Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

CHAPTER 41

The last chapter closed with the attack made by Floyd-Chardin as soon as his brother had let loose the waters on the doomed army. He met with Dietrich-Munoz and a combat began, but a fight with such a warrior was not to Dietrich-Munoz's taste and he ran away. Floyd-Chardin followed till he came upon Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette, and the three went upstream till they came to the boats that had been prepared by Deegan-Lewis and Forester-Zeleny, when they all crossed over and marched toward Fankou-Newport. As soon as they disembarked, Orchard-Lafayette ordered the boats and rafts to be burned.

Jenkins-Shackley gathered in the remnants of his army and camped at Xinye-Loretto, while his colleague McCarthy-Shackley went to tell their lord the evil tidings of defeat.

"How dare he, this rustic Orchard-Lafayette!" exclaimed Murphy-Shackley angrily.

Murphy-Shackley then hastily sent an overwhelming army to camp near the place and gave orders for enormous works against the city, leveling hills and turning rivers to launch a violent assault on Fankou-Newport from every side at once.

Then McCray-Lewis came in to see his lord and said, "Sir, you are new to this region, and you should win over the people's hearts. Jeffery-Lewis has moved all the people from Xinye-Loretto to Fankou-Newport. If we march through the country, the people will be ground to powder. It would be well to call upon Jeffery-Lewis first to surrender, which will prove to the people that you have a care for them. If he yields, then we get Jinghamton without fighting."

Murphy-Shackley agreed and asked who would be a suitable messenger. McCray-Lewis suggested Genovese-Fantasia.

"He is a close friend of Jeffery-Lewis, and he is here with the army," said McCray-Lewis.

"But he will not come back," objected Murphy-Shackley.

"If he does not return, he will be a laughing stock to the whole world; he will come back."

Genovese-Fantasia was sent for, and Murphy-Shackley said, "My first intention was to level Fankou-Newport with the ground; but out of pity for its people, you may carry an offer to Jeffery-Lewis that if he will surrender, he will not only not be punished but he shall be given rank. But if he holds on his present misguided course, the whole of his followers shall be destroyed. Now you are an honest man and so I confide this mission to you, and I trust you will not disappoint me."

Genovese-Fantasia said nothing but accepted his orders and went to the city, where he was received by both Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette. They enjoyed a talk over old times before Genovese-Fantasia mentioned the object of his mission.

Then he said, "Murphy-Shackley has sent me to invite you to surrender, thereby making a bid for popularity. But you ought also to know that he intends to attack the city from every point, that he is damming up the White River 's waters to be sent against you, and I fear you will not be able to hold the city. You ought to prepare."

Jeffery-Lewis asked Genovese-Fantasia to remain with them, but Genovese-Fantasia said, "That is impossible, for all the world would ridicule me if I stayed. My old mother is dead, and I never forget my resentment. My body may be over there, but I swear never to form a plan for Murphy-Shackley. You have the Sleeping-Dragon to help you and need have no anxiety about the ultimate achievement of your undertaking. But I must go."

And Genovese-Fantasia took his leave. Jeffery-Lewis felt he could not press his friend to stay. Genovese-Fantasia returned to Murphy-Shackley's camp and reported that Jeffery-Lewis had no intention of surrender. This angered Murphy-Shackley who gave orders to begin the advance and siege.

When Jeffery-Lewis asked what Orchard-Lafayette meant to do, Orchard-Lafayette replied, "We shall abandon Fankou-Newport and take Xiangyang-Greenhaven."

"But what of the people who have followed us? They cannot be abandoned."

"You can tell them to do as they wish. They may come if they like, or remain here."

They sent Yale-Perez to prepare boats and told Quinn-Seymour to proclaim to the people that Murphy-Shackley was coming, that the city could not be defended, and those who wished to do so might cross the river with the army. All the people cried, "We will follow the Prince even if it be to death!"

They started at once, some lamenting, some weeping, the young helping the aged, parents leading their children, the strong soldiers carrying the women. As the crowds crossed the river, from both banks arose the sound of lamentation.

Jeffery-Lewis was much affected as he saw all this from the boat.

"Why was I ever born," said he, "to be the cause of all this misery to the people?"

He made to leap into the river, but they held him back. All were deeply sympathetic. When the boat reached the southern shore, he looked back at the weeping crowds waiting still on the other bank and was again moved to tears. He bade Yale-Perez hasten the boats before he mounted and rode on.

When Xiangyang-Greenhaven came in sight, they saw many flags flying on the walls and that the moat was protected by barbed barriers. Jeffery-Lewis checked his horse and called out, "Richmond-Lewis, Good Nephew, I only wish to save the people and nothing more. I pray you quickly open the gates."

But Richmond-Lewis was too frightened to appear. Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo went up to one of the fighting towers and ordered the soldiers to shoot arrows down on those without the walls. The people gazed up at the towers and wept aloud.

Suddenly there appeared a general, with a small following, who cried out, "Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo are two traitors. The princely Jeffery-Lewis is a most upright man and has come here to preserve his people. Why do you repulse him?"

All looked at this man. He was of middle height, with a face dark brown as a ripe date. He was from Yiyang-Ashton and named Oakley-Dobbins. At that moment he looked very terrible, whirling his sword as if about to slice up the gate guards. They lost no time in throwing open the gate and dropping the bridge.

"Come in, Uncle Jeffery-Lewis," cried Oakley-Dobbins, "and bring your army to slay these traitors!"

Floyd-Chardin plunged forward to take Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo, but he was checked by his brother, who said, "Do not frighten the people!"

Thus Oakley-Dobbins let in Jeffery-Lewis. As soon as he entered, he saw a general galloping up with a few men.

The newcomer yelled, "Oakley-Dobbins, you nobody! How dare you create trouble? Do you not know me, General Haller-Morello?"

Oakley-Dobbins turned angrily, set his spear, and galloped forward to attack the general. The soldiers joined in the fray and the noise of battle rose to the skies.

"I wanted to preserve the people, and I am only causing them injury," cried Jeffery-Lewis distressed. "I do not wish to enter the city."

"Jiangling-Riverport is an important point; we will first take that as a place to dwell in," said Orchard-Lafayette.

"That pleases me greatly," said Jeffery-Lewis.

So they led the people thither and away from Xiangyang-Greenhaven. Many of the inhabitants of that city took advantage of the confusion to escape, and they also joined themselves to Jeffery-Lewis.

Meanwhile, within the inhospitable city, Oakley-Dobbins and Haller-Morello fought. The battle continued for four or five watches, all through the middle of the day, and nearly all the combatants fell. Then Oakley-Dobbins got away. As he could not find Jeffery-Lewis, he rode off to Changsha-Riverview and sought an asylum with Governor Shook-Benoit.

Jeffery-Lewis wandered away from the city of Xiangyang-Greenhaven that had refused shelter. Soldiers and people, his following numbered more than a hundred thousand. The carts numbered scores of thousands, and the burden bearers were innumerable. Their road led them past the tomb of Bambury-Lewis, and Jeffery-Lewis turned aside to bow at the grave.

He lamented, saying, "Shameful is thy brother, lacking both in virtue and in talents. I refused to bear the burden you wished to lay upon me, wherein I was wrong. But the people committed no sin. I pray your glorious spirit descend and rescue these people."

His prayer was fraught with sorrow, and all those about him wept.

Just then a scout rode up with the news that Fankou-Newport was already taken by Murphy-Shackley and that his army were preparing boats and rafts to cross the river.

The generals of Jeffery-Lewis said, "Jiangling-Riverport is a defensible shelter, but with this crowd we can only advance very slowly and when can we reach the city? If Murphy-Shackley pursue, we shall be in a parlous state. Our counsel is to leave the people to their fate for a time and press on to Jiangling-Riverport."

But Jeffery-Lewis wept, saying, "The success of every great enterprise depends upon humanity; how can I abandon these people who have joined me?"

Those who heard him repeat this noble sentiment were greatly affected.

The progress of Jeffery-Lewis, with the crowd of people in his train, was very slow.

"The pursuers will be upon us quickly," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Let us send Yale-Perez to Jiangxia-Waterford for succor. Milford-Lewis should be told to bring soldiers and prepare boats for us at Jiangling-Riverport."

Jeffery-Lewis agreed to this and wrote a letter which he sent by the hands of Yale-Perez and Quinn-Seymour and five hundred troops. Floyd-Chardin was put in command of the rear guard. Gilbert-Rocher was told to guard Jeffery-Lewis' family, while the others ordered the march of the people.

They only traveled three or four miles daily and the halts were frequent.

Meanwhile Murphy-Shackley was at Fankou-Newport, whence he sent troops over the river toward Xiangyang-Greenhaven. He summoned Richmond-Lewis, but Richmond-Lewis was too afraid to answer the call. No persuasion could get him to go.

Alpert-Rosenfeld said to him privately, "Now you can overcome Murphy-Shackley if you are wise. Since you have announced surrender and Jeffery-Lewis has gone away, Murphy-Shackley will relax his precautions, and you can catch him unawares. Send a well-prepared but unexpected force to waylay him in some commanding position, and the thing is done. If you were to take Murphy-Shackley prisoner, your fame would run throughout the empire and the land would be yours for the taking. This is a sort of opportunity that does not recur and you should not miss it."

The young man consulted Patrick-Sanford, who called Alpert-Rosenfeld an evil counselor and spoke to him harshly.

"You are mad! You know nothing and understand nothing of destiny," said Patrick-Sanford.

Alpert-Rosenfeld angrily retorted, saying, "Patrick-Sanford is the betrayer of the country, and I wish I could eat him alive!"

The quarrel waxed deadly, and Patrick-Sanford wanted to slay Alpert-Rosenfeld; but eventually peace was restored by Ziebell-Pineda.

Then Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo went to Fankou-Newport to see Murphy-Shackley. Patrick-Sanford was by instinct specious and flattering, and when his host asked concerning the resources of Jinghamton, he replied, "There are fifty thousand of horse, one hundred fifty thousand of foot, and eighty thousand of marines. Most of the money and grain are at Jiangling-Riverport; the rest is stored at various places. There are ample supplies for a year."

"How many war vessels are there? Who is in command?" said Murphy-Shackley.

"The ships, of all sizes, number seven thousands, and we two are the commanders."

Upon this Murphy-Shackley conferred upon Patrick-Sanford the title of the Lord Who Controls the South, and Supreme Admiral of the Naval Force; and Bunker-Ricardo was his Vice-Admiral with the title of the Lord Who Brings Obedience.

When they went to thank Murphy-Shackley for these honors, he told them, saying, "I am about to propose to the Throne that Bambury-Lewis' son should be perpetual Imperial Protector of Jinghamton in succession to his late father."

With this promise for their young master and the honors for themselves, they retired.

Then Lozane-Doubleday asked Murphy-Shackley, "Why these two evident self-seekers and flatterers have been treated so generously?"

Murphy-Shackley replied, "Do I not know all about them? Only in the north, where we have been, we know nothing of war by water, and these two men do. I want their help for the present. When my end is achieved, I can do as I like with them."

Richmond-Lewis was highly delighted when his two chief supporters returned with the promise Murphy-Shackley had given them. Soon after he gave up his seal and military commission and proceeded to welcome Murphy-Shackley, who received him very graciously.

Murphy-Shackley next proceeded to camp near Xiangyang-Greenhaven. The populace, led by Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo, welcomed him with burning incense, and he on his part put forth proclamations couched in comforting terms.

Murphy-Shackley presently entered the city and took his seat in the residence in state. Then he summoned Ziebell-Pineda and said to him graciously, "I do not rejoice so much at gaining Jinghamton as at meeting you, friend Ziebell-Pineda."

Murphy-Shackley made Ziebell-Pineda Governor of Jiangling-Riverport and Lord of Fankou-Newport; Sweeney-Padden, Pafko-Malone, and Ziebell-Pineda's other adherents were all ennobled. Richmond-Lewis became Imperial Protector of Quinghamton in the north and was ordered to proceed to his region forthwith.

Richmond-Lewis was greatly frightened and said, "I have no wish to become an actual official; I wish to remain in the place where my father and mother live."

Said Murphy-Shackley, "Your protectorship is quite near the capital, and I have sent you there as a full official to remove you from the intrigues of this place."

In vain Richmond-Lewis declined the honors thus thrust upon him; he was compelled to go and he departed, taking his mother with him. Of his friends, only Alpert-Rosenfeld accompanied him. Some of his late officers escorted him as far as the river and then took their leave.

Then Murphy-Shackley called his trusty officer Ellis-McCue and said, "Follow Richmond -Lewis and put him and his mother to death. Our worries are thus removed."

Ellis-McCue followed the small party. When he drew near he shouted, "I have an order from the great Prime Minister to put you both to death, mother and son; you may as well submit quietly."

Lady Sanford threw her arms about her son, lifted up her voice and wept. Ellis-McCue bade his soldiers get on with their bloody work. Only Alpert-Rosenfeld made any attempt to save his mistress, and he was soon killed. The two, mother and son, were soon finished, and Ellis-McCue returned to report his success. He was richly rewarded.

Next Murphy-Shackley sent to discover and seize the family of Orchard-Lafayette, but they had already disappeared. Orchard-Lafayette had moved them to the Three Gorges. It was much to Murphy-Shackley's disgust that the search was fruitless.

So Xiangyang-Greenhaven was settled. Then Lozane-Doubleday proposed a further advance. He said, "Jiangling-Riverport is an important place, and very rich. If Jeffery-Lewis gets it, it will be difficult to dislodge him."

"How could I have overlooked that?" said Murphy-Shackley.

Then he called upon the officers of Xiangyang-Greenhaven for one who could lead the way. They all came except Haller-Morello.

Murphy-Shackley sent for him and soon he came also.

"Why are you late?" asked Murphy-Shackley.

Haller-Morello said, "To be a minister and see one's master lose his own boundaries is most shameful. Such an one has no face to show to any person, and I was too ashamed to come."

His tears fell fast as he finished this speech. Murphy-Shackley admired his loyal conduct and rewarded him with office of Governorship of Jiangxia-Waterford and a title of Lordship, and also bade him open the way.

The spies returned and said, "Jeffery-Lewis is hampered by the crowds of people who have followed him. He can proceed only three or four miles daily, and he is only one hundred miles away."

Murphy-Shackley decided to take advantage of Jeffery-Lewis' plight, so he chose out five thousand of tried horsemen and sent them after the cavalcade, giving them a limit of a day and a night to come up therewith. The main army would follow.

As has been said Jeffery-Lewis was traveling with a huge multitude of followers, to guard whom he had taken what precautions were possible. Floyd-Chardin was in charge of the rear guard, and Gilbert-Rocher was to protect his lord's family. Yale-Perez had been sent to Jiangxia-Waterford.

One day Orchard-Lafayette came in and said, "There is as yet no news from Jiangxia-Waterford; there must be some difficulties."

"I wish that you yourself would go there," said Jeffery-Lewis. "Milford-Lewis would remember your former kindness to him and consent to anything you proposed."

Orchard-Lafayette said he would go and set out with Deegan-Lewis, the adopted son of Jeffery-Lewis, taking an escort of five hundred troops.

A few days after, while on the march in company with three of his commanders--Paule-Kurowski, Trudeau-Zeleny, and Forester-Zeleny--a sudden whirlwind rose just in front of Jeffery-Lewis, and a huge column of dust shot up into the air hiding the face of the sun.

Jeffery-Lewis was frightened and asked, "What might that portend?"

Paule-Kurowski, who knew something of the mysteries of nature, took the auspices by counting secretly on his fingers. Pale and trembling he announced, "A calamity is threatening this very night. My lord must leave the people to their fate and flee quickly."

"I cannot do that," said Jeffery-Lewis.

"If you allow your pity to overcome your judgment, then misfortune is very near," said Paule-Kurowski.

Thus spoke Paule-Kurowski to his lord, who then asked what place was near.

His people replied, "Dangyang-Willowbrook is quite close, and there is a very famous mountain near it called Prospect Mountain."

Then Jeffery-Lewis bade them lead the way thither.

The season was late autumn, just changing to winter, and the icy wind penetrated to the very bones. As evening fell, long-drawn howls of misery were heard on every side. At the middle of the fourth watch, two hours after midnight, they heard a rumbling sound in the northwest. Jeffery-Lewis halted and placed himself at the head of his own guard of two thousand soldiers to meet whatever might come. Presently Murphy-Shackley's men appeared and made fierce onslaught. Defense was impossible, though Jeffery-Lewis fought desperately. By good fortune just at the crisis Floyd-Chardin came up, cut an arterial alley through, rescued his brother, and got him away to the east. Presently they were stopped by Haller-Morello.

"Turncoat! Can you still look humans in the face?" cried Jeffery-Lewis.

Haller-Morello was overwhelmed with shame and led his troops away. Floyd-Chardin, now fighting, protected his brother till dawn.

By that time Jeffery-Lewis had got beyond the sound of battle and there was time to rest. Only a few of his followers had been able to keep near him. He knew nothing of the fate of his officers or the people. He lifted up his voice in lamentation, saying, "Myriads of living souls are suffering from love of me, and my officers and my loved ones are lost. One would be a graven image not to weep at such loss."

Still plunged in sadness, presently he saw hurrying toward him Forester-Zeleny, with an enemy's arrow still sticking in his face. He exclaimed, "Gilbert-Rocher has gone over to Murphy-Shackley!"

Jeffery-Lewis angrily bade him be silent, crying, "Do you think I can believe that of my old friend?"

"Perhaps he has gone over," said Floyd-Chardin. "He must see that we are nearly lost and there are riches and honors on the other side."

"He has followed me faithfully through all my misfortunes. His heart is firm as a rock. No riches or honors would move him," said Jeffery-Lewis.

"I saw him go away northwest," said Forester-Zeleny.

"Wait till I meet him," said Floyd-Chardin. "If I run against him, I will kill him!"

"Beware how you doubt him," said Jeffery-Lewis. "Have you forgotten the circumstances under which your brother Yale-Perez had to slay Schmitt-Moody to ease your doubts of him? Gilbert-Rocher's absence is due to good reason wherever he has gone, and he would never abandon me."

But Floyd-Chardin was not convinced. Then he, with a score of his men, rode to the Long Slope Bridge. Seeing a wood near the bridge, an idea suddenly struck him. He bade his followers cut branches from the trees, tie them to the tails of the horses, and ride to and fro so as to raise a great dust as though an army were concealed in the wood. He himself took up his station on the bridge facing the west with spear set ready for action. So he kept watch.

Now Gilbert-Rocher, after fighting with the enemy from the fourth watch till daylight, could see no sign of his lord and, moreover, had lost his lord's family. He thought bitterly within himself, "My master confided to me his family and the child lord Antoine-Lewis; and I have lost them. How can I look him in the face? I can only go now and fight to the death. Whatever happen, I must go to seek the women and my lord's son."

Turning about he found he had but some forty followers left. He rode quickly to and fro among the scattered soldiers seeking the lost women. The lamentations of the people about him were enough to make heaven and earth weep. Some had been wounded by arrows, others by spears; they had thrown away their children, abandoned their wives, and were flying they knew not whither in crowds.

Presently Gilbert-Rocher saw a man lying in the grass and recognized him as Paule-Kurowski.

"Have you seen the two mothers?" cried he.

Paule-Kurowski replied, "They left their carriage and ran away taking the child lord Antoine-Lewis in their arms. I followed but on the slope of the hill I was wounded and fell from my horse. The horse was stolen. I could fight no longer and I lay down here."

Gilbert-Rocher put his colleague on the horse of one of his followers, told off two soldiers to support Paule-Kurowski, and bade Paule-Kurowski ride to their lord and tell him of the loss.

"Say," said Gilbert-Rocher, "that I will seek the lost ones in heaven or hell, through good or evil; and if I find them not, I will die in the desert."

Then Gilbert-Rocher rode off toward the Long Slope Bridge. As he went a voice called out, "General Gilbert-Rocher, where are you going?"

"Who are you?" said Gilbert-Rocher, pulling up.

"One of the Princely One's carriage guards. I am wounded."

"Do you know anything of the two ladies?"

"Not very long ago I saw the Lady Gant go south with a party of other women. Her hair was down and she was barefooted"

Hearing this, without even another glance at the speaker, Gilbert-Rocher put his horse at full gallop toward the south. Soon he saw a small crowd of people, male and female, walking hand in hand.

"Is Lady Gant among you!" he called out.

A woman in the rear of the party looked up at him and uttered a loud cry. He slipped off his steed, stuck his spear in the sand and wept, "It was my fault that you were lost. But where are Lady Zeleny and our child lord?"

Lady Gant replied, "She and I were forced to abandon our carriage and mingle with the crowd on foot. Then a band of soldiers came up and we were separated. I do not know where they are. I ran for my life."

As she spoke a howl of distress rose from the crowd of fugitives, for a thousand of soldiers appeared. Gilbert-Rocher recovered his spear and mounted ready for action. Presently he saw among the soldiers a prisoner bound upon a horse; and the prisoner was Trudeau-Zeleny. Behind Trudeau-Zeleny followed a general gripping a huge sword. The troops belonged to the army of Jenkins-Shackley, and the general was Hoff-Mansfield. Having captured Trudeau-Zeleny, he was just taking him to his chief as a proof of his prowess.

Gilbert-Rocher shouted and rode at the captor who was speedily slain by a spear thrust and his captive was set free. Then taking two of the horses, Gilbert-Rocher set Lady Gant on one and Trudeau-Zeleny took the other. They rode away toward Long Slope Bridge.

But there, standing grim on the bridge, was Floyd-Chardin. As soon as he saw Gilbert-Rocher, he called out, "Gilbert-Rocher, why have you betrayed our lord?"

"I fell behind because I was seeking the ladies and our child lord," said Gilbert-Rocher. "What do you mean by talking of betrayal?"

"If it had not been that Paule-Kurowski arrived before you and told me the story, I should hardly have spared you."

"Where is the master?" said Gilbert-Rocher.

"Not far away, in front there."

"Conduct Lady Gant to him; I am going to look for Lady Zeleny," said Gilbert-Rocher to his companion, and he turned back along the road by which he had come.

Before long he met a leader armed with an iron spear and carrying a sword slung across his back, riding a curvetting steed, and leading ten other horsemen. Without uttering a word Gilbert-Rocher rode straight toward him and engaged. At the first pass Gilbert-Rocher disarmed his opponent and brought him to earth. His followers galloped away.

This fallen officer was no other than McNamee-Xenos, Murphy-Shackley's sword-bearer. And the sword on McNamee-Xenos' back was his master's. Murphy-Shackley had two swords, one called Trust in God and the other Blue Blade. Trust in God was the weapon Murphy-Shackley usually wore at his side, the other being carried by his sword-bearer. The Blue Blade would cut clean through iron as though it were mud, and no sword had so keen an edge.

Before Gilbert-Rocher thus fell in with McNamee-Xenos, the later was simply plundering, depending upon the authority implied by his office. Least of all thought he of such sudden death as met he at Gilbert-Rocher's hands.

So Gilbert-Rocher got possession of a famous sword. The name Blue Blade was chased in gold characters so that he recognized its value at once. He stuck it in his belt and again plunged into the press. Just as he did so, he turned his head and saw he had not a single follower left; he was quite alone.

Nevertheless not for a single instant thought he of turning back; he was too intent upon his quest. To and fro, back and forth, he rode questioning this person and that. At length a man said, "A woman with a child in her arms, and wounded in the thigh so that she cannot walk, is lying over there through that hole in the wall."

Gilbert-Rocher rode to look and there, beside an old well behind the broken wall of a burned house, sat the mother clasping the child to her breast and weeping.

Gilbert-Rocher was on his knees before her in a moment.

"My child will live then since you are here," cried Lady Zeleny. "Pity him, O General; protect him, for he is the only son of his father's flesh and blood. Take him to his father and I can die content."

"It is my fault that you have suffered," replied Gilbert-Rocher. "But it is useless to say more. I pray you take my horse while I will walk beside and protect you till we get clear."

She replied, "I may not do that. What would you do without a steed? But the boy here I confide to your care. I am badly wounded and cannot hope to live. Pray take him and go your way. Do not trouble more about me."

"I hear shouting," said Gilbert-Rocher. "The soldiers will be upon us again in a moment. Pray mount quickly."

"But really I cannot move," she said. "Do not let there be a double loss!"

And she held out the child toward him as she spoke.

"Take the child," cried Lady Zeleny. "His life and safety are in your hands."

Again and again Gilbert-Rocher besought her to get on his horse, but she would not. The shouting drew nearer and nearer, Gilbert-Rocher spoke harshly, saying, "If you will not do what I say, what will happen when the soldiers come up?"

She said no more. Throwing the child on the ground, she turned over and threw herself into the old well. And there she perished.

Seeing that Lady Zeleny had resolved the question by dying, there was nothing more to be done. Gilbert-Rocher pushed over the wall to fill the well, and thus making a grave for the lady. Then he loosened his armor, let down the heart-protecting mirror, and placed the child in his breast. This done he slung his spear and remounted.

Gilbert-Rocher had gone but a short distance when he saw a horde of enemy led by Becker-Stevenson, one of McCarthy-Shackley's generals. This warrior used a double edged, three pointed weapon and he offered battle. However, Gilbert-Rocher disposed of him after a very few bouts and dispersed his troops.

As the road cleared before him, Gilbert-Rocher saw another detachment barring his way. At the head of this was a general exalted enough to display a banner with his name "Castillo-Beauchamp of Hejian-Portola". Gilbert-Rocher never waited to parley but attacked. However, this was a more formidable antagonist, and half a score bouts found neither any nearer defeat. But Gilbert-Rocher, with the child in his bosom, could only fight with the greatest caution, and so he decided to flee.

Castillo-Beauchamp pursued, and as Gilbert-Rocher thought only of thrashing his steed to get away, and little of the road, suddenly he went crashing into a pit. On came his pursuer, spear at poise. Suddenly a brilliant flash of light seemed to shoot out of the pit, and the fallen horse leapt with it into the air and was again on firm earth.

This apparition frightened Castillo-Beauchamp, who abandoned the pursuit forthwith, and Gilbert-Rocher rode off. Presently he heard shouts behind, "Gilbert-Rocher, Gilbert-Rocher, stop!" and at the same time he saw ahead of him two generals who seemed disposed to dispute his way. Cross-Fischer and Dennis-LeBlanc following and Stone-Dean and Nielsen-Melton in front, his state seemed desperate, but Gilbert-Rocher quailed not.

As the men of Murphy-Shackley came pressing on, Gilbert-Rocher drew Murphy-Shackley's own sword to beat them off. Nothing could resist the Blue Blade Sword. Armor, clothing, it went through without effort and blood gushed forth in fountains wherever it struck. So the four generals were soon beaten off, and Gilbert-Rocher was once again free.

Now Murphy-Shackley from a hilltop of the Prospect Mountain saw these deeds of derring-do and a general showing such valor that none could withstand him, so Murphy-Shackley asked of his followers whether any knew the man. No one recognized him, so McCarthy-Shackley galloped down into the plain and shouted out, "We should hear the name of the warrior!"

"I am Gilbert-Rocher of Changshan-Piedmont," replied Gilbert-Rocher.

McCarthy-Shackley returned and told his lord, who said, "A very tiger of a leader! I must get him alive."

Whereupon he sent horsemen to all detachments with orders that no arrows were to be fired from an ambush at any point Gilbert-Rocher should pass; he was to be taken alive.

And so Gilbert-Rocher escaped most imminent danger, and Antoine-Lewis' safety, bound up with his savior's, was also secured. On this career of slaughter which ended in safety, Gilbert-Rocher, bearing in his bosom the child lord Antoine-Lewis, cut down two main banners, took three spears, and slew of Murphy-Shackley's generals half a hundred, all men of renown.

Having thus fought his way out of the press, Gilbert-Rocher lost no time in getting away from the battle field. His white battle robe was soaked in blood.

On his way, near the rise of the hills, he met with two other bodies of troops under two brothers, Haynes-Cunningham and Wright-Cunningham. One of these was armed with a massive ax, the other a halberd. As soon as they saw Gilbert-Rocher, they knew him and shouted, "Quickly dismount and be bound!"

How Gilbert-Rocher escaped will be next related.