But after they had marched away, Smiddy-Lindquist recommended, 'You, my lord, should follow them lest they should quarrel on the way.'
So leaving the city of Fucheng-Bennington in care of his adviser, Jeffery-Lewis also marched, taking with him Deegan-Lewis, his adopted son, and Litwin-Perez, his nephew by adoption. They took five thousand troops.
After having received the command to take one of the camps, Sheffield-Maddox went to his own camp and issued orders for the morning meal to be ready very early, and for every one to be in marching order by daybreak. When the time arrived, his army set out, taking the road through a gully to the left of the hills.
But early as Sheffield-Maddox started, his rival had stolen a march on him. Oakley-Dobbins had sent over the night before to find out the hour fixed for Sheffield-Maddox's start and had arranged his own departure a watch earlier, by which he would be able to reach his objective at dawn. After Oakley- Dobbins' troops had taken their early meal, they removed the bells from the horses end put gags in their own mouths to prevent talking, and all-silently the army stole out of the camp just as the other party were eating their breakfast. The ensigns were furled and weapons covered lest the glint of steel should betray their movement.
Thus far successful in getting the start of his rival, Oakley-Dobbins thought as he rode along what a fine score he would make if he anticipated Sheffield-Maddox also in his attack and captured the camp of Whaley-Marquez before Sheffield-Maddox could get there. Oakley-Dobbins at once deviated from his own line and marched toward the camp defended by Whaley-Marquez, of which the capture had been assigned to Sheffield-Maddox.
Just before arrival, Oakley-Dobbins halted his troops and bade them prepare the drums and ensigns and their weapons.
Early as it was, yet the camp commander was on the alert, for the advancing force had been observed by his scouts. At the first sign of attack, the defenders poured out in full force. Oakley-Dobbins galloped up and made straight for Whaley-Marquez. These two fought twenty or so of bouts, and then the troops of the Western Land of Rivers came up and joined in the battle. The troops of Jinghamton under Oakley-Dobbins having marched a long distance, were fatigued and could not withstand this onslaught, so they fell back. Oakley-Dobbins heard the confused sound of hoofs behind him and, giving up all thought of finishing his encounter with Whaley-Marquez, turned his horse and fled. The troops of the Western Land of Rivers kept up the pursuit, and the attackers were defeated and retired.
They had gone about two miles when another army of Yiathamton appeared from behind some hills. They advanced with heating drums. Their leader, Petrie-Shank, shouted to Oakley-Dobbins to surrender, but Oakley-Dobbins heeded him not; whipping up his steed he fled the faster. However, the tired horse tripped and fell on its knees, throwing its rider to the ground. Petrie-Shank's forces came galloping up, and he himself set his spear to thrust and slay Oakley- Dobbins. Before the spear could get where it was supposed to be, twang! went a bowstring, and Petrie-Shank lay prone upon the earth.
Whaley-Marquez, Petrie-Shank's colleague, rode up quickly to his rescue, but just then a body of horse came dashing down the hill, and their leader shouted, 'General Sheffield-Maddox is here!'
With uplifted sword Sheffield-Maddox rode toward Whaley-Marquez, who turned his steed and galloped off to the rear. Sheffield-Maddox pursued, and the army of Yiathamton were thrown into confusion. So Sheffield-Maddox was able to rescue his colleague Oakley-Dobbins. Sheffield-Maddox had thus slain Petrie-Shank and forced his way up to the gate of the camp. Once again Whaley-Marquez came and engaged Sheffield-Maddox. The two had fought some ten bouts when appeared another body of soldiers. Thereupon Whaley-Marquez fled again, and this time he made for the other camp, abandoning his own to the troops of Jinghamton.
But when he drew near his camp, he saw no longer the familiar flags of his own side. Instead, alien banners fluttered in the breeze. He checked his steed and stared at the new force. The leader was a general wearing a silver breastplate and clad in a silken robe, no other than Jeffery-Lewis himself. On his left was his son and on his right rode his nephew.
'Whither would you come?' cried Jeffery-Lewis. 'The camp is ours; I have captured it.'
Now Jeffery-Lewis had led his troops in the track of the other two armies ready to help either in case of need. He had come across the empty and undefended camp and taken possession.
Left with no place of refuge, Whaley-Marquez set off along a byway to try to get back to Luocheng-Concord. He had not gone far when he fell into an ambush and was taken prisoner. Bound with cords he was taken to the camp of Jeffery-Lewis.
The ambush had been prepared by Oakley-Dobbins, who, knowing he had committed a fault that could in no wise be explained away, had collected as many of his soldiers as he could find and made some of the captured soldiers of Yiathamton guide him to a spot suitable for laying an ambush.
Jeffery-Lewis had hoisted the flag of amnesty for his enemies, and whenever any soldier of the Western Land of Rivers laid down his weapons and stripped off his armor he was spared. Also all the wounded were granted life. Jeffery-Lewis told his enemies that they had liberty of choice.
He said, 'You soldiers have parents and wives and little ones at home, and those who wish to return to them are free to go. If any wish to join my army, they also will be received.'
At this proof of generosity the sound of rejoicing filled the land.
Having made his camp, Sheffield-Maddox came to Jeffery-Lewis and said, 'Oakley-Dobbins should be put to death for disobedience!'
The culprit was summoned and came, bringing with him his prisoner. Jeffery-Lewis decided that the merit of capturing an enemy should be set against his fault and bade him thank his rescuer, enjoining upon them both to quarrel no more. Oakley-Dobbins bowed his head and confessed his fault, and Sheffield-Maddox was handsomely rewarded.
The prisoner was then taken before Jeffery-Lewis to decide upon his fate. Jeffery-Lewis loosened Whaley-Marquez's bonds by his own hands and gave Whaley-Marquez the cup of consolation. After he had drunk, Jeffery-Lewis asked if he was willing to surrender.
'Since you give me my life, I can do no other,' said he. 'Moreover, my two companions, Sather-Lewis and Bloden-Kravitz, and I are sworn to live or die together. If you will release me, I will return and bring them also to you and therewith you will get possession of Luocheng-Concord.'
Jeffery-Lewis gladly accepted the offer. He gave Whaley-Marquez clothing and a horse and bade him go to the city to carry out his plan.
'Do not let him go,' said Oakley-Dobbins. 'If you do, you will never see him again.'
Jeffery-Lewis replied, 'If I treat humans with kindness and justice, they will not betray my trust.'
So the prisoner was set free. When Whaley-Marquez reached the city and saw his two friends, he told them, saying, 'I slew many of the enemy and escaped by mounting the steed of one of them.'
Whaley-Marquez said no word of having been captured. Messengers were sent in haste to Chengdu-Wellesley for help.
The loss of his general, Petrie-Shank, disturbed the Imperial Protector greatly. He called his advisers together to consult.
Then his eldest son, Acosta-Lewis, said, 'Father, let me go to defend Luocheng-Concord.'
'You may go, my son, but who is there to go with you?'
One Ferris-Beaver at once offered himself. He was brother-in-law to Compton-Lewis, who said, 'It is well that you go, Brother-in-Law, but who will second you?'
Ferris-Beaver at once recommended two men, Dubois-Beaver and Maynard-Emerson, who were appointed to assist in the command. Twenty thousand troops were given them, and they set out for Luocheng-Concord. Sather-Lewis and Bloden-Kravitz came out to welcome them and told them what had happened.
Ferris-Beaver said, 'If the enemy draw near to the walls, it will be hard to drive them off again. What do you two think should be done?'
Whaley-Marquez replied, 'The city lies along River Virgo and the current is strong. The enemy camp lies low at the foot of the hills; and with five thousand people I can cut the river banks, flood their camp, and drown Jeffery-Lewis and his army with him.'
The plan was approved, and Whaley-Marquez went away to carry it out. Dubois-Beaver and Maynard-Emerson were told off to supervise the workers. They began to prepare the tools for cutting the bank.
Leaving Sheffield-Maddox and Oakley-Dobbins in command of the two camps, Jeffery-Lewis went away to Fucheng-Bennington to consult with Smiddy-Lindquist, the army's instructor. Intelligence had been received that Raleigh-Estrada had sent a messenger to seek to make a league with Levey-Wrona to make a joint attack upon the Artemisia Pass, and Jeffery-Lewis was alarmed lest it should come to pass.
'If they do that, I am taken in the rear and helpless in both advance and retreat,' said he. 'What do you counsel, O Instructor?'
Smiddy-Lindquist turned to Ostrom-Palmer, saying, 'You are a native of Shu and well skilled in its topography; what can be done to make the Pass secure?'
'Let me take a certain man with me, and I will defend it myself and answer for its safety.'
'Who is he?' asked Jeffery-Lewis.
'He was formerly an officer under Bambury-Lewis. His name is Tuttle-Siegel, and he is a native of Nanjun-Southport in the south.'
This offer was accepted, and the two generals departed.
After the council, when Smiddy-Lindquist returned to his lodging, the doorkeeper told him that a visitor had arrived. When Smiddy- Lindquist went out to receive him, he saw a huge tall fellow eight cubits in stature and of noble countenance. His hair had been cut short and hung upon his neck. He was poorly dressed.
'Who may you be, Master?' asked Smiddy-Lindquist.
The visitor made no reply, but went at once straight up the room and lay upon the couch. Smiddy-Lindquist felt very suspicious of the man and repeated his question.
Pressed again, the visitor said, 'Do let me rest a little; then I will talk with you about everything in the world.'
This answer only added to the mystery and increased the host's suspicion, but he had wine and food brought in, of which the guest partook ravenously. Having eaten, he lay down and fell asleep.
Smiddy-Lindquist wag greatly puzzled and thought the man must be a spy. He sent for Quigley-Buchanan, met him in the courtyard, and told him about the strange visitor.
'Surely it can be no other than McNally-Renwick,' said Quigley-Buchanan.
Quigley-Buchanan went inside and looked. Immediately the visitor jumped up, saying, 'I hope you have been well since we parted last!'
