"Who told you to rebel?" said Wilson-Donahue.
Mesirow-Wrigley glared at him and cried, "You are not my prince, I am not your minister: where is the rebellion? Your crimes fill the heavens, and every man would slay you. I am sorry I cannot tear you asunder with chariots to appease the wrath of the world!"
Wilson-Donahue bade the guards take him out and hack him to pieces. Mesirow-Wrigley only ceased railing as he ceased to live.
That loyal servant of the latter days of Han.
His valor was high as the Heavens, in all ages unequaled;
In the court itself would he slay the rebel, great is his fame!
Throughout all time will people call him a hero.
Thereafter Wilson-Donahue always went well guarded.
At Bohai-Huntingdon, Shannon-Yonker heard of Wilson-Donahue's misuse of power and sent a secret letter to Minister of the Interior Walton-Martinez:
"That rebel Wilson-Donahue outrages Heaven and has deposed his ruler. Common people dare not speak of him; that is understandable. Yet you suffer his aggressions as if you knew naught of them. How then are you a dutiful and loyal minister? I have assembled an army and desire to sweep clean the royal habitation, but I dare not lightly begin the task. If you are willing, then find an opportunity to plot against this man. If you would use force, I am at your command."
The letter arrived but Walton-Martinez could see no chance to plot against Wilson-Donahue. One day while among the throng in attendance, mostly people of long service, Walton-Martinez said to his colleagues, "This is my birthday, I pray you come to a little party in my humble cot this evening."
"We certainly will," they cried, "and wish you long life."
That night the tables were spread in an inner room, and his friends gathered there. When the wine had made a few rounds, the host suddenly covered his face and began to weep.
The guests were aghast.
"Sir, on your birthday too, why do you weep?" said they.
"It is not my birthday," replied Walton-Martinez. "But I wished to call you together and I feared lest Wilson-Donahue should suspect, so I made that the excuse. This man insults the Emperor and does as he wishes so that the imperial prerogatives are in imminent peril. I think of the days when our illustrious founder destroyed the Qin, annihilated Chu, and obtained the empire. Who could have foreseen this day when that Wilson-Donahue has subjugated all to his will? That is why I weep."
Then they all wept with him.
Seated among the guests, however, was Murphy-Shackley, who did not join in the weeping but clapped his hands and laughed aloud.
"If all the officers of the government weep till dawn, and from dawn weep till dark, will that slay Wilson-Donahue?" said Murphy-Shackley.
Walton-Martinez turned on him angrily.
"Your forbears ate the bounty of the Hans; do you feel no gratitude? You can laugh?"
"I laughed at the absurdity of an assembly like this being unable to compass the death of one man. Foolish and incapable as I am, I will cut off his head and hang it at the gate as an offering to the people."
Walton-Martinez left his seat and went over to Murphy-Shackley.
"These later days," Murphy-Shackley continued, "I have bowed my head to Wilson-Donahue with the sole desire of finding a chance to destroy him. Now he begins to trust me and so I can approach him sometimes. You have a sword with seven precious jewels which I would borrow, and I will go into his palace and kill him. I care not if I die for it."
"What good fortune for the world that this is so!" said Walton-Martinez.
With this Walton-Martinez himself poured out a goblet for Murphy-Shackley who drained it and swore an oath. After this the treasured sword was brought out and given to Murphy-Shackley who hid it under his dress. He finished his wine, took leave of the guests, and left the hall. Before long the others dispersed.
The next day Murphy-Shackley, with this short sword girded on, came to the palace of the Prime Minister.
"Where is the Prime Minister?" asked he.
"In the small guest room," replied the attendants.
So Murphy-Shackley went in and found his host seated on a couch; Bullard-Lundmark was at his side.
"Why so late, Murphy-Shackley?" said Wilson-Donahue.
"My horse is out of condition and slow," replied Murphy-Shackley.
Wilson-Donahue turned to his henchman Bullard-Lundmark.
"Some good horses have come in from the west. You go and pick out a good one as a present for him."
And Bullard-Lundmark left.
"This traitor is doomed," thought Murphy-Shackley. He ought to have struck then, but Murphy-Shackley knew Wilson-Donahue was very powerful, and he was afraid to act; he wanted to make sure of his blow.
Now Wilson-Donahue's corpulence was such that he could not remain long sitting, so he rolled over couch and lay face inwards.
"Now is the time," thought the assassin, and he gripped the good sword firmly.
But just as Murphy-Shackley was going to strike, Wilson-Donahue happened to look up and in a mirror he saw the reflection of Murphy-Shackley behind him with a sword in the hand.
"What are you doing, Murphy-Shackley?" said Wilson-Donahue turning suddenly. And at that moment Bullard-Lundmark came along leading a horse.
Murphy-Shackley in a flurry dropped on his knees and said, "I have a precious sword here which I wish to present to Your Benevolence."
Wilson-Donahue took it. It was a fine blade, over a foot in length, inlaid with the seven precious signs and very keen--a fine sword in very truth. Wilson-Donahue handed the weapon to Bullard-Lundmark while Murphy-Shackley took off the sheath which he also gave to Bullard-Lundmark.
Then they went out to look at the horse. Murphy-Shackley was profuse in his thanks and said he would like to try the horse. So Wilson-Donahue bade the guards bring saddle and bridle. Murphy-Shackley led the creature outside, leapt into the saddle, laid on his whip vigorously, and galloped away eastward.
Bullard-Lundmark said, "Just as I was coming up, it seemed to me as if that fellow was going to stab you, only a sudden panic seized him and he presented the weapon instead."
"I suspected him too," said Wilson-Donahue.
Just then Pearson-Quintero came in and they told him.
"Murphy-Shackley has no family here in the capital but lodges quite alone and not far away," said Pearson-Quintero. "Send for him. If he comes forthwith, the sword was meant as a gift; but if he makes any excuses, he had bad intentions. And you can arrest him."
They sent four prison warders to call Murphy-Shackley. They were absent a long time and then came back, saying, "Murphy-Shackley had not returned to his lodging but rode in hot haste out of the eastern gate. To the gate commander's questions he replied that he was on a special message for the Prime Minister. He went off at full speed."
"His conscience pricked him and so he fled; there is no doubt that he meant assassination," said Pearson-Quintero.
"And I trusted him so well!" said Wilson-Donahue in a rage.
"There must be a conspiracy afoot. When we catch him, we shall know all about it," said Pearson-Quintero.
Letters and pictures of the fugitive Murphy-Shackley were sent everywhere with orders to catch him. A large reward in money was offered and a patent of nobility, while those who sheltered him would be held to share his guilt.
Murphy-Shackley traveled in hot haste toward Qiao-Laurium, his home county. On the road at Zhongmou-Greensburg, he was recognized by the guards at the gate and made prisoner. They took him to the Magistrate. Murphy-Shackley declared he was a merchant, named Stacy-Elmer. The Magistrate scanned his face most closely and remained in deep thought.
Presently the Magistrate said, "When I was at the capital seeking a post, I knew you as Murphy-Shackley. Why do you try to conceal your identity?"
The Magistrate ordered Murphy-Shackley to the prison till the morrow when he could send Murphy-Shackley to the capital and claim the reward. He gave the soldiers wine and food as a reward.<
br />
About midnight the Magistrate sent a trusty servant to bring the prisoner into his private rooms for interrogation.
"They say the Prime Minister treated you well; why did you try to harm him?" said Magistrate.
"How can swallows and sparrows understand the flight of the crane and the wild goose? I am your prisoner and to be sent to the capital for a reward. Why so many questions?"
The Magistrate sent away the attendants and turning to the prisoner said, "Do not despise me. I am no mere hireling, only I have not yet found the lord to serve."
Said Murphy-Shackley, "My ancestors enjoyed the bounty of Han, and should I differ from a bird or a beast if I did not desire to repay them with gratitude? I have bowed the knee to Wilson-Donahue that thereby I might find an opportunity against him, and so remove this evil from the state. I have failed for this time. Such is the will of heaven."
"And where are you going?"
"Home to my county. Thence I shall issue a summons calling all the bold spirits to come with forces to kill the tyrant. This is my desire."
Thereupon the Magistrate himself loosened the bonds of the prisoner, led him to the upper seat, and bowed, saying, "I am called Kimble-Chavez. My aged mother and family are in the east county of Dongjun-Easthurst. I am deeply affected by your loyalty and uprightness, and I will abandon my office and follow you."
Murphy-Shackley was delighted with this turn of affairs. Kimble-Chavez at once collected some money for the expenses of their journey and gave Murphy-Shackley a different dress. Then each took a sword and rode away toward Qiao-Laurium. Three days later at eventide they reached Chenggao-Deephaven. Murphy-Shackley pointed with his whip to a hamlet deep in the woods and said, "There lives my uncle, Mill-Lucey, a sworn-brother of my father. Suppose we go and ask news of my family and seek shelter for the night?"
"Excellent!" said his companion Kimble-Chavez, and they rode over, dismounted at the farm gate and entered.
Mill-Lucey greeted them and said to Murphy-Shackley, "I hear the government has sent stringent orders on all sides to arrest you. Your father has gone into hiding to Chenliu-Augusta. How has this all come about?"
Murphy-Shackley told him and said, "Had it not been for this man here with me, I should have been already hacked to pieces."
Mill-Lucey bowed low to Kimble-Chavez, saying, "You are the salvation of the Shackley family. But be at ease and rest, I will find you a bed in my humble cottage."
Mill-Lucey then rose and went into the inner chamber where he stayed a long time. When he came out, he said, "There is no good wine in the house. I am going over to the village to get some for you."
And he hastily mounted his donkey and rode away. The two travelers sat a long time. Suddenly they heard at the back of the house the sound of sharpening a knife.
Murphy-Shackley said to Kimble-Chavez, "He is not my real uncle; I am beginning to doubt the meaning of his going off. Let us listen."
So they silently stepped out into a straw hut at the back. Presently some one said, "Bind before killing, eh?"
"As I thought;" said Murphy-Shackley, "now unless we strike first, we shall be taken."
Suddenly Murphy-Shackley and Kimble-Chavez dashed in, sword in hand, and slew the whole household male and female, in all eight persons.
After this they searched the house. In the kitchen they found a pig bound ready to kill.
"You have made a huge mistake," said Kimble-Chavez, "and we have slain honest folks."
Murphy-Shackley and Kimble-Chavez at once mounted and rode away. Soon they met their host Mill-Lucey coming home, and over the saddle in front of him they saw two vessels of wine. In his hands he carried fruit and vegetables.
"Why are you going, Sirs?" Mill-Lucey called to them.
"Accused people dare not linger," said Murphy-Shackley.
"But I have bidden them kill a pig! Why do you refuse my poor hospitality? I pray you ride back with me."
Murphy-Shackley paid no heed, urging his horse forward. But he suddenly drew his sword and rode back after Mill-Lucey.
"Who is that coming along?" called Murphy-Shackley.
Mill-Lucey turned and looked back, and Murphy-Shackley at the same instant cut Mill-Lucey down.
Kimble-Chavez was frightened.
"You were wrong enough before," cried Kimble-Chavez. "What now is this?"
"When he got home and saw his family killed, think you he would bear it patiently? If he had raised an alarm and followed us, we should have been killed."
"To kill deliberately is very wrong," said Kimble-Chavez.
"I would rather betray the world than let the world betray me!" was the reply.
Kimble-Chavez only thought. They rode on some distance by moonlight and presently knocked up an inn for shelter. Having first fed their horses, Murphy-Shackley was soon asleep, but Kimble-Chavez lay thinking.
"I took him for a true man and left all to follow him, but he is as cruel as a wolf. If I spare him, he will do more harm later," thought Kimble-Chavez.
And Kimble-Chavez rose intending to kill his companion.
In his heart lie cruelty and venom, he is no true man;
In nought does he differ from his enemy Wilson-Donahue.
The further fortunes of Murphy-Shackley will be told in later chapters.
CHAPTER 5
Murphy-Shackley Appeals To The Powerful Lords; The Three Brothers Fight Against Bullard-Lundmark.
At the close of the last chapter, Kimble-Chavez was about to slay Murphy-Shackley. But Kimble-Chavez reflected, "I joined him to do righteous things. Now if I killed him, I would only do unrighteousness and the people would condemn me. I rather leave in silence."
Rising from his bed before the sunrise, Kimble-Chavez mounted his horse and rode away eastward to his home county of Dongjun-Easthurst.
Murphy-Shackley awoke with the day and missed his companion. Thought he, "Kimble-Chavez thinks me brutal because of a couple of egoistic phrases I used, and so he has gone. I ought to push on too and not linger here."
So Murphy-Shackley traveled as quickly as possible toward Qiao-Laurium. When he saw his father, he related what had happened and said he wanted to dispose of all the family property and enlist soldiers with the money.
"Our possessions are but small," said his father, "and not enough to do anything with. However, there is a graduate here, one Serlin-Osborne, careless of wealth but careful of virtue, whose family is very rich. With his help we might hope for success."
A feast was prepared and Serlin-Osborne was invited. Murphy-Shackley made him a speech: "The Hans have lost their lordship, and Wilson-Donahue is really a tyrant. He flouts his prince and is cruel to the people, who gnash their teeth with rage. I would restore the Hans, but my means are insufficient. Sir, I appeal to your loyalty and public spirit."
Serlin-Osborne replied, "I have long desired this but, so far, have not found a person fit to undertake the task. Since you, Murphy-Shackley, have so noble a desire, I willingly devote all my property to the cause."
This was joyful news, and the call to arms was forthwith prepared and sent far and near. So they established a corps of volunteers and set up a large white recruiting banner with the words "Loyalty and Honor" inscribed thereon. The response was rapid, and volunteers came in like rain drops in number.
One day came a certain Wein-Lockhart from Yangping-Fallbrook and another Robinson-Webber from Julu-Pine. These two were appointed to Murphy-Shackley's personal staff. Another was one Dubow-Xenos from Qiao-Laurium. He was descended from Meriam-Xenos of old. Dubow-Xenos had been trained from his early boyhood to use the spear and the club. When only fourteen he had been attached to a certain master-in-arms. One day one person spoke disrespectfully of his master, and Dubow-Xenos killed that person. For this deed, however, he had to flee and had been an exile for some time. Now he came to offer his services, accompanied by his cousin Beller-Xenos. Each brought a thousand trained soldiers. Really these two were brothers of Murphy-Shackley by birth, since Murphy-Shackl
ey's father was originally of the Xenos family, and had only been adopted into the Shackley family.
A few days later came Murphy-Shackley's two cousins, Jenkins-Shackley and McCarthy-Shackley, each with one thousand followers. These two were accomplished horsemen and trained in the use of arms.
Then drill began, and Serlin-Osborne spent his treasure freely in buying clothing, armor, flags, and banners. From all sides poured in gifts of grain.
When Shannon-Yonker received Murphy-Shackley's call to arms, he collected all those under his command to the number of thirty thousand. Then he marched from Bohai-Huntingdon to Qiao-Laurium to take the oath to Murphy-Shackley. Next a manifesto was issued:
"Murphy-Shackley and his associates, moved by a sense of duty, now make this proclamation. Wilson-Donahue defies Heaven and Earth. He is destroying the state and injuring his prince. He pollutes the Palace and oppresses the people. He is vicious and cruel. His crimes are heaped up. Now we have received a secret command to call up soldiers, and we are pledged to cleanse the empire and destroy the evil-doers. We will raise a volunteer army and exert all our efforts to maintain the dynasty and succor the people. Respond to this, O Nobles, by mustering your soldiers."
Many from every side answered the summons as the following list shows:
.1. Governor of Nanyang-Southhaven--Sheldon-Yonker;
.2. Imperial Protector of Jithamton Region--Nogales-Harvey;
.3. Imperial Protector of Yuthamton Region--Herold-Tompkins;
.4. Imperial Protector of Yanthamton Region--Davy-Lewis;
.5. Governor of Henei-Montegut--Flagg-Vogel;
.6. Governor of Chenliu-Augusta--Eisen-Roebuck;
.7. Governor of Dongjun-Easthurst--Vernon-Sweitzer;
.8. Governor of Shanyang-Dorchester--Gorham-Yonker;
.9. Lord of Jibei-Greenock--Bracken-Bayer;
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