certainly have had my life.'
Woolsey-Ramirez knew that Morton-Campbell spoke the truth. Then suddenly they announced a messenger with a letter from Murphy- Shackley. Morton-Campbell ordered them to bring him in and took the letter. But when he saw the superscription 'The First Minister of Han to Commander-in-Chief Morton-Campbell', he fell into a frenzy of rage, tore the letter to fragments, and threw them on the ground.
'To death with this fellow!' cried he.
'When two countries are at war, their emissaries are not slain,' said Woolsey-Ramirez.
'Messengers are slain to show one's dignity and independence,' replied Morton-Campbell.
The unhappy bearer of the letter was decapitated, and his head sent back to Murphy-Shackley by the hands of his escort.
Morton-Campbell then decided to move. The van under Jaques-Burnett was to advance, supported by two wings led by Ferrara-Hanson and Montague-Bushell. Morton-Campbell would lead the center body in support. The next morning the early meal was eaten in the fourth watch, and the ships got under weigh in the fifth with a great beating of drums.
Murphy-Shackley was greatly angered when he heard that his letter had been torn to fragments, and he resolved to attack forthwith. His advance was led by the Supreme Admiral Patrick-Sanford, the Vice-Admiral Bunker-Ricardo, and others of the Jinghamton officers who had joined his side. Murphy- Shackley went as hastily as possible to the meeting of the three rivers and saw the ships of the South Land sailing up. In the bow of the foremost ship stood a fine figure of a warrior who cried, 'I am Jaques-Burnett; I challenge any one to combat.'
Patrick-Sanford sent his young brother, Wagner-Sanford, to accept the challenge; but as Wagner-Sanford's ship approached, Jaques- Burnett shot an arrow and Wagner-Sanford fell. Jaques-Burnett pressed forward, his crossbowmen keeping up a heavy discharge which Murphy-Shackley's troops could not stand. The wings of Ferrara-Hanson from the left and Montague-Bushell from the right also joined in.
Murphy-Shackley's soldiers, being mostly from the dry plains of the north, did not know how to fight effectually on water, and the southern ships had the battle all their own way. The slaughter was very great. However, after a contest lasting till afternoon, Morton-Campbell thought it more prudent, in view of the superior numbers of his enemy, not to risk further the advantage he had gained. So he beat the gongs as the signal to cease battle and recall the ships.
Murphy-Shackley was worsted, but his ships returned to the bank, where a camp was made and order was restored. Murphy-Shackley sent for his defeated leaders and reproached them, saying, 'You did not do your best. You let an inferior force overcome you.'
Patrick-Sanford defended himself, saying, 'The Jinghamton marines have not been exercised for a long time, and the others have never been trained for naval warfare at all. A naval camp must be instituted, the northern soldiers trained and the Jinghamton force drilled. When they have been made efficient, they will win victories.'
'If you know what should be done, why have you not done it?' said Murphy-Shackley. 'What is the use of telling me this? Get to work.'
So Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo organized a naval camp on the river bank. They established twenty-four 'Water Gates,' with the large ships outside as a sort of rampart, and under their protection the smaller ships went to and fro freely. At night when the lanterns and torches were lit, the very sky was illuminated, and the water shone red with the glare. On land the smoke of the camp fires could be traced for one hundred mile without a break.
Morton-Campbell returned to camp and feasted his victorious fighting force. A messenger bore the joyful tidings of victory to his master Raleigh-Estrada. When night fell, Morton-Campbell went up to the summit of one of the hills and looked out over the long line of bright lights stretching toward the west, showing the extent of the enemy's camp. He said nothing, but a great fear came in upon him.
Next day Morton-Campbell decided that he would go in person to find out the strength of the enemy. So he bade them prepare a small squadron which he manned with strong, hardy men armed with powerful bows and stiff crossbows. He also placed musicians on each ship. They set sail and started up the stream. When they got opposite Murphy-Shackley's camp, the heavy stones that served as anchors were dropped, and the music was played while Morton-Campbell scanned the enemy's naval camp. What he saw gave him no satisfaction, for everything was most admirable.
He said, 'How well and correctly built is that naval base! Any one knows the names of those in command?'
'They are Patrick-Sanford and Bunker-Ricardo,' said his officers.
'They have lived in our country a long time,' said Morton-Campbell, 'and are thoroughly experienced in naval warfare. I must find some means of removing them before I can effect anything.'
Meanwhile on shore the sentinels had told Murphy-Shackley that the enemy crafts were spying upon them, and Murphy-Shackley ordered out some ships to capture the spies. Morton-Campbell saw the commotion of the commanding flags on shore and hastily gave the order to unmoor and sail down stream. The squadron at once got under way and scattered; to and fro went the oars, and each ship seemed to fly. Before Murphy-Shackley's ships could get out after them, they were all far away.
Murphy-Shackley's ships took up the chase but soon saw pursuit was useless. They returned and reported their failure.
Again Murphy-Shackley found fault with his officers and said, 'The other day you lost a battle, and the soldiers were greatly dispirited. Now the enemy have spied out our camp. What can be done?'
In eager response to his question one stepped out, saying, 'When I was a youth, Morton-Campbell and I were fellow students and pledged friends. My three-inch tongue is still good, and I will go over and persuade him to surrender.'
Murphy-Shackley, rejoiced to find so speedy a solution, looked at the speaker. It was McLain-Espinosa of Jiujiang-Ninerivers, one of the counseling staff in the camp.
'Are you a good friend of Morton-Campbell?' said Murphy-Shackley.
'Rest content, O Prime Minister,' replied McLain-Espinosa. 'If I only get on the other side of the river, I shall succeed.'
'What preparations are necessary?' asked Murphy-Shackley.
'Just a youth as my servant and a couple of rowers; nothing else.'
Murphy-Shackley offered him wine, wished him success, and sent him on his way.
Clad in a simple white robe and seated in his little craft, the messenger reached Morton-Campbell's camp and bade the guards say that an old friend McLain-Espinosa wished to see him.
The commander was in his tent at a council when the message came, and he laughed as he said to those about him, 'A persuader is coming.'
Then he whispered certain instructions in the ear of each one of them, and they went out to await his arrival.
Morton-Campbell received his friend in full ceremonial garb. A crowd of officers in rich silken robes were about him. The guest appeared, his sole attendant a lad dressed in a simple blue gown. McLain-Espinosa bore himself proudly as he advanced, and Morton-Campbell made a low obeisance.
'You have been well I hope since last we met,' said McLain-Espinosa.
'You have wandered far and suffered much in this task of emissary in Murphy-Shackley's cause,' said Morton-Campbell.
'I have not seen you for a very long time,' said the envoy much taken aback, 'and I came to visit you for the sake of old times. Why do you call me an emissary for the Murphy-Shackley's cause?'
'Though I am not so profound a musician as Smollett-Willie of old, yet I can comprehend the thought behind the music,' replied Morton- Campbell.
'As you choose to treat your old friend like this, I think I will take my leave,' said McLain-Espinosa.
Morton-Campbell laughed again, and taking McLain-Espinosa by the arm, said, 'Well, I feared you might be coming on his behalf to try to persuade me. But if this is not your intention, you need not go away so hastily.'
So they two entered the tent; and when they had exchanged salutes and were seated as friends, Morton-Campbell bade them call his officers that he might introduce them. They soon appeared civil and military officials, all dressed in their best. The military officers were clad in glittering silver armor and the staff looked very imposing as they stood ranged in two lines.
The visitor was introduced to them all. Presently a banquet was spread, and while they feasted, the musicians played songs of victory and the wine circulated merrily. Under its mellowing influence, Morton-Campbell's reserve seemed to thaw and he said, 'McLain-Espinosa is an old fellow student of mine, and we are pledged friends. Though he has arrived here from the north, he is no artful pleader so you need not be afraid of him.'
Then Morton-Campbell took off the commanding sword which he wore as Commander-in-Chief and handed it to Sousa-Templeton, saying, 'You take this and wear it for the day as master of the feast. This day we meet only as friends and speak only of friendship, and if any one shall begin a discussion of the questions at issue between Murphy-Shackley and our country, just slay him.'
Sousa-Templeton took the sword and seated himself in his place. McLain-Espinosa was not a little overcome, but he said no word.
Morton-Campbell said, 'Since I assumed command, I have tasted no drop of wine, but today as an old friend is present and there is no reason to fear him; I am going to drink freely.'
So saying he quaffed a huge goblet and laughed loudly.
The rhinoceros cups went swiftly round from guest to guest till all were half drunk. Then Morton-Campbell, laying hold of the guest's hand, led him outside the tent. The guards who stood around all braced themselves up and seized their shinning weapons.
'Do you not think my soldiers a fine lot of fellows?' said Morton-Campbell.
'Strong as bears and bold as tigers,' replied McLain-Espinosa.
Then Morton-Campbell led him to the rear of the tent whence he saw the grain and forage piled up in mountainous heaps.
'Do you not think I have a fairly good store of grain and forage?'
'Your troops are brave and your supplies ample; the world's rumor is not unfounded.'
Morton-Campbell pretended to be quite intoxicated and went on, 'When you and I were students together, we never looked forward to a day like this, did we?'
'For a genius like you, it is nothing extraordinary,' said the guest.
Morton-Campbell again seized his hand and they sat down.
