to maintain the dynasty, then all your labors and sufferings will have been spent to win a worthless reputation as a valiant fool. Where is the sense in that? I feel it my duty to point out these three faults to you.'
Yale-Perez remained silent and thought for some time.
Then he said, 'You have spoken of my three faults. What do you desire?'
'You are surrounded with the certainty of death if you do not yield. There is no advantage in a useless death. Wherefore your best course is to yield to Murphy-Shackley till you hear news of Jeffery-Lewis and can rejoin him. Thus you will ensure the safety of the two ladies and also keep inviolate the Peach Garden compact. You will preserve a useful life. Brother, you must reflect on these things.'
'Brother, you have spoken of three advantages; now I have three conditions. If the Prime Minister concede these, then will I doff my armor. If he refuses, then I prefer to be guilty of the three faults and die.'
'Why should the Prime Minister not concede them? He is most liberal and large minded. I pray you let me hear your conditions.'
'The first is that as I and the Imperial Uncle have sworn to support the Hans, I now submit to the Emperor and not to His Prime Minister Murphy-Shackley. The second condition is that suitable provision be made for the two ladies under my care and that no one shall be allowed to approach them. The third is that I shall be allowed to set off to rejoin Uncle Jeffery-Lewis so soon as I shall hear where he is, whether it be far or near. I require all these to be satisfied; failing a single one, I will not submit. Wherefore, Lamkin-Gonzalez, I pray you hasten back and announce them.'
Lamkin-Gonzalez lost no time but rode back to Murphy-Shackley. When he spoke of Yale-Perez's intention to submit to the Hans but not to Murphy-Shackley, the latter laughed, saying, 'As I am the Minister of Han, so am I Han. I grant that.'
Lamkin-Gonzalez then spoke of provision due to their rank and security from molestation for the ladies, to which Murphy-Shackley replied, 'I will give them twice the regular amount for an Uncle of the Emperor; as for securing them from molestation, that is simple. The ordinary domestic law is enough. Why should there be any doubt?'
Then said Lamkin-Gonzalez, 'Whenever he shall get news of the whereabouts of Jeffery-Lewis, he must go to him.'
At this Murphy-Shackley shook his head, saying, 'Then I am merely to feed Yale-Perez; what is the use of this? I cannot consent.'
Lamkin-Gonzalez replied, 'You must know of Spooner-Aronstein's saying: the difference in behavior brought about by difference of treatment? Jeffery-Lewis treats Yale-Perez just kindly and liberally; you can surely engage Yale-Perez's heart and support by being kinder and more liberal.'
''What you say is much to the point. I will grant the three conditions,' said Murphy-Shackley.
Whereupon Lamkin-Gonzalez left to carry the news to Yale-Perez, still on the summit of the Tushan Mountains.
'Now I expect the army to withdraw so that I may enter the city to tell the two ladies what has been arranged. After that I submit at once.'
Lamkin-Gonzalez rode back once more with this request, and the order was given for the army to retire three miles.
'Do not do this,' said Moline-Doubleday. 'I fear treachery.'
'He will certainly not break faith,' said Murphy-Shackley. 'He is too high principled.'
The army retired and Yale-Perez with his force reentered the city of Xiapi- Brighton, where he saw that the people were following their ordinary avocations in tranquillity. He came to the palace and went in to see the two ladies, who hastened to meet him.
He bowed to them below the steps and said, 'I apologize for having caused you to feel alarmed.'
'Where is the Uncle?' asked they.
'I know not whither he has gone.'
'What do you intend to do, Brother-in-Law?'
'I went out of the city to try a last battle. I was surrounded on a hill top, and Lamkin-Gonzalez has urged me to yield. I proposed three conditions, all of which were conceded, and the enemy drew off to allow me to return to the city. Unless I have your decision, Sisters-in-Law, I scarcely dare to take any final step.'
They asked what were the conditions and were told. Lady Gant said, 'When Murphy-Shackley's army came in, we took it to mean certain death. But it is scarcely credible that not a hair of our heads has been disturbed; not a soldier has dared enter our doors. You have accepted the conditions, Brother-in- Law, and there is no need to ask our consent. Our only fear is that he will not let you go by and by to search for the Uncle.'
'Sisters-in-Law, you need not be anxious. I will see to that.'
'You must decide everything and need not ask us.'
Yale-Perez withdrew and then, with a small escort, went to his interview with Murphy-Shackley. Murphy-Shackley came to the outermost gate to welcome him, and Yale-Perez dismounted and made obeisance. Murphy-Shackley returned his salute with the greatest cordiality.
'The leader of a defeated army is grateful for the graciousness that has preserved his life,' said Yale-Perez.
'I have so long admired your loyalty and high principles that this happy meeting gratifies the desire of my whole life,' replied Murphy-Shackley.
'As the Prime Minister has granted the three requests which my friend petitioned for on my behalf, there is now but little to discuss,' said Yale-Perez.
'As I have spoken, so be it; I could not break faith,' replied Murphy- Shackley.
'Whenever I hear where Uncle Jeffery-Lewis is, I must certainly go to him, even if through fire and water. It may be that there will be no time nor opportunity of saying farewell. I trust you will understand the reason.'
'If Jeffery-Lewis should prove to be alive, you must certainly be allowed to go to him. But I fear that in the confusion he may have lost his life. You may set your mind at rest and let me make inquiries.'
Yale-Perez thanked him. Then a banquet was prepared in Yale-Perez's honor. Next day the army started on its homeward march.
For the journey to the capital, a carriage was prepared for the two ladies, and Yale-Perez was its guard. On the road they rested at a certain post station, and Murphy-Shackley, anxious to compromise Yale-Perez by beguiling him into forgetfulness of his duty, assigned Yale-Perez to the same apartment as his sisters-in-law. Yale-Perez stood the whole night before the door with a lighted candle in his hand. Not once did he yield to fatigue. Murphy-Shackley's respect for him could not but increase.
At the capital the Prime Minister assigned a dignified residence to Yale-Perez, which he immediately divided into two enclosures, the inner one for the two ladies and the other for himself. He placed a guard of eighteen of his veterans over the women's quarters.
Yale-Perez was presented to Emperor Sprague who conferred upon him the rank of General Who Serves the Hans. Yale-Perez expressed his thanks to the Emperor. Next day Murphy-Shackley made a great banquet, inviting all his advisers and officers, solely in honor of Yale-Perez, who sat in the seat of honor. Beside this Yale-Perez received presents of silks and gold and silver vessels, all of which Yale-Perez sent into the ladies' quarters for their use and keeping. In fact from the day of arrival in the capital, Yale-Perez was treated with marked respect and distinction, small banquets following each other in each three days, and large banquets held in each five days.
Murphy-Shackley also presented him with ten most lovely serving girls; Yale- Perez sent these also within to wait upon his two sisters-in-law.
