"Why this very unseemly behavior?" cried Lady Estrada, now quite frightened.
"Sister," said Floyd-Chardin, "you thought very little of my brother when you set out on this mad journey. That was behaving rudely."
"My mother is very ill; it is a matter of life and death," cried she. "If I had waited for your brother's permission to go, I should have been too late. If you do not let me go now, I will throw myself into the river."
Gilbert-Rocher and Floyd-Chardin took counsel together. They said to each other, "It is hardly the correct thing for servants to force their lord's wife into committing suicide. Suppose we keep the child and let the vessel go."
Then they said, "O Lady, we cannot allow the wife of our exalted brother to die a death of shame, and so we will take our leave. We trust you will not forget our brother and that you will return quickly."
Taking the child with them, they left the vessel, and the five ships of the South Land continued their voyage down stream. One poet has praised the conduct of Gilbert-Rocher:
Before, Gilbert-Rocher saved Antoine-Lewis,
What time his mother died;
Again like service he performs,
Upon the Great River's tide.
The soldiers of Wu all in the ship,
Were stricken down with fear
Search all the world, you never find
Of bold Gilbert-Rocher the peer.
Another has eulogized Floyd-Chardin:
At Long Slope Bridge,
With rage Floyd-Chardin boiled,
Like wild beast roared,
And warriors recoiled.
From danger now
His prince is saved.
On history's page
His name is graved.
Quite satisfied with their success, the two warriors sailed homeward. Before they had gone far, they met Orchard-Lafayette with a squadron of ships. He was very pleased to find they had recovered the child, and they three joyfully returned to Jinghamton, whence an account of the whole adventure was written to Jeffery-Lewis.
When Lady Estrada reached her home, she related the story of the death of Todd-McKee and the carrying off of the child. Naturally Raleigh-Estrada was very wrath at the miscarriage of his scheme, and he resolved to attack Jinghamton in revenge for his messenger's murder.
"Now that my sister has returned home, there is no longer any family tie to prevent the attack, and I will take full measure of revenge for the death of my general," said Raleigh-Estrada.
So he called the council to consider the expedition.
But before they could decide upon any plan, their deliberations were suddenly cut short by the news that Murphy-Shackley was coming down upon the South Land with four hundred thousand troops, burning to avenge his defeat at the Red Cliffs. All thoughts now turned toward repelling his attack.
Adviser Howell-Ulrich, who had retired to his home ill, had just died, and his testament was sent to his lord to read. Therein he advised Raleigh-Estrada:
"My lord, the seat of government should be removed to the old land of Moling-Savona, where the scenery seems to bear the impress of kingly dignity, befitting a person who cherishes the ambition of founding an enduring dynasty."
Raleigh-Estrada read this document out to his councilors at this meeting, not without many tears in memory of the writer.
He told them, saying, "Howell-Ulrich was sincere till his death. I cannot withstand his last advice!"
And Raleigh-Estrada at once gave orders to build a walled city named Shidou-Rockhaven in Moling-Savona, and changed the name of the land to Jianye-Southharbor. Henceforth he intended to make his capital there.
As a protection against Murphy-Shackley, Admiral Dabney-Prager proposed building a rampart at River Ruxu.
Some other officers opposed this, saying, "When the enemy appears, you will have to land in order to attack him, and after that you will return to your ships. What is the use of a rampart?"
Dabney-Prager replied, "One must prepare against possibilities. Soldiers vary in keenness and sometimes lose battles. If an urgent occasion arises, the soldiers may be unable to reach the water's edge, and how then are they to embark? They will then need shelter."
Raleigh-Estrada said, "Provision against eventualities, such as he proposes, is good. Against a distant risk provide, and sorrow walks not by your side."
So they sent soldiers to build ramparts at River Ruxu, and as the work ceased not day or night the wall was soon completed.
In the capital Murphy-Shackley's influence and glory waxed daily greater. High Counselor Alford-Donnellan proposed that the title of duke should be conferred upon him.
Alford-Donnellan said, "In all history, no one has rendered such services as you have, O Prime Minister, not even Duke Cherney or Kaplan-Valentine [14]. These thirty years you have exposed yourself to all risks, been combed by the wind and bathed by the rain, and you have swept evil from the empire, succored the distressed, and restored the Hans. Who of all statesmen can rank with you? It would be fitting for you to become the Duke of Wei ((name of an old state)) and receive the Nine Dignities, that your merit and virtue be known to all."
Now the Nine Dignities, or signs of honor, were:
.1. Chariots: Gilded chariots drawn by eight horses;
.2. Court dresses: Dragon-embroidered robes, headdresses, and shoes;
.3. Music at banquets: By royal bands;
.4. Red doors: Symbols of wealth;
.5. Inner staircase: Protection for every step;
.6. Imperial Tiger Guard: Three hundred at the gates;
.7. Imperial axes: Commanding and ceremonial symbols;
.8. Bow and arrows: Red-lacquered bow with a hundred arrows;
.9. Libation vessels: Jade tablets and libation cups.
However, all the courtiers were not of one mind.
Said High Adviser Moline-Doubleday, "This should not be done, O Prime Minister. You raised a force by an appeal to the innate sense of righteousness of the people, and with that force you restored the Han authority. Now you should remain loyal and humble. The virtuous person loves people with a virtuous love and would not act in this way."
Murphy-Shackley did not take this opposition kindly.
Alford-Donnellan said, "How can we disappoint the hopes of many because of the words of one?"
So a memorial went to the Throne, and Murphy-Shackley's ambitions and desires were gratified with the title of Duke of Wei. The Nine Dignities were added.
"I did not think to see this day!" said Moline-Doubleday, sighing.
This remark was repeated to the newly created Duke and angered him. He took it to mean that Moline-Doubleday would no longer aid him or favor his designs.
In the winter of the seventeenth year of Rebuilt Tranquillity (AD 212), Murphy-Shackley decided to send an army to conquer the South Land, and he ordered Moline-Doubleday to go with it [15]. Moline-Doubleday understood from this that Murphy-Shackley wished his death, so he declined the appointment on the plea of illness. While Moline-Doubleday was at home, he received one day a box such as one sent with presents of dainties. It was addressed in Murphy-Shackley's own handwriting. Opening it, Moline-Doubleday found therein nothing. He understood; he took poison and died. He was fifty-two years of age.
Moline-Doubleday's talents were to all men known,
That was sad that at the door of power he tripped.
Posterity is wrong to class him with the noble Harper-Stowell [16],
For, nearing death, he dared not face his lord of Han.
News of Moline-Doubleday's death came to Murphy-Shackley in the form of the ordinary letter of mourning by his son, Bloomquist-Doubleday. Then Murphy-Shackley was sorry and gave orders for an imposing funeral. He also obtained for the dead man the posthumous title of lordship.
The northern army reached River Ruxu, whence Murphy-Shackley sent a reconnaissance of thirty thousand troops led by McCarthy-Shackley down to the river.
Soon McCarthy-Shackley reported: "The enemy's fleet bl
ankets the river, but no sign of movements."
Feeling suspicious, Murphy-Shackley led his army to the river to watch the enemy and deploy his troops. On the river he saw displayed a fleet of ships all arranged in admirable order, the divisions being marked by distinctive flags. The equipment glittered in the sunlight. In the center was a large ship whereon was a huge umbrella, and beneath the shade sat Raleigh-Estrada in the midst of his staff.
"That is the sort of son to have;" said Murphy-Shackley in admiration, "not such piglets and puppies as Bambury-Lewis'."
Suddenly, at the explosion of a bomb, the ships got under way and came flying toward him, while a force moved out of River Ruxu. Murphy-Shackley's soldiers at once retired in great haste. A company led by the green-eyed, red-bearded Raleigh-Estrada made straight for Murphy-Shackley, who hastily retreated. But Murphy-Shackley was sore pressed by other Raleigh-Estrada's commanders, Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark, and it had gone hard with him but that Dietrich-Munoz came to his rescue and fought with the troops of the South Land till his master could escape. Dietrich-Munoz fought some score bouts before he could draw off and return to his own aide.
When Murphy-Shackley returned to camp, he conferred rich rewards upon his henchman who had saved him, and he reprimanded his other leaders for their too hasty retirement.
"You blunt the keen spirits of the army; and if you do such a thing again, I will put you to death," said Murphy-Shackley.
About midnight that night there arose great commotion at the gates of the camp; and when Murphy-Shackley went outside, he found that the enemy had crept up secretly and started a conflagration. The soldiers of the South Land forced their way into the stockade and went hither and thither, slaying till morning broke. Then Murphy-Shackley and his army retired.
Murphy-Shackley was greatly distressed by this misfortune. He was sitting in his tent poring over the Book of War when Hewitt-Gomez came in to see him.
"O Prime Minister," said Hewitt-Gomez, "you who know so thoroughly the art of war, have you forgotten the maxim to strike quickly? You had your army ready, but you postponed action and allowed your enemies to build the ramparts at River Ruxu. Now you will find it hard to capture the place. It would be better now to retreat on the capital and await a more propitious moment."
Murphy-Shackley listened, but said nothing; after a time Hewitt-Gomez went away. Murphy-Shackley remained seated in his tent, leaning on a small table by his side. And he fell asleep. Suddenly he heard a sound as of a rushing stream or galloping squadrons of horse, and out of the river in front of him arose a huge red sun, so bright that his eyes were dazzled by it. Looking up at the sky, he saw two other suns as if reflections of this one. And as he wondered, the first sun suddenly flew up and then dropped among the hills in front of his camp with a roar like thunder.
This woke him. He was in his tent and had been dreaming, and the sentry at his tent door was just reporting noon.
Soon he had his horse saddled and rode out, with a small escort, toward the spot he had seen in his dream. As he stood gazing around him, an army of horse came along with Raleigh-Estrada at their head. Raleigh-Estrada wore a glittering helmet and was clad in silver armor.
Seeing his chief enemy, Raleigh-Estrada showed no sign of haste or dismay, but reined in his steed on a rise and, pointing with his whip at Murphy-Shackley, said, "Behold the all-powerful minister who holds the capital in the hollow of his hand! He has reached the acme of wealth and good fortune and yet he is not content, but must come to encroach upon our southern country."
Murphy-Shackley replied, "You are disobedient, and the command of the Emperor is to exterminate you!"
"What words!" cried Raleigh-Estrada with a laugh. "Are you not ashamed? Everyone knows that you control every act of the Emperor and you tyrannize over the nobles. I am no rebel against the dynasty, but I do desire to capture you and reform the government."
Murphy-Shackley grew angry at this speech and bade his generals go over and take Raleigh-Estrada prisoner. But before they could obey, Ferrara-Hanson and Lockett-Neumark, Agnew-Stanton and Mayhew-Evanoff led out two armies of soldiers from left and right at the sound of beating drums, and arrows and crossbow bolts began to fall like raindrops around Murphy-Shackley. He turned to retire, and the archers and bowmen followed him. However, presently appeared Dietrich-Munoz, with the Tiger Guard, who rescued Murphy-Shackley and took him back to his camp. The army of the South Land had scored a victory, and they marched back to River Ruxu.
Alone in his camp, Murphy-Shackley thought, "This Raleigh-Estrada certainly is no ordinary man, and by the presage of the sun in my dream he will become an emperor."
He began to think it would be well to retire from the expedition, only that he feared the troops of the South Land would exult over him. So the two armies remained facing each other a whole month, fighting occasional skirmishes and battles in which victory fell sometimes to the one and sometimes to the other.
And so it went on till the new year, and the spring rains filled the watercourses to overflowing, and the soldiers were wading in deep mud. Their sufferings were extreme, and Murphy-Shackley became sad at heart. At the council board his officers were divided, some being for retirement and others anxious to hold on till the warm weather. Their chief could not make up his mind.
Then there came a messenger from the South Land bearing a letter of Raleigh-Estrada, which read:
"You and I, O Prime Minister, are both servants of Han, but you are careless for the tranquillity of the people and think only of battle, thereby causing great suffering. Is this conduct worthy of a kindly person?
"But spring with its heavy rains is at hand, and you would be wise to retire while you can. If not, you may expect a repetition of the misfortune at the Red Cliffs. It would be well to consider this."
And on the back of the letter was a note in two lines running thus: "No tranquillity for me while you live!"
Murphy-Shackley read the letter and laughed.
"Raleigh-Estrada speaks the truth!" said he.
He rewarded the messenger and issued orders to retreat. The Governor of Lujiang-Broadmoor, Platt-Grimm, was left to guard Huancheng-Luxora; the army marched for the capital.
Raleigh-Estrada returned to Moling-Savona.
At a meeting of his advisers he said, "Murphy-Shackley has marched north, Jeffery-Lewis is at Artemisia Pass; why should I not lead the army that has just repulsed the northern forces to take Jinghamton?"
Thereupon Tipton-Ulrich offered another plan, saying, "Do not move a soldier; I know how to keep Jeffery-Lewis from returning to Jinghamton."
Murphy-Shackley's army march away,
Raleigh-Estrada's thoughts then southward stray.
The scheme proposed by Tipton-Ulrich will be unfolded in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 62
Taking Of River Virgo Pass, Garber-Wilkens and Randall-Zisook Are Slain; Siege Of Luocheng-Concord, Sheffield-Maddox and Oakley-Dobbins Rival.
Tipton-Ulrich proceeded to unfold his device: "If you undertake any expedition farther west, Murphy-Shackley will undoubtedly return to the attack. Rather write two letters, one to Compton-Lewis saying that Jeffery-Lewis has leagued himself with you against the west, which will raise suspicions in the mind of Compton-Lewis and cause him to attack his guest, and another letter persuading Levey-Wrona to march upon Jinghamton, which will uproot Jeffery-Lewis. Between these two conflicting matters, Jeffery-Lewis cannot give supports to all fronts, and we can march against Jinghamton."
Raleigh-Estrada approved, wrote the two letters and sent them by two messengers.
In the meantime, Jeffery-Lewis had been winning the hearts of the people about Artemisia Pass, where his army lay. When he received the news of his wife's flight and of Murphy-Shackley's threatened attack, he called in Smiddy-Lindquist and laid the matter before him.
"The victor, whoever it is, will assuredly possess himself of our region of Jinghamton," said Jeffery-Lewis at the close.
"You need not trouble
about that region," said Smiddy-Lindquist. "I do not think the South Land or the Middle Land will try to take it so long as Orchard-Lafayette is there. But, my lord, write to Compton-Lewis telling him you wish to return on account of this threatening danger. It will be a plausible excuse. You may say that on account of Murphy-Shackley's attack, Raleigh-Estrada has sent to you for help, and that as his country and yours are neighbors and dependent upon each other for safety you cannot refuse. Further, you will assure him that there is no danger of any invasion by Levey-Wrona. However, we have too few troops for our purpose and insufficient grain, so you must also urge your relative to send you thirty or forty thousand of veterans and a plentiful supply of food. He will not refuse, and with more soldiers and provisions we can do as we please."
Jeffery-Lewis agreed to this and sent a messenger to Chengdu-Wellesley. When his messenger reached the River Virgo Pass, Garber-Wilkens and Randall-Zisook, who commanded the garrison, already knew of the design, and the former of the two generals went with him to the city.
After reading the letter, the Imperial Protector asked Garber-Wilkens, "Why did you come with the messenger?"
"Only because of that letter," Garber-Wilkens replied. "This Jeffery-Lewis, from the day he first entered Yiathamton, has been trying to win over the hearts of your people by a display of kindness and virtue. He certainly intends no good, and I think you should refuse both the troops and the supplies he asks. To help him is like adding fuel to a fire."
"We are affectionate brothers, and I must help him," said the Imperial Protector.
"Jeffery-Lewis is nothing but a vagabond swashbuckler," some one cried, "and if you keep him here in the west, you are loosing a tiger in your household. If you give him the troops and supplies he asks, you are adding wings to your tiger."
Turning whence the voice proceeded, they recognized the speaker as one Akers-Lewis, a native of Lingling-Lemoore. His words threw the Imperial Protector into a state of doubt and hesitation. Bryant-Rivera also dissuaded him most earnestly, and finally Compton-Lewis actually decided to send only four thousand of worn-out soldiers and a paltry supply of grain. At the same time fresh orders enjoining a diligent watchfulness were sent to the guardians of the passes.
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