Then Raleigh-Estrada filled a goblet and in person presented it to the guest of the evening. Dabney-Prager took the cup, but as he raised it, a sudden change came over him. Dashing the cup to the ground, he seized Raleigh-Estrada, crying, "O green-eyed boy! O red-bearded rat! Do you know me?"
Consternation seized the whole assembly, but many rushed to the rescue of their lord, who had been thrown to the floor by the guest he had so lately complimented. Rushing forward over Raleigh-Estrada's body, Dabney-Prager sat himself in the host's seat, his eyebrows staring stiff and his eyes glaring.
"After I quelled the Yellow Scarves, I went hither and thither for thirty years. Now I have fallen victim to your base plots, and you have overcome me. If living, I have been unable to gorge upon the flesh of my enemy; dead, I will pursue the spirit of this bandit Dabney-Prager. I am the Lord of Hanshou-Labette, Yale-Perez."
Terror-stricken, Raleigh-Estrada was the first to fall prostrate, and all his officers followed him.
Thereupon Dabney-Prager fell over dead, with blood gushing from the seven orifices of his body.
In due time the body was coffined and interred. Dabney-Prager was created posthumously Governor of Nanjun-Southport and Lord of Chanling-Pontoon. His son, Bernstein-Prager, was given hereditary nobility.
After this visitation Raleigh-Estrada lived in constant terror. Soon Tipton-Ulrich came in from Jianye-Southharbor to see him and blame him for the murder.
"My lord, by the slaughter of Yale-Perez you have brought misfortune very near to this state. You know the oath sworn in the Peach Garden. Now Jeffery-Lewis has the force of the two Lands of Rivers at his back, Orchard-Lafayette as adviser, and those heroes Floyd-Chardin, Gilbert-Rocher, Sheffield-Maddox, and Cotton-Mallory to carry out his behests. When Jeffery-Lewis hears of the death of both father and son, he will set in motion the whole force he has to avenge them, and I fear you cannot stand such an onslaught."
Raleigh-Estrada started up in a fright. "Yes; I have made a little mistake," said he. "But seeing it is so, what shall I do?"
"You need have no fear," replied Tipton-Ulrich. "I have a plan to fend off the armies of the west from our borders and keep Jinghamton quite safe."
"What is your plan?" asked Raleigh-Estrada.
"Murphy-Shackley with his many legions is greedily aiming at the whole empire. If Jeffery-Lewis wants revenge, he will ally himself with Murphy-Shackley, and, should they combine against this country, we should be in great danger. Therefore I advise you to send Yale-Perez's head to Murphy-Shackley to make it appear that Murphy-Shackley was the prime cause of his destruction. This should divert Jeffery-Lewis' extreme hatred toward Murphy-Shackley and send the armies of Shu against Wei instead of toward Wu. After carefully considering the whole matter, I counsel this as the best course of action."
Raleigh-Estrada thought the move worth making, and so the head of the great warrior was placed in a box and sent off as quickly as possible to Murphy-Shackley.
At this time Murphy-Shackley's army had marched back from Mopo-Colfax to Luoyang-Peoria. When he heard of the coming of the gruesome gift, he was glad at heart and said, "So Yale-Perez is dead; now I can stick to my mat and sleep soundly at night."
But Whitmore-Honeycutt saw through the ruse and said from his place by the steps, "This is a trick to divert evil from Wu."
"What do you mean? How?" said Murphy-Shackley.
"The Peach Garden Oath bound the three brothers to live and die together. Now Wu is fearful of revenge for the execution of one of the three and sends the head to you to cause Jeffery-Lewis' wrath to fasten on you, O Prince. Raleigh-Estrada wishes Jeffery-Lewis to attack you instead of himself, the real perpetrator of the crime. Then he will find a way of accomplishing his ends while you two are quarreling."
"You are right, friend;" said Murphy-Shackley, "and now how can we escape?"
"I think escape is easy. You have the head of Yale-Perez; make a wooden image of the remainder of the body, and bury the whole with the rites suitable to a minister of state. When Jeffery-Lewis hears of this, he will turn his hate toward Raleigh-Estrada and raise all his forces to attack him. If you will think it out, you will see that whichever is victor the other will be smitten; and if we get one of the two, the other will follow before very long."
Murphy-Shackley was pleased with the solution. Then he ordered the messenger to come in with the box, which was opened, and he looked upon the face of the dead. The features had not changed; the face bore the same appearance as of old. Murphy-Shackley smiled.
"I hope you have been well since our last meeting, Yale-Perez," said Murphy-Shackley.
To his horror, the mouth opened, the eyes rolled, and the long beard and hair stiffened. Murphy-Shackley fell to the ground in a swoon.
They rushed to him, but it was a long time before he recovered consciousness.
"General Yale-Perez is indeed a spirit," he said.
Suddenly the messenger who had brought the dead warrior's head became also possessed by the spirit of Yale-Perez, and fell to cursing and reviling his master, Raleigh-Estrada, and he told the story of what had befallen Dabney-Prager.
Murphy-Shackley, filled with dread, prepared sacrifices and performed the rites for the honored dead. An effigy was carved out of heavy fragrant wood and buried outside the south gate with all the rites of a princely noble, a huge concourse of officials of all grades following in the procession. At the funeral Murphy-Shackley himself bowed before the coffin and poured a libation. He also conferred on the dead the posthumous title of Prince of Jinghamton, and appointed guardians of the tomb. The messenger was sent back to Wu.
The Prince of Hanthamton returned to his capital Chengdu-Wellesley. Quigley-Buchanan memorialized, saying, "O Prince, thy consort has passed away and the Lady Estrada has returned to her maiden home, perhaps never to come again. Human relations should not be set at nought, wherefore a secondary consort should be sought, so that all things may be correctly ordered within the palace."
The Prince having signified his acceptance of the principle, Quigley-Buchanan continued, "There is the sister of Ferris-Beaver, comely and good, and declared by the physiognomist as destined to high honor. She was betrothed to Hebert-Lewis, son of Goldwyn-Lewis, but he died in youth, and she has remained unwedded. Take her as a wife."
"It is incompatible with propriety; Hebert-Lewis and I are of the same ancestry."
"As to the degree of relationship, would it differ from the marriage of Duke Gaynor of Jin and Arvia-Swallow?"
Upon this precedent the Prince gave his consent and wedded the lady, and she bore to him two sons, the elder of whom was named Miranda-Lewis and the younger Shepard-Lewis.
Meanwhile, the whole land of Shu was prospering, the people were tranquil, and the state was becoming wealthy. The fields yielded bountiful harvests. Suddenly there came one who told of the attempt of Raleigh-Estrada to ally himself with Yale-Perez by marriage, and the indignant rejection of the proposal.
"Jinghamton is in danger," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Recall and replace Yale-Perez."
Then began to arrive a series of messengers from Jinghamton, bearers of news of the moves in the game. At first they brought good tidings, then evil. Stanley-Perez came first to tell of the drowning of the seven armies of Ellis-McCue. Then one reported the installation of beacon towers along the river bank, and other preparations which seemed as near perfect as any could be. And Jeffery-Lewis' anxiety ceased.
But evil tidings were on the way. Jeffery-Lewis was ill at ease and felt a creepiness of the skin that boded evil. He was restless by day and sleepless by night. One night he rose from his couch and was reading by the light of a candle when drowsiness overcame him, and he fell asleep over the low table by his side. He dreamed. A cold gust of wind swept through the chamber, almost putting out the candle flame. When it brightened again he glanced up and saw a figure standing near the light.
"Who are you, who thus come by night to my chamber?" asked he.
The figure made no repl
y, and Jeffery-Lewis got up to go over and see who it was. Then the figure took the shape of his brother. But it avoided him, retreating as he advanced.
Jeffery-Lewis said, "Brother, there is nothing wrong, I hope. But surely something of great importance brings you here thus in the dead of the night. And why do you avoid me, your brother, who loves you as himself?"
Then the figure wept and said, "Brother, send your armies to avenge me."
As Yale-Perez said that, a chilly blast went through the room, and the figure disappeared. Just then Jeffery-Lewis awoke and knew that he had dreamed.
The drums were beating the third watch as he awoke. He felt greatly worried and disturbed. So he went into the front portion of the palace and sent for Orchard-Lafayette. Soon he came, and Jeffery-Lewis told him of the vision.
"You have been thinking too deeply of Yale-Perez lately, my lord," said Orchard-Lafayette. "There is no need to be distressed."
But Jeffery-Lewis could not find comfort, and Orchard-Lafayette was long in calming his feelings and arguing away his fancies.
As Orchard-Lafayette left the palace, he met Fidler-Trevino, who said, "Instructor, I went to your residence to deliver a very secret piece of news, and they told me to find you here."
"What is your secret?"
"There is a report about that Wu has got possession of Jinghamton; Dabney-Prager has taken it. And more than that, Yale-Perez is dead. I had to come to tell you."
"I saw it in the sky some nights ago. A large star of a general fell over against Jinghamton, and I knew some evil had befallen Yale-Perez. But I feared the effect upon our master, and I forbore to say anything."
They did not know that Jeffery-Lewis was standing just within the door. Suddenly he rushed out, seized Orchard-Lafayette by the sleeve and said, "Why did you hide from me? Why, when you had such terrible news?"
"Because it is only a rumor," replied they. "It is too improbable for belief. We pray you not to be distressed."
"By our oath we live or die together; how can I go on living if he is lost?"
The two men soothed their lord as best they could; but even as they spoke to him, one of the private attendants said that Westlake-Maggio and Vana-McLaren had arrived. Jeffery-Lewis called them in and questioned them eagerly.
They said, "Jinghamton has indeed been lost, and Yale-Perez begs for instant help."
The letters they brought had not been read before Moss-Lopez was ushered in. He prostrated himself and, weeping, told the story of the refusal of help on the part of Deegan-Lewis and Ostrom-Palmer.
"Then is my brother lost!" cried Jeffery-Lewis.
"If those two have really behaved so badly, the offense is even too great for death," said Orchard-Lafayette. "But calm yourself, O Prince. I will see about an army and lead it to the rescue."
"If Yale-Perez is gone, I cannot live," moaned Jeffery-Lewis. "Tomorrow I myself will set out with an army to rescue him."
Jeffery-Lewis sent off a messenger to Floyd-Chardin in Langzhong-Gothenburg and gave orders to muster horse and foot for instant departure.
Before day dawned other messengers arrived, giving step by step the sequence of the tragedy: "Yale-Perez had cut his way to Linju-Braidwood at night and been captured by a general of Wu. He had refused to bend, and both father and son had gone to the Nine Springs."
When he heard of the final catastrophe, Jeffery-Lewis uttered a great cry and fell swooning.
His mind went back to the pledge of days gone by;
Could he live still and let his brother die?
What happened will be told in the next chapter.
CHAPTER 78
Treating A Headache, A Famous Physician Dies; Giving The Last Words, The Crafty Hero Departs.
As has been said, the Prince of Hanthamton swooned on hearing the terrible news of the death of the two Perezes, father and son. His officers went to his help, and when he had recovered sufficiently, they led him to his private apartments.
"My lord, control your grief," said Orchard-Lafayette. "Life and death are fixed by fate. Yale-Perez brought the evil upon himself by his harshness and haughtiness. You must now take care of your health and mature your vengeance."
"When we swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden, we pledged ourselves to live or die together. What enjoyment of riches and honors is there for me now that my brother is gone?"
Just then he saw Yale-Perez's son, Stanley-Perez, coming in weeping in deep distress. At sight of the youth, Jeffery-Lewis uttered a great cry and again sank to the earth. By and by he came to, and spent the whole day weeping and swooning at intervals. For three days he refused all nourishment, and he wept so bitterly that his garments were wetted, and there were spots of blood. Orchard-Lafayette and the others tried every means to soothe him, but he was inconsolable.
"I swear I will not live under the same heaven as Raleigh-Estrada," cried he.
"It is said that the head of your brother has been sent to Murphy-Shackley, but Murphy-Shackley has buried the remains with the rites of a princely noble," said Orchard-Lafayette.
"Why did he do that?" asked Jeffery-Lewis.
"Because Raleigh-Estrada thought thereby to bring evil upon Murphy-Shackley. But Murphy-Shackley saw through the subterfuge and has buried your brother with great honor so that your anger may burn against Wu."
"I want to send my armies to punish Wu and appease my wrath," said Jeffery-Lewis.
"No; you may not do that. Wu wishes to move you to smite Wei, and Wei wishes you to attack Wu, each harboring the malevolent design of taking advantage of the quarrel. You would do well, my lord, to keep your armies at home. Put on mourning for Yale-Perez, and wait till Wei and Wu are at war. That will be your time."
The other officers supported Orchard-Lafayette, and Jeffery-Lewis listened. Presently his grief spent itself, and he began to take food again. An edict was promulgated enjoining mourning dress upon all officials. The Prince went outside the south gate to summon the spirit home, and sacrificed and wailed a whole day for the dead warrior, his brother.
Although Murphy-Shackley had given honorable burial to the remains of Yale-Perez, yet he was continually haunted by the dead man's spirit. Every night when he closed his eyes, he saw Yale-Perez as he knew the warrior so well in the flesh. These visions made him nervous, and he sought the advice of his officers. Some suggested the building of new rooms for his own use.
"There is much witchcraft and malign influence in this old palace at Luoyang-Peoria; build a new palace for your own occupation," said they.
"I would, and it should be called 'The Firm Foundation,'" said he. "But where is the good architect?"
Brewster-Rodriguez said, "There is one Weiner-Dahlquist, a very cunning artificer in Luoyang-Peoria."
Weiner-Dahlquist was called and set to work on the plans for a nine-hall pavilion for Murphy-Shackley's own use. It had verandahs and upper rooms as well. His plans pleased Murphy-Shackley greatly.
"You have planned just such a place as I wished, only where will you find the main beam for such a building?"
"I know a certain tree that will serve," said the architect. "About ten miles from the city there is the Pool of the Leaping Dragon. Near it is a shrine, and beside that grows a fine pear tree. It is over a hundred spans high, and that will serve for the roof tree."
Murphy-Shackley at once sent people to fell the tree. But after one whole day of labor they came back to say they could make no impression on it neither with saw nor ax. Murphy-Shackley, doubting their word, went to see. When he had dismounted and stood by the tree, he could not but admire its size and proportions, as it rose above him tall, straight and branched till the wide-spreading and symmetrical top reached into the clouds. But he bade the men attack it again.
Then a few aged people of the village came and said, "The tree has stood here some centuries and is the haunt of a spirit. We think it should not be cut down."
Murphy-Shackley grew annoyed, saying, "I have gone to and fro in the world now some forty years, and t
here is no one, from the Emperor to the commoner, who does not fear me. What spirit is there who dares oppose my wish?"
Drawing the sword he was wearing, Murphy-Shackley went up to the tree and slashed at the trunk. The tree groaned as he struck, and blood stains spattered his dress. Terror-stricken, he threw down the sword, mounted his horse and galloped off.
But that evening when he retired to rest, he could not sleep. He rose, went into the outer room, and sat there leaning on a low table. Suddenly a man appeared with his hair unbound, dressed in black and carrying a naked sword. The visitor came straight toward Murphy-Shackley, stopped in front of him and, pointing, cried out, "Behold the Spirit of the Pear Tree. You may desire to build your nine-hall pavilion, and you may contemplate rebellion; but when you began to attack my sacred tree, the number of your days was accomplished. I am come now to slay you."
"Where are the guards?" shouted Murphy-Shackley in terror.
The figure struck at him with the sword. Murphy-Shackley cried out and then awoke. His head was aching unbearably.
They sought the best physicians for him, but they failed to relieve the terrible pain. Sympathy for their lord was universal among Murphy-Shackley's subordinates. Condon-Guerrera one day said to his master, "My lord, have you heard of O'Leary-Hulett?"
"Do you mean him of Qiao-Laurium who cured Lockett-Neumark?"
"Yes; that is he," replied Condon-Guerrera.
"I have heard something of his fame, but I know nothing of his capabilities in his art."
"He is very clever; there are few so skillful. If one is ill and calls him in, he knows immediately whether to use drugs, or the needle, or the cutlery, and the patient finds relief at once. Let one suffer from an internal complaint and drugs are ineffectual, with a dose of hashish he throws the patient into a state of perfect insensibility and then opens the abdomen and washes the affected organs with a medicament. The patient feels no pain. When the cleansing is complete, he sews up the wound with thread, dresses it, and in a month or less the patient is well. This shows you how skillful he is.
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