But Jeffery-Lewis interceded, saying, "The general's death will do me harm and make it hard for me to stay at your side."
The State Patriarch Queen also interceded, and she only ordered the general out of her presence. His subordinates also scattered and ran like frightened rats.
By and bye, strolling out of the banquet room into the temple grounds, Jeffery-Lewis came to a boulder. Drawing his sword he looked up to heaven and prayed, saying, "If I am to return to Jinghamton and achieve my intent to become a chief ruler, then may I cleave this boulder asunder with my sword; but if I am to meet my doom in this place, then may the sword fail to cut this stone."
Raising his sword he smote the boulder. Sparks flew in all directions, and the boulder lay split in twain.
It happened that Raleigh-Estrada had seen the blow, and he said, "Why do you thus hate that stone?"
Jeffery-Lewis replied, "I am near my fifth decade and have so far failed to rid the state of evil; I greatly regret my failure. Now I have been accepted by the Dowager as her son-in-law, and this is a critical moment in my life. So I implored of Heaven a portent that I might destroy Murphy-Shackley as I would that boulder and restore the dynasty. You saw what happened."
"That is only to blind me," thought Raleigh-Estrada. Drawing his own sword, he said, "And I also ask of Heaven an omen, that if I am to destroy Murphy-Shackley, I may also cut this rock."
So he spoke. But in his secret heart he prayed, "If I am to recover Jinghamton and extend my borders, may the stone be cut in twain."
He smote the stone and it split in twain. And to this day there are cross cuts in the stone, which is still preserved.
One who saw this relic wrote a poem:
The shining blades fell and the rock was shorn through,
The metal rang clear and the sparks widely flew.
Thus fate then declared for the dynasties two
And the tripartite rule there began.
Both put up their swords and returned hand in hand to the banquet hall. After some more courses, Quinn-Seymour gave his master a warning look, and Jeffery-Lewis said, "I pray you excuse me as my drinking powers are very small."
Wherefore Raleigh-Estrada escorted him to the gate. As they walked down looking at high land and rolling river spreading in glorious panorama before their eyes, Jeffery-Lewis exclaimed, "Really this is the finest scene in the whole world! [7]"
These words are recorded on a tablet in the Temple of the Sweet Dew, and one who read them wrote a poem:
From the river-side hills the rain clears off,
And the black clouds roll away,
And this is the place of joy and mirth
And never can sorrow stay.
And here two heroes of ages past
Decided their parts to play,
And the lofty heights flung back wind and wave
Then, as they do today.
Yes, they stood both entranced by the beautiful scene. And gradually along the vast river the wind whipped the waves into snowy foam and raised them high toward heaven. And in the midst of the waves appeared a tiny leaf of a boat riding over the waves as if all was perfect calm.
"The northern people are riders and the southern people sailors; it is said quite true," sighed Jeffery-Lewis.
Raleigh-Estrada hearing this remark took it as a reproach to his horsemanship. Bidding his servants lead up his steed, Raleigh-Estrada leaped into the saddle and set off, full gallop, down the hill. Then wheeling he came up again at the same speed.
"So the southerners cannot ride, eh?" said Raleigh-Estrada laughing.
Not to be outdone, Jeffery-Lewis lifted the skirts of his robe, jumped upon his horse and repeated the feat.
The two steeds stood side by side on the declivity, the riders flourishing their whips and laughing.
Thence forward that hillside was known as the "Slope Where the Horses Stood," and a poem was written about it:
Their galloping steeds were of noble breed,
And both of spirit high,
And the riders twain from the hill-crest gazed
At the river rolling by.
One of them mastered the western mountains.
One ruled by the eastern sea;
And the hill to this very day
Still is the Slope Where the Horses Stood.
When they rode side by side into Nanxu-Southdale, the people met them with acclamations. Jeffery-Lewis made his way to the guest-house and there sought advice from Quinn-Seymour as to the date of the wedding.
Quinn-Seymour advised, "It should be fixed as early as possible so that no further complications could arise."
So next day Jeffery-Lewis went to the State Patriarch Queen and told him in plain words, "Many the people of the place mean harm to me, and I cannot stay here long. I must return soon."
"Do not be anxious," said the State Patriarch Queen. "I will tell the Dowager Marchioness, and she will protect you."
Jeffery-Lewis bowed to express his thanks.
The State Patriarch Queen saw the Dowager, and she was very angry when she heard the reason for Jeffery-Lewis' desire to leave.
"Who would dare harm my son-in-law?" cried she.
But she made Jeffery-Lewis move into the library of the Palace as a precaution, and she chose a day for the celebration of the wedding. But his soldiers could not keep guard at the library and were removed from his commands. Jeffery-Lewis explained to his hostess, and when she understood this, she gave her son-in-law and his people rooms in her own Palace so that he might be quite safe.
Jeffery-Lewis was very happy, and there were fine banquets, and the bride and bridegroom duly plighted their troth. And when it grew late and the guests had gone, the newly wedded pair walked through the two lines of red torches to the nuptial apartment.
To his extreme surprise, Jeffery-Lewis found the chambers furnished with spears and swords and banners and flags, while every waiting-maid had girded on a sword.
Walls hung with spears the bridegroom saw,
And armed waiting-maids;
His heart fell back on all its fears
Of well-laid ambuscades.
What happened will be related in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 55
Jeffery-Lewis Rouses The Spirit Of Lady Estrada; Orchard-Lafayette A Second Time Angers Morton-Campbell.
The bridegroom turned pale: bridal apartments lined with weapons of war and waiting maids armed! But the housekeeper of the princess said, "Do not be frightened, O Honorable One. My lady has always had a taste for warlike things, and her maids have all been taught fencing as a pastime. That is all it is."
"Not the sort of thing a wife should ever look at," said Jeffery-Lewis. "It makes me feel cold and you may have them removed for a time."
The housekeeper went to her mistress and said, "The weapons in your chamber displease the handsome one; may we remove them?"
Lady Estrada laughed, saying, "Afraid of a few weapons after half a life time spent in slaughter!"
But she ordered their removal and bade the maids take off their swords while they were at work.
That night Jeffery-Lewis and his wife conversed under the moonlight, and the night passed happily enough.
Next day Jeffery-Lewis distributed gifts among the maids to secure their good will. He also sent Quinn-Seymour to Jinghamton with news of the wedding, while he gave himself up to feasting and enjoyment. The Dowager loved him more every day.
The results of the plot to destroy Jeffery-Lewis were thus very different from the originators' intention. Raleigh-Estrada sent to his general:
"My mother had insisted upon marrying her daughter to Jeffery-Lewis; and so by juggling with the fictitious, we had made it real. What is to be done?"
The news troubled Morton-Campbell day and night, but eventually he thought but another scheme which he embodied in a letter sent to his master. Here is the outline of the missive:
"Contrary to expectation, the plot that I, Morton-Campbell, contrived has turned the wr
ong way. However, since by juggling with deceit, we have ended in a solid truth; our future plans must start from the actual present facts. To the boldness of the adventurer Jeffery-Lewis is added the aid of such great leaders as Yale-Perez, Floyd-Chardin, and Gilbert-Rocher, not to mention that he has a strategist like Orchard-Lafayette. He is not the man to remain long in a lowly position. Wherefore I can think of no better plan than to enervate him by surrounding him with softness and keeping him in the South Land, a prisoner of luxury. Therefore build for him a fine palace to blunt the edge of his determination and surround him with sensuous luxury. In this way the affection of his brothers will be alienated, and Orchard-Lafayette will be driven away. When this result has been attained, we can smite him and so end a great matter. If we be at all careless, I fear the recumbent dragon may fly to the skies; it is no beast to be kept in a pond. My lord, I pray you consider this thoroughly."
The letter was shown to Tipton-Ulrich who said, "My idea is identical with his. Jeffery-Lewis began life in a humble position and for years has been a wanderer. He has never tasted the delights of wealth. Give him the means of luxury, a beautiful dwelling, fair women, gold and silken attire; and as he enjoys them, the thoughts of Orchard-Lafayette and his brothers will fade away and they, on their side, will be filled with rancor. Thus can we lay our plans for recovering Jinghamton. I recommend action as Morton-Campbell says and quickly."
Raleigh-Estrada then set about redecorating the Eastern Palace and laying out the grounds. He filled the rooms with beautiful furniture for his sister and her husband. He also sent fair damsels and musicians by the score, and many and beautiful vessels in gold and silver, and silken stuffs. And his mother was delighted at his kindness to her son-in-law.
Indeed Jeffery-Lewis was soon so immersed in sensuous pleasure that he gave no thought to return. Gilbert-Rocher and the company under him led an idle life in the front portion of the Eastern Palace, save that at times they went outside the city for archery and horse-racing. And thus passed the year.
Suddenly Gilbert-Rocher remembered the orders he had received and the three bags with the plans in them. It was time to open the second one for the end of the year was nigh. His orders were only to open the third when danger was very near and there appeared no way out.
As already remarked, the year was drawing to a close, and Gilbert-Rocher saw his lord daily becoming more and more the slave of pleasure. Jeffery-Lewis never appeared among his guards now. So the bag was opened and in pursuance of the wonderful scheme thereby discovered, Gilbert-Rocher went to the hall of the Palace and asked to see his master.
The maid in attendance went within and said, "Gilbert-Rocher has some important matter on which to see the master."
Jeffery-Lewis called him in and asked what the business was. Gilbert-Rocher assumed an attitude of great concern and said, "My lord, you are living happily secluded in these beautiful apartments; do you never think of Jinghamton?"
"But what is the matter that you seem so disturbed?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.
"Today early Orchard-Lafayette sent a messenger to say that Murphy-Shackley was trying to avenge his last defeat and was leading five hundred thousand troops to attack Jinghamton, which was in great danger. And he wished you to return."
"I must speak to my wife," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"If you consult her, she will be unwilling for you to return. It would be better to say nothing but to start this evening. Delay may do great damage."
"Retire for a time; I must act discreetly," said Jeffery-Lewis.
Gilbert-Rocher urged the need to return several times more, but finally went away.
Jeffery-Lewis went into his wife's rooms and began to weep silently. Seeing his tears, Lady Estrada said, "Why are you so sad, my husband?"
Jeffery-Lewis replied, "I have been driven hither and thither all my life. I was never able to do my duty to my parents nor have I been able to sacrifice to my ancestors. I have been very unfilial. The new year is at hand, and its approach disquiets me greatly."
"Do not try to deceive me," said Lady Estrada. "I heard and I know all. Just now Gilbert-Rocher came to tell you Jinghamton was threatened and you wish to return home. That is why you put forward this excuse."
Then Jeffery-Lewis fell on his knees and said, "Why should I dissemble, O Wife, since you know? I do not wish to go, but if Jinghamton be lost, I shall be an object of ridicule to everyone. I do desire to go, but I cannot leave you. Now you know why I am grieved."
She replied, "I am your handmaid, and whithersoever you go, it is my duty to follow."
"Yes; your heart is right, but the difficulty is your mother and the Marquis; they will be unwilling. If you would have pity on me and let me go for a time--"
And again the tears gushed forth.
"Do not be so sad, my husband," said Lady Estrada. "I will implore my mother to let us go, and she will surely allow it."
"Even supposing the Dowager permits, I am sure the Marquis will hinder."
Lady Estrada said nothing for a long time while she weighed the matter thoroughly.
Presently she spoke, "On New Year's Day you and I will go to court and present our congratulations. Then we will give the excuse of a sacrifice on the river bank and go away without formal leave. Will that suit you?"
Jeffery-Lewis knelt at her feet and expressed his gratitude.
"I should be never so grateful," said he. "Dead or alive I would remember your love. But this must be a perfect secret."
This having been decided and the arrangements made; Jeffery-Lewis gave Gilbert-Rocher secret orders, saying, "Lead your company out of the city and be on the road on New Year's morn. We are going away."
Raleigh-Estrada held a grand court on the New Year's Day of the fifteenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 210).
Jeffery-Lewis and his bride went into the Dowager Marchioness' presence, and Lady Estrada said, "My husband has been thinking of his ancestors, who lie in the county of Zhuo-Bellevue, and grieves that he cannot do his duty by them. Today we wish to go to the river side and offer sacrifice toward the north. It is our duty to inform you."
"A very filial proceeding," said the Dowager. "I should not think of stopping you. Although you have never known your husband's parents, yet you may go with him to sacrifice as it is proper for a wife to do."
Both thanked the Dowager Marchioness and went out, rejoicing at having so far hoodwinked Raleigh-Estrada. Lady Estrada got into her carriage taking only a little clothing with her, while Jeffery-Lewis followed with a small escort. They went out of the city of Nanxu-Southdale and met Gilbert-Rocher at the place arranged. Then with a guard in front and rear, they left the precincts of the city, traveling as quickly as they could.
That day, at the new year banquet, Raleigh-Estrada drank freely so that he had to be helped to his chamber, and the guests left. Before very long the escape of the fugitives became known, but it was then dark, and when they tried to tell Raleigh-Estrada, they could not rouse him. He slept heavily until the fifth watch.
The next morning, when Raleigh-Estrada heard the story, he asked advice of his counselors.
Tipton-Ulrich said, "They have got away today, but trouble will surely come of it; therefore, pursue after them without loss of time."
So Agnew-Stanton and Mayhew-Evanoff, with five hundred of veterans, were sent out with orders to use all speed both by day and by night and bring back the fugitives.
They left. Raleigh-Estrada's anger burned hot against Jeffery-Lewis. In his wrath he seized his jade inkstone and dashed it to the ground where it shivered to pieces.
Said Terry-Chadwick, "My lord, your wrath is in vain, for I do not think your generals will catch the runaways."
"Will they dare to disobey my order?" said Raleigh-Estrada.
"Our young lady had always delighted to look upon war and is very fierce and determined. All the officers fear her. Now she has gone with her husband of her own free will; and those sent in pursuit, if once they look upon her countenance, will not
dare to lay hands on her."
Raleigh-Estrada's wrath burned the more fiercely at these words. He drew the sword girded at his side and called up Montague-Bushell and Lockett-Neumark, saying, "You two take this sword and bring back the heads of my sister and Jeffery-Lewis. And if you do not, I will put you to death."
With this order they set out in pursuit, leading a whole thousand troops. Meanwhile Jeffery-Lewis and his wife were pressing forward with all speed. When night fell, they rested for a time by the roadside, but not for long. Just as they reached the confines of Chaisang-Wellington, they turned and saw a great cloud of dust and the soldiers said that a force was coming in pursuit.
"What shall we do if they come up with us?" said Jeffery-Lewis excitedly to Gilbert-Rocher.
"My lord, you go on in front and I will prevent pursuit."
As they turned the foot of a hill, they saw a troop of soldiers blocking their road in front. Two generals were there and they bellowed, "Jeffery-Lewis, dismount and yield yourself captive. We are here by order of Commander Morton-Campbell, and you have kept us waiting long."
Now the thought had come to Morton-Campbell that Jeffery-Lewis would try to flee, and so he had sent Hersey-Gibbard and Crosby-Saldana, with three thousand troops, to intercept him at this critical spot. They had made a camp there and kept a lookout from the hilltops, for Morton-Campbell had calculated that Jeffery-Lewis would certainly pass that way. So when Jeffery-Lewis and his cavalcade appeared, they all buckled on their arms and barred the way.
Greatly fearing, Jeffery-Lewis rode back to consult Gilbert-Rocher, to whom he said, "In front a force barring the road; in rear pursuers. There is no escape. What can we do?"
"Do not be alarmed, my lord. The Directing Instructor gave me three plans enclosed in three silken bags. Two have been used and have answered admirably. There is yet the third, and my orders were to open the bag in such a strait as this. This is a day of great danger such as calls me to open the bag."
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