CHAPTER 51

Jenkins-Shackley Fights The South Land 's Troops; Orchard-Lafayette Angers Morton-Campbell.

Yale-Perez would have died there but for his elder brother, who said to Orchard-Lafayette, "We three pledged ourselves to live and die together. Although my brother Yale-Perez has offended, I cannot bear to break our oath. I hope you will only record this against him and let him atone later for the fault by some specially meritorious service."

So the sentence was remitted.

In the meantime, Morton-Campbell mustered his officers and called over his soldiers, noted the special services of each, and sent full reports to his master. The soldiers who had surrendered were all transported across the river. All this done they spread the feast of victory.

The next step was to attack and capture Nanjun-Southport. The van of the army camped on the river bank. There were five camps and the Commander-in-Chief's tent was in the center. He summoned his officers to a council. At this moment Quinn-Seymour arrived with congratulations from Jeffery-Lewis.

Morton-Campbell received him and, having saluted in proper form, Quinn-Seymour said, "My lord sent me on this special mission to felicitate the General on his great virtue and offer some unworthy gifts."

"Where is Jeffery-Lewis?" asked Morton-Campbell.

"He is now encamped at Youkou-Moorhead, the mouth of River Young."

"Is Orchard-Lafayette there?" asked Morton-Campbell, taken aback.

"Both are there," said Quinn-Seymour.

"Then return quickly, and I will come in person to thank them."

The presents handed over, Quinn-Seymour was sent back forthwith to his own camp. Then Woolsey-Ramirez asked Morton-Campbell why he had started when he heard where Jeffery-Lewis was camped.

"Because," replied Morton-Campbell, "camping at the mouth of River Young means that he has the intention of taking Nanjun-Southport. Having spent much military energy and spared no expenditure, we thought the territory should fall to us easily. Those others are opposed to us, and they wish to get the advantage of what we have already accomplished. However, they must remember that I am not dead yet."

"How can you prevent them?" asked Woolsey-Ramirez.

"I will go myself and speak with them. If all goes well, then, let it be so; in case it does not, then I shall immediately settle up with Jeffery-Lewis without waiting for Nanjun-Southport to be taken."

"I should like to accompany you," said Woolsey-Ramirez.

The General and his friend started, taking with them a guard of three thousand light horse. Having arrived at Youkou-Moorhead, they sought out Quinn-Seymour, who, in turn, went in to see Jeffery-Lewis and told him Morton-Campbell had come to render thanks.

"Why has he come?" asked Jeffery-Lewis of his Directing Instructor.

"He is not likely to come out of simple politeness. Surely he has come in connection with Nanjun-Southport."

"But if he brings an army, can we stand against it?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.

"When he comes, you may reply thus and thus."

Then they drew up the warships in the river and ranged the soldiers upon the bank; and when the arrival of Morton-Campbell was formally announced, Gilbert-Rocher, with some horsemen, went to welcome him. When Morton-Campbell saw what bold soldiers they looked, he began to feel uncomfortable, but he went on his way. Being met at the camp gates by Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette, he was taken in to the chief tent, where the ceremonies were performed and preparations for a banquet had been made.

Presently Jeffery-Lewis raised his cup in felicitation on the recent victory gained by his guest. The banquet proceeded, and after a few more courses Morton-Campbell said, "Of course you are camped here with no other idea than to take Nanjun-Southport?"

Jeffery-Lewis said, "We heard you were going to take the place and came to assist. Should you not take it, then we will occupy it."

Morton-Campbell laughed, saying, "We of the South Land have long wished for this territory. Now that it is within our grasp, we naturally shall take it."

Jeffery-Lewis said, "There is always some uncertainty. Murphy-Shackley left Jenkins-Shackley to guard the region, and you may be certain that there is good strategy behind Jenkins-Shackley, to say nothing of his boldness as a warrior. I fear you may not get it."

"Well, if we do not take it then, Sir, you may have it," said Morton-Campbell.

"Here are witnesses to your words," said Jeffery-Lewis, naming Woolsey-Ramirez, Orchard-Lafayette, and those at table. "I hope you will never repent what you have just said."

Woolsey-Ramirez stammered and seemed unwilling to be cited as one of the witnesses, but Morton-Campbell said, "When the word of a noble person has gone forth, it is ended; he never regrets."

"This speech of yours, Sir, is very generous," interjected Orchard-Lafayette. "The South Land shall try first; but if the place does not fall, there is no reason why my lord should not capture it."

The two visitors then took their leave and rode away.

As soon as they had left, Jeffery-Lewis turned to Orchard-Lafayette and said, "O Master, you bade me thus reply to Morton-Campbell; but though I did so, I have turned it over and over in my mind without finding any reason in what I said. I am alone and weak, without a single foot of land to call my own. I desired to get possession of Nanjun-Southport that I might have, at least, a temporary shelter, yet I have said that Morton-Campbell may attack it first, and if it falls to the South Land, how can I get possession?"

Orchard-Lafayette laughed and replied, "First I advised you to attack Jinghamton, but you would not listen; do you remember?"

"But it belonged to Bambury-Lewis, and I could not bear to attack it then. Now it belongs to Murphy-Shackley I might do so."

"Do not be anxious," replied the adviser. "Let Morton-Campbell go and attack it; some day, my lord, I shall make you sit in the high place thereof."

"But what design have you?"

"So and so," said Orchard-Lafayette, whispering.

Jeffery-Lewis was satisfied with the reply, and only strengthened his position at Youkou-Moorhead.

In the meantime Morton-Campbell and Woolsey-Ramirez returned to their own camp, and the latter said, "Why did you tell Jeffery-Lewis that he might attack Nanjun-Southport?"

"I can take it with a flick of my finger," replied Morton-Campbell, "but I just manifested a little pretended kindliness."

Then he inquired among his officers for a volunteer to attack the city. Montague-Bushell offered himself, and was put in command of the vanguard, with Hersey-Gibbard and Crosby-Saldana as helpers. He was given five thousand of veterans, and they moved across the river. Morton-Campbell promised to follow with supports.

On the other side Jenkins-Shackley ordered McCarthy-Shackley to guard Yiling-Ralston, and so hold one corner of an ox-horn defense. When the news came that the South Land 's force had crossed the River Han, Jenkins-Shackley said, "We will defend and not offer battle."

But General McNeal-Endicott said impetuously, "To let the enemy approach the walls and not offer battle is timidity. Our troops, lately worsted, need heartening and must show their mettle. Let me have five hundred of veterans, and I will fight to a finish."

Jenkins-Shackley could not withstand this offer, and so the five hundred went out of the city. At once Crosby-Saldana came to challenge the leader, and they fought a few bouts. Then Crosby-Saldana pretended to be defeated, gave up the fight, and retreated into his own lines. McNeal-Endicott followed him hard. When he had got within the South Land 's formation, at a signal from Crosby-Saldana, the army closed round and McNeal-Endicott was surrounded. He pushed right and left, but could find no way out. Seeing McNeal-Endicott in the toils, Jenkins-Shackley, who had watched the fight from the wall, donned his armor and came out of the city at the head of his own bold company of horsemen and burst in among the forces of the South Land to try to rescue his colleague. Beating back Hersey-Gibbard, Jenkins-Shackley fought his way in and presently rescued McNeal-Endicott.

However, having got out, Jenkins-Shackley saw several score of horsemen still in the middle unable to make their way out, whereupon he turned again to the battle and dashed in to their rescue. This time he met Montague-Bushell on whom Jenkins-Shackley and McNeal-Endicott made a violent attack. Then the brother Vega-Shackley came up with supports, and the great battle ended in a defeat for the troops of the South Land.

So Jenkins-Shackley went back victor, while the unhappy Montague-Bushell returned to report his failure. Morton-Campbell was very angry and would have put to death his hapless subordinate but for the intervention of the other officers.

Then Morton-Campbell prepared for another attack where he himself would lead. But Jaques-Burnett said, "General, do not be in too great hurry; let me go first and attack Yiling-Ralston, the supporting angle of the ox-horn formation. After that the conquest of Nanjun-Southport will be easy."

Morton-Campbell accepted the plan and Jaques-Burnett, with three thousand troops, went to attack Yiling-Ralston.

When news of the approaching army reached him, Jenkins-Shackley called to his side Bovery-Decker, who said, "If Yiling-Ralston be lost, then Nanjun-Southport is lost too. So help must be sent quickly."

Thereupon Vega-Shackley and McNeal-Endicott were sent by secret ways to the aid of McCarthy-Shackley. Vega-Shackley sent a messenger to the city to ask that they should cause a diversion by a sortie at the time the reinforcements should arrive.

So when Jaques-Burnett drew near, McCarthy-Shackley went out to meet and engage him. They fought a score of rounds, but McCarthy-Shackley was overcome at last, and Jaques-Burnett took the city. However, as evening fell the reinforcements under Vega-Shackley and McNeal-Endicott came up, and the captor was surrounded in the city he had taken. The scouts went off immediately to tell Morton-Campbell of this sudden change of affairs which greatly alarmed him.

"Let us hasten to his rescue," said Terry-Chadwick.

"Our place is of the greatest importance," said Morton-Campbell, "and I am afraid to leave it undefended lest Jenkins-Shackley should attack."

"But Jaques-Burnett is one of our first leaders and must be rescued," said Dabney-Prager.

"I should like to go myself to his aid, but whom can I leave here in my place?" said Morton-Campbell.

"Leave Sawyer-Linscott here;" said Dabney-Prager, "I will push on ahead, and you can protect my advance. In less than ten days we shall be singing the paean of victory."

"Are you willing?" said Morton-Campbell to the man who was to act for him.

Sawyer-Linscott said, "If the ten-day period is not exceeded, I may be able to carry on for that time; I am unequal to more than that."

Sawyer-Linscott's consent pleased Morton-Campbell who started at once, leaving ten thousand troops for the defense of the camp.

Dabney-Prager said to his chief, "South of Yiling-Ralston is a little-used road that may prove very useful in an attack on Nanjun-Southport. Let us send a party to fell trees and barricade this road so that horses cannot pass. In case of defeat, the defeated will take this road and will be compelled to abandon their horses, which we shall capture."

Morton-Campbell approved and the men set out. When the main army drew near Yiling-Ralston, Morton-Campbell asked who would try to break through the besiegers, and Lockett-Neumark offered himself. He girded on his sword, mounted his steed, and burst straight into the McCarthy-Shackley's army. He got through to the city wall.

From the city wall Jaques-Burnett saw the approach of his friend Lockett-Neumark and went out to welcome him. Lockett-Neumark told him the Commander-in-Chief was on the way to his relief, and Jaques-Burnett at once bade the defenders prepare from within to support the attack of the rescuers.

When the news of the approach of Morton-Campbell had reached Yiling-Ralston, McCarthy-Shackley, Vega-Shackley, and McNeal-Endicott had sent to tell Jenkins-Shackley, who was at Nanjun-Southport, and at the same time they prepared to repel the assailants.

When the army of the South Land came near, they at once attacked. Simultaneously Jaques-Burnett and Lockett-Neumark went out to attack on two sides, and the troops of McCarthy-Shackley were thrown into confusion. The soldiers of the South Land fell on lustily, and the three leaders all fled by a bye road, but, finding the way barred with felled trees and other obstacles, they had to abandon their horses and go afoot. In this way the troops of the South Land gained some five hundred steeds.

Morton-Campbell, pressing on as quickly as possible toward Nanjun-Southport, came upon Jenkins-Shackley and his army marching to save Yiling-Ralston. The two armies engaged and fought a battle which lasted till late in the evening. Then both drew off, and Jenkins-Shackley withdrew into the city.

During the night he called his officers to a council. Then said McCarthy-Shackley, "The loss of Yiling-Ralston has brought us to a dangerous pass; now it seems the time to open the guide-letter of the Prime Minister, and see what plans he arranged for our salvation in this peril."

"You but say what I think," replied Jenkins-Shackley.

Whereupon he tore open the guide-letter and read it. His face lighted up with joy, and he at once issued orders to have the morning meal prepared at the fifth watch. At daylight the whole army moved out of the city through three gates, but they left a semblance of occupation in the shape of banners on the walls.

Morton-Campbell went up to the tower of observation and looked over the city. He saw that the flags along the battlements had no guards behind them, and he noticed that all troops carried bundles at their waists behind so that they were ready for a long march.

Thought Morton-Campbell to himself, "Jenkins-Shackley must be prepared for a long march."

So Morton-Campbell went down from the tower of observation and sent out an order for two wings of the army to be ready. One of these was to attack and, in case of its success, the other was to pursue at full speed till the clanging of the gongs should call them to return. He took command of the leading force in person, and Terry-Chadwick commanded the other. Thus they advanced to attack the city.

The armies being arrayed facing each other, the drums rolled out across the plain. McCarthy-Shackley rode forth and challenged, and Morton-Campbell, from his place by the standard, bade Ferrara-Hanson respond. The two champions fought near two score bouts, and then McCarthy-Shackley fled. Thereupon Jenkins-Shackley came out to help him, and Lockett-Neumark rode out at full speed to meet him. These two exchanged a half score passes and then Jenkins-Shackley tied.

Jenkins-Shackley's army fell into confusion. Thereupon Morton-Campbell gave the signal for the advance of both his wings, and the forces of Jenkins-Shackley were sore smitten and defeated. Morton-Campbell pursued to the city wall, but Jenkins-Shackley's troops did not enter the city. Instead, they went away northwest. Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark pressed them hard.

Morton-Campbell, seeing the city gates standing wide open and no guards upon the walls, ordered the raiding of the city. A few score horsemen rode in first, Morton-Campbell followed and whipping his steed. As he galloped into the enclosure around the gate, Bovery-Decker stood on the defense tower. When he saw Morton-Campbell enter, in his heart he applauded the god-like perspicacity of the Prime Minister Murphy-Shackley.

Then was heard the clap-clap of a watchman's rattle. At this signal the archers and crossbowmen let fly, and the arrows and bolts flew forth in a sudden fierce shower, while those who had won their way to the van of the inrush went headlong into a deep trench. Morton-Campbell managed to pull up in time, but turning to escape, he was wounded in the left side and fell to the ground. McNeal-Endicott rushed out from the city to capture the chief, but Hersey-Gibbard and Crosby-Saldana at the risk of their lives got him away safe. Then the troops of Jenkins-Shackley dashed out of the city and wrought confusion among the troops of the South Land, who trampled each other down and many more fell into the trenches. Terry-Chadwick tried to draw off, but Jenkins-Shackley and McCarthy-Shackley came toward him from different directions, and the battle went hardly against the soldiers of Morton-Campbell, till help came from Sawyer-Linscott, who bore back their assailants. Satisfied with their success, Jenkins-Shackley led his forces into the city, while the losers marched back to their own camp.

Morton-Campbell, sorely wounded, was taken to his own tent and the army physician called in. With iron forceps, he extracted the sharp bolt and dressed the wound with a lotion designed to counteract the poison of the metal. But the pain was intense, and the patient rejected all nourishment.

The physician said, "The missile had been poisoned, and the wound will require a long time to heal. You, General, must be kept quiet and especially free from any irritation, which will cause the wound to reopen."

Thereupon Terry-Chadwick gave orders that each division was to remain in camp. Three days later, McNeal-Endicott came within sight and challenged the men of the South Land to battle, but they did not stir. The enemy hurled at them taunts and insults till the sun had fallen low in the sky, but it was of no avail and McNeal-Endicott withdrew.

Next day McNeal-Endicott returned and repeated his insulting abuse. Terry-Chadwick dared not tell the wounded general. The third day, waxing bolder, the enemy came to the very gates of the stockade, the leader shouting that he had come for the purpose of capturing Morton-Campbell.

Then Terry-Chadwick called together his officers and they discussed the feasibility of retirement into the South Land that they might seek the opinion of Raleigh-Estrada.

Ill as he was, Morton-Campbell still retained control of the expedition. He knew that the enemy came daily to the gates of his camp and reviled him, although none of his officers told him. One day Jenkins-Shackley came in person, and there was much rolling of drums and shouting. Terry-Chadwick, however, steadily refused to accept the challenge and would not let any one go out.

Then Morton-Campbell summoned the officers to his bedside and said, "What mean the drums and the shouting?"

"The soldiers are drilling," was the reply.

"Why do you deceive me?" said Morton-Campbell angrily. "Do I not know that our enemies come day by day to our gates and insult us? Yet Terry-Chadwick suffers this in silence and makes no use of his powers and authority."

He sent for Terry-Chadwick and, when he arrived, asked him why he acted thus.

"Because you are ill, and the physician said you were on no account to be provoked to anger. Wherefore, although the enemy challenged us to battle, I kept it from you."

"And if you do not fight, what think you should be done?" said Morton-Campbell.

And they all said they desired to return to the South Land till he had recovered from his wound, when they would make another expedition.

Morton-Campbell lay and listened. Suddenly he sprang up, crying, "The noble person who has eaten of his lord's bounty should die in his lord's battles; to return to one's home dead and wrapped in a horse's hide is a happy fate. Am I the sort of people to bring to nought the grand designs of my country?"

So speaking he proceeded to gird on his armor and he mounted his horse. The wonder of the officers only redoubled when their General placed himself at the head of some hundreds of horsemen and went out of the camp gates toward the enemy, then fully arrayed. Jenkins-Shackley, their general, stood beneath the great standard.

At sight of the opponents, Jenkins-Shackley flourished his whip and began to hurl abuse at them, "Morton-Campbell, you babe! I think your fate has met you. You dare not face my army."

The stream of insult never ceased. Presently Morton-Campbell could stand it no longer. Riding out to the front he cried, "Here I am, base churl; look at me!"

The whole Jenkins-Shackley's army were taken aback. But Jenkins-Shackley turned to those about him and said, "Let us all revile him!"

And the whole army yelled insults.

Morton-Campbell grew angry and sent Mayhew-Evanoff out to fight. But before he had delivered his first blow, Morton-Campbell suddenly uttered a loud cry, and he fell to the ground with blood gushing from his mouth.

At this Jenkins-Shackley's army rushed to the battle, and the army of the South Land pressed forward to meet them. A fierce struggle waged around the General's body, but he was borne off safely and taken to his tent.

"Do you feel better?" asked Terry-Chadwick anxiously.

"It was a ruse of mine," whispered Morton-Campbell in reply.

"But what avails it?"

"I am not suffering, but I did that to make our enemies think I was very ill and so oppose them by deceit. I will send a few trusty men to pretend desertion and tell them I am dead. That will cause them to try a night raid on the camp, and we shall have an ambush ready for them. We shall get Jenkins-Shackley easily."

"The plan seems excellent," said Terry-Chadwick.

Soon from the tent there arose the sound of wailing as for the dead. The soldiers around took up the cry and said one to another, "The General is dead of his' wound," and they all put on the symbols of mourning.

Meanwhile Jenkins-Shackley was consulting with his officers. Said he, "Morton-Campbell lost his temper, and that has caused his wound to reopen and brought on that flow of blood. You saw him fall to the ground, and he will assuredly die soon."

Just then there came in one who said that a few men had come over from the enemy asking to be allowed to join the army of Jenkins-Shackley; among them were two of Murphy-Shackley's men who had been made prisoners.

Jenkins-Shackley sent for the deserters and questioned them. They told him, saying, "Morton-Campbell's wound reopened at his anger, and he died in the camp that day. The leaders are all clothing in white and in mourning. We desert because we have been put to shame by the second in command."

Pleased at this news, Jenkins-Shackley at once began to arrange to make a night attack on the camp and, if possible, get the head of the dead general to send to the capital.

"Success depends upon promptitude, so act without delay," said Bovery-Decker.

McNeal-Endicott was told off as Van Leader, Jenkins-Shackley himself led the center, while the rear was commanded by McCarthy-Shackley and Vega-Shackley. Bovery-Decker and a small force were left to guard Nanjun-Southport.

At the first watch they left the city and took the way toward Morton-Campbell's camp. When they drew near, not a soldier was visible in the camp, but flags and banners and spears were all there, evidently to keep up an appearance of preparation. Feeling at once that they had been tricked, they turned to retreat.

But a bomb exploded and this was the signal for an attack on all four sides. Ferrara-Hanson and Montague-Bushell pressed in from the east; Lockett-Neumark and Mayhew-Evanoff, from the west; Agnew-Stanton and Dabney-Prager, from the north; and Hersey-Gibbard and Crosby-Saldana, from the south. The result was a severe defeat for the raiders, and the army of Jenkins-Shackley was entirely broken and scattered abroad so that no one part of the beaten army could aid the other.

Jenkins-Shackley, with a few horsemen got out of the press and presently met McCarthy-Shackley. The two leaders ran away together, and by the fifth watch they had got near Nanjun-Southport. Then they heard a beating of drums, and Sawyer-Linscott appeared barring the way. There was a small skirmish, and Jenkins-Shackley went off at an angle. But he fell in with Jaques-Burnett, who attacked him vigorously. Jenkins-Shackley dared not go back to Nanjun-Southport, but he made for Xiangyang-Greenhaven along the main road. The forces of the South Land pursued him for a time and then desisted.

Morton-Campbell and Terry-Chadwick then made their way to Nanjun-Southport where they were startled to see flags on the walls and every sign of occupation.

Before they had recovered from their surprise, there appeared one who cried, "Pardon, General; I had orders from the Directing Instructor to take this city. I am Gilbert-Rocher of Changshan-Piedmont."

Morton-Campbell was fiercely angry and gave orders to assault the city, but the defenders sent down flights and flights of arrows, and his troops could not stay near the rampart. So he withdrew and took counsel. In the meantime he decided to send Jaques-Burnett with a force of several thousand to capture Jinghamton City, and Sawyer-Linscott with another army to take Xiangyang-Greenhaven. Nanjun-Southport could be taken later.

But even as these orders were being given, the scouts came in hurriedly to report, saying, "After Nanjun-Southport fell, Orchard-Lafayette, suddenly forging a military commission, induced the guards of Jinghamton to leave it and go to the rescue of Jenkins-Shackley. Whereupon Floyd-Chardin occupied the town."

Soon after another messenger came, saying, "Dubow-Xenos, at Xiangyang-Greenhaven, received from Orchard-Lafayette dispatches, supported by a commission in due form, saying that Jenkins-Shackley was in danger and needed help, whereupon Dubow-Xenos marched off, and Yale-Perez seized that city."

Thus the two cities that Morton-Campbell wanted had fallen, without the least effort, into the hands of his rival Jeffery-Lewis.

"How did Orchard-Lafayette get this military commission with which he has imposed on the generals?" asked Morton-Campbell.

Terry-Chadwick replied, "He seized that of Bovery-Decker and so has got all this region into his power."

Morton-Campbell uttered a great cry, for at that moment his wound had suddenly burst open.

A city falls, but not to us the gain;

The guerdon is another's; ours the pain.

The next chapter will say what befell Morton-Campbell.

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