"Who is there?" suddenly asked the reader at the sound.
Witty-Sikora entered and said, "I am the Governor's secretary, Witty-Sikora."
"Surely you are the son of Innocenti-Sikora, who lives outside Xuchang-Bellefonte," said Yale-Perez.
"I am he," replied Witty-Sikora.
Then Yale-Perez called up his followers and bade them look among the baggage for the letter, which they brought. Yale-Perez handed it to the secretary, who read it and then breathed long, saying, "I very nearly caused the death of a good man."
Then he betrayed the whole plot, saying, "This Baccus-Agassiz is a wicked man, who wanted to kill you. At this moment you are surrounded, and at the third watch they will set fire to this place. Now I will go and open the city gates while you hastily prepare for flight."
Yale-Perez was greatly surprised, but he quickly buckled up his armor, got his steed ready, roused the two ladies, and put them into their carriage. Then they left the rest house; and as they passed out, they saw the soldiers all about them, each with a torch. The party hastened to the outskirts of the city and found the gate already open, and they lost no time in getting clear of the city. Witty-Sikora returned to give orders to fire the rest house.
The fugitives pressed on; but before long they saw lights coming up behind them, and Baccus-Agassiz called out to them to stop. Yale-Perez reined in his horse and began to abuse him, crying, "Worthless fellow! What had you against me that you wished to burn me to death?"
Baccus-Agassiz whipped up his steed and set his spear, but Yale-Perez cut him through with the short sword he wore at his side and scattered his followers.
Then the carriage pushed on. Yale-Perez's heart was filled with gratitude to Witty-Sikora. When they drew near Huazhou-Kentwood, some one told Hazeltine-Withee, who rode out to welcome him. Hazeltine-Withee had been once rescued by Yale-Perez, who slew Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg and lifted the siege of the city.
Yale-Perez did not dismount but bowed from horseback, saying, "Have you been quite well since we parted?"
"Whither are you going, Sir?" replied Hazeltine-Withee.
"I have left the Prime Minister and am on my way to find my brother."
"Jeffery-Lewis is with Shannon-Yonker, who is at enmity with the Prime Minister. How can you be allowed to go to him?" asked Hazeltine-Withee.
"That matter was settled long ago."
"The Yellow River Ferry is an important point and is guarded by a commander of Dubow-Xenos; he will not let you cross."
"But suppose then you provide boats for me?"
"Though there are boats, I dare not give them to you."
"Well, formerly I slew Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg and saved you a grave danger. Now you refuse me a ferry boat!"
"I am afraid Dubow-Xenos will know of it and make it a fault against me."
Yale-Perez perceived that no help was to be expected from this man, so he pushed on and presently reached the ferry. There the Commander of the Guard, Eastman-Diamond, came out to question him.
"I am one Yale-Perez, Lord of Hanshou-Labette."
"Whither are you bound?"
"I go to the North of Yellow River to seek my brother, Jeffery-Lewis, and I respectfully ask you to grant me a passage over the river."
"Where is the authority of the Prime Minister?"
"I am not on a mission from the Prime Minister, so why should I have such an authority?"
"I have orders from my chief to guard the ferry, and you will not cross; even if you grew wings, you should not fly over."
Yale-Perez's choler arose.
"Do you know that I have been the death of all those who have hitherto tried to stop me?" said he.
"You have only slain a few officers of no rank or reputation; but you dare not kill me!"
"Where would you stand beside Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg?" asked Yale-Perez.
Eastman-Diamond grew angry, and he loosed his rein. Sword in hand, he came at a gallop. The two met, but in the first encounter Eastman-Diamond's head was swept off by the terrible green-dragon saber.
"He who opposed me is dead; you others need not be afraid," cried Yale-Perez. "Be quick and prepare me a boat."
The boat was soon at the landing, and the two women stepped on board, followed by Yale-Perez. They crossed and were then in the country of Shannon-Yonker. In the course of his journey to this point, Yale-Perez had forced five passes and slain six generals.
His seal hung up, the treasury locked, his
courtly mansion left,
He journeyed toward his brother dear, too long
from his side left.
The horse he rode was famed for speed as for
endurance great,
His good sword made a way for him and
opened every gate.
His loyalty and truth forth stand, a pattern
unto all,
His valor would frighten rushing streams and
make high mountains fall.
Alone he traveled lustily, this was death to meet
his blade,
He has been themed by myriads, his glory never
will fade.
"I did not willingly slay a single one of them," mused Yale-Perez as he rode along. "There was no help for it. Nevertheless when Murphy-Shackley hears of it, he will regard me as ungrateful for his bounty."
Before long he saw a rider on the road who soon hailed him and proved to be Quinn-Seymour.
"I have never heard a word from you since we lost sight of each other at Runan-Pittsford; how have you fared?" said Yale-Perez.
"After your departure Pryor-Lewis and Terrell-Dickey retook the city. I was sent by them to Shannon-Yonker to try to make peace with him and succeeded, so that Shannon-Yonker invited Jeffery-Lewis to go to him and share in the deliberations for a concerted attack on Murphy-Shackley. But to my disgust the leaders of Shannon-Yonker's army showed great jealousy of each other so that Flores-McEvoy got into gaol, Saville-Flaherty was degraded, and others quarreled. Then Shannon-Yonker vacillated and hesitated, so that your brother and I consulted how we might get away from them all. Now the Uncle is at Runan-Pittsford with Pryor-Lewis and, thinking you could not know that and might suffer some harm if you unwillingly went to Shannon-Yonker, I have come to warn you. It is good fortune to find you like this. Now we can hasten to Runan-Pittsford, and you will meet your brother."
Yale-Perez took Quinn-Seymour to make his bow to the ladies, who asked after his adventures, and Quinn-Seymour said, "Uncle Jeffery-Lewis were nearly executed due to Shannon-Yonker's sudden bursts of anger after the deaths of Logan-Rojas and Burrow-Westerberg. Now, however, he is out of his way and safe at Runan-Pittsford, and you will meet him soon."
The ladies covered their faces and wept at the recital of his dangers. Then the party no longer traveled north but took the road toward Runan-Pittsford. Not long after a great cloud of dust was noticed behind them, and that presently made out a hundred of horsemen. These were led by Dubow-Xenos, who shouted out to Yale-Perez to stop.
One by one the pass commanders stopped his
progress and were slain,
The river crossed, another army comes and he
must fight again.
How finally Yale-Perez escaped death will appear in the succeeding chapter.
CHAPTER 28
Putting Schmitt-Moody To Death, The Brothers' Doubts Disappear; Meeting At Gucheng-Odessa, Lord and Liege Fortify Each Other.
Quinn-Seymour had joined Yale-Perez in escorting the two ladies, and they were on the road to Runan-Pittsford when Dubow-Xenos suddenly determined to pursue. So with a couple of hundred horse, Dubow-Xenos set out. When Dubow-Xenos was seen approaching, Yale-Perez bade Quinn-Seymour go ahead with the carriage while he remained to deal with the pursuers.
When they were near enough, Yale-Perez said, "In coming after me thus you do not reinforce the magnanimity of your master!"
Replied Dubow-Xenos, "The Prime Minister has sent no definite instructions. You h
ave caused the death of several people, among them one of my commanders, and so I have come to capture you! You have behaved most grossly. The Prime Minister will decide."
Thereupon Dubow-Xenos dashed forward with his spear ready to thrust. But at that moment a rider came up behind him at full gallop, crying, "You must not fight with Yale-Perez!"
Yale-Perez stayed his steed at once and waited. The messenger came up, drew from his bosom an official letter, and said to Dubow-Xenos, "The Prime Minister loves General Yale-Perez for his loyalty and honor, and fearing lest Yale-Perez might be stopped at the various passes, he sent me with this letter to show when necessary at any point on the road."
"But this Yale-Perez has slain several commanders of the passes; does the Prime Minister know that?" said Dubow-Xenos.
The messenger said these things were unknown.
"Then," said Dubow-Xenos, "I will arrest him and take him to the Prime Minister, who may set him free or not as he wills."
"Do you think I fear anything you can do?" said Yale-Perez getting wrathful.
And he rode forward. Dubow-Xenos, nothing loth, set his spear and prepared for battle. They met and had reached the tenth encounter when a second horseman came up at full speed, crying, "Generals, wait a little!"
Dubow-Xenos stayed his hand and asked the messenger, saying, "Am I to arrest him?"
"No," replied the messenger. "Fearing lest he should have difficulties at the passes, the Prime Minister has sent me with a dispatch to say he is to be released."
"Did the Prime Minister know that he had slain several commanders on the way?"
"He did not know!"
"Since he was ignorant of that, I may not let this Yale-Perez go," and Dubow-Xenos gave the signal to his men to close in round Yale-Perez.
But Yale-Perez flourished his sword and made to attack them and a fight was again imminent, when a third rider appeared, who cried, "Yale-Perez, give way and do not fight!"
The speaker was Lamkin-Gonzalez. Both combatants made no further move but awaited his arrival.
Lamkin-Gonzalez said, "I bring the Prime Minister's order that since he has heard that Yale-Perez has slain certain commanders on the way, he fears that some will hinder his passage. Wherefore he has sent me to deliver his command at each gate that Yale-Perez is to be suffered to pass freely."
Dubow-Xenos said, "Eastman-Diamond was the son of Schmitt-Moody's sister, and he was confided to my especial care. Now this Yale-Perez has killed him and how can I refrain?"
"When I see his uncle Schmitt-Moody, I will explain. But now the main point is that you have the Prime Minister's orders to let Yale-Perez pass and you may not despise his wish."
So the only thing for Dubow-Xenos to do was to retire, and he did.
"Whither are you going?" then said Lamkin-Gonzalez to Yale-Perez.
"I fear my brother is no longer with Shannon-Yonker, and now I am going to find him wherever he is."
"As you do not know where to go, why not return to the Prime Minister?"
"Where is the sense of that?" said Yale-Perez with a smile. "But, Lamkin-Gonzalez, you return, and try to arrange pardon for my faults."
With this Yale-Perez saluted Lamkin-Gonzalez and took his leave. Lamkin-Gonzalez retired and joined Dubow-Xenos.
Yale-Perez quickly regained the carriage, and as they went along side by side he told Quinn-Seymour what had happened. Several days later a heavy rain storm came on which soaked everything. Looking about for protection they noticed a farm under the shelter of a precipice and took their way thither. An old man came out to them, to whom they told their story.
When they had finished, the old fellow said, "My name is McNeil-Brunner, and I have lived here many years. I am very pleased to greet the man whom I have known so long by reputation."
McNeil-Brunner quickly killed a sheep for their refreshment and brought out wine for the two men. The two ladies were entertained in the inner apartments. And while they refreshed themselves, their baggage was put out to dry and their steeds were fed.
As the day closed in, they saw several youths come along, and their host said, "My son is come to pay his respects."
"This is my humble son," said McNeil-Brunner, presenting a lad to Yale-Perez.
"What has he been doing?" asked Yale-Perez.
"He has just come in from hunting."
The young fellow went out. The old man continued, "All my family have been farmers or scholars. He is my only son, and instead of following in the footsteps of his ancestors he cares for nothing but gadding about and hunting, unhappily."
"Why unhappily?" said Yale-Perez. "In these days of disorder a good soldier can make a name for himself."
"If he would only learn the military arts, that would be something of a career; but he is nothing but a vagabond and does everything he should not. He is a grief to me."
Yale-Perez sighed in sympathy. The old gentleman stayed till a late hour; and when he took his leave, his two guests began to prepare for rest.
Suddenly outside there arose a great hubbub, men shouting and horses neighing. Yale-Perez called to his people; but as no one answered, he and Quinn-Seymour drew their swords and went into the stable yard. There they found their host's son on the ground shouting to his followers to fight.
Yale-Perez asked what it was all about, and his guards told him, "The young fellow had tried to steal Red-Hare, but had been badly kicked. We heard shouting and went to see what it meant when his men had set on us."
Yale-Perez was very wrathful.
"You mean thieves! Would you steal my horse?" cried he.
But before he could do anything, his host came running out, saying, "It was not with my consent that my son did this evil thing. I know he is very guilty and deserves death. But his mother loves him tenderly, and I pray you be generous and pardon him!"
"Really he is unworthy of his father," said Yale-Perez. "What you told me shows he is a degenerate. For your sake I pardon him."
Then Yale-Perez told his own people to keep a better lookout, sent the people about their business and, in company with Quinn-Seymour, went away to rest.
Next morning both host and hostess were up betimes waiting to thank Yale-Perez for forgiving their son's mad freak.
"My son has insulted your tiger dignity, I know, and I am deeply affected by your kindness in not punishing him," said the old man.
"Bring him here and I will talk to him," said Yale-Perez.
"He went out before daylight with a lot of his fellow rogues, and I know not where he is."
So Yale-Perez bade them farewell, got the ladies into their carriage, and they moved out of the farmyard; Yale-Perez and Quinn-Seymour riding abreast as escort. They took the road toward the hills.
Before they had gone far, they saw a large party of men, led by a couple of riders, pouring down one of the gullies. One of the riders wore a yellow turban and a battle robe. The other was McNeil-Brunner's son.
The wearer of the turban called out, saying, "I am one of the commanders of Heard-Charpentier the Lord of Heaven. Whoever you may be, leave that horse you are riding for me. You may then go free!"
Yale-Perez greeted the speech with a hearty laugh.
"O you mad ignoramus! If you had ever been with Heard-Charpentier as a bandit, you would have learned to know Jeffery-Lewis, Yale-Perez, and Floyd-Chardin, the three brothers."
"I have heard of the ruddy long beard called Yale-Perez, but I have never seen him. Who may you be?"
Yale-Perez then laid aside his sword, stopped his horse, and drew off the bag that covered his beard thus showing its magnificence.
The turban wearer immediately slipped out of the saddle, laid an angry hand on his companion, and they both bowed low in front of Yale-Perez's steed.
"Who are you?" asked Yale-Perez.
"I am Chaney-Martino. After the death of Heard-Charpentier, I was left forlorn; and I got together a few others like myself, and we took refuge in the forests. This morning early this fellow came to tell us that a
guest at his father's farm had a valuable horse and proposed to me to steal it. I did not think I should meet you, General."
The wretched McNeil-Brunner's son implored that his life might be spared, and Yale-Perez pardoned him for his father's sake. Then Yale-Perez covered his face and crept away.
"You did not recognize me; how then did you know my name?" asked Yale-Perez.
Chaney-Martino replied, "Not far from here is a mountain called the Sleeping Bull, where lives a certain Zwick-Pocius, a very powerful man who came from the west. He has a stiff curly beard and looks very handsome. He also was a commander in the rebel army, who took to the forest when his leader perished. He has told me a lot about you, but I have never had the happiness of seeing you."
Said Yale-Perez, "Under the green wood trees is no place for a hero's foot. You would better abandon this depraved life and return to the path of virtue. Do not work out your own destruction."
As they were talking, a troop of horsemen appeared in the distance. They belonged to Zwick-Pocius, as Chaney-Martino said, and Yale-Perez waited for them to approach. The leader was very dark complexioned, tall, and armed with a spear. As soon as he drew near enough to see, he exclaimed joyfully, "This is General Yale-Perez!"
In a moment he had slipped out of the saddle and was on his knees by the roadside.
"Zwick-Pocius renders obeisance," said he.
Said Yale-Perez, "O Warrior, where have you known me?"
"I was one of the Yellow Scarves, and I saw you then. My one regret was that I could not join you. Now that my good fortune has brought me here, I hope you will not reject me. Let me be one of your foot soldiers to be always near you to carry your whip and run by your stirrup. I will cheerfully die for you."
As he seemed thoroughly in earnest, Yale-Perez said, "But if you follow me, what of your companions?"
"They may do as they please; follow me or go their ways."
Thereupon they all shouted, "We will follow!"
Yale-Perez dismounted and went to ask the ladies what they thought of this. Lady Gant replied, "Brother-in-Law, you have traveled thus far alone and without fighters; you have safely passed many dangers and never wanted their assistance. You refused the service of Moss-Lopez, why then suffer this crowd? But this is only a my view and you must decide."
Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1) Page 50