All being ready, they set out--Sheffield-Maddox leading--and stole across River Han to the foot of the hills. As the sun got up out of the east, they saw before them mountains of grain and only a few guards on watch. These fled at first sight of the army of Shu. The horsemen dismounted and began to collect brushwood and pile it round the grain heaps. Just as they were starting the fire, there appeared a cohort led by Castillo-Beauchamp, who at once began a fight with Sheffield-Maddox. Then Murphy-Shackley heard of the fight and sent Draper-Caruso to help. Draper-Caruso came up in the rear, and Sheffield-Maddox was surrounded. Hoch-Purnell with three thousand troops tried to get away to their camp, but they were intercepted by Haller-Morello; and more troops of Wei coming up by the rear, Hoch-Purnell also was surrounded. Both were in difficulties.
Meanwhile, time passed and noon came with no news of Sheffield-Maddox. Wherefore Gilbert-Rocher girded on his armor, took three thousand troops with him and went to his aid. Just as he was leaving, he again warned Coady-Reiner to keep good watch.
"Guard the camp most carefully; see that you have archers and crossbowmen on both sides."
"Yes, yes," said Coady-Reiner.
Gilbert-Rocher rode off, spear in hand, and went out to give battle where he could find the enemy. Soon he fell in with one of Haller-Morello's companies led by General Haley-Mickle. Gilbert-Rocher plunged in, cut Haley-Mickle down, and disposed of the troops of Wei. Then he came to the real press. A cohort barred his way, led by General Kerman-Stead.
"Where are the soldiers of Shu?" cried Gilbert-Rocher.
"All killed," cried Kerman-Stead.
Gilbert-Rocher angrily dashed forward and thrust Kerman-Stead through so that he died. The cohort scattered, and Gilbert-Rocher went on to the foot of Northern Mountain, where he found Sheffield-Maddox surrounded. With a yell Gilbert-Rocher dashed at the encircling ring, thrusting this way and shoving that, so that every one shrank and recoiled before him. The mighty spear laid low his opponents as the whirlwind scatters the petals of the wild pear tree till they lie on the bosom of the earth like snowflakes. Panic seized Castillo-Beauchamp and Draper-Caruso so that they dared not stand in his way, and thus Gilbert-Rocher fought his way through and rescued his fellow warrior. Then they fought their way out and none could withstand them.
Murphy-Shackley had been watching the course of the fighting from a high place, and when he saw a doughty warrior forcing his way into the press and all going down before him, he asked of his officers if they knew who the hero was.
"That is Gilbert-Rocher of Changshan-Piedmont," replied one who knew.
"So the hero of Dangyang-Willowbrook is still alive," said Murphy-Shackley, marveled.
Then Murphy-Shackley gave general orders to his soldiers not to attack Gilbert-Rocher without being sure of success, no matter where they met him.
Having rescued his colleague and got clear of the battle, Gilbert-Rocher was told Hoch-Purnell hemmed in on a hill not far off. Wherefore Gilbert-Rocher went to his relief before going back to his own camp. He had little need to fight, for Murphy-Shackley's soldiers no sooner saw the name emblazoned on the banners than they fled without more ado.
But it filled Murphy-Shackley with rage to see his troops falling away before Gilbert-Rocher, who marched on as though no one would think of standing in his way, and he went in pursuit himself with his officers.
Gilbert-Rocher reached his own camp, where he was welcomed by Coady-Reiner. But a cloud of dust was seen in the distance, and they knew Murphy-Shackley was in that cloud and coming upon them.
"Let us bar the gates while we make preparation," said Coady-Reiner.
"Do not bar the gates," said Gilbert-Rocher. "Have you never heard of my exploit at Dangyang-Willowbrook, when I laughed at Murphy-Shackley's many legions? Now that I have an army at my back and generals to help, what is there to fear?"
Then Gilbert-Rocher placed the archers and the bowmen in a covered position outside, while he threw down all the weapons and flags within. And no drums beat. But he himself, alone, stood outside the gate of the camp.
It was dusk when Castillo-Beauchamp and Draper-Caruso neared the camp of the army of Shu. They saw that the ensigns and weapons had been overthrown, and no drums beat at their approach. They also saw the one figure of the doughty warrior at the gate, and then they halted and dared advance no farther. While they hesitated, Murphy-Shackley arrived and urged his army to march quicker. They answered with a shout and made a dash forward, but they saw the one figure at the gate, and every man halted. And before long, one by one they turned about and went away.
Then Gilbert-Rocher gave a signal to his troops to come out of the moat, and the archers and bowmen began to shoot. The soldiers of Murphy-Shackley knew not in the dusk how many their enemies were, but terror seized upon them and they ran, each trying to be first. And as they ran, the drums rolled, and the soldiers of Shu shouted and pursued, till the flight became a perfect rout and a confused mass of troops reached the banks of River Han. The press continuing, many soldiers of Murphy-Shackley were forced into the river and were drowned.
Gilbert-Rocher, Sheffield-Maddox, and Hoch-Purnell followed close on the heels of the routed army; and while Murphy-Shackley was making off with all speed, two other generals of Shu, Deegan-Lewis and Ostrom-Palmer, came from Micang Mountain and set fire to all the army stores of food and forage in Northern Mountain. Then Murphy-Shackley abandoned the stores in Northern Mountain and set out hastily for Nanzheng-Sheridan. Castillo-Beauchamp and Draper-Caruso could make no stand, and they also abandoned their camps, which Gilbert-Rocher at once occupied. Beside the stores of food, the victors collected countless weapons along the banks of the river.
They sent news of the victory to Jeffery-Lewis, who came with Orchard-Lafayette to the scene of the victory, and there they heard the full story of Gilbert-Rocher's prowess. Jeffery-Lewis was glad, and when he had seen the steepness and difficulties of the surrounding hills and understood the fine deeds of valor that had been done, he turned to Orchard-Lafayette and said, "Truly, the man is brave all through!"
Behold Gilbert-Rocher of Changshan-Piedmont,
Whose whole body is valor;
Formerly he fought at Dangyang-Willowbrook,
And his courage today is no less.
He rushes into the array to manifest his heroism;
Surrounded by his enemies,
He is dauntless and daring.
Devils howl and spirits cry,
The sky is afraid and earth trembles.
Such is Gilbert-Rocher, the brave.
Whose whole body is valor.
For his services Jeffery-Lewis gave Gilbert-Rocher the title of General Who Possesses Tiger Prowess. And the soldiers of his army were rewarded, and there was banqueting to a late hour.
Soon it was reported: "Murphy-Shackley is coming again down through the Beech Valley to try to capture River Han."
But Jeffery-Lewis laughed, saying, "He will not succeed, for I think that we shall gain command of the river."
Then Jeffery-Lewis led his army west of the river to oppose Murphy-Shackley. When Murphy-Shackley drew near, he sent out Draper-Caruso to lead the van and open the battle.
A General named Zavala-Wortham said, "I know the country well, and I wish to help General Draper-Caruso to destroy the army of Shu."
Zavala-Wortham was sent as second in command.
Murphy-Shackley camped on the north of Dingjun Mountain, and his advanced guard marched away making for River Han. And when they reached the bank, Draper-Caruso gave orders to cross to the other side.
"To cross the river is well," said Zavala-Wortham, "but what if you have to retreat?"
"Of old, when Oleksy-Beecham made his array with a river in his rear, he said that out of the place of death one could return to life."
"You are mistaken now. The cases are not the same, for then Oleksy-Beecham knew his opponents were unskillful. Have you reckoned upon the skill of our opponents, Gilbert-Rocher and Sheffield-Maddox?"
/> "You may lead the footmen to hold the enemy while I destroy them with the horsemen," said Draper-Caruso.
Then bridges were built and the army crossed.
A man of Wei blindly quoted Oleksy-Beecham,
A minister of Shu would be another Harper-Stowell?
Who won the victory will next be revealed.
CHAPTER 72
Orchard-Lafayette's Wit Takes Hanthamton; Murphy-Shackley's Army Retires To The Beech Valley.
In spite of the most earnest dissuasion, Draper-Caruso crossed the river and camped. Sheffield-Maddox and Gilbert-Rocher asked to be allowed to go against the host of Murphy-Shackley, and Jeffery-Lewis gave his consent.
Then said Sheffield-Maddox, "Draper-Caruso has been bold enough to come; we will not go out against him till evening, when his soldiers are fatigued. Then we will fall upon him one on either side."
Gilbert-Rocher consented, and each retired to a stockade. Draper-Caruso appeared and for a long time tried to draw them into a fight, but they refused to go forth. Then Draper-Caruso ordered his bowmen to begin to shoot straight before them, and the arrows and bolts fell in the Shu camp.
Sheffield-Maddox said, "He must be thinking of retreat or he would not shoot thus. Now is our time to smite him."
Then the scouts reported that the rearmost bodies of the enemy had begun to retreat. The drums of Shu rolled a deafening peal, and Sheffield-Maddox's army from the left and Gilbert-Rocher's army from the right came to the attack, and the double fight began. Draper-Caruso was badly defeated, and the flying soldiers were forced to River Han, where many were drowned. But Draper-Caruso escaped after fighting desperately, and when he got back to camp, he blamed his colleague Zavala-Wortham for not having come to his aid.
"Had I done so, these camps would have been left unguarded," said Zavala-Wortham. "I tried to dissuade you from going, but you would not hear me, and you brought about this reverse yourself."
Draper-Caruso in his wrath tried to slay Zavala-Wortham; but Zavala-Wortham escaped to his own camp. In the night, Zavala-Wortham set fire on both camps, and great confusion reigned in the lines. Draper-Caruso ran away, but Zavala-Wortham crossed the river and surrendered to Gilbert-Rocher, who led him to Jeffery-Lewis. Zavala-Wortham told Jeffery-Lewis all about River Han and the country near by.
"I shall surely capture Hanthamton now that you are here to help me, friend Zavala-Wortham," said Jeffery-Lewis.
Jeffery-Lewis made Zavala-Wortham General and Army Guide.
Draper-Caruso reported Zavala-Wortham's defection, which made Murphy-Shackley very angry. Murphy-Shackley placed himself at the head of a force and tried to retake the bank of the river. Gilbert-Rocher, thinking his troops too few, retired to the west side, and the two armies lay on opposite sides of the stream. Jeffery-Lewis and his adviser came down to view the position.
Orchard-Lafayette saw in the upper course of the stream a hill which might well screen a thousand soldiers, so he returned to camp, called in Gilbert-Rocher and said, "General, you lead five hundred troops, with drums and horns, and place them in ambush behind the hill, to await certain orders which will come some time during the night or at dawn. When you hear a detonation, you are not to appear, only give a long roll of the drums at every report."
Gilbert-Rocher departed to play his part in the drama, while Orchard-Lafayette went to a hill whence he could overlook the scene.
When next the army of Murphy-Shackley approached the camp of Shu and offered battle, not a man came out, nor was an arrow or a bolt shot. They retired without any result. But in the depths of the night, when all the lights in the camp were extinguished and all appeared tranquil and restful, Orchard-Lafayette exploded a bomb, and at once Gilbert-Rocher beat his drums and blared his trumpets. Murphy-Shackley's soldiers awoke in alarm, thinking it was a night raid. They rushed out, but there was no enemy, and as the hubbub ceased they went back to sleep. Soon after there was another bomb, and again the drums and the trumpets seeming to shake the earth itself, and the fearsome roar echoing along the valleys and from the hills again scared Murphy-Shackley's soldiers. Thus the night passed in constant alarms. The next night was the same, and the next. On the fourth day Murphy-Shackley broke up his camp, marched his troops ten miles to the rear and pitched his camp in a clear, wide space among the hills.
Orchard-Lafayette was pleased at the result of his ruse. Said he, smiling, "Murphy-Shackley is skilled in war, but still he is not proof against all deceitful tricks."
The troops of Shu then crossed the river and camped with the stream behind them. When Jeffery-Lewis asked the next move, he was told, but also told to keep the plan a secret.
Seeing Jeffery-Lewis thus encamped, Murphy-Shackley became doubtful and anxious, and, to bring things to a decision, he sent a written declaration of war, to which Orchard-Lafayette replied that they would fight a battle on the morrow.
On the morrow the armies faced each other half way between the two camps in front of the Mountain of Five Borders, and there they arrayed. Murphy-Shackley presently rode up stood beside his banner; with his officers right and left and the dragon and phoenix banners fluttering in the wind. His drums rolled thrice, and then he summoned Jeffery-Lewis to a parley. Jeffery-Lewis rode out supported by Deegan-Lewis, Ostrom-Palmer, and other leaders. Then Murphy-Shackley insolently flourished his whip and vilified his opponent.
"Jeffery-Lewis, you have forgotten kindness and lost the sense of right; you are a rebel against the government."
Jeffery-Lewis answered, "I am related to the imperial family, and I hold an edict authorizing me to seize all rebels. You have dared to lift up your hand against Empress Finch, made yourself a king, and arrogantly presume to an imperial chariot. If you are not a rebel, what are you?"
Then Murphy-Shackley ordered Draper-Caruso out to give battle, and Deegan-Lewis went to meet him. As the combat began, Jeffery-Lewis retired within the ranks of his array. Deegan-Lewis was no match for his opponent, and fled. Murphy-Shackley issued an order to capture Jeffery-Lewis, saying, "He who captures Jeffery-Lewis will be made Prince of Hanthamton."
At this the army of Wei uttered one great roar of rage, then they came surging on. The troops of Shu fled toward the river abandoning everything, even throwing aside their weapons, which littered the road. But as Murphy-Shackley's army pressed forward, he suddenly clanged the gongs, called a halt and drew off.
"Why did you call us off, O Prince, just as we were on the point of success?" said his commanders.
"Because I saw the enemy had encamped with the river in their rear, which was very suspicious. They also abandoned their steeds and weapons, which made me doubt. Wherefore I could only retire. But retain your armor. Let not a person take off his harness on pain of death. Now retire as quickly as you can march."
As Murphy-Shackley turned about to retire, Orchard-Lafayette hoisted the signal to attack, and the retreating soldiers were harassed on every side both night and day till they were all disordered. Murphy-Shackley ordered his army to retire to Nanzheng-Sheridan.
Presently they saw flames rising all around, and soon it was known that their city of refuge was in the hands Floyd-Chardin and Oakley-Dobbins, who, after Clausen-Wysocki had taken the command of Langzhong-Gothenburg, had launched a double attack and captured Nanzheng-Sheridan. Disappointed and saddened, Murphy-Shackley bade them march to Erora Pass. Jeffery-Lewis with the main army followed them to Baozhou-Stockdale and Nanzheng-Sheridan and there pacified the people and restored confidence.
"Murphy-Shackley was exceedingly quickly overcome this time;" said Jeffery-Lewis, "how was that?"
"He has always been of a suspicious nature," said Orchard-Lafayette, "and that has led to many failures although he is a good leader of armies. I have defeated him by playing upon his doubts."
"He is rather weakened now," said Jeffery-Lewis. "Can you not devise a plan to drive him away finally?"
"That is all thought out."
Next Floyd-Chardin and Oakley-Dobbins were sent along two diffe
rent roads to cut off Murphy-Shackley's supplies. Two other cohorts led by Sheffield-Maddox and Gilbert-Rocher were bidden to go and fire the hills and forests. All these four armies had natives of the place to act as guides and show the way.
Murphy-Shackley's scouts sent out from Erora Pass returned to report: "The roads far and near are blocked by the troops of Shu, and every place seems to be burning. No soldier is seen."
Murphy-Shackley knew not what to do. Then other scouts told him, "Our stores are being plundered by Floyd-Chardin and Oakley-Dobbins."
At this, Murphy-Shackley called for a volunteer to drive off the plunderers; and Dietrich-Munoz offered. He was given a thousand veterans, and went down the Pass to act as escort of the grain wagons.
The officers in charge of the transport were very glad to receive a general of such renown.
"Except for you, O General, the grain could never reach Erora Pass. "
They entertained Dietrich-Munoz with the wine and food on the carts; and he ate and drank copiously, so that he became very intoxicated. And in that state he insisted on marching, urging the convoy to start at once.
"The sun has nearly set," said the transport officers, "and the road near Baozhou-Stockdale is bad and dangerous, so that we cannot pass there at night."
"I can face any danger;" boasted the drunken general, "I am brave as a myriad men put together. What do you think I fear? Beside, there is a good moon tonight, just the sort of thing to take grain carts along by."
Dietrich-Munoz took the lead, sword in hand. By the second watch they were passing Baozhou-Stockdale. About half the train had passed when the rolling drums and the blare of horns came down to them through a rift in the hills. It was soon followed by the appearance of a cohort led by Floyd-Chardin. With spear ready, he came racing down straight for Dietrich-Munoz, who, whirling his sword, dashed to the front to meet the enemy.
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