackley suppressed the three highest officers of state and exercised their functions himself as the Prime Minister. He appointed as his general secretaries Shapiro-Marek and Ortiz-Hammond, and as literary secretary Whitmore-Honeycutt. Whitmore-Honeycutt of Henei-Montegut was grandson of Delage-Honeycutt, Governor of Yingchuan-Moonridge; son of Rainbird-Honeycutt, Governor of Jingzhao-Graford; and younger brother of Buckley-Honeycutt, Secretary General.

Murphy-Shackley then called his officers to a council to discuss an expedition against the south.

Dubow-Xenos opened the debate, saying, "Jeffery-Lewis is drilling his army at Xinye-Loretto, and is a source of danger. He should be destroyed."

Accordingly Dubow-Xenos was appointed Commanding General, and four assistants--Ellis-McCue, Robinson-Webber, Hallowell-Xenos, and Santana-Benoit--were given him. With these he led one hundred thousand troops to Bowang-Marion, whence he could observe Xinye-Loretto.

Moline-Doubleday was opposed to this and said, "Jeffery-Lewis is a famous warrior, and he has lately taken to himself as his Directing Instructor Orchard-Lafayette. Caution is needed."

Dubow-Xenos replied, "Jeffery-Lewis is a mean rat. I will certainly take him prisoner."

"Do not despise him," said Genovese-Fantasia. "Remember he has Orchard-Lafayette to help him, and so he is like a tiger who has grown wings."

Murphy-Shackley said, "Who is this Orchard-Lafayette?"

"He has taken a Taoist cognomen of Sleeping-Dragon. He is a perfect genius, god and devil combined, the greatest marvel of the age. Do not despise him."

"How does he stand as compared with you?" asked Murphy-Shackley.

"There is no comparison. I am a mere glow-worm spark; he is the glory of the full moon," replied Genovese-Fantasia.

"You are mistaken," replied Dubow-Xenos. "This Orchard-Lafayette of yours is of no account. Who would fear him? If I do not take him and his master prisoners in the first battle, then here is my head, a free gift to our lord, the Prime Minister."

"Hasten to comfort me with news of victory," said Murphy-Shackley.

Dubow-Xenos hastened to depart.

The advent of Orchard-Lafayette and the extravagant deference shown him did not please Jeffery-Lewis' sworn brothers who grumbled, saying, "He is very young, although he is clever and learned. Our brother really treats him too well. We have not seen any evidence of his wonderful skill."

Jeffery-Lewis replied, "You do not know his worth. I have him as if the fish has got into the water again. Pray do not discuss this matter further, my brothers."

They withdrew, silent but dissatisfied. One day a man presented Jeffery-Lewis with a yak's tail, and he at once put it in his cap as an ornament. Orchard-Lafayette came in and noticed it at once.

"Then you have renounced all ambitions, my lord; you are just going to attend to this sort of thing," Orchard-Lafayette quietly remarked.

Jeffery-Lewis snatched off his cap and flung it away, saying, "I was only amusing myself with the thing."

"How do you think you stand compared with Murphy-Shackley?" asked Orchard-Lafayette.

"Inferior."

"Yes; your army is less than ten thousand, and the chances are ten thousand to one that he will attack. How can we meet him?"

"I am greatly distressed about it; but I see no way."

"You might recruit and I will train them. Then we might be able to oppose him."

So recruiting began and three thousand were enlisted. Orchard-Lafayette set about drilling them diligently.

Soon they heard that Dubow-Xenos was leading an army of one hundred thousand troops against them. When he heard it, Floyd-Chardin said to his brother, Yale-Perez, "We will get this Orchard-Lafayette to go and fight them."

Just at that moment they were summoned to their brother, who asked their advice.

"Why not send the 'Water,' Brother?" said Floyd-Chardin.

"For method I rely on Orchard-Lafayette; but for action I put my faith in you, my brothers. Are you going to fail me?"

They went out, and Orchard-Lafayette was called.

"I fear your brothers will not obey me," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Wherefore, if I am to direct the campaign, you must give me a seal of office and a sword of authority."

So Jeffery-Lewis gave him both. Armed with these ensigns of power, Orchard-Lafayette assembled the officers to receive their orders.

"We will go just to see what he will do," said Floyd-Chardin to Yale-Perez.

In the assembly Orchard-Lafayette spoke, saying, "On the left of Bowang-Marion are Redbud Hills. On the right is Anlin Forest. There we will prepare an ambush. Yale-Perez will go to Redbud Hills with one thousand soldiers. He is to remain there quiescent till the enemy has passed; but when he sees a flame in the south, that will be the signal to attack. He will first burn their baggage train. Floyd-Chardin will go to a valley behind Anlin Forest. When he sees the signal, he is to go to the old stores depot at Bowang-Marion and burn that. Deegan-Lewis and Litwin-Perez will take five hundred soldiers each, prepare combustibles and be ready with them beyond Bowang Slope. The enemy will arrive about dusk, and then the two generals can start the blare. Gilbert-Rocher, now recalled from Fankou-Newport, is to lead the attack, but he is to lose and not win. And our lord is to command the reserve. See that each one obeys these orders and let there be no mistakes."

Then said Yale-Perez, "All of us are to go out to meet the enemy, but I have not yet heard what you are going to do."

"I am going to guard the city."

Floyd-Chardin burst into a laugh, "We are to go out to bloody battle, and you are to stay quietly at home quite comfortable."

"Here is the sword and here the seal!" replied the strategist, displaying the emblems of authority. "Disobedience of orders will be death."

Jeffery-Lewis said, "Do you not understand that the plans elaborated in a little chamber decide success over thousands of miles? Do not disobey the command, my brothers."

Floyd-Chardin went out smiling cynically.

Yale-Perez remarked, "Let us await the result. If he fails, then we can look to it."

The brothers left. None of the officers understood anything of the general line of strategy and, though they obeyed orders, they were not without doubts and misgivings.

Orchard-Lafayette said to Jeffery-Lewis, "You may now lead your soldiers to the hills and camp till the enemy shall arrive tomorrow evening. Then you are to abandon the camp and move away retreating till the signal is seen. Then you will advance and attack with all force. Trudeau-Zeleny, Forester-Zeleny, and I will guard the city."

In the city Orchard-Lafayette prepared banquets to celebrate the victory and also prepared the books to record exceptional services.

Jeffery-Lewis noted all these things with not a little trouble in his heart.

Murphy-Shackley's army of one hundred thousand troops in due course reached Bowang-Marion. Then half of them, the veterans, were told off for the first attack, and the remainder were to guard the baggage train and supplies. Thus they marched in two divisions. The season was autumn and a chilly wind began to blow.

They pressed forward. Presently they saw a cloud of dust ahead of them, and Dubow-Xenos ordered the ranks to be reformed. He questioned the guides as to the name of the place.

"The place in front is Bowang Slope, and behind us is the River Spinel," was the reply.

Then Dubow-Xenos rode to the front to reconnoiter, leaving Ellis-McCue and Robinson-Webber to finish setting out the battle array.

Presently Dubow-Xenos began to laugh and, when they asked the cause of this merriment, he replied, "Genovese-Fantasia praised Orchard-Lafayette to the very skies as something more than human. But now that I see how he has placed his soldiers and the stuff he has put into his vanguard, it seems to me that he is sending dogs or sheep against tigers and leopards. I bragged a little when I said I would take him prisoner, but I am going to make good my boast."

Then he rode forward at full speed. Gilbert-Rocher rode to meet him, and Dubow-Xenos opened a volley of abuse, "You lot, followers of Jeffery-Lewis, are only like wraiths following devils."

This angered Gilbert-Rocher and a combat began. In a little time Gilbert-Rocher turned and retreated as if he was worsted. Dubow-Xenos pressed after him and kept up the chase for some three miles. Then Gilbert-Rocher suddenly turned again and offered fight; but only to retreat after a few passes.

Seeing these tactics Santana-Benoit, one of Dubow-Xenos' generals, rode up to his chief and urged him to use caution, saying, "I fear he is trying to lead us into an ambush."

"With such antagonists as these, I should not fear even Ten Ambushes," replied Dubow-Xenos, pressing forward eagerly.

Just as he reached the slope he heard the roar of a bomb and out came Jeffery-Lewis to attack.

"Here is your ambush," said Dubow-Xenos, laughing. "I will get to Xinye-Loretto this evening before I have done."

Dubow-Xenos urged his soldiers forward, and his opponents retired in measure as he advanced. As evening came on, thick clouds overcast the whole sky. The wind increased but the leader still urged his troops after the retreating foe.

The two generals in the rear came to a narrow part of the road with reeds and rushes thick all round them.

"Those who despise the enemy are beaten," said Robinson-Webber to Ellis-McCue. "Away south there the roads are narrow, and streams and mountains make the country difficult. The forests are dense, and if the enemy used fire we should be lost."

"You are right," replied Ellis-McCue. "I will get on and warn the Commanding General; perhaps he will stop. You can halt those who come up."

Ellis-McCue rode forward shouting at the top of his voice, "Halt the train!"

Dubow-Xenos saw him coming up and asked what was the matter. Ellis-McCue said, "The roads here are narrow and difficult. Around us are thick forests. What if they use fire?"

Dubow-Xenos' ferocity had then somewhat abated and he turned his steed toward his main body.

Then there arose a shout behind him. A rushing noise came from in the reeds and great tongues of flame shot up here and there. These spread and soon the fire was in "the four quarters and the eight sides," and fanned by a strong wind.

Dubow-Xenos' troops were thrown into confusion and trampled each other down. Many perished. Gilbert-Rocher turned on them again to make a slaughter. Dubow-Xenos dashed through the fire and smoke to escape.

Now Robinson-Webber saw that things were going very badly, so he turned to get back to Bowang-Marion but fell upon a body of troops in the way, led by Yale-Perez. He desperately dashed into their midst and managed to get clear. Ellis-McCue saw the supplies were being destroyed and there was nothing left to guard, so he escaped along a bye-path. Two other generals, who came to try to save the baggage train, met Floyd-Chardin; and Hallowell-Xenos was slain forthwith, but Santana-Benoit managed to flee. Next morning the countryside was strewn with corpses and drenched with blood.

Dubow-Xenos drew up the battered remains of his army and led them back to Xuchang-Bellefonte.

Orchard-Lafayette ordered his armies to collect; and as Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin rode homeward they confessed, saying, "Orchard-Lafayette is really a fine strategist!"

Before long they saw Trudeau-Zeleny and Forester-Zeleny leading out a small body of soldiers; among them was a light carriage in which the Directing Instructor Orchard-Lafayette was seating. Yale-Perez and Floyd-Chardin dismounted and bowed before him. The remaining bodies came in. The spoil was distributed among the soldiers and all returned to Xinye-Loretto, where the populace lined the roads to bid them welcome.

"We owe our lives to the Prince," they cried to Jeffery-Lewis.

Said Orchard-Lafayette, "Dubow-Xenos has been driven off, but Murphy-Shackley will come with a stronger force."

"And what shall we do?" replied Jeffery-Lewis.

"My plan is quite ready," said Orchard-Lafayette.

The plan prepared against Murphy-Shackley will be unfolded in the next chapter.