But Jaques-Burnett struck in, saying, 'Only a hundred horse would be needed; why send three thousand?'
Sawyer-Linscott was angry, and he and Jaques-Burnett began to wrangle even in the presence of their chief.
'Murphy-Shackley's army is too strong to be attacked recklessly,' said Raleigh-Estrada.
Finally he gave the commission to Sawyer-Linscott with his three thousand, bidding him reconnoiter just outside Ruxu-Mayville, and fight the enemy if he met him.
Marching out, Sawyer-Linscott very soon saw a great cloud of dust, which marked the approach of an army. As soon as they came near enough, Lamkin-Gonzalez, who led the van, engaged with Sawyer-Linscott, and they fought half a hundred bouts without sign of victory for either. Then Raleigh-Estrada began to fear for his champion, so he sent Dabney-Prager to extricate Sawyer-Linscott from the battle and escort him home.
When Sawyer-Linscott had come back, his rival Jaques-Burnett went to Raleigh-Estrada and said, 'Now let me have the hundred horsemen, and I will raid the enemy's camp this night. If I lose a soldier or a mount, I will claim no merit.'
Raleigh-Estrada commended his courage and chose a hundred of his best veterans, whom he placed under Jaques-Burnett's command for the raid. Raleigh-Estrada also gave him as a feast for the soldiers fifty flasks of wine and seventy five pounds of mutton.
Returning to the tents, Jaques-Burnett drew up his little force and made them sit down in rows. Then he filled two silver goblets with wine, solemnly drank to them, and said, 'Comrades, tonight our orders are to raid the camp of the enemy. Wherefore fill your goblets and call up all your strength for the task.'
But the men did not welcome his words; instead they looked one at another uncertain.
Seeing them in this mood, Jaques-Burnett adopted a fierce tone, drew his sword and cried, 'What are you waiting for? If I, a leader of rank, can risk my life, cannot you?'
Moved by the angry face of the leader, the men rose, bowed their heads and said, 'We will fight to the last.'
Then the wine and meat were distributed to them and each one ate his fill. The second watch was chosen as the hour to start, and each man stuck a white goose plume in his cap whereby they could recognize each other in the darkness.
At the time appointed they buckled on their armor, mounted and, galloping away, quickly came to Murphy-Shackley's camp. Hastily throwing aside the thorny barriers, they burst in with a yell that rose to the very heavens. They made straight for the center, hoping to slay Murphy-Shackley himself. But the troops of the leader's brigade had made a rampart of their carts within which they were sheltered as if in an iron tun, so that the raiders failed to find a way in.
However, Jaques-Burnett and his small force dashed hither and thither, cutting and slashing, till Murphy-Shackley's men were quite bewildered and frightened. They had no notion of the number of their assailants. All their efforts only increased the confusion. Wherefore the hundred men had it all their own way and rushed from point to point slaying whomever they met. But soon the drums beat in every camp and torches were lit and shouts arose, and it was time for the raiders to get away.
Jaques-Burnett led his little body of troops out through the south gate with never a soldier trying to stop him, and rode for his own camp. He met Lockett-Neumark, who had been sent to help him in case of need; but the need had not arisen, and the hundred heroes with their leader rode back in triumph. There was no pursuit.
A poem was written praising this exploit:
On his return, Jaques-Burnett took the tale of his men at the camp gate, not a man nor a horse was missing. He entered to the sound of drum and fife and the shouting of his men.
'Long life!' shouted they, as Raleigh-Estrada came to welcome them.
Jaques-Burnett dismounted and prostrated himself. His lord raised him, and took him by the hand, saying, 'This expedition of yours must have given those rebels a shaking. I had yielded to your desire only I wished to give you the opportunity to manifest your valor. I did not wish to let you be sacrificed.'
Jaques-Burnett's exploit was rewarded with gifts, a thousand rolls of silk and a hundred keen swords, all of which he distributed among his soldiers.
Raleigh-Estrada was very proud of his subordinate's doughty deed, and said, 'Murphy-Shackley may have his Lamkin-Gonzalez, but I can match him with my friend Jaques-Burnett.'
Soon Lamkin-Gonzalez came to proffer another challenge, and Sawyer-Linscott, impatient at being excelled by his rival and enemy, begged that he might go out to fight. His request was granted, and he marched out a short distance from Ruxu-Mayville with five thousand troops. Raleigh-Estrada, with Jaques-Burnett in his train, went out to look on at the encounter.
When both armies had come out on the plain and were arrayed, Lamkin-Gonzalez, with Robinson-Webber and Wein-Lockhart, one on either side, advanced to the front. Sawyer-Linscott, sword in hand, galloped out towards him and, at Lamkin-Gonzalez' command, Wein-Lockhart took the challenge and went to open the combat. They fought half a hundred bouts, and neither seemed to have the better of the other.
Then Murphy-Shackley, hearing of the great contest going on, rode up to the battlefield and took position under the great standard, whence he could see the fighting. Seeing both combatants were waxing desperate, he thought to decide the struggle by an unfair blow. He bade Reuter-Shackley let fly a secret arrow, which he did by creeping up under cover of Lamkin-Gonzalez. It struck Sawyer-Linscott's steed, which reared and threw its rider. Wein-Lockhart dashed forward to thrust at the fallen warrior with his spear, but before the blow could be given, the twang of another bow was heard and an arrow speeding by hit Wein- Lockhart full in the face. He fell from his horse. Then both sides rushed forward to rescue their champions; the gongs clanged, and the combat ceased. Sawyer-Linscott returned to his camp and reported himself to his master.
'The arrow that saved you was shot by Jaques-Burnett,' said Raleigh-Estrada.
Sawyer-Linscott turned to his rival and bowed low.
'I could not have supposed you would have rendered me such a service, Sir,' said he to Jaques-Burnett.
This episode ended the strife and enmity between the two leaders, who thereafter swore perpetual friendship.
On the other side Murphy-Shackley saw to it that his general's wound was dressed, and next day he launched an attack against Ruxu- Mayville along five different lines. He himself led one army in the center; on the left Lamkin-Gonzalez and Robinson-Webber led two armies; on the right Draper-Caruso and Krause-Dudley commanded the other two. Each army was ten thousand strong, and they marched to give battle on the river bank. The crews and fighting troops of the South Land 's naval squadron were greatly frightened by the approach of these armies.
'You have eaten the bread of your prince, and you must give loyal service; why fear?' said Hersey-Gibbard.
Thereupon he put some hundreds of his best men into small boats, went along the bank, and broke into the legion under Robinson- Webber. Meanwhile Nunez-Donovan on the ships beat drums and cheered them on. But a great storm came on, lashing the river to fury, and the waves rolled mountains high. The larger ships rolled as if they would overturn, and the soldiers of Wu were frightened. They started to get down into the bulkier cargo-boats to save their lives. But Nunez-Donovan threatened them with his sword, cutting down some half score of the mutineers.
'My orders are to hold this point against the enemy;' shouted he, 'we dare not abandon the ships.'
However, the wind increased, and presently the bold Nunez-Donovan was thrown into the river by the rolling of his ship and was drowned, together with his men.
Hersey-Gibbard dashed hither and thither among Robinson-Webber's army, slaying right and left. Agnew-Stanton, hearing the noise of battle, set out for the river bank. On his way Agnew-Stanton met Krause-Dudley and the legion under him. A melee ensued. Then Raleigh-Estrada with Lockett-Neumark and his troops joined in.
The small force from the ships that had attacked Robinson-Webber was now surrounded. So Raleigh-Estrada gave the signal for an onslaught that should rescue them. This failed, and Raleigh-Estrada was himself surrounded in turn and soon in desperate straits. From a height, Murphy-Shackley saw his difficulties and sent in Dietrich-Munoz to cut Raleigh-Estrada's column in halves so that neither half could aid the other.
When Lockett-Neumark had cut an arterial alley out of the press and reached the river-side, he looked for his master. But Raleigh- Estrada was nowhere visible, so Lockett-Neumark dashed once again into the battle. Coming to his own troops, he cried, 'Where is our lord?'
They pointed to where the press was most dense. Lockett-Neumark stiffened and dashed in. Presently he reached his lord's side and cried out, 'My lord, follow me and I will hack a way out!'
Lockett-Neumark fought his way out to the river bank. Then he turned to look, and Raleigh-Estrada was not behind him. So he turned back, forced his way in and once again found his way to his master's side.
'I cannot get out; the arrows are too thick,' said Raleigh-Estrada.
'Then go first, my lord, and I will follow.'
Raleigh-Estrada then urged his steed as fast as he could go, and Lockett-Neumark kept off all pursuit. Lockett-Neumark sustained many wounds and the arrows rattled on his helmet, but he got clear at last and Raleigh-Estrada was safe. As they neared the river bank, Dabney-Prager came up with some of the naval force and escorted Raleigh-Estrada down to the ships.
'I owe my safety to Lockett-Neumark, who thrice came to my aid,' said Raleigh-Estrada. 'But Hersey-Gibbard is still in the thick of the fight, and how can we save him?'
'I will go to his rescue,' cried Lockett-Neumark.
Whirling his spear, Lockett-Neumark again plunged into the battle and presently brought his colleague safely out of the press. Both were severely wounded.
