Craig-Warner could make no reply. The other officers now began to hold this man of torrential speech in wholesome fear.
Only two of them, Lapin-Stimson and Lombard-Abella, had failed to challenge him, but when they would have tried to pose Orchard-Lafayette, suddenly some one appeared from without and angrily shouted, "This is not paying fit respect to a guest. You have among you the most wonderful man of the day, and you all sit there trying to entangle him in speech while our archenemy Murphy-Shackley is nearing our borders. Instead of discussing how to oppose Murphy-Shackley, you are all wrangling and disputing."
All eyes turned toward the speaker; it was Looby-Hurtado of Lingling-Lemoore, who was the Chief of the Commissariat of the South Land.
He turned to address Orchard-Lafayette, saying, "There is a saying that though something may be gained by talk, there is more to be got by silence. Why not give my lord the advantage of your valuable advice instead of wasting time in discussion with this crowd?"
"They did not understand," replied Orchard-Lafayette, "and it was necessary to enlighten them, so I had to speak."
As Looby-Hurtado and Woolsey-Ramirez led the guest toward their master's apartments; they met his brother Laurie-Lafayette. Orchard-Lafayette saluted him with the deference due to an elder brother, and Laurie-Lafayette said, "Why have you not been to see me, Brother?"
"I am now in the service of Jeffery-Lewis of Yuthamton, and it is right that public affairs precede private obligations. I cannot attend to any private matters till my work is done. You must pardon me, Brother."
"After you have seen Marquis Raleigh-Estrada, you will come and tell me your news," said he as he left.
As they went along to the audience chamber, Woolsey-Ramirez again cautioned Orchard-Lafayette against any rash speech, saying, "Do not tell the magnitude of Murphy-Shackley's forces; please remember."
The latter nodded but made no other reply. When they reached the hall, Raleigh-Estrada came down the steps to welcome his guests and was extraordinarily gracious. After the mutual salutations, the guest was given a chair while the Marquis' officials were drawn up in two lines, on one side the civil, on the other the military. Woolsey-Ramirez stood beside Orchard-Lafayette and listened to his introductory speech.
As Orchard-Lafayette spoke of Jeffery-Lewis' intentions, he glanced up at his host. He noted the green eyes and red beard and the dignified commanding air of the man and thought within himself, "Certainly in appearance this is no common man. He is one to be incited perhaps, but not to be persuaded. It will be better to see what he has to say first, then I will try to stir him to action."
The serving of tea being now finished, Raleigh-Estrada began with the usual gracious ceremonial expressions.
"Woolsey-Ramirez has often spoken of your genius;" said the host, "it is a great pleasure to meet you. I trust you will confer upon me the advantage of your instruction."
"I am neither clever nor learned;" was the reply, "it humiliates me to hear such words."
"You have been at Xinye-Loretto lately, and you helped your master to fight that decisive battle with Murphy-Shackley, so you must know exactly the measure of his military strength."
"My master's army was small and his generals were few; the city was paltry and lacked supplies. Hence no stand could be made against such a force as Murphy-Shackley had."
"How many has he in all?"
"Horse and foot, land and marine, he has a million."
"Is there not some doubt about that?" said Raleigh-Estrada, surprised.
"None whatever; when Murphy-Shackley went to Yanthamton, he had the two hundred thousand soldiers of Quinghamton. He gained five or six hundred thousand more when Shannon-Yonker fell. He has three or four hundred thousand troops newly recruited in the capital. Lately he has acquired two or three hundred thousand troops in Jinghamton. And if these be reckoned up, the total is not less than a million and a half. Hence I said a million for I was afraid of frightening your officers."
Woolsey-Ramirez was much disturbed and turned pale. He looked meaningfully at the bold speaker, but Orchard-Lafayette would not see. Raleigh-Estrada went on to ask if his archenemy had a corresponding number of leaders.
"Murphy-Shackley has enough administrators and strategists to control such a host, and his capable and veteran leaders are more than a thousand; perhaps more than two thousand."
"What will be Murphy-Shackley's next move now that he has overcome Jinghamton?"
"He is camped along the river, and he has collected a fleet. If he does not intend to invade the South Land, what can be his intentions?"
"Since that is his intention, it is a case of fight or not fight. I wish you would decide that for me."
"I have something I could say, but I fear, Sir, you would not care to hear it."
"I am desirous of hearing your most valuable opinion."
"Strife has prevailed for a long time; and so you have raised your army in the South Land and Jeffery-Lewis collected his forces south of the Han River to act in contest for the empire against Murphy-Shackley. Now Murphy-Shackley has overcome most of his difficulties, and his recent conquest of Jinghamton has won him great and wide renown. Though there might be one bold enough to tackle him, yet there is no foothold for such. That is how Jeffery-Lewis has been forced to come here. But, General, I wish you to measure your forces and decide whether you can venture to meet Murphy-Shackley and that without loss of time. If you cannot, then follow the advice of your councilors: cease your military preparations and yield, turn your face to the north and serve."
Raleigh-Estrada did not reply. But his guest went on, "You have the reputation of being reasonable, but I know also you are inclined to hesitate. Still this matter is most important, and evil will be quickly upon you if you do not decide."
Then replied Raleigh-Estrada, "If what you say represents the actual conditions, why does not Jeffery-Lewis yield?"
"Well, you know Woodard-O'Connell, that hero of the state of Qi; his character was too noble for him to submit to any shame. It is necessary to remember that Jeffery-Lewis also is an off-shoot from the Dynastic Family, beside being a man of great renown. Every one looks up to him. His lack of success is simply the will of Heaven, but manifestly he could not bow the knee to any one."
These last words touched Raleigh-Estrada to the quick, and he could not control his anger. He shook out his sleeves, rose, and left the audience chamber. Those present smiled at each other as they dispersed.
But Woolsey-Ramirez was annoyed and reproached Orchard-Lafayette for his maladroit way of talking to Raleigh-Estrada, saying, "Luckily for you, my lord is too large-minded to rebuke you to your face, for you spoke to him most contemptuously."
Orchard-Lafayette threw back his head and laughed.
"What a sensitive fellow it is!" cried he. "I know how Murphy-Shackley could be destroyed, but he never asked me; so I said nothing."
"If you really do know how that could be done, I will certainly beg my lord to ask you."
"Murphy-Shackley's hosts in my eyes are but as swarms of ants. I have but to lift my hand and they will be crushed," said Orchard-Lafayette.
Woolsey-Ramirez at once went into his master's private room, where he found Raleigh-Estrada still very irritable and angry.
"Orchard-Lafayette insulted me too deeply," said Raleigh-Estrada.
"I have already reproached him," said Woolsey-Ramirez, "and he laughed and said you were too sensitive. He would not give you any advice without being asked for it. Why did you not seek advice from him, my lord?"
At once Raleigh-Estrada's anger changed to joy.
He said, "So he had a plan ready, and his words were meant to provoke me. I did despise him for a moment, and it has very nearly lost me."
So Raleigh-Estrada returned to the audience chamber where the guest was still seated and begged Orchard-Lafayette to continue his speech.
Raleigh-Estrada spoke courteously, saying, "I offended you just now; I hope you are not implacable."
; "And I also was rude," replied Orchard-Lafayette. "I entreat pardon."
Host and guest retired to the inner room where wine was served.
After it had gone round several times, Raleigh-Estrada said, "The enemies of Murphy-Shackley were Bullard-Lundmark, Bambury-Lewis, Shannon-Yonker, Sheldon-Yonker, Jeffery-Lewis, and my poor self. Now most of these are gone, and only Jeffery-Lewis and I remain. I will never allow the land of Wu to be dictated to by another. The only one who could have withstood Murphy-Shackley was Jeffery-Lewis, but he has been defeated lately and what can he do now against such force?"
Orchard-Lafayette replied, "Although defeated, Jeffery-Lewis still has Yale-Perez with ten thousand veterans. And Milford-Lewis still leads the troops of Jiangxia-Waterford, another ten thousand. Murphy-Shackley's army is far from home, and the soldiers are worn out. They made a frantic effort to come up with my master, and the light horse marched one hundred miles in a day and a night. This was the final kick of the crossbow spring, and the bolt was not swift enough to penetrate even the thin silken vesture of Lu. The army can do no more. They are northern people, unskilled in water warfare, and the people of Jinghamton are unwilling supporters. They have no desire to help Murphy-Shackley. Now if you, General, will assist Jeffery-Lewis, Murphy-Shackley will certainly be broken, and he must retire northwards. Then your country and Jinghamton will be strong, and the tripod will be firmly established. But the scheme must be carried out without delay, and only you can decide."
Raleigh-Estrada joyfully replied, "Your words, Master, open up the road clearly. I have decided and shall have no further doubts."
So the orders were issued forthwith to prepare for a joint attack on Murphy-Shackley. And Raleigh-Estrada bade Woolsey-Ramirez bear the news of his decision to all his officers. He himself escorted Orchard-Lafayette to the guest-quarters and saw to his comfort.
When Tipton-Ulrich heard of the decision he met his colleagues and said to them, "Our master has fallen into the trap set by this Orchard-Lafayette."
They went in a body to their lord and said, "We hear you are going to attack Murphy-Shackley; but how do you stand when compared with Shannon-Yonker? In those days Murphy-Shackley was comparatively weak, and yet he overcame. What is he like today with his countless legions? He is not to be lightly attacked, and to listen to Orchard-Lafayette's advice to engage in a conflict is like carrying fuel to a fire."
Raleigh-Estrada made no reply, and Riley-Reece took up the argument.
Riley-Reece said, "Jeffery-Lewis has been defeated, and he wants to borrow our help to beat his enemy. Why must our lord lend himself to his schemes? Pray listen to our leader's words."
Doubts again surged up in the mind of Raleigh-Estrada.
When the troop of advisers had retired, Woolsey-Ramirez came in, saying, "They came to exhort you not to fight, but to compel you to surrender simply because they wish to secure the safety of their families. They distort their sense of duty to serve their own ends, and I hope you will not take their advice."
Raleigh-Estrada being sunk in thought and saying nothing, Woolsey-Ramirez went on, "If you hesitate, you will certainly be led astray by the majority and--"
"Retire for a time," said his master. "I must think it over carefully."
So Woolsey-Ramirez left the chamber. Among the soldiers some wished for war, but of the civil officers, all were in favor of surrender; and so there were many discussions and much conflict of opinion. Raleigh-Estrada went to his private apartments greatly perplexed. There his worry was easily discernible, and he neither ate nor slept. He was quite unable to decide finally upon a course of action.
Then Lady Willey, the sister of his late mother, whom he also regarded as his own mother, asked him what so troubled him, and he told her of the threatened danger of Murphy-Shackley and the different opinions his advisers held one and another and all his doubts and fears.
"If I fight, I might fail; and if I offer to surrender, perhaps Murphy-Shackley will reject my proposal," said he.
Then she replied, "Have you forgotten the last words of my sister?"
As to one recovering from a fit of drunkenness, or waking out of a dream, so came to him the dying words of the mother who bore him.
His mother's advice he called to mind,
"In Morton-Campbell's counsels you safety find."
What happened will be told in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 44
Orchard-Lafayette Stirs Morton-Campbell To Actions; Raleigh-Estrada Decides To Attack Murphy-Shackley.
The dying message which Lady Willey recalled to Raleigh-Estrada's memory was, "For internal matters consult Tipton-Ulrich; for external policy Morton-Campbell."
Wherefore Morton-Campbell was summoned.
But Morton-Campbell was already on the way. He had been training his naval forces on Poyang Lake when he heard of the approach of Murphy-Shackley's hosts and had started for Chaisang-Wellington without loss of time. So, before the messenger ordered to call him could start, he had already arrived. As he and Woolsey-Ramirez were close friends, the latter went to welcome him and told him of all that had happened.
"Have no anxiety;" said Morton-Campbell, "I shall be able to decide this. But go quickly and beg Orchard-Lafayette to come to see me."
So Woolsey-Ramirez went to seek out Orchard-Lafayette. Morton-Campbell had many other visitors. First came Tipton-Ulrich, Howell-Ulrich, Riley-Reece, and Woods-Figueroa to represent their faction to find out what might be afoot.
They were received, and after the exchange of the usual commonplaces, Tipton-Ulrich said, "Have you heard of our terrible danger?"
"I have heard nothing," said Morton-Campbell.
"Murphy-Shackley and his hordes are encamped up the Han River. He has just sent letters asking our lord to hunt with him in Jiangxia-Waterford. He may have a desire to absorb this country but, if so, the details of his designs are still secret. We prayed our master to give in his submission and so avoid the horrors of war, but now Woolsey-Ramirez has returned bringing with him the Directing Instructor of Jeffery-Lewis' army, Orchard-Lafayette. Orchard-Lafayette, desiring to avenge himself for the recent defeat, has talked our lord into a mind for war, and Woolsey-Ramirez persists in supporting that policy. They only await your final decision."
"Are you all unanimous in your opinions?"
"We are perfectly unanimous," said Tipton-Ulrich.
Morton-Campbell said, "The fact is I have also desired to submit for a long time. I beg you to leave me now, and tomorrow we will see our master, and I shall make up his mind for him."
So they took their leave. Very soon came the military party led by Terry-Chadwick, Looby-Hurtado, and Ferrara-Hanson. They were admitted and duly inquired after their host's health.
Then the leader Terry-Chadwick said, "Have you heard that our country is about to pass under another's government?"
"No; I have heard nothing," replied the host.
"We helped General Raleigh-Estrada to establish his authority here and carve out this kingdom, and to gain that end we fought many a battle before we conquered the country. Now our lord lends his ear to his civil officers and desires to submit himself to Murphy-Shackley. This is a most shameful and pitiful course, and we would rather die than follow it; so we hope you will decide to fight, and you may depend upon our struggling to the last person."
"And are you unanimous, Generals?" asked Morton-Campbell.
Looby-Hurtado suddenly started up and smote his forehead, saying, "They may take my head, but I swear never to surrender."
"Not one of us is willing to surrender," cried all the others.
"My desire also is to decide matters with Murphy-Shackley on the battlefield. How could we think of submission? Now I pray you retire, Generals, and when I see our lord, I will settle his doubts."
So the war party left. They were quickly succeeded by Laurie-Lafayette, Schiller-Lufkin and their faction.
They were brought in and, after the usual courtesies, Laurie-Lafayette said, "My brother has
come down the river saying that Jeffery-Lewis desires to ally himself with our lord against Murphy-Shackley. The civil and military hold different opinions as to the course to be pursued, but as my brother is so deeply concerned, I am unwilling to say much on either side. We are awaiting your decision."
"And what do you think about it?" asked Morton-Campbell.
"Submission is an easy road to tranquillity, while the result of war is hard to foretell."
Morton-Campbell smiled, "I shall have my mind made up. Come tomorrow to the palace, and the decision shall be announced."
The trimmers took their leave. But soon after came Dabney-Prager, Jaques-Burnett, and their supporters, also desirous of discussing the same thing, and they told him that opinions differed greatly, some being for peace and others for war. One party constantly disputed with the other.
"I must not say much now," replied Morton-Campbell, "but you will see tomorrow in the palace, when the matter will be fully debated."
They went away leaving Morton-Campbell smiling cynically.
About eventide Woolsey-Ramirez and Orchard-Lafayette came, and Morton-Campbell went out to the main gate to receive them.
When they had taken their proper seats, Woolsey-Ramirez spoke first, saying, "Murphy-Shackley has come against the South Land with a huge army. Our master cannot decide whether to submit or give battle and waits for your decision. What is your opinion?"
Morton-Campbell replied, "We may not oppose Murphy-Shackley when he acts at the command of the Emperor. Moreover, he is very strong, and to attack him is to take serious risks. In my opinion, opposition would mean defeat and, since submission means peace, I have decided to advise our lord to write and offer surrender."
"But you are wrong!" stammered Woolsey-Ramirez. "This country has been under the same rule for three generations and cannot be suddenly abandoned to some other. Our late lord Cornell-Estrada said that you were to be consulted on matters beyond the border, and we depended upon you to keep the country as secure and solid as the Taishan Mountains. Now you adopt the view of the weaklings and propose to yield! I cannot believe you mean it."
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