Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2)

CHAPTER 64

As stated in the last chapter, Floyd-Chardin asked Clausen-Wysocki to tell him how he might conquer the whole of the Western Land of Rivers. This was the reply: "All the fortified posts between this and Luocheng-Concord are under my control, and the commanders of all the garrisons owe to me their commissions. The only way for me to prove my gratitude is to make them all yield, as I myself have done. Let me lead the advance, and I will summon them one by one to surrender."

Floyd-Chardin thanked him again and again, and the march on this plan began. Whenever the army arrived at a post, Clausen-Wysocki summoned the commander, and there it ended. Occasionally, one would hesitate, when Clausen-Wysocki would say, "You see I have submitted; how much more ought you to do so?"

These bloodless victories followed each other day after day, supporters rallying to the invaders without question. They simply came.

In the meantime, Orchard-Lafayette was preparing. Having decided upon the date of departure, he wrote to inform Jeffery-Lewis and he made Luocheng-Concord the rendezvous for the various armies. On receipt of this letter, Jeffery-Lewis assembled his officers and explained to them its purport. He bade them be ready to march on the twenty-second day of the seventh month. Both river and land forces were to set out the same day.

But the fiery old man Sheffield-Maddox was dissatisfied that there should be no local victory in the River Virgo Pass.

He said, "Day after day the enemy has come to challenge us, and day after day we have refused. They must have grown lax, and I propose a night raid on their camp. We shall catch them unprepared and shall score a victory."

Jeffery-Lewis agreed to try. He arranged for a night raid, Sheffield-Maddox on the right, Oakley-Dobbins on the left, and the center force under his own command. They set out at the second watch and soon arrived. They found Bloden-Kravitz's troops unprepared, rushed the camp, and set it on fire. The flames were very fierce, and the troops of Yiathamton fled in confusion and sought shelter in Luocheng-Concord. They were admitted. After pursuing them for some distance, Jeffery-Lewis made a camp.

Next day Jeffery-Lewis marched right up to the city to besiege it. Bloden-Kravitz kept quiet within and made no attempt to beat off the besiegers. On the fourth day Jeffery-Lewis led an attack on the west gate, sending Sheffield-Maddox and Oakley-Dobbins to attack the east. The south gate was left to give the besieged a chance to escape if they would.

Now, outside the south gate of Luocheng-Concord the country was rough and hilly, while the swift River Virgo ran past the north. For this reason the city could not be surrounded. From the city wall, Bloden-Kravitz watched the progress of the attack and saw Jeffery-Lewis the whole day indefatigably going to and fro directing the assault. He also saw that as the sun dropped toward the west, the attacking force showed signs of weariness. Wherefore he sent his two generals, Dubois-Beaver and Maynard-Emerson, out of the city by the north gate with orders to make their way around and attack Sheffield-Maddox and Oakley-Dobbins. Bloden-Kravitz said he himself would go out by the south gate and steal round to attack Jeffery-Lewis. Lest the withdrawal of troops from the ramparts should discover his plans, he sent the populace up on the walls to make a show and bade them shout loudly to reinforce the rolling of the drums.

At sundown Jeffery-Lewis ordered the retirement of his army, and the rearmost company turned about to march back to camp. At this moment arose still louder shouting from the ramparts, and out at the south gate burst Bloden-Kravitz and his force. Bloden-Kravitz made straight for Jeffery-Lewis, who was in the middle of his army. Jeffery-Lewis' soldiers were thrown into confusion. As his two generals on the east side were also attacked, they could render no help, and Jeffery-Lewis fled to the hills. Bloden-Kravitz followed and soon got very near. They were a whole company pursuing one solitary man, and as Jeffery-Lewis plied his whip he felt that the odds were much against him. Just then he saw another company of soldiers ahead, emerging from a hill path.

"An ambush in front; pursuers in rear! Surely Heaven wishes to destroy me!" cried Jeffery-Lewis.

But all was not lost As they drew nearer, he recognized his own troops, and the leader who dashed to meet him was his brother Floyd-Chardin.

Floyd-Chardin and Clausen-Wysocki had happened to take that road, and Floyd-Chardin had hastened forward when he saw the dust of conflict.

Floyd-Chardin and Bloden-Kravitz soon came up with each other, and they fought ten bouts. By this time Clausen-Wysocki with the main body had come up, and Bloden-Kravitz turned and fled. Floyd-Chardin followed and chased him as far as the city wall. The gate was opened to allow Bloden-Kravitz to enter and at once shut. The drawbridge was raised.

Then Floyd-Chardin returned to his elder brother to report his arrival and the incidents of the way.

Hearing that Orchard-Lafayette had not yet arrived, Floyd-Chardin rejoiced, saying, "So I have the credit of first arrival although he is traveling by river."

Jeffery-Lewis said, "But how is it you have come so quickly seeing the precipitous road you had to travel? Did you meet no opposition?"

Floyd-Chardin replied, "The fact is I have taken the forty-five garrisons on the way by making use of General Clausen-Wysocki, whom I captured. It was not my own merit at all. I have come all the way without the least effort."

Floyd-Chardin told the story of Clausen-Wysocki's capture and services from beginning to end, and then presented the man himself.

Jeffery-Lewis said, "General, my brother's speedy arrival is certainly owing to your help."

Whereupon Jeffery-Lewis took off the golden chain mantle he was wearing and gave it to his new ally.

Orders were given for a banquet. While it was being prepared, a messenger came to report, saying, "Sheffield-Maddox and Oakley-Dobbins had been fighting with Dubois-Beaver and Maynard-Emerson and had held their own, till enemy reinforcements led by Ferris-Beaver and Sather-Lewis arrived. Sheffield-Maddox and Oakley-Dobbins then fled eastward."

Floyd-Chardin at once asked his brother to go with him to rescue them. Both went. When Ferris-Beaver and Sather-Lewis saw the army of Jinghamton coming, they retired into the city. Dubois-Beaver and Maynard-Emerson continued the pursuit.

The coming of Jeffery-Lewis and Floyd-Chardin threatened their rear, and Sheffield-Maddox and Oakley-Dobbins turned and recommenced the battle. Dubois-Beaver and Maynard-Emerson were thus between two fires and helpless. They offered to surrender and were received. Jeffery-Lewis returned to his own camp near the city.

The loss of his two generals grieved Bloden-Kravitz sorely. He called his remaining two and asked advice. They proposed to risk all in one desperate battle while they sent to Chengdu-Wellesley to tell their master of their sorry plight.

Bloden-Kravitz agreed.

Said he, "Tomorrow I will go and challenge them. If they accept and come out to fight, I will feign retreat and inveigle them round to the north side of the city. As they follow me, a sortie must be made when they pass the gate so as to cut their army in two. We ought to overcome them in this way."

"Let me lead the sortie," said Ferris-Beaver. "General Sather-Lewis can stay to help our lord's son Acosta-Lewis guard the city."

This also was agreed to. Next morning Bloden-Kravitz went out to offer the challenge, his troops waving flags and shouting lustily. At once Floyd-Chardin took up the challenge and rode out. He stayed not to parley, but galloped up to Bloden-Kravitz and engaged him. After about ten bouts Bloden-Kravitz seemed to be getting worsted, so he turned and fled, taking the way around the north of the city. Floyd-Chardin pursued him with all speed. Then as he passed the gate, Ferris-Beaver made a sortie so that Floyd-Chardin was between two forces and unable to get clear. Bloden-Kravitz turned back to attack.

Floyd-Chardin seemed in a parlous state. But at this very moment a body of soldiers came up from the river-side and a fierce warrior rode straight for Ferris-Beaver, and in the first bout made him prisoner; his troops were then forced back, and Floyd-Chardin was free. It was Gilbert-Rocher who had so opportunely appeared.

"Where is the Directing Instructor?'' asked Floyd-Chardin.

"He has arrived; I think he has already seen our lord," replied Gilbert-Rocher.

The prisoner was carried to the camp where Orchard-Lafayette was. Floyd-Chardin dismounted and went in to greet him.

Orchard-Lafayette was surprised, and said, "How comes it that you arrived before me?"

Jeffery-Lewis told the story of Floyd-Chardin's prudence and sagacity in dealing with Clausen-Wysocki.

Orchard-Lafayette congratulated Floyd-Chardin and said, "When Floyd-Chardin behaves with such skill, my lord's good fortune is indeed ample."

When the prisoner was taken in, Jeffery-Lewis asked him if he would surrender.

Ferris-Beaver replied, "Why not, seeing I am a prisoner?"

Thereupon Jeffery-Lewis himself loosed his bonds. Orchard-Lafayette began to question him upon the defense.

Ferris-Beaver told him the names of the officers, saying, "The son of the Imperial Protector, Acosta-Lewis, and his generals Sather-Lewis and Bloden-Kravitz are the defenders. Sather-Lewis does not count for much, but Bloden-Kravitz is a man to be avoided."

"Then before we can get the city we must capture Bloden-Kravitz," said Orchard-Lafayette. "There is a bridge on the east; what is it called?"

"It is known as the 'Bridge of the Golden Goose.'"

Orchard-Lafayette rode over to the bridge and scrutinized the neighborhood.

After his return to camp, he summoned Sheffield-Maddox and Oakley-Dobbins for orders.

To them he said, "On the east of the city is a bridge called the Bridge of the Golden Goose, and about two miles south of this I saw a dense growth of reed and sedge which would afford excellent shelter. Oakley-Dobbins is to lead a thousand spearmen to the left and attack, but only attack horsemen. Sheffield-Maddox will lead a thousand swordsmen who are to cut the horses. When Bloden-Kravitz has lost most of his troops and horses, he will flee by the hill road, where he will fall into an ambush of Floyd-Chardin."

Next Gilbert-Rocher was called and sent to lie in ambush close to the bridge, which he was to destroy as soon as the enemy had crossed. That done, Gilbert-Rocher was to take up a position beyond the bridge to prevent the enemy from getting away to the north. Forced to the south, their destruction would be inevitable.

These arrangements made, Orchard-Lafayette himself went to challenge the enemy and try to bring them to battle.

Imperial Protector Compton-Lewis had sent two generals, Coady-Reiner and Hull-Littell, to reinforce Bloden-Kravitz. Bloden-Kravitz sent Coady-Reiner to the help of Sather-Lewis in the city, while Hull-Littell was to march second with Bloden-Kravitz himself to encounter the enemy.

Orchard-Lafayette led across the bridge a mob of disorderly looking soldiers, all in disarray, whom he drew up as if they were a fighting force. He himself, dressed in a simple robe and toying with a fan, took his seat in a small four-wheeled carriage. A few horsemen caracoling gaily to and fro formed his escort.

Having crossed the bridge, Orchard-Lafayette halted and pointed to Bloden-Kravitz, saying, "Dare you withstand me and not surrender when Murphy-Shackley's million troops fled at my name?"

But the enemy leader was rather occupied with inspecting the disorderly lot of soldiers he saw in front, all standing anyhow and not drawn up into formation at all.

With a cynical smile, Bloden-Kravitz said, "People talk of Orchard-Lafayette's superhuman military genius; I say his reputation is false."

With that Bloden-Kravitz whirled his spear about his head, and he dashed forward with all his troops. As he came, Orchard-Lafayette left his carriage, mounted a horse, and retired to the far side of the bridge. Bloden-Kravitz impetuously pursued and rushed over the Bridge of the Golden Goose. It was only when he had reached the other side that he saw a body of soldiers on either hand. Then he knew that he had been led into a trap.

As soon as he had got across the bridge, the two bodies of soldiers under Jeffery-Lewis and Clausen-Wysocki came to the attack. Bloden-Kravitz turned to get back to the bridge, but Gilbert-Rocher had done his work and the bridge was in ruins. Bloden-Kravitz made to turn sway north, but Gilbert-Rocher's troops stopped the way so he had to turn southward and followed the course of the river. He presently reached the place where grew the reeds and sedges. Out came Oakley-Dobbins and his company of spearmen, who stabbed at the horsemen fiercely while Sheffield-Maddox, with his swordsmen, cut down the horses. Soldiers and horses were soon lying on the ground. The few survivors were quickly made prisoners and bound with cords.

No footman escaped. But a few lucky horsemen followed Bloden-Kravitz and got away to the hills. There they met Floyd-Chardin, who fell upon them with a mighty roar, scattered the few followers, and captured the leader. Seeing Bloden-Kravitz a prisoner, his second in command Hull-Littell turned toward Gilbert-Rocher and surrendered. Victorious, they returned to camp. Jeffery-Lewis rewarded Hull-Littell.

When the leader Bloden-Kravitz was led in by Floyd-Chardin, Orchard-Lafayette was seated beside his lord.

"Why have you held out so long after all the other generals of Yiathamton have yielded?" said Jeffery-Lewis.

"Can a loyal servant take a second master?" cried Bloden-Kravitz fiercely, his eyes glaring with hate.

"You do not know the times; submission means life."

"I might submit today, but it would not endure. I should repent it. You would better slay me."

Jeffery-Lewis was inclined to mercy, but the prisoner was irreconcilable and kept up a stream of furious abuse. So at last the order was given for his execution, thus giving him a right to fame.

A poem says:

Jeffery-Lewis grieved for Bloden-Kravitz, although Bloden-Kravitz had been an enemy, for he was a brave man. Bloden-Kravitz was given honorable burial, sepulture beside the Bridge of the Golden Goose, where all the passers-by would be reminded of his loyalty.

Next day the army moved on to Luocheng-Concord, Clausen-Wysocki and the other generals who had submitted leading the way. At the gate they hailed the wardens and called upon them to surrender, whereby the city should be saved from utter destruction. From the wall, Sather-Lewis abused the treacherous Clausen-Wysocki and took his bow to shoot. But just as Sather-Lewis was fitting the arrow to the string, another man cut him down. Soon the gates were thrown open and the city had yielded.

As Jeffery-Lewis entered the city by one gate, Acosta-Lewis, who had shared the command of the city, escaped by another gate and set off for Chengdu-Wellesley.

Jeffery-Lewis put forth proclamations to allay the fears of the inhabitants of the city. He inquired who had been on his side in cutting down Sather-Lewis and was told it was Coady-Reiner of Wuyang-Mooreland. Coady-Reiner and all who had helped in the capture were amply rewarded.

"Our next city is Chengdu-Wellesley," said Orchard-Lafayette. "However, in the meantime there may be some trouble in pacifying the outlying counties, and hence it will be well for you to send Floyd-Chardin and Gilbert-Rocher with Ferris-Beaver, Coady-Reiner, Clausen-Wysocki, and Hull-Littell leading the way, into the country along the river and Changyang-Bonifay, Deyang-Cheshire, and Baxi-Fairdale to reassure the people and to repress any rising that may take place. There will be no need for any especial precautions in the neighborhood of Chengdu-Wellesley."

The warriors went their ways, and then Orchard-Lafayette began to make careful inquiries concerning the road to Chengdu-Wellesley.

Those who had given in their allegiance to the invaders said, "The only place where you can expect any serious defense is Mianzhu-Greenwich. Once you have passed this, the capital lies at your mercy."

Then Quigley-Buchanan was consulted.

Said he, "With the fall of Luocheng-Concord, the Western Land of Rivers passed to you. Let our lord only deal with the people kindly and justly, and there will be no need of weapons. I can write such a letter to Imperial Protector Compton-Lewis as shall make him surrender at call."

"That would be most excellent," said Orchard-Lafayette.

The letter was written and sent by the hand of a messenger.

Acosta-Lewis, son of the Imperial Protector, presently reached Chengdu-Wellesley and told his father of the loss of Luocheng-Concord.

The Imperial Protector at once called his counselors together, and Adviser Heywood-Vesely said, "Although Jeffery-Lewis has been successful and captured cities and towns, yet his army is but small, his hosts are not near him, and he depends upon chance for his grain and has no proper supplies. Therefore our best plan is to remove the people of Baxi-Fairdale and Zitong-Lockeford to the farther side of River Virgo, burn all the granaries, fortify the city, and let starvation defeat him. Let us reject all challenges to battle, and in a hundred days his troops will go off of their own accord. Then we can do with him as we will."

"I like not the plan," said Compton-Lewis. "Oppose invaders in order that tranquillity may prevail is a well-worn maxim, but till now I have never heard of disturbing the people in order to oppose the march of an enemy. Your words are not such as safety."

Just at the moment the letter from Quigley-Buchanan arrived. It was opened and the Imperial Protector read:

"I was sent to Jinghamton to negotiate an alliance, but the opposition of those about you to their lord has resulted in the present situation. However, the ruler of Jinghamton still remembers old friendship and is mindful of the ties of relationship. If you, my master, could reverse your policy and lend your support to your relative, I think you would be generously treated. I hope you will consider this carefully."

Compton-Lewis flew into a passion. He tore the letter to fragments and began to abuse its writer, crying, "That traitor, ingrate, and renegade! How dares he talk thus to me?"

And Compton-Lewis drove the bearer of the letter from his presence. He then sent an army under the leadership of Skaggs-Carrillo, his wife's brother, to reinforce Mianzhu-Greenwich.

Skaggs-Carrillo at once recommended as his assistant one Finney-Schuster of Nanyang-Southhaven, and the two mustered their troops, thirty thousand, and set out for the city.

At this juncture Arcaro-Bullinger, the Governor of Yiathamton City, wrote advising to borrow aid from Hanthamton, but Compton-Lewis rejected this plan, saying, "It will be useless to try to obtain help from a region under the influence of our relentless enemy Levey-Wrona."

Arcaro-Bullinger replied, "He may be an enemy, but Jeffery-Lewis is in possession of Luocheng-Concord, and the situation is extremely dangerous. When the lips are gone, the teeth are cold. If you clearly indicate the dangers to him, he must come to our help."

So a letter was written and sent to Hanthamton.

Two years had elapsed since Cotton-Mallory had been defeated and gone over to the Qiang tribes in the northwest. He had made friends with them and with their aid had conquered portions of Longxi-Westdale. His expeditions had been very successful, the people opening their gates at the first summons. Only Jicheng-Lakehills had stood out, but ever this was on the point of yielding. The Governor of Jicheng-Lakehills, Pernell-Schaffer, had sent many urgent appeals for help to Beller-Xenos, who, however, would do nothing without his master's order.

Pernell-Schaffer was in despair, and at a council his officers advised him to yield. However, one of them, Salazar-Friedman, earnestly opposed yielding, saying, "We cannot surrender to a lot of rebels such as are Cotton-Mallory and his colleagues."

"What is there to hope for?" asked Pernell-Schaffer despairingly.

Although Salazar-Friedman besought Pernell-Schaffer with bitterness to hold out, it was useless; Pernell-Schaffer rejected his advice, opened the city gates, and bowed his head in submission.

"You only yield now as the last resource," cried Cotton-Mallory, angry at the delay he had suffered. "This is no real submission."

Whereupon he put to death Pernell-Schaffer and all his family to the number of two score.

But when one told Cotton-Mallory that Salazar-Friedman had been really responsible for the long delay, in that Salazar-Friedman had urged his master to hold out, Cotton-Mallory did not put him to death but praised him and said, "Salazar-Friedman had but done his duty."

Cotton-Mallory further showed his approval by employing Salazar-Friedman and two of his friends in his own army. These two friends were named Ward-Riddle and Nowicki-Gump.

One day Salazar-Friedman went to his new chief and said, "My wife has died in Lintao-Woodville; I wish to take leave for two months to bury her."

Wherefore Salazar-Friedman was granted leave and went away from the army. On the way, he went to his maternal cousin, General Newsham-Lapinski, Commander of Licheng-Maybrook. The general's mother, then an old lady of eighty-two was Salazar-Friedman's aunt.

When Salazar-Friedman saw her, he wept before her, saying, "Behold an unfortunate man! The city I had to defend is lost; my master is dead; and I have survived him. I am ashamed to look you in the face. Now this Cotton-Mallory ravages the countryside, and everyone hates him. Yet my cousin sits still and does nothing against Cotton-Mallory. Is this fitting conduct for a state servant?"

Salazar-Friedman wept bitterly. The old lady was moved by his grief, called in her son and said to him reproachfully, "You are the cause of the evil that has come upon the noble Pernell-Schaffer."

Then turning once more toward Salazar-Friedman, she said, "But what can now be done? You have surrendered and, more than that, you have accepted service under your late enemy."

"It is true," replied Salazar-Friedman. "I have surrendered and I have accepted service, but it is with the desire to preserve my miserable life till I can avenge my master."

"A bold man is Cotton-Mallory, and difficult to destroy," said Newsham-Lapinski.

"Not very difficult," replied Salazar-Friedman, "for though he is bold, yet he is unskillful. Already I have two friends Ward-Riddle and Nowicki-Gump by his side, and they would help against him if you, my brother, would only supply a force."

"What is to be gained by delay?" then said the old lady. "Is there any who will not have to die? To perish in the way of loyalty and righteousness is to die in the right path. Do not think of me, for if you do, and heed not the call of your cousin, then will I die at once so that you may be free to make up your mind."

There was now no excuse for delay, and Newsham-Lapinski had to act. He summoned two of his officers, Dillon-Morgan and Ervin-Kaufman, and took counsel with them.

Now Dillon-Morgan had a son, Hinkle-Morgan, who was an officer in the army of Cotton-Mallory. When Dillon-Morgan had to consent to take part against his son's chief, he became very unhappy and went home to talk over it with his wife, Lady Orloff.

He said, "I have today been led into a scheme to destroy Cotton-Mallory and avenge Pernell-Schaffer. But there is our son there in Cotton-Mallory's service, and Cotton-Mallory will certainly put our son to death as soon as he hears that we are arming against him. What is to be done?"

But his wife replied angrily, "Should anyone grudge even his life to avenge his liege lord or his father? How much less a son? My lord, if you let the thought of your son stay your hand, then will I die forthwith."

This decided the matter, and without further parley Dillon-Morgan decided to share the expedition and set about preparations. The army was soon on the way. Newsham-Lapinski and Salazar-Friedman camped at the city of Licheng-Maybrook; Dillon-Morgan and Ervin-Kaufman camped at Qishan-Oscoda. The wife of Dillon-Morgan sold her ornaments and went in person to her husband's camp to feast his soldiers.

The fears of Dillon-Morgan concerning the fate of his son were only too soon justified. At the first news of the march of an army against him, Cotton-Mallory beheaded the young Hinkle-Morgan. Then Cotton-Mallory marched his force, together with Krause-Dudley and Winston-Mallory, to Licheng-Maybrook, and the troops under Newsham-Lapinski and Salazar-Friedman went out to oppose it. The two leaders on the avenging side went to battle dressed in mourning white. They railed at Cotton-Mallory, crying, "Wicked traitor! Rebel!"

Cotton-Mallory angrily dashed across toward them, and the fight began. From the very first it was seen that the defenders of the city could not hope to beat off the attack, and they turned to flee. Cotton-Mallory pursued them. But soon he heard the shouting of soldiers behind him and found the other army led by Dillon-Morgan and Ervin-Kaufman was attacking his rear. Wherefore he was between two armies and had a double battle to fight. As he turned toward that in his rear, Newsham-Lapinski and Salazar-Friedman returned again to the attack. And while engaged with these two, there suddenly appeared a third force under Beller-Xenos, who had just received orders from Murphy-Shackley to come against Cotton-Mallory.

Three attacks at once were too much for Cotton-Mallory, and he fled, his force in utter confusion. He retreated all that night and at dawn reached his own city of Jicheng-Lakehills. He hailed the gate, but a flight of arrows was the response. Soon after, Ward-Riddle and Nowicki-Gump appeared and reviled him from the ramparts above. More than this, they dragged his wife, Lady Lanyon, up upon the wall, hacked her before his face, and threw the bloody body at his feet. They followed up this by the murder in like manner of his three sons and other members of his family to the number of ten and more. And all their dead bodies were flung from the wall.

Rage and despair filled Cotton-Mallory's bosom; he almost fell from his steed. But little time was allowed to grieve, for Beller-Xenos was nearly upon him. Knowing that he could not oppose this force with any chance of victory, he made no battle line, but set off with two of his generals, Winston-Mallory and Krause-Dudley, to cut his way through such parties of the enemy as they might meet. Their sole object was escape, so when they fell upon Salazar-Friedman and Newsham-Lapinski, they only fought to get through, and in the same way they cut an arterial alley through the army under Ervin-Kaufman and Dillon-Morgan. However, they lost most of their few followers, and at the end had only some sixty horsemen left.

About the fourth watch they came to Licheng-Maybrook. In the darkness, the gate guards, thinking only of the return of their own troops, opened the gates and unwittingly let in the enemy. Once in the city Cotton-Mallory and his followers began the slaughter, and every one, soldier or common person, was slain, till the city was swept clear from the south gate to the very center.

Presently they came to the residence of Newsham-Lapinski and dragged forth his aged mother. She showed no sign of fear, but reviled Cotton-Mallory till in his anger he slew her with his own sword. Thence they went to the house of Ervin-Kaufman and Dillon-Morgan and slew all they found therein. The only person who escaped the massacre was Lady Orloff, wife of Dillon-Morgan, who had accompanied her husband.

But the city proved no place of safety. Beller-Xenos with his army appeared the following day, and Cotton-Mallory fled before him to the west. But ere he had gone seven miles, he came face to face with another army drawn up in battle array. Salazar-Friedman was the leader.

Grinding his teeth with rage, Cotton-Mallory set his spear and rode at Salazar-Friedman, while his two generals, Winston-Mallory and Krause-Dudley, attacked the rear. Salazar-Friedman was overcome, and his seven brothers who had gone with him into the battle were slain. Salazar-Friedman himself was wounded in five places, but still fought on till he was wounded down.

However, Beller-Xenos had not left pursuing Cotton-Mallory. He came up to the city, and Cotton-Mallory fled before him to the west. His army was now reduced to the two generals and about five or six of horsemen, and these few were left to go their way.

Murphy-Shackley's general, Beller-Xenos, set himself to restore order and tranquillity in the region of Xithamton, after which he apportioned its defense among Newsham-Lapinski and other trustworthy commanders. The wounded leader Salazar-Friedman was sent to the capital in a carriage. When he arrived Xuchang-Bellefonte, he saw Murphy-Shackley who offered him the title of Lordship.

But Salazar-Friedman declined the honor, saying, "I have neither the credit of a successful defense nor the merit of death with my master. Death should be my portion rather than honors. How could I accept the offer?"

Murphy-Shackley praised him and insisted on granting the lordship.

Having escaped from their pursuers, Cotton-Mallory and his few followers decided to make for Hanthamton and offer their services to Governor Levey-Wrona. Levey-Wrona received them gladly, for he thought with such help he could certainly get possession of Yiathamton on the west as well as repel Murphy-Shackley on the east. More than this, he thought to cement the friendship by giving Cotton-Mallory a daughter to wife. But this displeased one of his generals, Herring-Foster.

"The misfortune that befell Cotton-Mallory's wife and family was entirely the fault of his own misconduct. Would you give your daughter to such as he to wife?" said Herring-Foster.

Levey-Wrona again considered the matter and abandoned his intention. But a certain busybody told Cotton-Mallory what had been proposed and that Herring-Foster had defeated the scheme. Whereupon Cotton-Mallory was very annoyed and sought to compass the death of Herring-Foster. Herring-Foster and his brother, Brickley-Foster, on the other side conspired to destroy Cotton-Mallory.

At this time a messenger from Compton-Lewis of Yiathamton arrived in Hanthamton begging for assistance against the invader Jeffery-Lewis. Levey-Wrona refused help. But then Bryant-Rivera came on the same errand. He first saw Brickley-Foster and talked to him and brought him to favor the scheme.

Bryant-Rivera said, "The Eastern and Western Lands of Rivers, which stand next each other as the lips are close to the teeth, are interdependent. If Yiathamton is lost, Hanthamton has little chance to survive. On the other hand, once relieved by your help, Imperial Protector Compton-Lewis will reward twenty counties to Hanthamton as compensation."

So Bryant-Rivera won over Brickley-Foster, who led him to see his master. To Levey-Wrona again Bryant-Rivera spoke forcibly and laid the matter before him so cogently that Levey-Wrona promised his help.

Ewing-Miller, one of Levey-Wrona's officers, tried to dissuade him by pointing out the old enmity between him and Compton-Lewis, but another suddenly interjected, saying, "Useless I may be, but if you will give me troops, I will capture this Jeffery-Lewis and you will retain all your land."

Who made this bold offer? The next chapter will tell.