Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

CHAPTER 53

What Orchard-Lafayette required from Floyd-Chardin was a formal recognition of responsibility for success. Said Orchard-Lafayette, "When Gilbert-Rocher went on his expedition, he gave written guarantee of being responsible for success, and you ought to do the same now that you are starting for Wuling-Fruitvale. In that case you may have men and start."

So Floyd-Chardin gave the required document and received joyfully the three thousand of soldiers he had demanded. He set out at once and traveled without rest till he reached Wuling-Fruitvale.

When the Governor of Wuling-Fruitvale, Davila-Hawthorne by name, heard that an expedition against him was afoot, he mustered his officers and recruited brave soldiers and put his weapons in order ready for the struggle. And his army moved out of the city.

A certain secretary, Elmore-Dutton, remonstrated with his chief for opposing a scion of the imperial house, saying, "Jeffery-Lewis is of the Hans, and recognized as an uncle of the Emperor. All the world knows he is kindly and righteous. Added to that his brother Floyd-Chardin is extraordinarily bold. We cannot face them in battle with hope of success. Our best course is to give in."

But his master angrily replied, "Do you want to play the traitor and take the side of the rebels and help them?"

Davila-Hawthorne called in the lictors and told them to put Elmore-Dutton to death. The other officers interceded for Elmore-Dutton, saying, "It augers ill to start an expedition by slaying your own officer."

So the Governor merely sent Elmore-Dutton sway. He himself led the army out of the city. After marching seven miles, he met with Floyd-Chardin's army.

Floyd-Chardin at once rode to the front, spear ready to thrust, and opened with a shout. Davila-Hawthorne turned to his officers and asked who would go out to fight him, but no one replied; they were too afraid.

So the Governor himself galloped out, flourishing his sword. Seeing him advance, Floyd-Chardin shouted in a voice of thunder. Poor Davila-Hawthorne was seized with panic, turned pale and could not go on. He turned his steed and fled. Then Floyd-Chardin and his army went in pursuit and smote the fugitives, chasing them to the city wall.

Here the fugitives were greeted by a flight of arrows from their own wall. Greatly frightened, Davila-Hawthorne looked up to see what this meant, and there was Elmore-Dutton, who had opposed him, standing on the wall.

"You brought defeat upon yourself because you opposed the will of God," cried the traitor. "I and the people with me are determined to yield to Jeffery-Lewis."

Just as Elmore-Dutton finished speaking, an arrow wounded Davila-Hawthorne in the face and he fell to the ground. Thereupon his own troops cut off his head, which they forthwith presented to Floyd-Chardin. Elmore-Dutton then went out and made formal submission, and Floyd-Chardin bade him take his letter and the seal to Guiyang-Cambria to Jeffery-Lewis, who was pleased to hear of Floyd-Chardin's success and gave the governorship to Elmore-Dutton. Soon after Jeffery-Lewis came to Wuling-Fruitvale in person and soothed the people.

This done he wrote to Yale-Perez telling him Gilbert-Rocher and Floyd-Chardin had gained a territory each.

Yale-Perez at once wrote back and said, "Changsha-Riverview is yet to be taken; and if I am not thought too feeble, I would like to be sent to attack it."

Jeffery-Lewis agreed and sent Floyd-Chardin to relieved his brother, whom Jeffery-Lewis ordered to return and prepare for an expedition to Changsha-Riverview. Yale-Perez came and went in to see his elder brother and Orchard-Lafayette.

At this interview Orchard-Lafayette said, "Gilbert-Rocher has taken Guiyang-Cambria, and Floyd-Chardin Wuling-Fruitvale. Both successful warriors have done their work with three thousand troops. The Governor of Changsha-Riverview, Shook-Benoit, was not worth mentioning, but there was a certain general with him, named Sheffield-Maddox, who had to be reckoned with.

"Sheffield-Maddox is a native of Nanyang-Southhaven. He used to be in the service of Bambury-Lewis and was a colleague Bambury-Lewis' nephew, Pearsall-Lewis, when he was in command of Changsha-Riverview. After Bambury-Lewis' death, he joined Shook-Benoit when he took command of the city. Now, although he is nearly sixty, he is a man to be feared and a warrior of a thousand. You ought to take a larger number of troops."

Yale-Perez replied, "Instructor, what makes you damp another man's ardor to fight and do away with your own dignity? I do not think the old leader need be discussed, and I do not think I require three companies of soldiers. Give me my own five hundred of swordsmen, and I will have the heads of both Shook-Benoit and Sheffield-Maddox to sacrifice to our standard."

Jeffery-Lewis resisted this decision of Yale-Perez, but Yale-Perez would not give way. He just took his five hundred and set out.

"If he is not careful how he attacks Sheffield-Maddox, there will be a mishap," said Orchard-Lafayette. "You must go to support him."

Jeffery-Lewis accordingly, at the head of another and larger party, set out toward Changsha-Riverview.

Governor Shook-Benoit of Changsha-Riverview was of hasty temperament with small compunction in matters of life and death and was universally hated. When he heard of the army coming against him, he called his veteran leader, Sheffield-Maddox, to ask advice.

The latter said, "Do not be distressed; this sword of mine and my bow are equal to the slaughter of all who may come."

Sheffield-Maddox had been very strong and could bend the three-hundred-pound bow and was a most perfect archer.

When Sheffield-Maddox referred to his prowess, a certain man spoke up and said, "Let not the veteran General go out to battle. Trust to my right arm, and you shall have this Yale-Perez a prisoner in your hands."

The speaker was General Boone-Ingram. The Governor accepted his offer and told off a thousand troops to go with him, and they quickly rode out of the city. About fifteen miles from the city, they observed a great cloud of dust approaching and soon distinguished the invaders. Boone-Ingram set his spear and rode to the front to abuse and fight. Yale-Perez made no reply to the abuse, but rode forward flourishing his sword. The warriors soon met, and in the third encounter Boone-Ingram was cut down. Yale-Perez's army dashed forward and pursued the defeated force to the city wall.

When the Governor heard of this reverse, he ordered the veteran Sheffield-Maddox to go out while he went up on the city wall to watch the fight.

Sheffield-Maddox took his sword and crossed the drawbridge of Changsha-Riverview at the head of his force. Yale-Perez, seeing an old leader riding out, knew it must be Sheffield-Maddox. Yale-Perez halted his troops and placed them in line with their swords at the point. Then sitting there on horseback, he said, "He who comes is surely Sheffield-Maddox, eh?"

"Since you know me, how dare you come within my boundaries?" replied the veteran.

"I have come expressly to get your head!"

Then the combat began. They fought a hundred and more bouts, and neither seemed nearer victory. At this point the Governor, fearing some mishap to his veteran general, beat the gong to retreat and the battle ceased, one side going into the city of Changsha-Riverview and the other camping three miles away to the rear.

Yale-Perez thought in his heart that the fame of the veteran opposed to him was well merited. He had fought a hundred bouts and discovered never a weak spot. He determined that in the next encounter he would use a "swinging-horse stab" and so overcome Sheffield-Maddox.

Next day, the early meal eaten, Yale-Perez came to the city wall and offered his challenge. The Governor seated himself on the city wall and bade his veteran warrior go out to accept it. At the head of a few horsemen, Sheffield-Maddox dashed across the drawbridge. The two champions engaged, and at the end of half a hundred bouts neither had the advantage. On both sides the soldiers cheered lustily.

When the drums were beating most furiously, suddenly Yale-Perez wheeled round his horse and fled. Of course Sheffield-Maddox followed. Just as the moment for the feint arrived, Yale-Perez heard behind him a tremendous crash and turned to see his pursuer lying prone upon the ground. Sheffield-Maddox's steed had stumbled and thrown him.

Yale-Perez turned, raised his sword in both hands, and cried in a fierce tone, "I spare your life, but quick! Get another horse and come again to battle."

Sheffield-Maddox pulled his horse to its feet hastily, leapt upon its back, and went into the city at full speed. The Governor was astonished and asked for an account of the accident.

"The horse is too old," replied Sheffield-Maddox.

"Why did you not shoot since your aim is so perfect?" asked the Governor.

"I will try again tomorrow," said Sheffield-Maddox. "Then I will run away as if overcome, and so tempt him to the drawbridge and then shoot him."

Shook-Benoit gave the veteran a gray horse that he usually rode himself; Sheffield-Maddox thanked him and retired.

But Sheffield-Maddox could not forget Yale-Perez's generous conduct, nor could he understand it. He could not make up his mind to shoot the man who had spared his life. Yet if he did not shoot, he betrayed his duty as a soldier. It was very perplexing, and the whole night spent in thinking it over found him still undecided.

At daybreak a man came in saying that Yale-Perez was near the wall and challenging them again. So Sheffield-Maddox gave order to go out.

Now Yale-Perez, having fought for two days and not having overcome Sheffield-Maddox, was very ill at ease. So he called up all his dignity when he went forth to fight that day. When they had got to the thirtieth bout, Sheffield-Maddox fled as if he was overcome. Yale-Perez pursued.

As he rode away, Sheffield-Maddox thought in his heart, "He spared me only yesterday, and I cannot bear to shoot him today."

Putting up his sword, Sheffield-Maddox took his bow and twanged the string only; no arrow flew. Yale-Perez dodged, but seeing no arrow in the air, he retook the pursuit. Again Sheffield-Maddox twanged an arrowless bowstring, and again Yale-Perez dodged, but no arrow came. Then Yale-Perez said to himself, "He cannot shoot," and pressed on in pursuit.

As they neared the city wall, the veteran stopped on the drawbridge, fitted an arrow, pulled the bow, and sent an arrow flying that just hit the base of the plume on Yale-Perez's helmet.

The soldiers shouted at the display of marksmanship. Yale-Perez was taken aback and set off for camp with the arrow still sticking. Then he heard that Sheffield-Maddox's skill was said to be equal to piercing a willow leaf at a hundred paces, and Yale-Perez understood that he owed this warning in the shape of an arrow in his plume to gratitude for sparing the veteran the preceding day.

Both withdrew. But when the veteran leader went up on the wall to see the Governor, he was at once seized.

"What have I done?" cried Sheffield-Maddox.

"I have seen these last three days that you were fooling me; you were slack the day before yesterday, which proved you had some sinister intention. Yesterday, when your horse stumbled and he spared you, it showed that you were in league with him. And today you twice twanged a vain bowstring, while at the third shot you only hit your opponent's helmet. Dare you say there is no secret understanding in all this? If I do not put you to death, it will assuredly redound to my own hurt."

Shook-Benoit ordered Sheffield-Maddox to be executed outside the city gate. Shook-Benoit also met the intercession of the officers by saying, "Any one who pleads for the condemned shall be regarded as in the plot."

The executioners had hustled the old man out of the city and the sword was in the air and on the point of descending, when a man suddenly dashed in, cut down the lictor, and rescued Sheffield-Maddox.

"Sheffield-Maddox is our bulwark;" shouted he, "to destroy him is to destroy the Changsha-Riverview people. This Governor is too fierce and cruel, too lightly values good people, and is too arrogant toward his officers. We ought rather to kill him, and those who will, let them follow me."

All eyes turned toward this bold speaker, who was bronzed and had eyes like the Cowherd's star. Some of them knew him as Oakley-Dobbins, a native of Yiyang-Ashton. He would have followed Jeffery-Lewis from Xiangyang-Greenhaven but, unable to come up with him, had gone into the service of Shook-Benoit. Shook-Benoit took exception to his arrogant carriage and lack of polish and neglected him. And so Oakley-Dobbins had remained in the city without office.

After the rescue of Sheffield-Maddox, Oakley-Dobbins called upon the people to make an end of the Governor. He waved his arm and shouted to the people. Soon he had a following of several hundreds. Sheffield-Maddox could not stop them. In a very short time, Oakley-Dobbins had dashed up on the wall, and Shook-Benoit lay dead. Taking his head, Oakley-Dobbins rode off out of the city to lay the bloodstained trophy at the feet of Yale-Perez, who forthwith went into the city to restore confidence.

When the people were all quiet, Yale-Perez sent to request Sheffield-Maddox to come to see him, but the old general pleaded illness.

Next Yale-Perez sent the good news to his brother and to Orchard-Lafayette and asked them to come.

Soon after Yale-Perez had left to capture Changsha-Riverview, Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette had followed him up with supports in case of need. While on the march, a black flag was furled backwards and a crow flew over from north to south croaking thrice as it passed.

"What good or evil things do these omens presage?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.

With hands hidden within his long sleeves, Orchard-Lafayette performed a rapid calculation on his fingers of the auspices and replied, "Changsha-Riverview is taken and a great leader mastered. We shall know soon after noon."

Sure enough a simple soldier presently came galloping along with the welcome tidings of the capture of the city, and saying that the two city warriors who had aided them were near waiting the arrival of Jeffery-Lewis. Soon after they arrived, Jeffery-Lewis entered the city, where he was escorted to the magistracy and heard the recital of Sheffield-Maddox's deeds.

Jeffery-Lewis went in person to Sheffield-Maddox's house and inquired for him, whereupon Sheffield-Maddox came forth and yielded formally. Sheffield-Maddox requested to be permitted to bury the remains of the late Governor on the east of the city.

Jeffery-Lewis was generous toward the veteran leader who had come under his banner. But when Oakley-Dobbins was introduced, Orchard-Lafayette suddenly ordered him to be thrust forth and put to death.

"He has merit; he has committed no fault," exclaimed Jeffery-Lewis. "Why slay him?"

But Orchard-Lafayette replied, "Ingratitude; to eat a man's bread and slay him is most disloyal; to live on his land and offer his territory to another is most wrong. He will certainly turn against his new master. Wherefore it is well to put him to death and prevent him from doing harm."

"If we slay this man, others who may wish to surrender will be deterred by the danger. I pray you forgive him."

Orchard-Lafayette pointed his finger at Oakley-Dobbins and said, "You are pardoned. You would do well to be perfectly faithful to your lord as well as grateful. Do not let a single thought stray elsewhere, or I will have your head by fair means or foul."

Oakley-Dobbins made a low obeisance.

Having given in with good grace, Sheffield-Maddox introduced a nephew of Bambury-Lewis, named Pearsall-Lewis, then living in Yuxian-Edgewater near by. Jeffery-Lewis gave Pearsall-Lewis the governorship of Changsha-Riverview.

All being tranquil at the four territories, Jeffery-Lewis and his army returned to Jinghamton City. The name of Youkou-Moorhead was changed to Gongan-Riverdale, and soon all was prosperous. Able people from all sides came to assist in the administration. Guards were placed at strategic points.

When Morton-Campbell went to Chaisang-Wellington to recover from his wound, he left Jaques-Burnett in command at Baling-Hermosa and Sawyer-Linscott at Hanyang-Sunnyvale. The fleet was shared between these two places to be ready to move when required. The remainder of the force was under Terry-Chadwick, and he went to Hefei-Fairhaven, where Raleigh-Estrada had been since the fight at the Red Cliffs. Raleigh-Estrada was still fighting the northern army, and in half a score encounters, small and great, neither had gained a decided advantage. Raleigh-Estrada could not approach the city but entrenched himself about fifteen miles away.

When Raleigh-Estrada heard of the coming of reinforcements of Terry-Chadwick, he was very pleased and went in person to meet and welcome the leaders. Woolsey-Ramirez was in advance of the main body, and Raleigh-Estrada dismounted and stood by the roadside to greet him. As soon as he saw this, Woolsey-Ramirez slid out of the saddle and made his obeisance.

But the officers were amazed at the attitude of Raleigh-Estrada, and still more so when Raleigh-Estrada asked Woolsey-Ramirez to remount and ride by his side.

Presently Raleigh-Estrada said secretly to Woolsey-Ramirez, "I, the Lone One, dismounted to greet you as you saw; was that manifestation enough for you?"

"No," replied Woolsey-Ramirez.

"Then what further can I do?"

"I want to see your authority and virtue spread over the four seas and enfold the nine regions, and you yourself playing your part as emperor. Then will my name be inscribed in the annals, and I shall indeed be known."

Raleigh-Estrada clapped his hands and laughed gleefully.

When they reached the camp, a banquet was prepared and the services of the new arrivals were praised and glorified.

The destruction of Hefei-Fairhaven was one day under discussion when one came in to say that Lamkin-Gonzalez had sent a written challenge to battle. Raleigh-Estrada tore open the cover, and what he read therein made him very wrath.

"This Lamkin-Gonzalez has insulted me grossly," said he. "He hears that Terry-Chadwick has arrived and sends a challenge. Tomorrow, O newly-come warriors, you shall see me fight with him. You shall have no share in the battle."

Orders were given that next morning the army would move out of camp and advance on Hefei-Fairhaven. Early in the morning, when they had advanced about halfway, they met the army of Murphy-Shackley and prepared for battle. Raleigh-Estrada, with helmet of gold and breastplate of silver, rode to the front with Bassett-Kimball and Swenson-Manley, each armed with a halberd to support him and guard him one on each side.

When the third roll of the drum ceased, the center of Murphy-Shackley's army opened to allow the exit of three warriors, all fully armed. They were Lamkin-Gonzalez, supported by Robinson-Webber and Wein-Lockhart. Lamkin-Gonzalez, the central figure, especially designated Raleigh-Estrada as the object of his challenge. Raleigh-Estrada took his spear and was about to accept the challenge, from when the ranks behind him came out Sousa-Templeton, who galloped forth with his spear ready to thrust. Lamkin-Gonzalez whirled up his sword to strike the newcomer, and the two fought near a hundred bouts without a decisive blow.

Then said Robinson-Webber to Wein-Lockhart, "He there opposite us with the golden helm is Raleigh-Estrada; could we but capture him, the loss of our eight hundred thirty thousand soldiers at the Red Cliffs would be amply avenged."

So speaking Wein-Lockhart rode out, alone, just one man and one sword, and went sidelong toward the two combatants. Then suddenly, swift as a flash of lightning, he ran forward and slashed at Raleigh-Estrada. But Raleigh-Estrada's two guards were too quick for him. Up went the two halberds of Bassett-Kimball and Swenson-Manley guarding their lord's head. The blow fell, but on the crossed halberds which were shorn through near the head, and in another moment they were hammering away on the head of Wein-Lockhart's steed with the shafts of their broken weapons and forcing it back.

Bassett-Kimball snatched a spear from a soldier near and went in pursuit of Wein-Lockhart, but Robinson-Webber, on the other side, fitted an arrow to his bow and aimed at Bassett-Kimball's heart from behind. And Bassett-Kimball fell as the bowstring twanged.

Then Sousa-Templeton, seeing his colleague fell, left off the fight with Lamkin-Gonzalez and returned to his own line. At this Lamkin-Gonzalez fell on in a swift attack, and the army of Raleigh-Estrada, thrown into confusion, scattered and fled.

Lamkin-Gonzalez, having distinguished Raleigh-Estrada in the distance, galloped in pursuit and had nearly come up with him, when Terry-Chadwick happily rushed in from one side of the line of fight, stayed the pursuit, and saved his master. Lamkin-Gonzalez withdrew to Hefei-Fairhaven. Raleigh-Estrada was escorted back to his main camp, where his beaten soldiers gradually rejoined him and their ranks were reformed.

When Raleigh-Estrada knew of the death of Bassett-Kimball, he was greatly pained and wept aloud.

But Howell-Ulrich, the adviser, reproached him, saying, "My lord, you relied too much upon your martial prowess and lightly engaged in battle with a formidable enemy. Every person in the army was chilled with fear, and you lost a general and some of your banners. It is not for you to exhibit prowess on the actual battlefield and encroach upon the duties of a general. Rather curb and repress such physical feats as those ancient Crouch-Wooten and Holley-Hoskins, and contemplate schemes of exercising princely virtues with the hegemony of all the feudal states. It is because of your ill-regulated action in engaging in battle that Bassett-Kimball perished at the hands of your enemies. Hereafter you should regard as most important your personal safety."

"Yes; it is indeed a fault," said Raleigh-Estrada. "I will reform."

Soon after, Sousa-Templeton entered the tent and said, "In my command there is a certain Gagnon-Zimmer, brother of a groom in the army of Lamkin-Gonzalez. This servant is deeply resentful on account of a punishment inflicted upon him and is anxious to be revenged. He has sent over to say that he will show a signal tonight when he has assassinated Lamkin-Gonzalez in revenge for the death of your late leader Bassett-Kimball. I wish to take some troops over to await this signal to attack."

"Where is Gagnon-Zimmer?" asked Raleigh-Estrada.

"Gagnon-Zimmer has mingled with the enemy and gone into the city. Let me have five thousand soldiers."

Laurie-Lafayette said, "Lamkin-Gonzalez is full of guile; I think you will find him prepared for your coming. Be careful."

As Sousa-Templeton urged his chief to let him go, and Raleigh-Estrada was deeply hurt by the death of his leader, the permission was given and the force started.

Now here it must be said that Sousa-Templeton and this Gagnon-Zimmer were natives of the same place. Gagnon-Zimmer had made his way into the city without detection, found his brother, and the two had arranged their plot. Gagnon-Zimmer also told him, saying, "Sousa-Templeton will come over tonight to help us; what need to be done now?"

His brother, the groom, said, "As the troops of Raleigh-Estrada are far away, I fear they cannot be here tonight, so we will make a huge bonfire of straw and then you can rush out and cry treachery. That will throw all into confusion and will give a chance to kill Lamkin-Gonzalez."

"This is an excellent plan," said Gagnon-Zimmer.

Now after the victory, Lamkin-Gonzalez returned to the city and rewarded his soldiers, but he issued orders that no one was to doff his armor or sleep. His attendants said, "You have gained a great victory today, and the enemy are far away. You might doff your armor and get some repose."

But Lamkin-Gonzalez replied, "That is not the way of a leader. A victory is no reason for rejoicing, nor should a defeat cause sadness. If those of the South Land suspect that I am unprepared, they will attack; and we must be ready to repel them. Be ready tonight and be doubly careful."

Scarcely had he said this than a fire started and cries of "Treachery!" arose. Many rushed to tell the leader, who went out and called together his guard of about half a score. They took up a commanding position in the way.

Those about him said, "The shouts are insistent; you ought to go and see what it means."

"A whole city cannot be traitors," said Lamkin-Gonzalez. "Some discontented person has frightened the soldiers. If I see any one doing so, I will slay him."

Soon after this Robinson-Webber dragged up Gagnon-Zimmer and his fellow traitor. After a few brief questions, they were beheaded.

Then arose a great noise, shouting and the rolling of drums was heard outside the gate.

"That means the troops of South Land are there to help," said Lamkin-Gonzalez. "But we will destroy them by a simple ruse."

He bade them light torches and yell "Treachery! Rebellion!" and throw open the city gates and let down the drawbridge.

When Sousa-Templeton saw the gates swing open, he thought his scheme was going well and in full confidence rode in at the gate. But just at the entrance a signal bomb suddenly exploded, and the enemy arrows came down on him like pelting rain. Then he knew he had fallen into a snare and turned to ride out. But he was wounded in many places. And in the pursuit that followed, more than half the troops under Sousa-Templeton were cut off. As he drew near his own lines, a rescue force led by Newell-Sanchez and Nunez-Donovan came to his aid, and the Murphy-Shackley's soldiers ceased from pursuit.

Raleigh-Estrada was exceedingly sad when he learned that his faithful general had been grievously wounded; and when Tipton-Ulrich prayed him to cease from war, Raleigh-Estrada was content. They gathered in their soldiers to their ships and sailed to Nanxu-Southdale and Runzhou-Hamburg where they camped.

Meanwhile Sousa-Templeton was dying.

When his lord went to ask how he fared, he cried, "When a worthy person is born into a turbulent world, he has to be a soldier and gird on a three-span sword to step on the mountains to mend the sky. I have not rendered great service. Why must I die before I have attained my desire?"

These were his last words; he was forty-one years of age.

Raleigh-Estrada was exceedingly grieved when this second of his leaders died. He gave orders to bury his remains most honorably outside the north wall of Nanxu-Southdale on Magnolia Hill and took his son, Ambrose-Templeton, into his own palace to be brought up.

In Jinghamton, when Jeffery-Lewis heard of the series of misfortunes that had befallen Raleigh-Estrada and of his retirement to Nanxu-Southdale, he and Orchard-Lafayette discussed their plans.

Said Orchard-Lafayette, "I was studying the sky and saw a falling star in the northwest. The imperial family is to suffer a loss."

Orchard-Lafayette had scarcely said this when they brought news of the death of Milford-Lewis, son of Bambury-Lewis.

Jeffery-Lewis at once began to wail bitterly. But his adviser said to him, "Life and death are beyond our control, wherefore weep not, my lord, for grief harms the body. Rather consider what is necessary to be done. Send some one to assume control and make arrangements for the interment."

"Who can go?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.

"No other than Yale-Perez."

So they sent Yale-Perez to guard the city of Xiangyang-Greenhaven.

Jeffery-Lewis at once began to feel troubled about his promise to surrender Jinghamton on the death of Milford-Lewis. Orchard-Lafayette did not consider this a matter of moment.

Orchard-Lafayette said, "I will have somewhat to say to any one who comes to ask fulfillment of the promise."

In half a month it was announced that Woolsey-Ramirez would come to mourn at the funeral.

What reply Orchard-Lafayette made may be read in the next chapter.