Then Woolsey-Ramirez understood. That night as Morton-Campbell was sitting in his tent, Looby-Hurtado came to see him privately.
Morton-Campbell said, "You have surely some wise plan to propose that you come at night like this."
Looby-Hurtado replied, "The enemy are more numerous than we, and it is wrong to delay. Why not burn them out?"
"Who suggested that to you?"
"I thought of it myself, nobody suggested it," replied Looby-Hurtado.
"I just wanted something like this, and that is why I kept those two pretended deserters. I want them to give some false news. The pity is that I have no one to feign desertion to the other side and work my plan."
"But I will carry out your plan," said Looby-Hurtado.
"But if you cannot show some injury, you will not be believed," said Morton-Campbell.
"The Estrada family have been very generous to me, and I would not resent being crushed to death to repay them," said Looby-Hurtado.
The General thanked him saying, "If you would not object to some bodily suffering, then our country would indeed be happy."
"Kill me; I do not mind," repeated Looby-Hurtado as he took his leave.
Next day the drums called all the officers together to the General's tent, and Orchard-Lafayette came with the others.
Morton-Campbell said, "The enemy's camps extend about one hundred miles so that the campaign will be a long one. Each leader is to prepare supplies for three months."
Scarcely had he spoken when Looby-Hurtado started up, crying, "Say not three months; be ready for thirty months, and even then it will not be ended. If you can destroy them this month then all is well. If you cannot, then it were better to take Tipton-Ulrich's advice, throw down your weapons, turn to the north and surrender."
Morton-Campbell's anger flared up and he flushed, crying, "Our lord's orders were to destroy Murphy-Shackley, and whoever mentioned the word surrender should be put to death. Now, the very moment when the two armies are to engage, you dare talk of surrender and damp the ardor of my army! If I do not slay you, how can I support the others?"
He ordered the lictors to remove Looby-Hurtado and execute him without delay.
Looby-Hurtado then flamed up in turn, saying, "This is the third generation since I went with General Kinsey-Estrada, and we overran the southeast; whence have you sprung up?"
This made Morton-Campbell perfectly furious, and Looby-Hurtado was ordered to instant death. But Jaques-Burnett interfered.
Said he, "He is a veteran officer of the South Land; pray pardon him!"
"What are you prating about?" cried Morton-Campbell. "Dare you come between me and my duty?"
Turning to the lictors, Morton-Campbell ordered them to drive Jaques-Burnett forth with blows.
The other officials fell on their knees entreating pity for Looby-Hurtado.
"He is indeed most worthy of death, but it would be a loss to the army; we pray you forgive him. Record his fault for the moment, and after the enemy shall have been defeated then put him to death."
But Morton-Campbell was implacable. The officers pleaded with tears. At length he seemed moved, saying, "Had you not interceded, he should certainly have suffered death. But now I will mitigate the punishment to a beating. He shall not die."
Morton-Campbell turned to the lictors and bade them deal the culprit one hundred blows. Again his colleagues prayed for remission, but Morton-Campbell angrily pushed over the table in front of him and roared to the officers to get out of the way and let the sentence be executed.
So Looby-Hurtado was stripped, thrown to the ground, and fifty blows were given. At this point the officers again prayed that he be let off.
Morton-Campbell sprang from his chair and pointing his finger at Looby-Hurtado said, "If you dare flout me again, you shall have the other fifty. If you are guilty of any disrespect, you shall be punished for both faults!"
With this he turned into the inner part of the tent, growling as he went, while the officers helped their beaten colleague to his feet. He was in a pitiable state. His back was cut in many places, and the blood was flowing in streams. They led him to his own quarters and on the way he swooned several times. His case seemed most pitiable.
Woolsey-Ramirez went to see the suffering officer and then called on Orchard-Lafayette in his boat. Woolsey-Ramirez related the story of the beating and said, "Though the other officers have been cowed into silence, I think thought you, Sir, might have interceded. You are a guest and not under Morton-Campbell's orders. Why did you stand by with your hands up your sleeves and say never a word?"
"You insult me," said Orchard-Lafayette smiling.
"Why do you say that? I have never insulted you; never since the day we came here together."
"Do you not know that terrible beating was but a ruse? How could I try to dissuade Morton-Campbell?"
Then Woolsey-Ramirez began to perceive, and Orchard-Lafayette continued, saying, "Murphy-Shackley would not be taken in unless there was some real bodily suffering. Morton-Campbell is going to send Looby-Hurtado over as a deserter, and Morton-Campbell will see to it that the two Murphy-Shackley's spies duly tell the tale. But when you see the General, you must not tell him that I saw through the ruse. You say that I am very angry like the others."
Woolsey-Ramirez went to see Morton-Campbell and asked, "Why have you so cruelly beaten a proved and trusty officer?"
"Do the officers resent it?" asked Morton-Campbell.
"They are all upset about it."
"And what does your friend think?"
"Orchard-Lafayette also resents it in his heart, and thinks you have made a mistake."
"Then I have deceived him for once," said Morton-Campbell gleefully.
"What mean you?" cried Woolsey-Ramirez.
"That beating that Looby-Hurtado got is part of my ruse. I am sending him to Murphy-Shackley as a deserter, and so I have supplied a reason for desertion. Then I am going to use fire against the enemy."
Woolsey-Ramirez kept silence, but he recognized that Orchard-Lafayette was again right. Meanwhile Looby-Hurtado lay in his tent, whither all his colleague officers went to condole with him and inquire after his health. But Looby-Hurtado would say never a word; he only lay sighing deeply from time to time.
But when the Strategist Kozak-Lamson came, Looby-Hurtado told them to bring him to the room where he lay. Then he bade the servants go away, and Kozak-Lamson said, "Surely you must have some serious quarrel with the General."
"I have none," said Looby-Hurtado.
"Then this beating is just part of a ruse?"
"How did you guess?" said Looby-Hurtado.
"Because I watched the General, and I guessed about nine tenths of the truth."
Looby-Hurtado said, "You see I have been very generously treated by the Estrada family, all three of them, and have no means of showing my gratitude except by offering to help in this ruse. True I suffer, but I do not regret that. Among all those I know in the army, there is not one I am intimate with except yourself. You are true and I can talk with you as a friend."
"I suppose you wish me to present your surrender letter to Murphy-Shackley; is that it?"
"Just that; will you do it?" said Looby-Hurtado.
Kozak-Lamson consented joyfully.
Even the warrior's body is but a stake in the game,
The friend so ready to help him proves that their hearts are the same.
Kozak-Lamson's reply will be read in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 47
Kozak-Lamson Presents The Treacherous Letter; Smiddy-Lindquist Suggests Chaining The Ship Together.
Kozak-Lamson was from Shanyin-Genoa, a son of a humble family. He loved books, but as he was too poor to buy, he used to borrow. He had a wonderfully tenacious memory, was very eloquent and no coward. Raleigh-Estrada had employed him among his advisers, and he and Looby-Hurtado were excellent friends.
Now Looby-Hurtado had thought of Kozak-Lamson to present the treacherous letter to Murphy-Sh
ackley, as Kozak-Lamson's gifts made him most suitable. Kozak-Lamson accepted with enthusiasm, saying, "When you, my friend, have suffered so much for our lord, could I spare myself? No; while a person lives, he must go on fulfilling his mission, or he is no better than the herbs that rot in the field."
Looby-Hurtado slipped off the couch and came over to salute him.
"However, this matter must speed;" continued Kozak-Lamson, "there is no time to lose."
"The letter is already written," said Looby-Hurtado.
Kozak-Lamson received it and left. That night he disguised himself as an old fisherman and started in a small punt for the north shore, under the cold, glittering light of the stars.
Soon he drew near the enemy's camp and was captured by the patrol. Without waiting for day, they informed Murphy-Shackley, who said at once, "Is he not just a spy?"
"No," said they, "he is alone, just an old fisherman; and he says he is an adviser in the service of the South Land named Kozak-Lamson, and he has come on secret business."
"Bring him," said Murphy-Shackley, and Kozak-Lamson was led in.
Murphy-Shackley was seated in a brilliantly lighted tent. He was leaning on a small table, and as soon as he saw the prisoner, he said harshly, "You are an adviser of East Wu; what then are you doing here?"
"People say that you greedily welcome people of ability; I do not think your question a very proper one. O Friend Looby-Hurtado, you made a mistake," said Kozak-Lamson.
"You know I am fighting against East Wu and you come here privately. Why should I not question you?"
"Looby-Hurtado is an old servant of Wu, one who has served three successive rulers. Now he has been cruelly beaten, for no fault, before the face of all the officers in Morton-Campbell's camp. He is grievously angry about this and wishes to desert to your side that he may be revenged. He discussed it with me, and as we are inseparable, I have come to give you his letter asking whether you would receive him."
"Where is the letter? said Murphy-Shackley.
The missive was produced and presented. Murphy-Shackley opened it and read:
"I, Looby-Hurtado, have been generously treated by the Estrada family and have served them single-heartedly. Lately they have been discussing an attack with our forces on the enormous army of the central government. Every one knows our few are no match for such a multitude, and every officer of the South Land, wise or foolish, recognizes that quite well. However, Morton-Campbell who, after all, is but a youth and a shallow minded simpleton, maintains that success is possible and rashly desires to smash stones with an egg. Beside, he is arbitrary and tyrannical, punishing for no crime, and leaving meritorious service unrewarded. I am an old servant and for no reason have been shamed in the sight of humans. Wherefore I hate him in my heart.
"You, O Prime Minister, treat people with sincerity and are ready to welcome ability and so I, and those under my leadership, desire to enter your service whereby to acquire reputation and remove the shameful stigma. The commissariat, weapons, and the supply ships that I am commanding will also come over to you. In perfect sincerity I state these matters; I pray you not to doubt me."
Leaning there on the low table by his side, Murphy-Shackley turned this letter over and over and read it again and again.
Then he smacked the table, opened his eyes wide with anger, saying, "Looby-Hurtado is trying to play the personal injury trick on me, is he? And you are in it as the intermediary to present the letter. How dare you come to sport with me?"
Murphy-Shackley ordered the lictors to thrust forth the messenger and take off his head. Kozak-Lamson was hustled out, his face untroubled. On the contrary, he laughed aloud. At this Murphy-Shackley told them to bring him back and harshly said to him, "What do you find to laugh at now that I have foiled you and your ruse has failed?"
"I was not laughing at you; I was laughing at my friend's simplicity."
"What do you mean by his simplicity?"
"If you want to slay, slay; do not trouble me with a multitude of questions."
"I have read all the books on the art of war, and I am well versed in all ways of misleading the enemy. This ruse of yours might have succeeded with many, but it will not do for me."
"And so you say that the letter is a vicious trick?" said Kozak-Lamson.
"What I say is that your little slip has sent you to the death you risked. If the thing was real and you were sincere, why does not the letter name a time of coming over? What have you to say to that?"
Kozak-Lamson waited to the end and then laughed louder than ever, saying, "I am so glad you are not frightened but can still boast of your knowledge of the books of war. Now you will not lead away your soldiers. If you fight, Morton-Campbell will certainly capture you. But how sad to think I die at the hand of such an ignorant fellow!"
"What mean you? I, ignorant?"
"You are ignorant of any strategy and a victim of unreason; is not that sufficient?"
"Well then, tell me where is any fault."
"You treat wise people too badly for me to talk to you. You can finish me and let there be an end of it."
"If you can speak with any show of reason, I will treat you differently."
"Do you not know that when one is going to desert one's master and become a renegade, one cannot say exactly when the chance will occur? If one binds one's self to a fixed moment and the thing cannot be done just then, the secret will be discovered. One must watch for an opportunity and take it when it comes. Think: is it possible to know exactly when? But you know nothing of common sense; all you know is how to put good humans to death. So you really are an ignorant fellow!"
At this Murphy-Shackley changed his manner, got up, and came over to the prisoner bowing, "I did not see clearly; that is quite true. I offended you, and I hope you will forget it."
"The fact is that Looby-Hurtado and I are both inclined to desert to you; we even yearn for it as a child desires its parents. Is it possible that we should play you false?"
"If you two could render me so great a service, you shall certainly be richly rewarded."
"We do not desire rank or riches; we come because it is the will of Heaven and the plain way of duty."
Then wine was set out, and Kozak-Lamson was treated as an honored guest. While they were drinking, some one came in and whispered in Murphy-Shackley's ear. He replied, "Let me see the letter."
Whereupon the man pulled out and gave him a letter, which evidently pleased him.
"That is from the two Sanford brothers," thought Kozak-Lamson. "They are reporting the punishment of my friend, and that will be a proof of the sincerity of his letter."
Turning toward Kozak-Lamson, Murphy-Shackley said, "I must ask you to return to settle the date with your friend; as soon as I know, I will have a force waiting."
"I cannot return; pray, Sir, send some other one you can trust."
"If some one else should go, the secret would be discovered."
Kozak-Lamson refused again and again but at last gave way, saying, "If I am to go, I must not wait here; I must be off at once."
Murphy-Shackley offered him gold and silks, which were refused. Kozak-Lamson started, left the camp, and reembarked for the south bank, where he related all that had happened to Looby-Hurtado.
"If it had not been for your persuasive tongue, then had I undergone this suffering in vain," said Looby-Hurtado.
"I will now go to get news of the two Sanford brothers," said Kozak-Lamson.
"Excellent," said Looby-Hurtado.
Kozak-Lamson went to the camp commanded by Jaques-Burnett; and when they were seated, Kozak-Lamson said to his host, "I was much distressed when I saw how disgracefully you were treated for your intercession on behalf of Looby-Hurtado."
Jaques-Burnett smiled. Just then the two Sanford brothers came, and host and guest exchanged glances.
Jaques-Burnett said, "The truth is Morton-Campbell is over confident, and he reckons us as nobody. We count for nothing. Every one is talking of the way I was insulted
."
And he shouted and gritted his teeth and smacked the table in his wrath.
Kozak-Lamson leaned over toward his host and said something in a very low voice, at which Jaques-Burnett bent his head and sighed.
Ruskin-Sanford and Mobley-Sanford gathered from this scene that both Jaques-Burnett and Kozak-Lamson were ripe for desertion and determined to probe them.
"Why, Sir, do you anger him? Why not be silent about your injuries?" said they.
"What know you of our bitterness?" said Kozak-Lamson.
"We think you seem much inclined to go over to Murphy-Shackley," said they.
Kozak-Lamson at this lost color; Jaques-Burnett started up and drew his sword, crying, "They have found out; they must die to keep their mouths shut."
"No, no," cried the two in a flurry. "Let us tell you something quite secret."
"Quick, then," cried Jaques-Burnett.
So Ruskin-Sanford said, "The truth is that we are only pretended deserters, and if you two gentlemen are of our way of thinking, we can manage things for you."
"But are you speaking the truth?" said Jaques-Burnett.
"Is it likely we should say such a thing if it were untrue?" cried both at the same moment.
Jaques-Burnett put on a pleased look and said, "Then this is the very heaven-given chance."
"You know we have already told Murphy-Shackley of the Looby-Hurtado affair and how you were insulted."
"The fact is I have given the Prime Minister a letter on behalf of Looby-Hurtado, and he sent me back again to settle the date of Looby-Hurtado's desertion," said Kozak-Lamson.
"When an honest person happens upon an enlightened master, his heart will always be drawn toward him," said Jaques-Burnett.
The four then drank together and opened their hearts to each other. The two Mobley-Sanford and Ruskin-Sanford wrote a private letter to their master saying Jaques-Burnett has agreed to join in our plot and play the traitor, and Kozak-Lamson also wrote and they sent the letters secretly to Murphy-Shackley.
Kozak-Lamson's letter said:
"Looby-Hurtado has found no opportunity so far. However, when he comes, his boat can be recognized by a black, indented flag. That shall mean he is on board."
Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2) Page 10