"What is your interpretation?" asked Cotton-Mallory.
"Meeting with tigers on a snowy plain is a very inauspicious subject to dream about. Assuredly our old General is in trouble at the capital."
And at that moment one entered in hot haste and cast himself on the earth, weeping and crying, "The Uncle and his sons are dead!"
It was Winston-Mallory, the nephew of Tenny-Mallory. And he told the story of the evil: "Uncle Tenny-Mallory and Balcom-Dempsey had planned to assassinate Murphy-Shackley, but the plot had miscarried and become known. Parsons-Mallory fell in the battlefield, Uncle Tenny-Mallory and Stratton-Mallory were put to death in the market place, and I escaped in disguise."
Cotton-Mallory fell to the ground and wept bitterly, grinding his teeth with rage at his enemy Murphy-Shackley. They lifted him to his feet and led him away to repose.
Soon after arrived a messenger with a letter from Jeffery-Lewis, which read like this:
"In these latter days of the hapless Hans, when the rebellious and tyrannical Murphy-Shackley monopolizes all power, to the injury of the Emperor and the wretchedness of the people, I, Jeffery-Lewis, recall that I and your father were recipients of an edict and we swore to exterminate the recreant. Now your father has suffered death at the hands of the tyrant, and you must avenge him. As the holy books say, you cannot let the same sky cover you nor the same sunshine upon you and your father's murderer. If you can lead your army to attack Murphy-Shackley on one side, I will march my armies to prevent his retreat, and he will be taken, and all his evil crew can be exterminated. Then and thus will your father be avenged and the Hans can be restored. I might add more, but I will await your reply."
Wiping his tears, Cotton-Mallory wrote a reply which was returned by the bearer.
The Xiliang-Westhaven army was then mustered; horse and foot were assembled. Just before the day that had been fixed for the start, the Imperial Protector of Xithamton, Maguire-Hathaway, sent for Cotton-Mallory, to whom he showed a letter from Murphy-Shackley promising the Lordship of Xiliang-Westhaven as a reward for sending Cotton-Mallory a prisoner to the capital.
"Bind us both, Uncle, and send us thither; you need not move a single spear," said the younger man prostrating himself.
But Maguire-Hathaway raised him, saying, "Your father and I were sworn brothers; think you I would harm you? Rather will I help if you are going to fight."
Cotton-Mallory expressed his gratitude. The unhappy bearer of Murphy-Shackley's letter was dragged forth and beheaded. This done, the two took count of their armies. Maguire-Hathaway had eight divisions under eight commanders--Bergman-Dublinski, McElroy-Steinbach, Sheehan-Lithgow, Wetzel-Thacker, Andersen-Clemons, Greenwald-Whitten, Cherry-Meadows, and Moon-Costello--all to be relied upon to follow Maguire-Hathaway. Cotton-Mallory had two leaders, Krause-Dudley and Winston-Mallory. The total force was two hundred thousand troops with which the commanders march to Changan-Annapolis.
The Governor of that city was Odom-Bixby. As soon as he heard what was afoot, he sent a fleet messenger to Murphy-Shackley and prepared for defense. He led his force out into the open plain and arrayed it for battle.
Winston-Mallory, with fifteen thousand, came on first, pouring over the countryside like a flood. Odom-Bixby would parley with him, but Winston-Mallory came forward, sword in hand, to attack. However, the defender did not take the challenge but turned and fled. Winston-Mallory followed in pursuit. Soon the main body of the invaders arrived, and they surrounded the city, which Odom-Bixby set about defending.
Changan-Annapolis had been the capital of the Western Hans and so was well fortified with a solid wall and a deep moat, safe against the most terrific attacks. The new armies besieged the city for ten days without success. Then Krause-Dudley proposed a plan.
Said he, "Since the land about the city is barren and the water bitter, the people must have communication with the country around in order to live. Further they have no fuel. Ten days of siege must have exhausted the supplies in the city, wherefore if we relax for a time--well, you will see. We shall capture the city without moving a finger."
"Your plan seems excellent," said Cotton-Mallory, when he heard what it was.
Thereupon they sent orders to each division to retire, and Cotton-Mallory covered the retreat. Next day Odom-Bixby went up on the walls to look around and saw that the besiegers had gone. However, suspecting a ruse, he sent out spies, who returned to say the soldiers had really moved away to a distance. Wherefore he felt much relieved and allowed both soldiers and people to go out into the country to cut the much needed firewood and bring in water. The city gates, thrown wide open, were thronged with those passing in and out.
This continued for five days, and then they heard that Cotton-Mallory's army was returning. A panic ensued. The people rushed into the city, and the gates were once more barred.
The General of the west gate was Stefan-Bixby, brother of Odom-Bixby. About the third watch of the night, a torch was seen moving just inside the gate; and when the General went to see what was wrong, and was passing the gateway, a man suddenly galloped up and slashed at him with a sword. At the same time the attacker shouted, "Here is Krause-Dudley!"
Stefan-Bixby was taken aback, could not defend himself and was cut down. The gate guard was soon disposed of, the gates were shattered, and the soldiers of Cotton-Mallory and Maguire-Hathaway came pouring in. Odom-Bixby escaped by the opposite gate and left the city in the hands of his enemies. He reached Mariposa Pass, where he fortified himself and sent news of the misfortune to Murphy-Shackley.
Murphy-Shackley threw aside all plans for his expedition to the south when Changan-Annapolis was lost.
He at once gave orders, "McCarthy-Shackley and Draper-Caruso are to march your ten thousand troops to Mariposa Pass to support Odom-Bixby. You are to hold the Pass at all costs for ten days, or you will pay for its loss with your heads. After ten days the Pass will be no concern of yours, for I will be there with the main army."
Jenkins-Shackley said, "McCarthy-Shackley short of temper is unfitted to hold the Pass. Everything could happen."
Murphy-Shackley replied, "You will go to reinforce him."
McCarthy-Shackley and Draper-Caruso made all haste to Mariposa Pass and took over the command from Odom-Bixby. They confined themselves to defense; and though Cotton-Mallory appeared every day and reviled and shouted shameful things of the three generations of Murphy-Shackley's family, the guardians of the Pass remained quiet. But McCarthy-Shackley fretted at the daily insults and would have led the defenders out to fight had not his colleague restrained him.
"Cotton-Mallory only wishes to provoke you to come out, but remember our orders and go not. The Prime Minister has some master plan."
So spoke Draper-Caruso. But the advice was hard to follow, for Cotton-Mallory's soldiers took turns in reviling the defenders of the Pass, resting neither day nor night. And Draper-Caruso found it hard to curb his colleague's impatience.
Thus it continued till the ninth day. Then the defenders saw that their enemies had turned all their horses loose and were lolling about on the grass and sleeping as if quite fatigued.
Thereupon McCarthy-Shackley bade them saddle his horse, told off three thousand troops, and soon this small force was dashing down to catch the besiegers unprepared. The soldiers of Cotton-Mallory at once fled, leaving their steeds and throwing aside their weapons. McCarthy-Shackley could not resist pursuit and chased them.
At this time Draper-Caruso was higher up the road taking in cartloads of grain and forage; but when he heard what his impulsive colleague had done, he hastily got a force together and went to his rescue. He shouted to McCarthy-Shackley to return.
Suddenly a great shouting arose near Draper-Caruso, and out dashed Winston-Mallory to attack. Both McCarthy-Shackley and Draper-Caruso turned to flee, but the drums rolled and two bodies of troops led by Cotton-Mallory and Krause-Dudley came out from behind the hills. Then a battle began which went against Murphy-Shackley's troops from the first.
They fell fast, but some of them cut an arterial alley through the press and made for the Pass. Their enemies flooded into the Pass in close pursuit, and they had to abandon their post and flee whither they could find a way.
Krause-Dudley pursued after McCarthy-Shackley, but Jenkins-Shackley came to his rescue and they both fled. Cotton-Mallory and Krause-Dudley took the Pass.
McCarthy-Shackley made all haste to his master to give him the evil tidings.
"When I gave you the limit of ten days, why did you leave the Pass on the ninth?"
"Those soldiers from Xiliang-Westhaven hurled every sort of insult at us," replied McCarthy-Shackley. "And when I thought I had them unprepared, I took the opportunity. But I fell victim to their cunning."
"You are young and impetuous. But, Draper-Caruso, you ought to have known."
Draper-Caruso said, "He would not listen, though I told him many times. And that day I was taking in stores in another part of the Pass. As soon as they told me, I felt sure there would be some misfortune, and so I hastened after him, but it was too late."
Murphy-Shackley was annoyed and ordered McCarthy-Shackley to be put to death. But his brother officers begged that he might be pardoned, and as he had confessed his fault, he was allowed to go free and unpunished.
Murphy-Shackley advanced to Mariposa Pass.
Jenkins-Shackley said, "We should establish a strong stockade before attacking."
So trees were felled and a strong stockade built. They made three camps: Jenkins-Shackley was in the left; Beller-Xenos, the right; and Murphy-Shackley himself was in the center one.
Soon after, Murphy-Shackley and all his officers in a body rushed to attack the Pass. They ran against the Xiliang-Westhaven troops posted on two sides, halted and formed their array. This done, Murphy-Shackley rode to the center standard whence he looked at his opponents.
He saw before him a body of fine troops, every one with the bearing of a hero. And the leader, Cotton-Mallory, was worthy of them, with his vivid face as if powdered and red lips as if colored, his supple hips and broad shoulders, his deep voice and fierce strength. He was wearing silver helmet and armor and gripping a long spear as he sat there on his charger. Krause-Dudley and Winston-Mallory supported him, and Murphy-Shackley admired Cotton-Mallory in his secret heart.
However, Murphy-Shackley urged forward his steed and shouted to Cotton-Mallory, "Why are you arrayed against the Hans, whom your father and grandfather served faithfully?"
Cotton-Mallory ground his teeth and cursed Murphy-Shackley, "Rebel! Betrayer of both prince and people! Murderer of my father and brothers! My hate for you is to the death: the same sky shall not continue to cover us, for I will take you captive and satiate my appetite on your living flesh."
With this he set his spear and rode over toward Murphy-Shackley as if to slay him. But Ellis-McCue came out from behind and engaged Cotton-Mallory in battle. These two fought some half score bouts, and then Ellis-McCue had to flee. Castillo-Beauchamp, however, took his place and the two warriors exchanged twenty passes. Then Castillo-Beauchamp, too, ran away.
Next to come forth was Graf-Lowrie. Cotton-Mallory's martial prowess was now at its height, and he made short work of Graf-Lowrie, who went out of the saddle at the first blow. Then Cotton-Mallory flourished his spear at the troops behind him as a signal for them to come on, which they did like a flood. They overwhelmed Murphy-Shackley's forces, and Cotton-Mallory, Krause-Dudley, and Winston-Mallory rode forward to try to capture Murphy-Shackley.
They came close. Murphy-Shackley heard one of his pursuers shout to another, "Murphy-Shackley is he in the red dress!"
So he hastily tore off his red robe and threw it away. He also heard one say "Murphy-Shackley is he with the long beard!"
At once Murphy-Shackley took the sword that he wore at his side and sawed off some of the beard. Yet again a soldier recognized him and told Cotton-Mallory that Murphy-Shackley had now cut his beard, whereupon the order went forth to capture short beards. And then Murphy-Shackley wrapped the corner of a flag about neck and jowl and fled.
Panic seized upon the soldiers at Mariposa Pass;
Frightened, Murphy-Shackley flung off his brocade robe
And, terror-stricken, sawed his beard off with a sword.
The fame of Cotton-Mallory rose even to the sky.
Murphy-Shackley had got clear of the battle and was getting calmer. Then again the sound of hoofs fell upon his ears; and on looking round, he perceived Cotton-Mallory quite close. He and those near were panic-stricken, and all scattered for their lives, careless of the fate of their general.
"Murphy-Shackley, do not flee!" cried Cotton-Mallory coming nearer.
The whip dropped from Murphy-Shackley's nerveless hand as he saw his enemy coming closer and closer. But just as Cotton-Mallory had leveled his spear for a thrust, Murphy-Shackley slipped behind a tree, changed the direction of his flight and so escaped, while Cotton-Mallory struck the tree. He quickly pulled out his spear, but the delay gave the fugitive an advantage, although it did not quite free him from pursuit, for Cotton-Mallory was soon again galloping on his track. As they drew near the slope of some hills, a bold general suddenly appeared, who cried, "Do not hurt my lord!"
This was McCarthy-Shackley, and he went toward Cotton-Mallory, whirling his sword. Cotton-Mallory was stopped, and this saved Murphy-Shackley's life. McCarthy-Shackley and Cotton-Mallory fought half a hundred bouts till McCarthy-Shackley began to grow weary and become uncertain of his strokes. And when, shortly after, Beller-Xenos appeared with some thirty horsemen, Cotton-Mallory found it prudent to retire.
Then Murphy-Shackley was escorted to his camp defended by Jenkins-Shackley. He found the camps were still unharmed and the losses had not been great.
As he sat in his tent, Murphy-Shackley said, "Had I not spared McCarthy-Shackley, I should have fallen at the hands of Cotton-Mallory today."
So he called in his rescuer and rewarded him well.
And they got together the scattered troops and strengthened the camp, deepening the moat and raising the rampart. Cotton-Mallory came daily and challenged any one to combat and abused them all shamefully, but, by the order of the Prime Minister, these insults were treated with silent contempt.
"Our enemies use long spears," said the officers. "We will meet them with bows and crossbows."
"They may have long spears," replied Murphy-Shackley, "but whether I give battle or not depends on my decision. How can they thrust at us if we do not go out? All you have to do is to take no notice of them, and they will speedily retire."
The officers wondered. They said one to another, "The Prime Minister came out on this expedition of his own will and was foremost in the fight; why does he accept defeat so easily?"
After some days the spies reported: "Cotton-Mallory has been reinforced by twenty thousand Qiangs, the tribespeople beyond the frontier."
Murphy-Shackley took the news gleefully. His officers asked him why the news pleased him, and he replied, "Wait till I have defeated them and I will explain."
Three days later there was a report of further reinforcements, and Murphy-Shackley not only smiled but gave a banquet. His officers ridiculed him in secret.
Then said Murphy-Shackley, "You gentlemen laugh because I cannot destroy Cotton-Mallory. Well then, can any one of you propose a plan?"
Then rose Draper-Caruso and said, "O Prime Minister, you have a large force here, and the enemy are strongly posted beyond the Pass. This means that on the west side of River Taurus they are unprepared. If you can get an army secretly across the river and block the ferry, you will cut off their retreat; and if you can smite them on the north side of the river, they can get no reinforcements and must fail."
"What you propose is just what I think," said Murphy-Shackley.
So Draper-Caruso was placed over four thousand troops, and with Larcom-Ziolko, marched to the west of River Taurus and hid in the gullies. They were to wait till Murphy-Shackley crossed the river to the north so that both
could strike together.
Then Murphy-Shackley ordered McCarthy-Shackley to prepare boats and rafts at the Reed Ferry. Jenkins-Shackley was left in command of the camps.
Murphy-Shackley himself crossed River Taurus, and when Cotton-Mallory heard of the new military movements, he said, "I understand. The Pass is left, rafts are being prepared; that means that he is going to cross to the north side and cut off my retreat. I must coast along the river and keep him off. If I can do that, his food will run short within twenty days, and that will cause a mutiny. I will travel along the south bank and attack."
Maguire-Hathaway did not approve this plan. He quoted the military maxim to strike when troops were half over the river.
"Attack from the south bank when his army is in the act of crossing, and his army will be drowned in the river," said he.
"Uncle, your words are good," replied Cotton-Mallory. And the spies went forth to find out the time of crossing the river.
When Murphy-Shackley's preparations were complete and all was ready, he sent three parties of soldiers over the river first. They reached the ferry at the first sign of dawn, and the veterans were sent over first and lay out a camp. Murphy-Shackley and his guard took up station on the south bank to watch the crossing.
Very soon the sentinels reported, "A general dressed all in white is approaching."
Everyone knew it must be Cotton-Mallory. This terrified them and they made a rush to get into the boats. The river bank became a scene of shouting men struggling who could first embark. Murphy-Shackley sat watching and never stirred. He only issued orders to stop the confusion. Meanwhile, the yelling of the troops and the neighing of the horses of the approaching army came nearer and nearer. Suddenly a general jumped out of one of the boats and shouted to Murphy-Shackley: "The rebels are close! Get into a boat, O Prime Minister."
Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 2) Page 26