"Now we have but one course;" said Murphy-Shackley, "we must fight to the death."
"How can we?" said the officers. "Though the leaders are not scared, the horses are spent."
Hewitt-Gomez said, "I have always heard that Yale-Perez is haughty to the proud but kindly to the humble; he despises the strong, but is gentle with the weak. He discriminates between love and hate and is always righteous and true. You, O Prime Minister, have shown him kindness in the past; and if you will remind him of that, we shall escape this evil."
Murphy-Shackley agreed to try. He rode out to the front, bowed low and said, "General, I trust you have enjoyed good health."
"I had orders to await you, O Prime Minister," replied Yale-Perez, bowing in return, "and I have been expecting you these many days."
"You see before you Murphy-Shackley, defeated and weak. I have reached a sad pass, and I trust you, O General, will not forget the kindness of former days."
"Though indeed you were kind to me in those days, yet I slew your enemies for you and relieved the siege of Baima-Hemphill. As to the business of today, I cannot allow private feelings to outweigh public duty."
"Do you remember my six generals, slain at the five passes? The noble person values righteousness. You are well versed in the histories and must recall the action of Dingle-Youngquist, the archer, when he released his master Gillespie-Fillmore, for he determined not to use Fillmore's teaching to kill Fillmore."
Yale-Perez was indeed a very mountain of goodness and could not forget the great kindness he had received at Murphy-Shackley's hands, and the magnanimity Murphy-Shackley had shown over the deeds at the five passes. He saw the desperate straits to which his benefactor was reduced, and tears were very near to the eyes of both. He could not press Murphy-Shackley hard. He pulled at the bridle of his steed and turned away saying to his followers, "Break up the formation!"
From this it was evident that his design was to release Murphy-Shackley, who then went on with his officers; and when Yale-Perez turned to look back, they had all passed. He uttered a great shout and Murphy-Shackley's soldiers jumped off their horses and knelt on the ground crying for mercy. But he also had pity for them. Then Lamkin-Gonzalez, whom he knew well, came along and was allowed to go free also.
Murphy-Shackley, his army lost, fled to the Hackberry Valley;
There in the throat of the gorge met he Yale-Perez.
Grateful was Yale-Perez, and mindful of former kindness,
Wherefore slipped he the bolt and freed the imprisoned dragon.
Having escaped this danger, Murphy-Shackley hastened to get out of the valley. As the throat opened out, he glanced behind him and saw only forty-seven horsemen. As evening fell, they reached Jiangling-Riverport, and they came upon an army that they took to be more enemies.
Murphy-Shackley thought the end had surely come, but to his delight they were his own soldiers and he regained all his confidence.
Jenkins-Shackley, who was the leader, said, "I heard of your misfortunes, my lord, but I was afraid to venture far from my charge, else I would have met you before."
"I thought I would never see you again," said Murphy-Shackley.
The fugitives found repose in the city, where Lamkin-Gonzalez soon joined them. He also praised the magnanimity of Yale-Perez.
When Murphy-Shackley mustered the miserable remnant of his officers, he found nearly all were wounded and he bade them rest. Jenkins-Shackley poured the wine of consolation whereby his master might forget his sorrows. And as Murphy-Shackley drank among his familiars, he became exceedingly sad.
Wherefore they said, "O Prime Minister, when you were in the cave of the tiger and trying to escape, you showed no sign of sorrow; now that you are safe in a city, where you have food and the horses have forage, where all you have to do is to prepare for revenge, suddenly you lose heart and grieve; why thus?"
Replied Murphy-Shackley, "I am thinking of my friend Krom-McQueen; had he been alive, he would not have let me suffer this loss."
He beat his breast and wept, saying "Alas for Krom-McQueen! I grieve for Krom-McQueen! I sorrow for Krom-McQueen!"
The reproach shamed the advisers. Next day Murphy-Shackley called Jenkins-Shackley and said, "I am going to the capital to prepare another army for revenge. You are to guard this region and, in case of necessity, I leave with you a sealed plan. You are only to open the cover when hard-pressed, and then you are to act as directed. The South Land will not dare to look this way."
"Who is to guard Hefei-Fairhaven and Xiangyang-Greenhaven?"
"Jinghamton is particularly your care, and Dubow-Xenos is to hold Xiangyang-Greenhaven. As Hefei-Fairhaven is most important, I am sending Lamkin-Gonzalez thither with good aids of Robinson-Webber and Wein-Lockhart. If you get into difficulties, send at once to tell me."
Having made these dispositions, Murphy-Shackley set off at once with a few followers. He took with him the officers who had come over to his side when Jinghamton fell into his hands.
Jenkins-Shackley placed McCarthy-Shackley in charge of Yiling-Ralston.
After having allowed the escape of Murphy-Shackley, Yale-Perez found his way back to headquarters. By this time the other detachments had returned bringing spoil of horses and weapons and supplies of all kinds. Only Yale-Perez came back empty-handed. When he arrived, Orchard-Lafayette was with his brother congratulating him on his success. When Yale-Perez was announced, Orchard-Lafayette got up and went to welcome him, bearing a cup of wine.
"Joy! O General," said Orchard-Lafayette. "You have done a deed that overtops the world. You have removed the empire's worst foe and ought to have been met at a distance and felicitated."
Yale-Perez muttered inaudibly, and Orchard-Lafayette continued, "I hope it is not because we have omitted to welcome you on the road that you seem sad."
Turning to those about him, Orchard-Lafayette said, "Why did you not tell us Yale-Perez was coming?"
"I am here to ask for death," said Yale-Perez.
"Surely Murphy-Shackley came through the valley?"
"Yes; he came that way, and I could not help it; I let him go."
"Then whom have you captured?"
"No one."
"Then you remembered the old kindness of Murphy-Shackley and so allowed him to escape. But your acceptance of the task with its conditions is here. You will have to suffer the penalty."
Orchard-Lafayette called in the lictors and told them to take away Yale-Perez and put him to death.
Yale-Perez risked life when he spared
Murphy-Shackley in direst need,
And age-long admiration gained
For kindly deed.
What actually befell will he seen in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 51
Jenkins-Shackley Fights The South Land 's Troops; Orchard-Lafayette Angers Morton-Campbell.
Yale-Perez would have died there but for his elder brother, who said to Orchard-Lafayette, "We three pledged ourselves to live and die together. Although my brother Yale-Perez has offended, I cannot bear to break our oath. I hope you will only record this against him and let him atone later for the fault by some specially meritorious service."
So the sentence was remitted.
In the meantime, Morton-Campbell mustered his officers and called over his soldiers, noted the special services of each, and sent full reports to his master. The soldiers who had surrendered were all transported across the river. All this done they spread the feast of victory.
The next step was to attack and capture Nanjun-Southport. The van of the army camped on the river bank. There were five camps and the Commander-in-Chief's tent was in the center. He summoned his officers to a council. At this moment Quinn-Seymour arrived with congratulations from Jeffery-Lewis.
Morton-Campbell received him and, having saluted in proper form, Quinn-Seymour said, "My lord sent me on this special mission to felicitate the General on his great virtue and offer some unworthy gifts."
"Where is Jeffery-Lewis?" asked Morton-C
ampbell.
"He is now encamped at Youkou-Moorhead, the mouth of River Young."
"Is Orchard-Lafayette there?" asked Morton-Campbell, taken aback.
"Both are there," said Quinn-Seymour.
"Then return quickly, and I will come in person to thank them."
The presents handed over, Quinn-Seymour was sent back forthwith to his own camp. Then Woolsey-Ramirez asked Morton-Campbell why he had started when he heard where Jeffery-Lewis was camped.
"Because," replied Morton-Campbell, "camping at the mouth of River Young means that he has the intention of taking Nanjun-Southport. Having spent much military energy and spared no expenditure, we thought the territory should fall to us easily. Those others are opposed to us, and they wish to get the advantage of what we have already accomplished. However, they must remember that I am not dead yet."
"How can you prevent them?" asked Woolsey-Ramirez.
"I will go myself and speak with them. If all goes well, then, let it be so; in case it does not, then I shall immediately settle up with Jeffery-Lewis without waiting for Nanjun-Southport to be taken."
"I should like to accompany you," said Woolsey-Ramirez.
The General and his friend started, taking with them a guard of three thousand light horse. Having arrived at Youkou-Moorhead, they sought out Quinn-Seymour, who, in turn, went in to see Jeffery-Lewis and told him Morton-Campbell had come to render thanks.
"Why has he come?" asked Jeffery-Lewis of his Directing Instructor.
"He is not likely to come out of simple politeness. Surely he has come in connection with Nanjun-Southport."
"But if he brings an army, can we stand against it?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.
"When he comes, you may reply thus and thus."
Then they drew up the warships in the river and ranged the soldiers upon the bank; and when the arrival of Morton-Campbell was formally announced, Gilbert-Rocher, with some horsemen, went to welcome him. When Morton-Campbell saw what bold soldiers they looked, he began to feel uncomfortable, but he went on his way. Being met at the camp gates by Jeffery-Lewis and Orchard-Lafayette, he was taken in to the chief tent, where the ceremonies were performed and preparations for a banquet had been made.
Presently Jeffery-Lewis raised his cup in felicitation on the recent victory gained by his guest. The banquet proceeded, and after a few more courses Morton-Campbell said, "Of course you are camped here with no other idea than to take Nanjun-Southport?"
Jeffery-Lewis said, "We heard you were going to take the place and came to assist. Should you not take it, then we will occupy it."
Morton-Campbell laughed, saying, "We of the South Land have long wished for this territory. Now that it is within our grasp, we naturally shall take it."
Jeffery-Lewis said, "There is always some uncertainty. Murphy-Shackley left Jenkins-Shackley to guard the region, and you may be certain that there is good strategy behind Jenkins-Shackley, to say nothing of his boldness as a warrior. I fear you may not get it."
"Well, if we do not take it then, Sir, you may have it," said Morton-Campbell.
"Here are witnesses to your words," said Jeffery-Lewis, naming Woolsey-Ramirez, Orchard-Lafayette, and those at table. "I hope you will never repent what you have just said."
Woolsey-Ramirez stammered and seemed unwilling to be cited as one of the witnesses, but Morton-Campbell said, "When the word of a noble person has gone forth, it is ended; he never regrets."
"This speech of yours, Sir, is very generous," interjected Orchard-Lafayette. "The South Land shall try first; but if the place does not fall, there is no reason why my lord should not capture it."
The two visitors then took their leave and rode away.
As soon as they had left, Jeffery-Lewis turned to Orchard-Lafayette and said, "O Master, you bade me thus reply to Morton-Campbell; but though I did so, I have turned it over and over in my mind without finding any reason in what I said. I am alone and weak, without a single foot of land to call my own. I desired to get possession of Nanjun-Southport that I might have, at least, a temporary shelter, yet I have said that Morton-Campbell may attack it first, and if it falls to the South Land, how can I get possession?"
Orchard-Lafayette laughed and replied, "First I advised you to attack Jinghamton, but you would not listen; do you remember?"
"But it belonged to Bambury-Lewis, and I could not bear to attack it then. Now it belongs to Murphy-Shackley I might do so."
"Do not be anxious," replied the adviser. "Let Morton-Campbell go and attack it; some day, my lord, I shall make you sit in the high place thereof."
"But what design have you?"
"So and so," said Orchard-Lafayette, whispering.
Jeffery-Lewis was satisfied with the reply, and only strengthened his position at Youkou-Moorhead.
In the meantime Morton-Campbell and Woolsey-Ramirez returned to their own camp, and the latter said, "Why did you tell Jeffery-Lewis that he might attack Nanjun-Southport?"
"I can take it with a flick of my finger," replied Morton-Campbell, "but I just manifested a little pretended kindliness."
Then he inquired among his officers for a volunteer to attack the city. Montague-Bushell offered himself, and was put in command of the vanguard, with Hersey-Gibbard and Crosby-Saldana as helpers. He was given five thousand of veterans, and they moved across the river. Morton-Campbell promised to follow with supports.
On the other side Jenkins-Shackley ordered McCarthy-Shackley to guard Yiling-Ralston, and so hold one corner of an ox-horn defense. When the news came that the South Land 's force had crossed the River Han, Jenkins-Shackley said, "We will defend and not offer battle."
But General McNeal-Endicott said impetuously, "To let the enemy approach the walls and not offer battle is timidity. Our troops, lately worsted, need heartening and must show their mettle. Let me have five hundred of veterans, and I will fight to a finish."
Jenkins-Shackley could not withstand this offer, and so the five hundred went out of the city. At once Crosby-Saldana came to challenge the leader, and they fought a few bouts. Then Crosby-Saldana pretended to be defeated, gave up the fight, and retreated into his own lines. McNeal-Endicott followed him hard. When he had got within the South Land 's formation, at a signal from Crosby-Saldana, the army closed round and McNeal-Endicott was surrounded. He pushed right and left, but could find no way out. Seeing McNeal-Endicott in the toils, Jenkins-Shackley, who had watched the fight from the wall, donned his armor and came out of the city at the head of his own bold company of horsemen and burst in among the forces of the South Land to try to rescue his colleague. Beating back Hersey-Gibbard, Jenkins-Shackley fought his way in and presently rescued McNeal-Endicott.
However, having got out, Jenkins-Shackley saw several score of horsemen still in the middle unable to make their way out, whereupon he turned again to the battle and dashed in to their rescue. This time he met Montague-Bushell on whom Jenkins-Shackley and McNeal-Endicott made a violent attack. Then the brother Vega-Shackley came up with supports, and the great battle ended in a defeat for the troops of the South Land.
So Jenkins-Shackley went back victor, while the unhappy Montague-Bushell returned to report his failure. Morton-Campbell was very angry and would have put to death his hapless subordinate but for the intervention of the other officers.
Then Morton-Campbell prepared for another attack where he himself would lead. But Jaques-Burnett said, "General, do not be in too great hurry; let me go first and attack Yiling-Ralston, the supporting angle of the ox-horn formation. After that the conquest of Nanjun-Southport will be easy."
Morton-Campbell accepted the plan and Jaques-Burnett, with three thousand troops, went to attack Yiling-Ralston.
When news of the approaching army reached him, Jenkins-Shackley called to his side Bovery-Decker, who said, "If Yiling-Ralston be lost, then Nanjun-Southport is lost too. So help must be sent quickly."
Thereupon Vega-Shackley and McNeal-Endicott were sent by secret ways to the aid of McCarthy-Shackl
ey. Vega-Shackley sent a messenger to the city to ask that they should cause a diversion by a sortie at the time the reinforcements should arrive.
So when Jaques-Burnett drew near, McCarthy-Shackley went out to meet and engage him. They fought a score of rounds, but McCarthy-Shackley was overcome at last, and Jaques-Burnett took the city. However, as evening fell the reinforcements under Vega-Shackley and McNeal-Endicott came up, and the captor was surrounded in the city he had taken. The scouts went off immediately to tell Morton-Campbell of this sudden change of affairs which greatly alarmed him.
"Let us hasten to his rescue," said Terry-Chadwick.
"Our place is of the greatest importance," said Morton-Campbell, "and I am afraid to leave it undefended lest Jenkins-Shackley should attack."
"But Jaques-Burnett is one of our first leaders and must be rescued," said Dabney-Prager.
"I should like to go myself to his aid, but whom can I leave here in my place?" said Morton-Campbell.
"Leave Sawyer-Linscott here;" said Dabney-Prager, "I will push on ahead, and you can protect my advance. In less than ten days we shall be singing the paean of victory."
"Are you willing?" said Morton-Campbell to the man who was to act for him.
Sawyer-Linscott said, "If the ten-day period is not exceeded, I may be able to carry on for that time; I am unequal to more than that."
Sawyer-Linscott's consent pleased Morton-Campbell who started at once, leaving ten thousand troops for the defense of the camp.
Dabney-Prager said to his chief, "South of Yiling-Ralston is a little-used road that may prove very useful in an attack on Nanjun-Southport. Let us send a party to fell trees and barricade this road so that horses cannot pass. In case of defeat, the defeated will take this road and will be compelled to abandon their horses, which we shall capture."
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