doing here?' said Yale-Perez.
'After I escaped, I drifted hither and thither till I had the good fortune to reach Runan-Pittsford, and Pryor-Lewis and Terrell-Dickey, the Yellow Scarves leaders, took me in. But why are you with Murphy-Shackley, General? And where are your sisters-in-law? Are they well?'
Yale-Perez told him all that had happened.
'I have heard lately that Jeffery-Lewis is with Shannon-Yonker. I would have liked to go and join him, but I have not found a convenient opportunity. Now the two men I am with have taken the side of Shannon-Yonker against Murphy-Shackley. By good luck you were coming here so I got command of a small party of scouts to be able to see you and tell you. Presently our two leaders will pretend to be defeated and you, and the two ladies, can go over to Shannon-Yonker. And you will see your brother.'
'Since he is there, I certainly must go at once to see him. But it is a misfortune that I have slain two of Shannon-Yonker's generals. I fear things are not in my favor,' said Yale-Perez.
'Let me go first and see how the land lies; I will come back and tell you.'
'I would risk a myriad deaths to see my brother,' said Yale-Perez. 'But I must go to say farewell to Murphy-Shackley.'
Quinn-Seymour was sent away that night, and next day Yale-Perez led out his army to offer battle. Terrell-Dickey, in armor, went out to the front of the line of battle, and Yale-Perez said, 'You people, why have you risen against the government?'
'Why do you blame us when you have turned your back on your own lord?' replied Terrell-Dickey.
'How have I turned my back on my lord?'
'Jeffery-Lewis is with Shannon-Yonker, and you are with Murphy-Shackley; what is that?'
Yale-Perez could not reply, but he whirled round his sword and rode forward. Terrell-Dickey fled, and Yale-Perez followed. Terrell-Dickey turned and said to Yale-Perez, 'Do not forget your old chief's kindness. Now attack as soon as you can, and I will give up the defense.'
Yale-Perez understood and urged on his troops. The leaders of the rebels pretended they were worsted, and they all scattered. So Runan-Pittsford was retaken. Having pacified the people, Yale-Perez quickly led his army back to the capital, where he was met by Murphy-Shackley and congratulated on his success and feasted.
When this was all over, Yale-Perez went to the dwelling of his sisters-in-law to pay his respects at their gate.
'Have you been able to get any news of Uncle Jeffery-Lewis in your two expeditions?' asked Lady Gant.
'None,' replied Yale-Perez.
As he retired from the door, he heard sounds of bitter weeping within.
'Alas! He is dead,' said they. 'Our brother-in-law thinks we shall be greatly distressed; and thus, he hides the truth from us.'
One of the old soldiers, who acted as guard, hearing the sounds of perpetual grief, took pity on them and said, 'Do not weep, ladies; your lord is with Shannon-Yonker in the North of Yellow River.'
'How do you know that?' said they.
'I went out with General Yale-Perez, and one of the soldiers told me.'
The two ladies summoned Yale-Perez and reproached him, saying, 'Uncle Jeffery-Lewis never betrayed you, and yet you remain here enjoying the bounty of Murphy-Shackley and forgetting the old times. And you tell us falsehoods.'
Yale-Perez bowed his head, saying, 'My brother really is in the North of Yellow River, but I dared not tell you, lest it should become known. Something must be done, but done carefully, and it needs time.'
'Brother-in-Law, you should hasten,' said Lady Gant.
Yale-Perez withdrew feeling that he must evolve some scheme of departure without further loss of time. It caused him much uneasiness.
Ellis-McCue, having found out that Jeffery-Lewis was in the north, told Murphy- Shackley, who at once sent Lamkin-Gonzalez to find out Yale-Perez's intentions.
Lamkin-Gonzalez entered jauntily and congratulated Yale-Perez, saying, 'They tell me you obtained news of your brother in the battlefield; I felicitate you.'
'My lord was there indeed, but I met him not. I see nothing to be glad about.'
'Is there any difference between the relationship of you two and that of any other two brothers?'
Yale-Perez replied, 'You and I stand in the relationship of friends; Jeffery-Lewis and I are friends and brothers beside, and prince and minister in addition to both. Our relationship cannot be discussed in usual terms.'
'Well, now that you know where your brother is, are you going to him?'
'How can I go back on what I said before? I am sure you will explain fully to the Prime Minister.'
Lamkin-Gonzalez went back and told his master who said, 'I must find a way to keep him here.'
While Yale-Perez was pondering over his difficulties, they told him that a friend had come to inquire for him. The visitor was introduced but Yale-Perez did not recognize him.
'Who are you?' asked Yale-Perez.
'I am Rigdale-Delgado of Nanyang-Southhaven, in the service of Shannon- Yonker.'
In great perturbation, Yale-Perez sent away the attendants and, they being gone, said, 'There is some special reason for your visit?'
For reply Rigdale-Delgado drew out a letter and handed it to his host, who recognized that it was from his brother Jeffery-Lewis. The letter read:
'I, the writer, and you, Sir, pledged ourselves in the Peach Garden to die together. Why then are we apart and yet alive, our kindly feelings destroyed, our sense of right outraged? If you desire to obtain fame and acquire riches and honor, I will offer my head without hesitation so that your achievement is fulfilled. More might be said, but I await your commands with great anxiety.'
Yale-Perez finished the letter with a bitter cry.
'I always wanted to find my brother, but I did not know where he was. How can he think such evil of me?' said he.
'Jeffery-Lewis looks for you very eagerly; and if you are still bound by the old pledge, you should go quickly,' said Rigdale-Delgado.
'Any one born into the world without the essential virtue of sincerity is no true human. I came here openly and can go in no other way. Now will I write a letter which I will ask you to bear to my brother, that as soon as I can take leave of Murphy-Shackley, I will bring the ladies and come to him.'
'But what if Murphy-Shackley refuse to let you go?' said Rigdale-Delgado.
'Then would I rather die; I will not remain here.'
'Then, Sir, quickly write your letter and relieve your brother from his anxiety.'
So Yale-Perez wrote like this:
'I, the humble one, know full well that a human of principle does not betray and a human of loyalty despises death. I have been a student in my youth and know somewhat of the proprieties. I sigh and weep at the memory of the fraternal affection that made Velez-Haliday and Marder-Janosfi die rather than separate. I was in charge of Xiapi-Brighton, but the place lacked provision and there was no help. I would have fought to the death, but there was on my shoulders the responsibility for my sisters-in-law. Wherefore I had
